The 2014 Orlando Magic roster consisted of several talented players who aimed to bring success to the team. Led by head coach Jacque Vaughn, the team had a combination of young prospects and experienced veterans. In the backcourt, the Magic had promising point guard Victor Oladipo, who was in his rookie season. Oladipo showcased his athleticism and defensive abilities throughout the season and was seen as a bright spot for the team. Joining him in the backcourt was Arron Afflalo, a skilled shooting guard known for his scoring ability. At the forward position, the Magic had Maurice Harkless, who was also in his second season.
2014-15 Position-by-Position Breakdown: Power Forward
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By John DentonSept. 9, 2014
ORLANDO -- No position on the Orlando Magic’s roster speaks more to the talent, depth and versatility of the squad than the power forward slot.
Additions made over the summer combined with improvements by returning players should give Magic head coach Jacque Vaughn plenty of options when formulating rotations for the season ahead. The depth of talent and overall variety of players at the power forward position should allow the Magic to play either physical against bigger teams or small and athletic against perimeter-based teams.
Free-agent newcomer Channing Frye is expected to be the starter at power forward, and he will most likely be backed up by the blossoming Kyle O'Quinn and Andrew Nicholson. And in certain situations, Tobias Harris and rookie Aaron Gordon can play small forward to give the Magic more speed and athleticism along the front line.
With the start of Orlando’s training camp just three weeks away, OrlandoMagic.com is breaking down each position with some in-depth analysis. For a look back at analysis of the center position, click HERE. Today, we break down the Magic’s strengths and weaknesses at the power forward position:
POSITION: Power forward
PROJECTED STARTER: Channing Frye (2013-14 stats: 82 games, 11.1 ppg., 5.1. rpg., 38.5 3FG percentage).
PROJECTED RESERVES: Kyle O’Quinn (2013-14 stats: 69 games, 6.2 ppg., 5.3 rpg., 1.28 bpg); Andrew Nicholson (2013-14 stats: 76 games, 5.7 ppg., 3.4 rpg., 42.9 FG percentage, 31.5 3FG percentage).
OVERVIEW: While some national analysts scoffed at Orlando’s July addition of Channing Frye through free agency, advanced metrics proved the veteran power forward to be one of the most impactful players in the NBA last season. Frye was a driving force behind Phoenix’s surprising season a year ago and standouts Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe were dramatically better when Frye was on the floor because of his ability to stretch defenses. The Magic feel the same will be true in Orlando where Frye’s shooting will create driving lanes for Victor Oladipo and Elfrid Payton and allow for single coverage for Nikola Vucevic and Tobias Harris. O’Quinn’s value to the Magic will once again be quite evident as he will be the primary backup at both the power forward and center positions. Harris – Frye’s first cousin – and rookie Aaron Gordon can also provide depth and tremendous athleticism at the power forward slot in smaller lineups. Orlando is also hopeful of Nicholson having a big bounce-back season following a drop off in several statistical areas last season.
STRENGTHS: Frye gives the Magic their first true ``stretch 4’’ since the days of Rashard Lewis and Ryan Anderson three years ago. Frye is a career 38.5 percent 3-point shooter. He’s made at least 160 3-pointers in three of the past four seasons. Last season with the Suns, Frye made six 3-pointers in January against Milwaukee, hit five threes in a game six times and connected on at least three triples 25 times. He dropped 30 points on the Denver Nuggets in January by putting on a 10-of-12 shooting exhibition (with five-of-seven 3-point shooting). Also, he scored at least 20 points in 11 games. If he can once again play 82 games, shoot the ball well from 3-point range and mentor the Magic’s young players he will be free-agent dollars well spent for the franchise. The versatility of O’Quinn and Harris – both of whom can play two positions – rounds out the depth at power forward.
WEAKNESSES: While Frye is an ultra-intelligent defender capable of guarding centers or power forwards, physicality isn’t one of his, umm, strengths. He, O’Quinn and Nicholson, along with Vucevic at center, will have to be strong rebounders and defenders for the Magic to hold their own against bigger frontlines and aggressive power forwards. Rebounding is a major question mark for this group. Harris, who has split time between small forward and power forward the past two seasons, has added some noticeable muscle this offseason and could push for more minutes along the frontline. He is an above-average rebounder for his size and it will be interesting to see him and Frye play together this season when they shift to power forward and center respectively. Time will tell if Gordon, a power forward in college, can play the power forward position in the NBA with his somewhat sleight 230-pound frame.
EXPECTATIONS: Frye is a major upgrade at the power forward slot what with his off-the-charts basketball intelligence, shooting stroke from 3-point range and his defensive versatility. And his true impact could be felt in the trickle-down effect that he has on others on the roster (primarily Oladipo and Harris). O’Quinn thrived as a starting power forward late last season and he will continue to supplement the center and power forward positions. Nicholson has worked hard this summer on getting back to the strong post game that made him a first-round draft pick in 2012 and a solid rookie in 2013. Too much time at the 3-point line last season sapped his aggressiveness and zapped his confidence. And if Harris and Gordon prove an ability to hold up physically at the power forward slot it will offer head coach Jacque Vaughn lots of options when it comes to his player rotations.
Orlando Magic 2014-15 Preview - Growing From Boys to Men
The 2014-15 Orlando Magic are unlikely to compete for a playoff spot, but the youth movement is in full effect and the Magic should be pretty entertaining to watch.
By Dustin Chapman Oct 9, 2014, 1:53pm EDTAt the forward position, the Magic had Maurice Harkless, who was also in his second season. Harkless provided energy and versatility on both ends of the court. Channing Frye, a veteran stretch forward, brought valuable shooting and floor-spacing to the team.
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Even with Frye, one of the league's most lethal jump-shooting bigs, in the fold, Orlando will struggle to shoot from the outside. The departed Afflalo, Nelson, Moore, and Lamb accounted for 63.4 percent of the Magic's total three-point makes a season ago. Replacing those attempts with some from Frye, Fournier, and Ben Gordon could ease the load a bit, but generally speaking, opposing defenses should feel free to pack the paint against the Magic.
2013-14 IN REVIEW
23-59
5th in Southeast Division - 13th in Eastern Conference
With the youth movement fully intact, the Orlando Magic entered last season with low expectations. Second-year head coach Jacque Vaughn was coming off of a 20-win debut season, and they wouldn't be much better in 2013-14.
Arron Afflalo was given a big time opportunity to play as Orlando's number one scoring option last season, and he responded with the best basketball of his career. In a season where Afflalo is often mentioned as the most notable Eastern Conference All-Star snub, he put up a career high 18.2 points per game while shooting finishing with the sixth-best three-point percentage in the league at 42.7%. The former UCLA star has developed into a dynamite two-way impact player and he is currently one of the best all-around players at the shooting guard position.
Afflalo wasn't on his own in the backcourt, however, as the Magic lucked out in the 2013 draft lottery and ended up with the second pick in the draft. The prize would be Victor Oladipo , who brings a lot to the table on both ends of a floor as a versatile combo guard that can defend, make plays off the dribble and knock down an open jumper along with an unrecordable level of intangibles. He would see heavy minutes at both guard positions and was used as somewhat of an on-and-off starter, but he was a big part of what Jacque Vaughn wanted to do on the floor. Oladipo put up 13.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game while finishing second in the NBA's Rookie of the Year voting.
One thing that didn't work in their favor at the beginning of the season was Tobias Harris missing 21 of the first 22 games of the season with a nagging high-ankle sprain. Once he returned to action in December, he was able to put together a solid year and finished the season strong. Harris put up 14.6 point and seven rebounds per game, but came off the bench almost half the time. As a starter in 36 games, Harris averaged 15.7 points and 7.5 rebounds.
Orlando would also be without Nikola Vucevic for 25 games due to Achilles and ankle injuries. Vucevic, quickly establishing himself as one of the best centers in the Eastern Conference, still managed to rack up 36 double-doubles behind a career high 14.2 points and 11 rebounds per game.
The Magic weren't particularly active at the trade deadline, but they agreed to a buyout with our old friend Glen "Big Baby" Davis in February which, freed up minutes for the young guys and allowed Davis to head to the Clippers. One of the guys to benefit from Big Baby's departure was second-year big Kyle O'Quinn, as the active energizer played over 22 minutes per game after the All-Star break and put up nine points with seven rebounds per contest.
In terms of the wins and loss columns, last season was a tough year for Magic fans but at the very least, Orlando established direction and saw admirable growth from their young core throughout the course of the season.
SUMMER OF 2014
Key Additions - Aaron Gordon , Elfrid Payton , Channing Frye , Evan Fournier , Ben Gordon
Key Losses - Arron Afflalo, Jameer Nelson , E'Twaun Moore, Jason Maxiell , Doron Lamb
The Magic decided to really shake things up before the draft, surprisingly trading Aaron Afflalo to Denver in return for Evan Fournier and Devyn Marble. The deal provided some cap relief for Orlando, as Afflalo is due over $15 million over the course of the next two years if he picks up his player option for 2015-16. Overall, the trade took many by surprise based on the fact that Afflalo had just come off a career year, but they save some money and Fournier is a talented 21-year-old prospect that scored over 10 points per game in the second half of last season.
Orlando also owned two top 10 picks in the draft. At fourth overall, the Magic took Aaron Gordon, an active-bodied freak athlete with big time defensive potential. Gordon needs to work on his jumper and he shot just 42% from the free throw line in his freshman year at Arizona, but he will be dynamite out in transition and as a slasher around the rim. The 19-year-old might need some time before he truly starts to come into his own, but his high motor and physical gifts make him a very intriguing prospect.
With the 10th overall pick, Orlando went with Elfrid Payton to bring in some long-term help at point guard. Payton had a monster junior year at Louisiana Lafayette last season, where he dropped 19.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 2.3 steals per game. While he shot 50% from the field, he also went just 26% from beyond the arc and 59% from the free throw line. As Payton learns how to play the point in the NBA and develops his jump shot, he has high upside as a potential two-way impact player. At 6'4" with a nose for the ball, Payton is especially impressive on the defensive end.
After 10 years in Orlando, the Jameer Nelson era came to an end this summer as Nelson signed up for a chance to compete in the playoffs with Dallas. When Orlando drafted Elfrid Payton in the first round, the writing was practically on the wall.
Orlando may bring Payton along slowly, as 33-year-old free agent acquisition Luke Ridnour is pegged to start at point guard for the Magic on opening night. Ridnour didn't get as much playing time as he would have liked off the benches of Milwaukee and Charlotte last season, but he has always been a steady pure point guard that should be a positive example for Payton to learn from.
The Magic also made a splash by signing Phoenix Suns free agent Channing Frye to a lucrative four-year, $32 million deal. Nobody expected Frye to land that kind of contract, but no matter what the price tag says, Frye will fit in beautifully on the court. The spacing that Orlando may lack from some of their perimeter players will be balanced out by Frye and Vucevic up front, giving their impressive cast of athletes room to attack. That contract took a decent chunk out of their cap space, but he will be a productive veteran piece.
To fill out the backcourt, the Magic signed Ben Gordon to a two-year, $9 million contract. Gordon is coming off of a tough year in Charlotte, which was by far the worst season of his career, but you never know what can happen with a change of scenery. Worst case scenario, he doesn't work out and the Magic can decline their team option on the second year of his deal. Gordon really hasn't been the same player since he left the Bulls in 2009 but at 31 years old, there's still a chance he still has some solid basketball ahead of him.
PROJECTED DEPTH CHART
C - Nikola Vucevic / Kyle O'Quinn
PF - Channing Frye / Aaron Gordon / Andrew Nicholson / Anthony Randolph
SF - Tobias Harris / Moe Harkless / Devyn Marble
SG - Victor Oladipo / Ben Gordon / Evan Fournier / Willie Green
PG - Luke Ridnour / Elfrid Payton
X-FACTOR - Development of Youth
The Magic are in the process of rebuilding, and the tough times that they experienced last season could be duplicated in 2014-15. With that said, they have a quality group of young players to build with and the main objective this season is for them to grow.
Luke Ridnour, Channing Frye, Ben Gordon and Willie Green are the only four players on Orlando's projected 15-man roster over the age of 24. Everyone else is working to improve and establish themselves as NBA players. If the majority of the young core improves by the end of the year, the season will be a success no matter what their record is.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2014-15
The Magic won 23 games last season and then traded away their best player on the roster. Orlando more than likely is not quite ready to make a push into the playoffs, but they've began to fill out a promising foundation going forward.
Orlando will be fun to watch, but don't expect much more than 30 wins this season. Enjoy the highs, don't overreact to the lows and embrace the youth movement. It's going to take some time, but things are starting to get interesting down in Orlando.
PREDICTED STANDINGS
5th - Southeast Division
13th - Eastern Conference
Keep your eyes peeled for the New Orleans Pelicans preview, coming later today.
In the frontcourt, the Magic featured Nikola Vucevic, a promising young center who excelled in rebounding and scoring around the basket. Accompanying him was Tobias Harris, a skilled forward known for his scoring ability. The roster also included several role players, such as Jameer Nelson, Andrew Nicholson, and Doron Lamb, who provided depth and support off the bench. Although the 2014 season did not result in significant success for the team, the Orlando Magic roster showed potential and displayed the talent and skill of its players. The team continued to develop its young players and make changes in the following seasons..
Reviews for "Assessing the Orlando Magic's Three-Point Shooting in 2014"
1. John - 2 stars - The Orlando Magic roster in 2014 was extremely disappointing. The team lacked any star power and struggled to compete against other teams in the league. The lack of depth and talent was evident in their poor win-loss record. It was frustrating to watch them play because they lacked the ability to consistently perform at a high level. Overall, the roster in 2014 was a major letdown for Magic fans.
2. Sarah - 1 star - The Orlando Magic roster in 2014 was a complete disaster. The team lacked any cohesion and chemistry on the court, which resulted in a lackluster season. The players seemed disinterested and there were no standout performers. It was evident that there was a lack of leadership and direction within the team, leading to their abysmal performance. The roster simply did not have the talent or depth to compete in the NBA that year.
3. David - 2 stars - The Orlando Magic roster in 2014 was underwhelming to say the least. There were no standout players who could carry the team and make a significant impact. The lack of star power and consistent performers made it difficult for the Magic to compete against other teams. The team's overall performance was lackluster and they failed to make any significant progress. It was a disappointing season for Magic fans who had hoped for better results.
4. Emily - 2 stars - The Orlando Magic roster in 2014 was mediocre at best. The team lacked any true star players and relied heavily on inexperienced and unproven talent. Their lack of depth and skill was evident in their inability to win games consistently. The Magic failed to make any significant improvements throughout the season and never posed a threat to stronger teams in the league. Overall, it was a forgettable season for the Magic and their roster was a major contributing factor to their lack of success.
5. Michael - 2 stars - The Orlando Magic roster in 2014 was disappointing and uninspiring. The team lacked a clear identity and struggled to find their footing on the court. The lack of veteran leadership and consistent performers hindered their ability to compete at a high level. It was frustrating to watch them play as they never seemed to gel as a team. The overall talent level on the roster was simply not up to par with other NBA teams, resulting in a forgettable season for the Magic.