The Big Question: Can the Orlando Magic’s bench deliver?
By S.W. Guest
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As Tobias Harris got paid this offseason, he can expect starters’ minutes at either the small or power forward spots, although who out of Channing Frye and Aaron Gordon gets to play alongside him is perhaps a matter only training camp can determine.
On the face of it Frye lends what is an otherwise young starting five veteran presence, although his disappointing 2015 campaign may ultimately force him into a backup role that, given his age, might suit him far better (especially considering how disastrous his pairing with Nikola Vucevic was last season).
As a stretch-4, he will always be a threat. Provided he can stay healthy, his ability to spread the floor and knock down the three-ball – he shot 39 percent from deep last year – could benefit the assist totals of C.J. Watson and Shabazz Napier greatly.
As for Aaron Gordon, his stock rose significantly this offseason thanks to a number of extremely impressive Summer League outings that have given him a realistic shot at starters’ minutes following a rookie season marred by injury.
The addition of a 3-point shot and a little offensive polish has transformed him into a versatile “tweener” capable of influencing the game on both ends of the floor. When you throw his outrageous athleticism into the mix Gordon seems to have all the makings of an NBA mainstay with a bright future ahead of him.
But, as with Hezonja, coach Skiles may want to manage expectations here by easing, rather than throwing, the University of Arizona product in. If that does turn out to be the case, Gordon, a player capable of guarding multiple positions, will give the second unit a defensive edge it will almost certainly lack if he is instead to be a part of the starting five.
Less versatile than both Frye and Gordon, Andrew Nicholson is likely to serve as a dedicated power forward once again. This is a big year for him too, as his rookie contract expires at the end of the season. If he wants his Orlando Magic career to continue beyond the 2016 season, he has to convince Rob Hennigan that he deserves an extension.
That will not be easy, as Nicholson’s three years in the league to date attest. But Scott Skiles and his coaching staff will be hoping to unlock some of the more consistent offensive production interim head coach James Borrego got from Nicholson last season.
The key, as I pointed out recently, is ensuring he gets shots in the right areas, as the St. Bonaventure alum is far more efficient from within 5-10 feet of the basket than he is from beyond that range. And provided Skiles uses him in those areas, Nicholson should give the Magic yet another scoring option off the bench, even if his defence does still leave a lot to be desired.
Any remaining minutes at the forward spots are likely to be fought over by Devyn Marble, the second year man whose defensive talents should appeal to Skiles, and Melvin Ejim, a late offseason signing who played on the Magic’s Summer League roster and averaged 6.0 points per game for the Canadian national team at the FIBA Americas, assuming they both make it through camp that is.
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