Orlando Magic Daily
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Allocating minutes to the Orlando Magic rotation

By Brett David Roberts

Milwaukee Bucks’ coach Scott Skiles directs his team during NBA play against the Miami Heat in Miami January 22, 2012. (REUTERS/Andrew Innerarity)
Milwaukee Bucks’ coach Scott Skiles directs his team during NBA play against the Miami Heat in Miami January 22, 2012. (REUTERS/Andrew Innerarity) /
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Apr 8, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson (22) fights for the rebound between Orlando Magic forward Tobias Harris (12) and forward Aaron Gordon (00) during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson (22) fights for the rebound between Orlando Magic forward Tobias Harris (12) and forward Aaron Gordon (00) during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Forwards

Small Forward: Tobias Harris, 34 minutes / Hezonja, 14 minutes

At small forward Harris is going to get most of the minutes as the team’s top isolation scorer. The remaining minutes go to the tandem of Hezonja and Fournier.

Power Forward: Aaron Gordon, 20 minutes / Jason Smith, 9 minutes / Dewayne Dedmon 9 minutes / Channing Frye, 10 minutes / Andrew Nicholson “DNP?”

Power forward is easily the most complicated battle for Orlando. 2014 No. 4 overall pick Aaron Gordon is certainly due to receive minutes, and after how he impressed in summer league this position could be his to lose eventually.

But does he start opening night? Maybe not.

The Magic do have an experienced (if not fully mediocre) Jason Smith, and he should be able to provide some mid range shooting and toughness.

Dewayne Dedmon is the strongest defender, perhaps even “by far,” but his noted offensive shortcomings may leave his teammates frustrated as his man plays “floater” and leaves the Magic essentially playing 4 on 5.

Channing Frye, Orlando Magic
Mar 6, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Channing Frye (8) reacts to a last minute basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings at Amway Center. The Magic won 119-114. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Lastly, Channing Frye is the highest paid and the best shooter at the 4-spot, but he is also arguably the weakest defender on the entire team. That does not seem to fit Skiles preferences, so it is reasonable to assume Frye loses more and more minutes as the season presses on.  Frye’s allotted 10 minutes could easy fall to a flat, unhealthy ‘zero.’

Or he could become “Phoenix Frye” and become the legitimate starting power forward that the Magic thought he was when acquired.  The ambiguity regarding his future (and role) makes predicting his minutes maybe the shakiest of all of the forwards.

Will the position in any way resemble this pure platoon? Probably not. And perhaps the real projection here is to be found in who plays the most minutes at different junctures of the season.

This position could be a revolving door, and Skiles will take the time to evaluate which player works best both with different combinations of teammates and against different types of opposing frontcourts.

The bottom line is it has to be better than last year, but as to whether any of these forwards can step up and be a go-to starter? That is really difficult to say at this point.

Gordon offers the best hope, but he is inexperienced and is still finding his way in the NBA.

Skiles has his work cut out for himself in figuring out how to handle the power forward minutes. Harris is also not fully and exclusively a small forward, though it seems that is where he is likely to spend most of the rest of his NBA career.

Next: The Men in the Middle