5 reasons the Orlando Magic will make the Playoffs in 2017

Position Versatility

The game of basketball is simple. Find the opposing mismatch and work it in your favor.

Why is it that when a guard has a center on the perimeter, the guard accepts the challenge of exposing why that big man should not have decided to guard him that far out?

It is because the guard knows with enough of a head start, he could blow right past the big man and score an easy basket.

For the Orlando Magic, they will hope to see Bismack Biyombo and Serge Ibaka in that scenario.

Both players possess the lateral quickness and footwork that should negate the speed of young guards getting past them to the rim.

In fact, the entire team has the ability to switch out on to opposing players at will without sacrificing much on defensive schemes and player placement.

Offensively, the Magic should be able to find mismatches consistently across the board. Each position essentially has a player who could play more than one position.

Elfrid Payton, while not the best shooter, could slide over to an off-ball guard position to run faster sets involving a second point guard such as D.J. Augustin.

Evan Fournier, the expected starting shooting guard, could play small forward and take advantage of slower, bigger forwards. Ditto for Mario Hezonja.

Aaron Gordon will double up as a small forward and power forward. At times, he could be used as a small-ball center.

Serge Ibaka will float as a forward and center. Nikola Vucevic and Bismack Biyombo will share time at the center position but do not be surprised to see Vucevic at power forward some this season, if he can develop a decent three-point shot to his offensive arsenal.

The ability to rotate personnel on offense and defense will be key as the Magic get creative with his mixed bag of talent.

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