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

By Philip Rossman-Reich

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)
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) /
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The Bad

There are plenty of instances of teams falling in love with a player’s physical attributes and assuming they can fill in his other skills as he develops. And there are plenty of instances of that thought process failing in the end. Physical attributes alone do not make a successful player.

That is where Melvin Frazier has worked a lot to improve over the years and still has a long way to go.

His scoring increased from 11.5 points to 15.9 points per game last year. More impressively, his 3-point shooting jumped from 26.4 percent to 38.5 percent. That suggests that there is still room for him to grow as an outside shooter. And he fits perfectly as a 3-and-D type player.

His offensive game still has a lot of room to grow. But he showed good ability to get downhill and finish above the rim when he does get to the basket. But his game with the ball is still probably very basic. There will not be a lot of complexity to it quite yet.

Frazier has really good size for a guard. And it will be difficult to block his shot. But it is clear he is still developing his form and consistency with it. His release is still a bit slow and so he could find himself hurried as defenses recover quickly on him.

To be sure, Frazier’s future success in the NBA is incumbent upon him continuing his development as an outside shooter especially.

At this point, a lot of Frazier’s weaknesses seem like they are from a player who is still learning the game and, more importantly, still learning what he is capable as a player. Frazier seems to have a lot of upside and showed flashes he could be a much better player. But it took him a long time to get it all together. And maybe to believe he could be that kind of player.

Frazier is probably someone who will accept a secondary role. That will probably prove to be a good trait for him. But there does seem like he could be a bit more and be a bit more consistent. With three years in college under his belt — and not a major college conference at that — there are legitimate questions about whether Frazier will ever reach that level of self-realization and self-actualization as a player.

He might end up being exactly what he is. And with questions about his 3-point shooting overall, that might not even be as a 3-and-D player.