The Orlando Magic’s starters were badly outplayed by the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the time to change is nigh.
The Orlando Magic did not come out of the gates well in a showdown with the Eastern Conference’s number one team. By halftime, Orlando’s starters had been outscored 42-9 by the Cleveland Cavaliers’ starting five. By the end of the game that tally reached 65-20 — and that was without a single Cavalier starter seeing minutes in the fourth period and no Magic starter scoring in double figures.
The game was well out of hand, thanks to a stagnant Magic offense and lethargic pitiful defense.
Scott Skiles, however, is not one to jive with a lack of effort. He saw that in his starters on the second night of a back to back, but there are no excuses for simply failing to be a professional.
Scott Skiles said a lineup change might be necessary.
— Josh Robbins (@JoshuaBRobbins) January 3, 2016
Simply, a professional is a player whose effort levels reach the max, all the while conducting himself in a proper manner with teammates and officials.
Unable to get the starting unit to play energized basketball, the Magic went deep into their bench Saturday night. The result was that the only double-figure scorers were reserves: Mario Hezonja, Shabazz Napier and Aaron Gordon. All three reached the 10-point mark while playing garbage time minutes without a single Cavalier starter on the floor.
That begs the question: Which, if any, of those three players deserves a starting nod?
Next: Who Starts?