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Orlando Magic Daily Mailbag Volume 19: Everyone is thinking about it already

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Dec 9, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) drives past Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) to score during the second half of the game at the Spectrum Center. Hornets win 109-88. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 9, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) drives past Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) to score during the second half of the game at the Spectrum Center. Hornets win 109-88. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Serge Ibaka, Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic
Nov 3, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Serge Ibaka (7) and center Nikola Vucevic (9) high five in the first half in a game against the Sacramento Kings at Amway Center. Orlando Magic won 102-94. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /

They struggled a lot at the beginning of the season, but I still think the Orlando Magic’s original starting lineup is still the best one they can throw out there. That is Elfrid Payton, Evan Fournier, Aaron Gordon, Serge Ibaka and Nikola Vucevic, for those counting.

Maybe, for shooting and balance purposes, I would go with D.J. Augustin. But, ultimately, this is the lineup you want to live and die with. And, for the most part, the Magic close with this lineup to mixed results.

The numbers are, admittedly, not good for this group. The Orlando Magic’s original starting lineup posts a 103.5/110.4 offensive/defensive rating split in 169 minutes. But, since the first lineup change, that group is posting a 101.1/98.7 split in 26 minutes. It is a small sample size, but it is something worth exploring now that the team is used to each other again.

Take Elfrid Payton out and add D.J. Augustin for more shooting, and that group has an 112.4/85.9 offensive/defensive rating split in 39 minutes this season. That lineup seems to have more balance and is the best lineup.

The Magic are clearly still experimenting with lineups and starting/bench units. Say what you want about how poor the starting lineups look statistically, they do provide a good balance so the bench unit can also score.

Orlando probably will need to make a lineup change at some point again. Production matters and what they have is producing only moderately. Expect some experimentation.

I would like to see Payton and Vucevic back in the starting lineup with Gordon. But Augustin is a fine replacement too. And, yes, I would like to see some more experimenting with Ibaka-Gordon front lines (Jeff Green can join, I guess).