2018 Orlando Magic NBA Draft Review: Melvin Frazier learns to use his length

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ORLANDO, FL – JUNE 22: Draft Pick Melvin Frazier speaks at the Orlando Magic Draft Press conference on June 22, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Bassing/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Melvin Frazier cut his teeth on the defensive end in college. He slowly progressed offensively. Now he has to prove himself all over again.

The big buzzword that came out of the NBA Draft for the Orlando Magic was a simple one: Length.

The three players the team selected all had that one element in common. Mohamed Bamba had the longest wingspan ever recorded at the NBA Draft Combine. Melvin Frazier had the second longest wingspan of any guard at the Combine. Justin Jackson was not too far behind as one of the longest players that came to Chicago.

The league has long had a fascination with these physical attributes. Several players full of athleticism and length have gotten drafted well beyond their talent abilities. Teams hope that they can teach the skills to match their physical attributes. At the grassroots level of the game, physical talent can outweigh basketball skill.

Eventually, it all catches up. Length has to meet skill.

That is perhaps what makes Frazier so interesting. He was not an athletic freak able to take the college world by storm. His skills simply were not there. The Tulane Green Wave had to employ his athleticism on the wings defensively and take whatever hit to their offense they needed to take.

A new coach in former NBA head man Mike Dunleavy helped change his perspective a bit. His junior year proved to be a major breakout that put him in position to make the NBA.

While he certainly does not have the skill to take his game beyond a supporting level, every team needs a role player. And Frazier has the physical talent and the skills to play that role. Sticking him as a defensive ace and difference maker on the wings is exactly what made him effective in college. It is the hope those skills translate to the NBA off the bench.

He will still have to grow his basketball skills, of course. Shooting is of paramount importance in the league. To be a 3-and-D player, these rangy athletes have to have the 3-pointer part too.

This is all part of what the Magic hope they will get from Frazier.