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Orlando Magic: Week One Thoughts

By Luke Duffy

Oct 30, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) drives to the basket as Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) defends during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) drives to the basket as Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) defends during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 31, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Channing Frye (8) talks to referee Tony Brothers (25) during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks at Amway Center. The Mavericks won 108-93. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Channing Frye (8) talks to referee Tony Brothers (25) during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks at Amway Center. The Mavericks won 108-93. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Channing Frye Is Yet To Play

Through the first two games of the season, both losses, Channing Frye has received two DNP-Coach’s Decision designations beside his name in the box score. Why this is puzzling is because Frye gives the Magic different ways to play the game when he’s on the court.

He can shoot the three point shot (career 38 percent shooter) and stretches defenses which allows the likes of Payton to drive to the basket and Mario Hezonja to get more open looks.

You could argue that defensively he doesn’t do enough and that’s why head coach Scott Skiles has passed on using him, but last season he broke even and posted a defensive plus/minute of zero. Nikola Vucevic on the other hand, posted a minus-0.1 (although this season to date it’s been a fantastic plus-5.5, which we will return to).

Now, that’s assuming Frye would see time as the backup center, when he is probably best suited to being a stretch 4 for this team.

Either way, it could point towards a possible trade down the line. The Magic are yet to win a game but have been involved in two close contests, yet Frye was never sprung from the bench to try and see if he could help turn the game in his side’s favor. Every team needs veteran leaders and Frye is one, but already it looks like Frye has fallen out of the rotation with this team.

It will be interesting to see where he goes from here.

Next: Big Man Leading The Way Once Again

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