Orlando Magic Daily
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Finding the next Dewayne Dedmon D-League call up

By Zach Palmer

Mar 10, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; Orlando Magic center Stephen Zimmerman (33) dunks the ball against the Charlotte Hornets in the second half at Spectrum Center. The Hornets defeated the Magic 121-81. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; Orlando Magic center Stephen Zimmerman (33) dunks the ball against the Charlotte Hornets in the second half at Spectrum Center. The Hornets defeated the Magic 121-81. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Vander Blue, Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings
Apr 15, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Vander Blue (12) dribbles against Sacramento Kings guard Nik Stauskas (10) in the first half during the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

Vander Blue

The first and most obvious choice for the Magic is the undersized two guard out of Marquette, Vander Blue.

Blue is tearing up the D-League much the way he did at Marquette. Blue is sporting a nice line in the D-League averaging 24 points, nearly five rebounds, and three assists per game on 44 percent shooting from the field, as well as 36 percent from deep.

I would describe Blue’s play style as a dribble penetration-oriented shooting guard. He loves to attack the paint, using his advanced ball handling and quickness to beat guys to the lane. Blue is averaging an insane 9.2 free throw attempts per game in the D-league this year.

When Blue is not able to blow right past his man, he is able to use his handle to create open looks from the mid-range, though that is not nearly as effective. Blue also has the 3-point shot as a weapon in his arsenal, though it would be hard to call him a knockdown shooter.

But on defense, Blue is not nearly as NBA ready, and probably will not ever be. He is small, but he clearly is a shooting guard. He is a gamer and tries hard on that end but he is physically overmatched. That disadvantage will only be exposed more at an NBA level.

Blue projects out as a volume scoring bench option at an NBA level. For the Magic, he could easily slide in and take the backup two minutes from C.J. Watson.