[KHAM83Participant]

Hi all, just wondering have Orlando indicated their thoughts of Oladipo’s position going forward? They drafted him to be their pg of the future and I have not heard/read anything different since.

I have always thought they would switch him to sg, I never got the idea of him being their pg, and I think most of you all will agree with me there. But what we think doesn’t matter nearly as much as what the Magic brass thinks. Reason I bring this up, I want to take this into account when I start doing my mock. Everywhere Ive read recently, the Magic likes Oladipo’s improvements as a PG. If so, I am not so sure they’ll be looking to draft a pg. I know Exum is a combo (I also see him as a ball dominant sg and not a pg in this league), but I think they would go elsewhere. If, and again I stress IF, Orlando wants Oladipo to be their pg, I think they’ll take a sg who can provide shooting to pair him with, ie Levin or Stauskus. With Afflalo there, and no rush to trade him, Ill guess Levine is the preference. With their first pick, I think they’ll grab a pf instead of Exum.

So again, I am asking have we heard anything from Orlando stating that Oladipo is their pg or sg? I read somewhere that he played overwhelming majority of his rookie minutes as the pg.

[joecheck88Participant]

 My opinion on it is we are getting away from set positions. More like backcourt and front court players. Do I think Oladipo is their PG? No. Do I think he will bring the ball up for them a good amount? Yes. There are still a few Point Guards left but more and more we see guys like Westbrook, Rose, Lillard and Walker who are more scorers than they are guys that set people up. Just think in today’s game there is more of an emphasis on guys that can create for both themselves and others. 

To make a point I think we are heading more towards backcourts like Westbrook and Jackson. Or Oladipo and Smart. Or Lillard and McCollum(example not saying McCullom should start). Think teams are envisioning more speed and athleticism with the ball than true positions. Multiple guys that can run the offense. 

[ballislyfe25Participant]

Great point/observation that we are getting away from set positions. The Magic drafted Oladipo as a guard, or backcourt player, not neccesarily a point guard or shooting guard.

Every team needs to have certain skill sets and abilities to consistently play winning basketball; perimeter defense, ball handling, rebounding, etc. It does not matter which players or "positions" these skills come from, as long as a team has them. Mario Chalmers is listed as a "point guard", however, LeBron James handles more of the duties of a traditional point guard (even with Chalmers on the floor), despite being listed as a "small forward". The 2011 Mavericks and 2004 Pistons are, in my opinion, great examples of getting the necessary skill sets from all different positions. Chandler and Ben Wallace provided the defense, rebounding, shot blocking, and energy that perfectly complimented Dirk and Rasheed’s versatile inside/outside scoring ability.

Oladipo gives the Magic great athleticism, defense, and energy for a guard/backcourt player. Letting him run the show as the primary ball handler definitely will benefit him in the long run, no matter who is paired with him in the backcourt. Both Dante Exum and Marcus Smart would compliment Oladipo well, as both of these players can play as the primary ball handler or the off-ball guard when in the game with Oladipo. They can also guard any other backcourt combinations, which is the main reason these players can play together. Victor seems to be a hard working, high character player who works hard to improve his game. In a few years, he may be one of the more well-rounded guards in the league.

I also love the comparison in an earlier post to a young Dwyane Wade. He was bigger and a bit more explosive than Victor, however, they are strikingly similar at that age and were being used very similarly as young players.

[ballislyfe25Participant]

Great point/observation that we are getting away from set positions. The Magic drafted Oladipo as a guard, or backcourt player, not neccesarily a point guard or shooting guard.

Every team needs to have certain skill sets and abilities to consistently play winning basketball; perimeter defense, ball handling, rebounding, etc. It does not matter which players or "positions" these skills come from, as long as a team has them. Mario Chalmers is listed as a "point guard", however, LeBron James handles more of the duties of a traditional point guard (even with Chalmers on the floor), despite being listed as a "small forward". The 2011 Mavericks and 2004 Pistons are, in my opinion, great examples of getting the necessary skill sets from all different positions. Chandler and Ben Wallace provided the defense, rebounding, shot blocking, and energy that perfectly complimented Dirk and Rasheed’s versatile inside/outside scoring ability.

Oladipo gives the Magic great athleticism, defense, and energy for a guard/backcourt player. Letting him run the show as the primary ball handler definitely will benefit him in the long run, no matter who is paired with him in the backcourt. Both Dante Exum and Marcus Smart would compliment Oladipo well, as both of these players can play as the primary ball handler or the off-ball guard when in the game with Oladipo. They can also guard any other backcourt combinations, which is the main reason these players can play together. Victor seems to be a hard working, high character player who works hard to improve his game. In a few years, he may be one of the more well-rounded guards in the league.

I also love the comparison in an earlier post to a young Dwyane Wade. He was bigger and a bit more explosive than Victor, however, they are strikingly similar at that age and were being used very similarly as young players.

[joecheck88Participant]

 My opinion on it is we are getting away from set positions. More like backcourt and front court players. Do I think Oladipo is their PG? No. Do I think he will bring the ball up for them a good amount? Yes. There are still a few Point Guards left but more and more we see guys like Westbrook, Rose, Lillard and Walker who are more scorers than they are guys that set people up. Just think in today’s game there is more of an emphasis on guys that can create for both themselves and others. 

To make a point I think we are heading more towards backcourts like Westbrook and Jackson. Or Oladipo and Smart. Or Lillard and McCollum(example not saying McCullom should start). Think teams are envisioning more speed and athleticism with the ball than true positions. Multiple guys that can run the offense. 

[Lafferty DanielParticipant]

He’s a SG that can guard ones. Reminds me of Dwyane Wade’s rookie year when the Heat used him at PG to improve his handles and decision making.  I think the Magic move him to SG full time on offense this year because they’ll have a chance at Exum/Smart with the 4th pick, and Payton/Ennis with the 12th pick.

[Prime TimeParticipant]

I agree. They let him play PG in a season where wins didn’t really matter. It gave him an opportunity to improve his handles and ability to set people up, however, I believe the Magic will still look for a PG of the future in this draft. 

[Prime TimeParticipant]

I agree. They let him play PG in a season where wins didn’t really matter. It gave him an opportunity to improve his handles and ability to set people up, however, I believe the Magic will still look for a PG of the future in this draft. 

[Lafferty DanielParticipant]

He’s a SG that can guard ones. Reminds me of Dwyane Wade’s rookie year when the Heat used him at PG to improve his handles and decision making.  I think the Magic move him to SG full time on offense this year because they’ll have a chance at Exum/Smart with the 4th pick, and Payton/Ennis with the 12th pick.

[Moon RiverParticipant]

I have heard some astute NBA guys say it is not really what position you play on offense, but it is what position you will defend.  Oladipo is a very good defender but he is smallish to defend bigger SG’s.  This is why I think Exum does make some sense for Orlando.

[Lafferty DanielParticipant]

 I agree.  An Exum/Dipo pairing makes a lot of sense.  

[Lafferty DanielParticipant]

 I agree.  An Exum/Dipo pairing makes a lot of sense.  

[Moon RiverParticipant]

I have heard some astute NBA guys say it is not really what position you play on offense, but it is what position you will defend.  Oladipo is a very good defender but he is smallish to defend bigger SG’s.  This is why I think Exum does make some sense for Orlando.

[Memphisboy14Participant]

I don’t think he’s a natural ball-handler even though I think he’s an adequate ball-handler and has made improvements. He’s also not a natural playmaker and doesn’t have the greatest court vision but he’s a good and willing passer. I love him as a player though. He doesn’t have to be a PG to be a great player though. I do think that he’s getting better at scoring the ball and creating his own offense not only that but his versatility defensively is great. Not only does he have the quickness and insticts to guard PGs but he has the strength and length to guard SGs and some SFs. If Orlando gets either Dante Exum or Marcus Smart they are gonna have a backcourt that could possibly shut opposing backcourts down in the future. 

[Memphisboy14Participant]

I don’t think he’s a natural ball-handler even though I think he’s an adequate ball-handler and has made improvements. He’s also not a natural playmaker and doesn’t have the greatest court vision but he’s a good and willing passer. I love him as a player though. He doesn’t have to be a PG to be a great player though. I do think that he’s getting better at scoring the ball and creating his own offense not only that but his versatility defensively is great. Not only does he have the quickness and insticts to guard PGs but he has the strength and length to guard SGs and some SFs. If Orlando gets either Dante Exum or Marcus Smart they are gonna have a backcourt that could possibly shut opposing backcourts down in the future. 

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