Who Is The Orlando Magic's No. 1 Guy?

Every so often, I like to do a “You’re The GM” piece on this website. The idea being if you were presented with two players and had to build your team around one, who would it be. It’s by no means a new or particularly crazy concept, but it’s one that usually divides opinion and throws up interesting answers and perspectives.

Of course it is lighthearted and is done to gauge what fans think about one player over another more than anything. If we take this formula and apply it to the two best players currently on the Orlando Magic’s roster, Victor Oladipo and Nikola Vucevic, who would come out on top in the fan’s eyes?

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Victor Oladipo

The second-year shooting guard out of Indiana was supposed to be here, in this position. The second pick in the 2013 NBA draft, immediately Oladipo was looked upon by Magic fans and management alike to be the player to take them away from the post-Dwight Howard era and into an exciting new place.

Despite a shaky start, which can be partly attributed to being used as a point guard, something he didn’t do in college, Oladipo is quickly becoming everything this team hoped he would be. He’s athletic, has a high basketball IQ and contributes on the defensive end as well. So why is this even a question?

On a personal level, I’ve had the feeling for a while now that Oladipo would be better served as the second option on a playoff team. That two way player who can score buckets and defend the opposition’s best player, but who is not the focal point of the team, especially on the offensive end.

The likes of rookies Andrew Wiggins and even Jabari Parker only reinforced this point for me. Already Wiggins looks like a future go-to guy on a playoff team, and Parker was looking that way before injury curtailed his development. I’ve never gotten that feeling with Oladipo.

Jan 14, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) drives to the basket as Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo (5) and center Nikola Vucevic (9) double team during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

His 16.7 points a game is well up on his rookie campaign (13.8), but he’s still only the third highest scorer on his own team (Vucevic and Tobias Harris are both ahead of him). Most statistical categories are up (although his assist numbers have fallen slightly to 3.8 a game) and as mentioned he’s a great defensive player.

In fact, his backcourt partnership with Elfrid Payton has the potential to blossom into something special. He’s doing all the right things for this team, and he doesn’t have anything to prove to anybody. If he is Orlando’s best player and the one that you would choose to build a team around, you’d be in a good place.

Nikola Vucevic

Then there is this guy. Acquired in the trade that saw Howard land in Los Angeles from the Philadelphia 76ers, people raved about his potential. Well he’s fulfilled and some would argue surpassed that already as he continues to grow as a player. This conversation isn’t a slight on either player, it’s brilliant that Orlando has them both.

But the fact that Vucevic’s play has made some question who is actually the franchise player on this team shows you how far he’s come. In some ways it’s kind of like asking who the alpha male of the Oklahoma City Thunder is, Kevin Durant or Russell Westbrook. That’s no bad thing.

Centers may not be at a premium in the NBA the way they once were, but in some ways that almost makes Vucevic more valuable. His four-year, $54 million contract is a bargain as well considering the cap will rise league wide soon as a result of the new television deal (Oladipo is still on his rookie contract and it will be interesting to see how Orlando values him in time).

He’s a walking double-double (19.8 points and 11.4 rebounds for the year) and would have been an All-Star if he’d play on a better team.

In fact, he’s the sixteenth highest scorer in the entire league. That’s ahead of the likes of Chris Paul, Marc Gasol, Monta Ellis and John Wall. When you consider no other player on the Magic team requires a double team on a nightly basis allowing for him to get easier baskets, that’s huge. In fact, if any player is getting extra defensive attention, it’s him.

Yes he could be a better rim protector, but he’s getting better, albeit slowly. He sits seventh in the league in rebounding, and 10th in field goal percentage (54 percent) out of all the players who qualify.

It’s kind of scary to think where this Orlando team would be without Oladipo. He’s the face of the franchise, their best defensive player (for now) and his energy, smarts and play on both end make him crucial to this team’s success going forward. But Vucevic is right there with him, and is more important to this Orlando team in a lot of statistical areas.

Verdict

Obviously there are no right or wrong answers here, pieces like this are done in good spirits and to encourage debate. But for me at least, Nikola Vucevic is the better player for the Orlando Magic right now. He’s also got great hands for a big guy and can pass comfortably out of the post.

If you watch this team (a top five League Pass team surely) then you’ll know what this guy brings to the team every night. Oladipo can and probably will one day surpass his teammate as the best player on this team, but for now, I’d build my team around Nikola Vucevic.

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