Opportunity is power for Orlando Magic bench

The Orlando Magic have added depth this year and that means opportunity is valuable. For a few players, opportunity has become power to get playing time.

Channing Frye was not always a starter this year. He was not even always in the rotation. In five of the first seven games Frye did not even play. His minutes were inconsistent when he did start playing after that stretch.

He played nearly 20 minutes in one game, then dropped down to around 15 minutes and then less than 10.

It seemed the narrative on Frye had won out. His offense was not doing enough to cover up whatever defensive deficiencies he might have. Then again, Frye was a veteran. As Scott Skiles worked through his rotation, Frye was someone he could relatively count on for consistency — someone who would provide the same level of intensity and skill no matter what. And that shooting still carried currency and weight.

Frye stayed ready. And his number was finally and fully called when the Magic made their lineup change.

He certainly benefited — 16.7 minutes per game — but Frye was fairly clear he was keeping the seat warm. Victor Oladipo was certainly a starter-quality player in the league, this was just a decision from the coach. Frye has played in only 17.8 minutes per game since the lineup change was made.

“It’s just whatever coach wants to do,” Frye said of his inconsistent playing time before the Magic’s recent road trip. “I talked to him earlier in the year when I wasn’t playing, I just said, ‘Hey, whenever you’re ready to play me, whatever it is, I’ll be ready to go.’ All of us kind of understand we want to win. It’s Vic’s spot, I just happen to be there today. Whatever works, I’m going to go out and play my game and get that first group going and get the game started right.”

Frye’s impact has been somewhat limited — 3.2 points per game and 37.5 percent 3-point shooting since the lineup change. Despite the poor individual stats, the Magic are +2.1 points per game with Frye on the floor and have a +5.9 net rating.

Frye again has become an easy player to pick on during the Magic’s recent struggles — and there is something to that as the Magic have a very poor 91.1 offensive rating with Frye on the floor the last four games. But the important thing for him when the lineup change first occurred was that he and several other players who suddenly found playing time were ready when called upon as the rotation shifted.

Whether that was Frye or Andrew Nicholson — Nicholson has played extremely well since the lineup change averaging 23.2 minutes per game after playing just twice in the first 11 games, averaging 9.3 points per game and shooting 56.4 percent effective field goal percentage — both have stepped up and given the Magic some desperately needed floor spacing and offense from the power forward spot.

“You look at guys like Andrew Nicholson at the end of the bench, the rotation right now is coach is trying to figure out that spark,” Frye said after the lineup change was made. “Last game [against Cleveland on Nov. 23], we didn’t know who was going in. Drew came in and gave us great minutes and the night before, but he hadn’t played all year. All of us staying ready — whether it is playing one on one, shooting or mentally doing what you have to do to be ready — is a sign of how good of guys we have on this team. Everyone has gone through this, we are trying to support each other.”

There is not much warning or signal minutes are going to change with the way things have gone for the Magic. The starters hardly have a guarantee they will finish the vast number of close games they have played so far this season.

What the Magic reserves have had to do is stay ready for their opportunity when it comes.

That is what Nicholson did in his time. He played in just two of the first 11 games this season and then played in 20-plus minutes in 10 of the next 12.

All of a sudden, Nicholson has become an important part of the Magic’s rotation to the point that he might get some starting consideration. This from a player who failed to crack the rotation the last two seasons.

Nicholson stayed ready for when his opportunity came around, playing one-on-one and two-on-two with other reserves and working on his individual skills. His turn came and he has delivered to this point.

“We just talked to him about being more energetic all the time at shootaround, at practice, with his pre- and post-practice work, when he gets into the game,” Skiles said. “And when he finally got an opportunity, he has done exactly that. He has turned himself up.

“He’s a skilled offensive guy. Anyone can see that. His defense, which I don’t think anybody before this year would say he is a high-level defender, has been very very good. he gets out to shooters, he helps controls the ball, he’s a bright guy so he is always in the right spot in our schemes.”

Like his draft classmate Maurice Harkless, opportunity is powerful and Nicholson has taken advantage of the opportunity handed to him.

Nicholson’s emergence is just one of the examples of a player taking advantage of the opportunity. There will undoubtedly be more during the course of the season. Rotations, as Skiles says, reveal themselves as the season goes on.

The wheel will spin again.

Dewayne Dedmon will get his chance again. Mario Hezonja will get his chance. Even Shabazz Napier will get his shot to push for the backup point guard when C.J. Watson returns.

Whether they stick or not will be completely up to them and whether they are ready when that chance comes. Early on in the season, several players have been ready and taken advantage of the opportunity when it comes.

For many, the wheel will spin around again.

Next: Aaron Gordon can become a lock-down defender

“It’s a long season,” Frye said. “I know guys are ready to play and come in there. Whenver coach calls my number, I need to be ready to play. And I know with him it’s not offense. Guys are ready to play. I think guys are getting more and more comfortable.”