Is Victor Oladipo more valuable off Orlando's bench or as a starter?
Orlando's Victor Oladipo was ruled out for Wednesday's game against the 76ers. When he does come back, the Magic may want to keep him out of the starting lineup.
The Magic are 13-7 when Victor Oladipo comes off the bench compared to 6-11 when he's in the starting lineup: https://t.co/kjMfkVzUxn
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) January 19, 2016
According to Basketball Insiders, Orlando is 13-7 when Oladipo is used as an option off the bench. When he's a starter, however, the Magic are just 6-11 this season. Oladipo averages 13.5 points per game, which is the lowest of his three-year career thus far. He has added 4.0 assists (also a career-low) with 4.9 rebounds (a career-high) with a poor shooting-percentage (.405%) through 37 games this season.
Oladipo's stats look quite different based on whether or not he starts. He averages 15.1 points and 34.2 minutes per game as a starter, whereas off the bench he has recorded 12.1 points and 26.4 minutes per game. As a starter, he averages 3.8 assists but off the bench he's improved that to 4.2 assists.
His +/- as a starter is -4.3. But off the bench, he's proven more valuable with a +/- of +7.9 for the Magic.
Over past 5 games, @VicOladipo
has shot 67% from downtown, 40% better than rest of season.
#Staturday pic.twitter.com/KjCp4FPZLx
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) January 16, 2016
Interestingly, however, Oladipo has started five consecutive games that he's played for Orlando. During that stretch, he's shot 67% from three-point range -- which is 40% better than he's shot during the rest of the season.
As a starter during his last game on the floor, Oladipo scored 27 points (5-of-7 from long range) with 6 assists during 44:59 minutes for the Magic. But Orlando lost to Toronto, 106-103. The Magic are 1-4 in the five most recent games Oladipo has played as a starter.
Bryan Kalbrosky produces digital content for FOXSports.com. For more, follow him on Twitter @BryanKalbrosky.
