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Orlando Magic Daily Mailbag Volume 9: Find your role

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Feb 6, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Tobias Harris (12) and guard Victor Oladipo (5) reacts during overtime at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 103-97. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Tobias Harris (12) and guard Victor Oladipo (5) reacts during overtime at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 103-97. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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To steal from Rob Hennigan: Victor Oladipo is just a guard.

OK, that answer got tired pretty fast. Oladipo is not a full-time point guard. The experiment was one sort of out of necessity to get him to improve and be versatile since he does not have the height to move up to the small forward position.

I do not think there was every much intention to play Victor Oladipo at point guard. He played only 29 percent of his minutes at point guard according to Basketball-Reference after playing 59 percent of his minutes there his rookie year.

The experiment of playing Oladipo at point guard seemed to be more one of necessity than anything else. After Jameer Nelson, the Magic were trotting out another converted point guard in E’Twaun Moore out there. Plus there was the logjam with Arron Afflalo. Having Oladipo play point guard was a way to get him on the floor.

More than that though, teaching Oladipo how to play point guard was instructive. It taught him to be a playmaker and distribute the ball and to play the pick and roll. In his final year at Indiana, Oladipo had a 15.2 percent assist rate. With the Magic last year, Oladipo posted a 19.3 percent assist rate after topping 20 percent his rookie year.

Dec 3, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo (5) goes around the pick set by forward Andrew Nicholson (44) as Philadelphia 76ers guard Michael Carter-Williams (1) defends during the third quarter at the Wells Fargo Center. The Sixers defeated the Magic 126-125 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo (5) goes around the pick set by forward Andrew Nicholson (44) as Philadelphia 76ers guard Michael Carter-Williams (1) defends during the third quarter at the Wells Fargo Center. The Sixers defeated the Magic 126-125 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Oladipo’s time as the formal point guard is probably over. Elfrid Payton has that spot locked down pretty well and the Magic have plenty of options behind him.

But Oladipo is a guard, remember? Positionless basketball is in. And in any case, the pick and roll is in. Every guard needs to be able to read and react to pick and roll. Every guard needs to be able to get into the paint and create for others.

That rookie year playing point guard was an education. It was an opportunity to grow a skill he would need to thrive in the NBA. It made him a better player.

The Magic will continue to see him use those skills. He just may not be the point guard proper.

Next: Strengths and Weaknesses