C.J. Watson’s return brings stability to point guard rotation

C.J. Watson is set to make his return, since being injured in November. Watson’s calming influence as a veteran should provide some stability to the lineup.

After being in injury purgatory, C.J. Watson will likely return to the court Friday against the Dallas Mavericks. Watson went through a full practice Wednesday for the first time since his injury, also going through 5-on-5 drills. He went through Thursday’s practice with no issues and is set to rejoin the rotation bringing the calming presence the team needs.

The Orlando Magic, desperately in need of a leader and veteran leadership, need to be able to close out games, which has been their Achilles heel all year long.

Aside from Channing Frye (now on the Cavaliers), Watson has the most experience on the team, and his veteran leadership on the court was sorely missed.

Watson is a legitimate threat from the perimeter, plays solid defense and is infinitely a better upgrade over Shabazz Napier. He also should be competing for minutes with newly acquired Brandon Jennings, meaning Napier will likely be warming up the bench, while the Magic run with a Payton-Watson-Jennings point-guard rotation.

Watson was a significant member of the second unit, before going down with a leg injury, being able to lead the floor while then starters rested. He helped defeat the Toronto Raptors in November, who were undefeated at the time, contributing with 12 points and four steals. However, the Magic have been struggling at point guard ever since his injury.

In eight games this season, he averages 4.8 points, 3.1 assists, and 1.0 steal per game in 20 minutes. With the Magic posting a 104.2 offensive rating with Watson on the floor to show for, as well as a 94.9 defensive rating, the Magic have benefited from his presence it would appear.

Watson also has a +10.5 plus/minus per game, albeit in a very small sample size. It is an upgrade on Napier’s -2.2 plus/minus per game, and his 100.6 offensive rating, and 103.8 defensive rating. This means with Watson replacing Napier, the Magic will certainly benefit on both ends of the floor.

With Watson, the Magic will be able to spread the floor more effectively, since Payton is not yet a reliable shooter. Teams will need to press Watson on the perimeter, which should open up the floor for drives and pick and roll situations. Defensively, Watson is not as effective as Payton, but he does a nice job forcing turnovers and sticking to his man.

In previous years, Watson was able to do a tremendous job anchoring the second unit with consistency. He appeared in 63 games with the Pacers last year, averaging 7.0 points in 19 minutes per game. In 2013, he also led the team in three-point shooting, at 41.1 percent, scoring in double figures 20 times.

Watson is not exactly going to wow you, he may have a scoring outburst occasionally during the year. What he can do is provide reliable offense and defense.

With that being said, Watson, and Jennings will be able to handle point guard duties as insurance should something happen to Payton, or he continues to struggle.

The Magic are sorely in need of a kick in the rear, if they hope to make the playoffs, and Watson will help them accomplish that.

While Watson was out, Scott Skiles has been using rookie Mario Hezonja at the point guard spot in the second unit in certain situations, with Hezonja saying that it is his “natural position.” That was a move more out of desperation than anything else with the lack of depth and consistency after Watson.

The Magic were searching for help with their point guard depth. Getting both Watson and Jennings into the rotation seems to have cured that quickly.

In a perfect world, Watson will eventually be the third string point guard or a combo guard next to Jennings off the bench, because that will have meant Payton regained his confidence, and Jennings turns out to be the steal of the Magic-Pistons trade. Having him in that position can only help the Magic.

The more likely scenario, however, is the Magic will use Watson as a backup point guard to Payton, and he and Jennings collectively may receive more playing time than Payton, since he seems not to be of much use when the Magic are trailing late in games.

Next: Brandon Jennings, Ersan Ilyasova know the work ahead

In any event, the Magic should benefit from Watson, in their playoff hunt, as of right now they are outside of the playoff race looking in, and they hope that he can help them get it together.