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What is the finishing lineup for the Orlando Magic this season?

By Joe Buckley

Nov 11, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) reacts after he made the game winning shot in the last seconds of the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 101-99. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) reacts after he made the game winning shot in the last seconds of the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 101-99. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nikola Vucevic Orlando Magic, Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City Thunder
Feb 3, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) fouls Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) on a shot attempt during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

The two bigs: Serge Ibaka and Nikola Vucevic

These two cannot be separated into power forward and centre. They are too similar and will likely simply be switching between the two constantly. It is splitting hairs at this point.

Ibaka was likely the biggest name the Magic acquired this summer. A staple of the Russell Westbrook-Kevin Durant Oklahoma City Thunder teams for years, Ibaka brings a reputation for his athletic and defensive ability.

Ibaka is in fact quite talented on both ends. He has worked hard in his career to develop a lethal jump shot, even extending to the 3-point line.

Ibaka’s worth in the clutch is not hard to decipher. Defense. Rebounding. Toughness. An experienced screen setter. A subtle offensive threat. A floor stretcher capable of tempting defending bigs out of the key.

Not only that, but Ibaka is the most experienced player on the roster in terms of playoff games, close games and clutch moments.

Ibaka does have his old weaknesses in terms of defense. While it would be foolish to claim Ibaka is not a top-notch defender, it would also be ignorant not to acknowledge he could be a much better defender if he was not so attached to the highlight play. He is much more inclined to the big block or the weak side swat, which unfortunately leads to fouls and defensive breakdowns near as often as they excite the crowd.

Still, he has improved on this, and perhaps this will show out on his new team.

His counterpart in the post, Nikola Vucevic, has been the team’s on-again, off-again star for the past two seasons. He is absolutely the clear choice for a starting spot on the finishing lineup, seeing as he is the proud owner of two game-winning jumpers from last year alone.

Vucevic is still the most talented inside player the Magic have, despite the acquisitions of Ibaka and Bismack Biyombo (who could certainly see his share of clutch minutes if he can bring the same defense and rebounding he gave to the Toronto Raptors last year.) Vucevic has a range of post moves and a jumper to match, as evidenced last year.

Next: Clutch intangibles