Orlando Magic: Don’t forget about D.J. Augustin

The Orlando Magic looked like a much better team in their opening game win over the Miami Heat, and D.J. Augustin was a big reason for that.

After four years of losses to start the season, the Orlando Magic broke that unwanted streak with a home opener victory over the Miami Heat.

This came despite the Heat having the more settled roster full of veteran players. Then again, the Magic won three of four against their neighbors last year, so this result wasn’t out of the blue.

While we can take nothing concrete away from one singular game, there’s no doubt the Magic played with much more composure than we’ve seen before. They allowed a 17 point lead to dwindle down to two in the third quarter, before pulling away once more to win 116-109.

Many players deserve a mention for the way the team played, and rookie Jonathan Isaac showed some nice flashes as well.

However, it was the unexpected productivity of point guard D.J. Augustin that was most surprising, and which may force us to rethink the depth chart for the team at that position. If you thought offseason addition Shelvin Mack was going to come in and back Elfrid Payton up right away, you were not alone.

Mack was coming off a nice year with the Utah Jazz, and at 27-years-old could have even been a more long-term replacement if Payton leaves in restricted free agency next summer.

Augustin, meanwhile, has bounced around the league since entering in 2008, and his career averages of 9.5 points and 3.8 assists weren’t the kind many teams desperately needed. Nevertheless, Augustin filled a need for the team last year, even if he didn’t play particularly well (Player Efficiency Rating of 11, league average is 15).

So the thinking was that once this season began and with the retooled roster the team had, Augustin would be an afterthought. We were wrong.

Although Augustin’s stats from the game were right in line with what he’s produced so far (seven points and two assists, 50 percent from the floor), he brought a calm tempo when on the court, whereas Payton is playing for a new contract, and played well as a result, Augustin seemed to float up the court and effortlessly got teammates going.

There were times he tried the fancy option and it didn’t work, but he appeared to be finding the likes of Bismack Biyombo and Jonathon Simmons at will.

For a while, the second unit were looking like the stronger of the two for the Magic, and Augustin’s leadership role at the point guard position played into that. It also helped him look better having veterans to get to the spots he needed them to, but the wily hesitation moves he put on the Heat defense were a joy to watch.

The Magic are buying into being an elite defensive team big time this year as well, and Augustin’s four rebounds were more than Payton (three) and even Simmons (two) which has to make you wonder, did we forget about Augustin too quickly? Of course Mack hasn’t had a chance to run the team himself yet, and he could be an even better backup.

But he averaged 7.8 points and 2.8 assists himself last season, similar numbers to Augustin. Even his PER (10.9) was essentially the same.

Orlando Magic

The only key difference is that Augustin is a career 37.1 percent 3-point shooter. Mack clocks in at the much less impressive 32.1.

Given that this team needs all the long range shooting it can get (they ranked second last in this category last season), doesn’t it make sense to keep Augustin with the second unit?

Especially when that also consists of (for now) guys like Simmons and Biyombo who aren’t exactly lethal from beyond the arc themselves?

Even more so if Augustin is giving the kind of defensive effort more closely associated with Payton?

Mack has his strengths for sure, and he’s a welcome addition to the team. But perhaps he’s just that little bit too close in skill set to Payton, which takes versatility away from the team.

Augustin is also making $7.25 million this season in what is the second of a four year, $29 million deal he is playing on.

While that contract is extremely moveable and contending teams may come calling for his backup floor general play, that’a a great deal that doesn’t eat into the Magic’s cap at all.

Another important reason to keep Augustin around is to run the floor with the second unit and younger players. His services come relatively cheap, services it looked like the Orlando Magic were about ready to move on from until an unexpected opening night class in veteran backup point guard from D.J. Augustin helped the team to a win.

He can do most of the things the other one guards on this team can do, while also shooting the ball better than they can and having a nice pick and roll game with Bismack Biyombo.

Skills that appeared to be easy to find elsewhere, such as in a player trending upwards like Shelvin Mack.

But as head coach Frank Vogel continues to try and find his best lineups for the long season ahead, Augustin has done a great job of ensuring his minutes won’t tip too much from the 19.7 he averaged last season.

Next: 30 reasons to be excited for the 2017-18 NBA season

This despite renewed hope and increased competition on an improved roster. He might even turn into a bit of a cult figure if he keeps this play up, and that’s the most surprising part about a memorable opening night.