By John Denton Sept. 13, 2016
ORLANDO – The Orlando Magic had one of their busiest offseasons in franchise history, hiring a new coach and drastically overhauling the roster through trades, free agency and the draft.
Now, with training camp set to open in two weeks, it's time to delve deeper into the roster and evaluate the team's strengths and weaknesses.
The Magic stacked their roster with experience and talent this offseason by trading for Serge Ibaka, Jodie Meeks and C.J. Wilcox, signing Bismack Biyombo, Jeff Green and D.J. Augustine and drafting center Stephen Zimmerman. That group, combined with the returning core of Nikola Vucevic, Evan Fournier, Aaron Gordon, Elfrid Payton, Mario Hezonja and C.J. Watson, gives the Magic the belief that they will be a playoff team this season.
Training camp opens on Sept. 27 (at the Amway Center), the first preseason game (in Memphis) is Oct. 3 and the regular-season opener (vs. Miami at home) is Oct. 26.
Today, we look at the primary position of focus for the Magic this season: Center. How new head coach Frank Vogel shuffles the mix of Vucevic, Ibaka and Biyombo figures to be a primary storyline all season with the Magic. Without further ado, let's break down how the Magic look in the middle:
POSITION: Center
PLAYERS: Nikola Vucevic (7-0, 260, 5 NBA seasons); Bismack Biyombo (6-9, 255, 5 NBA seasons); Serge Ibaka (6-10, 235, 7 NBA seasons); Stephen Zimmerman Jr. (7-0, 240, NBA rookie).
PROJECTED STARTER: Vucevic (2015-16 stats: 18.2 ppg., 8.9 rpg., 1.1 bpg., 51 FG percent, 75.3 FT percent).
PROJECTED DEPTH: Biyombo (2015-16 stats: 5.5 ppg., 8.0 rpg., 1.6 bpg., 54.2 FG percent, 62.8 FT percent); Ibaka (2015-16 stats: 12.6 ppg., 6.8 rpg., 1.9 bpg., 47.9 FG percent, 32.6 3FG percent, 75.2 FT percent); Zimmerman Jr. (2015-16 stats at UNLV: 10.5 ppg., 8.7 rpg., 1.96 bpg., 47.7 FG percent, 29.4 3FG percent, 62.4 FT percent).
STRENGTHS: The Magic have arguably the best depth at center in the NBA what with Vucevic, Biyombo and Ibaka all having been starters and standouts at the position. Any of the three could start in the middle this season and the Magic would have few concerns because of their talent, experience and versatility. And because Vucevic and Ibaka can and will play power forward alongside of Biyombo, it will give the Magic the opportunity to get two big men and two rim protectors on the floor at the same time.
Another major strength for the Magic is the defensive prowess and versatility of Ibaka and Biyombo. Because both are elite shot-blockers, it should make the Magic much better defensively and opposing players will have to account for them when driving the lane. With the two of them on the floor together, the Magic could potentially control the paint and become a dominant defensive team.
WEAKNESSES: In a league where seemingly every team is going small and using shooters and drivers to space the floor, the Magic have invested heavily in three big men. But Vogel is confident that the style can work for the Magic because Ibaka and Biyombo both have great lateral quickness and can switch out onto smaller players on the perimeter. Vogel is also confident that Vucevic can be a better rim protector and interior defensive player because of the new defensive principles that the Magic will employ.
ANALYSIS: It will be interesting to see how the minutes and crunch-time playing time are distributed at the center and power forward positions considering that the Magic have three starting-caliber players in Vucevic, Biyombo and Ibaka. Regardless of how the breakdown goes, the Magic figure to be dramatically improved in the middle because of the tremendous depth and the game-altering shot-blocking of Biyombo and Ibaka. No longer will foes be allowed to make forays to the rim without shot-blockers coming at them at all angles.
Vucevic, Orlando's leading scorer and rebounder each of the past two seasons, is the likely starter in the middle because the Magic will need his scoring and his ability to stretch the floor as a mid-range shooter. Vucevic has played well this summer for Montenegro and has even shown off his improved shooting range by burying several 3-point shots. A member of the Magic's rebuild each of the past four seasons, Vucevic wants to be a part of an Orlando team that makes it to the playoffs and he will be willing to play whatever role is asked of him by Vogel.
Biyombo was one of the NBA's stars of the postseason as he helped the Toronto Raptors reach the Eastern Conference Finals with his hustle and muscle. He had a 17-point, 16-rebound effort in Game 7 against Miami and added 26- and 14-rebound efforts against Cleveland in the East Finals. Orlando believed greatly in Biyombo's abilities to provide energy, toughness and intangibles and they feel he will be a game-changer on both ends of the floor this season.
Ibaka comes to the Magic after seeing his numbers and his role slide a bit in Oklahoma City last season. In Orlando, he will be looked to as primary piece instead of a complementary one – something that should motivate him even more. The Magic feel that they are getting a hungry player determined to prove that he is still one of the game's elite big men.
Ibaka will spend the majority of his minutes at power forward, but he will play center in some small-ball lineups. His flexibility will allow the Magic to shift Jeff Green and Aaron Gordon to power forward some to better match up against teams playing “space and pace'' basketball.
Zimmerman is just 20 years old and will likely use much of his rookie season learning the center position from Vucevic, Biyombo and Ibaka. In July's Orlando Pro Summer League, he showed both flashes of potential and signs that he has a long to go to adapt to the NBA game. Becoming stronger and more physical are areas where Zimmerman's progress will be measured this season.
Note: The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Orlando Magic. All opinions expressed by John Denton are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Orlando Magic or their Basketball Operations staff, partners or sponsors.
