Orlando Magic: 4 keys to a better second road trip

2. Start Jonathon Simmons

Keeping with the theme of chopping and changing their roster while on the road to get some results, and it is clear Jonathon Simmons is their spark off the bench most nights.

He brings and intensity and tenacity that the team feeds off of, not to mention the fact he is having a career year in essentially all major statistical categories.

Make no mistake, Simmons should continue coming off the bench for the Magic over the course of this season. It just works for both player and team right now.

But on these longer trips, wouldn’t it be an idea to start Simmons for a game or two, just to see if the team can begin the games and build leads around what Simmons brings to the court?

It could also mean pairing Fournier with the second unit more throughout these games, and while it might seem unpopular, think of how much he could feast on opposing second units himself.

Simmons could begin the game bringing the urgency and drives to the basket he always does. Then Fournier could check in, backed up by above-average defenders Isaac and Bismack Biyombo. From there, he could rack up the points before likely finishing out the game with the starting unit he is used to once more.

Of course, Simmons could also replace Terrence Ross in the starting lineup, a less dramatic shakeup. It remains to be seen if he could take advantage of second units like Fournier would though.

Again, this would not be a long-term solution for the team at all. But it is clear from their first road trip, which was poor in many areas, that the team was being outworked more than outplayed.

Simmons is the one player who has the best chance of changing that culture, and in doing so it could ensure the Magic save face as well.