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Clues about the 2016-2017 Orlando Magic via Basketball Reference

By Dar-Wei Chen

Mar 29, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) drives to the basket as Brooklyn Nets forward Willie Reed (33) attempted to defend during the second half at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Brooklyn Nets 139-105. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 29, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) drives to the basket as Brooklyn Nets forward Willie Reed (33) attempted to defend during the second half at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Brooklyn Nets 139-105. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Bismack Biyombo, Toronto Raptors, Kyle Singler, Oklahoma City Thunder
Nov 4, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Toronto Raptors forward Bismack Biyombo (8) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kyle Singler (5) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

The Answer

Headline: Bismack Biyombo could be the answer at center

Statistics: Biyombo projected for 0.149 WS/48 (last year: 0.156); Nikola Vucevic projected for 0.12 WS/48 (last year: 0.122)

Bismack Biyombo

2016-17 Projection Table
Per 36 Minutes Shooting
Season Age Lg FG FGA 3P 3PA FT FTA ORB TRB AST STL BLK TOV PF PTS FG% 3P% FT% WS/48
2016-17 24 NBA 3.3 6.0 0.1 0.2 2.8 4.5 3.8 12.5 0.7 0.5 2.6 1.5 4.2 9.4 .542 .339 .625 .149

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 10/22/2016.

Nikola Vucevic

2016-17 Projection Table
Per 36 Minutes Shooting
Season Age Lg FG FGA 3P 3PA FT FTA ORB TRB AST STL BLK TOV PF PTS FG% 3P% FT% WS/48
2016-17 26 NBA 9.0 17.4 0.1 0.3 2.2 2.9 3.2 10.7 2.7 0.9 1.0 2.1 3.1 20.2 .516 .311 .757 .120

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 10/22/2016.

Interpretation:

Perhaps the most interesting position battle this offseason is between Bismack Biyombo and Nikola Vucevic for the right to start at center for the Magic. For now, it looks like Vucevic will begin the season as the starting center.

But do not be surprised if Biyombo gives Vucevic a run for his money at some point. After all, Biyombo has the highest projected win shares this season of any Magic player, according to Basketball-Reference.

We know the case for Vucevic: He is the borderline All-Star incumbent who provides the Magic with perhaps their most consistent scoring.

But Biyombo is coming off a breakout playoff performance with the Toronto Raptors in which he played very much like the kind of center one usually envisions for a Vogel-coached team (namely, providing tenacious rebounding and defending).

In a role similar to the one Roy Hibbert occupied on those great Indiana Pacers teams of recent years, Biyombo could provide the defensive rim protection that allows his front court teammates, Serge Ibaka and Aaron Gordon, to defend more aggressively on their assignments (because they know Biyombo can clean up their mistakes if need be).

His athleticism also makes him a more natural fit for the Magic if they pursue a “get stops, then run” kind of playing style, which seems like the plan right now.

Watch for Biyombo to possibly relegate Vucevic to being a second-unit offensive anchor, or even possibly to the trade block.