National Basketball Association

Orlando Magic: Top 5 Benches of All time

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Oct 30, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) and forward Aaron Gordon (00) react on the bench as the Washington Wizards beat the Magic 105-98 at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

A key component to the Orlando Magic’s plan to make the playoffs is the added depth at every position. Could this be the best bench in team history?

The Orlando Magic’s short history has seen a number of star players pass through the starting lineup. There have also been a handful of elite starting fives put together to lead this franchise at various points.

The most unsung contributor of any team are the reserves.

The Orlando Magic have brought in a number of veterans to contribute off the bench and bring stability to the lineup this year. Some may say this could be the best bench the Magic have ever put together.

With D.J. Augustin and C.J. Watson backing up Elfrid Payton, they counter what Elfrid Payton brings in the starting role. Both D.J. Augustin and C.J. Watson are better shooters than Elfrid Payton and have more experience.

Mario Hezonja, Jodie Meeks and C.J. Wilcox, all of which are great shooters, backup Evan Fournier. The ability to hit shots from deep will not fall off if any of these guys enter the game.

Veteran Jeff Green backs up Aaron Gordon at starting small forward. The two possess similar skill sets.

The power forward position is where things start to get creative. Serge Ibaka will hold the starting job, but his substitutes will be players who play other positions. First in line is Aaron Gordon followed by Jeff Green and then most likely Nikola Vucevic.

At starting center will be Nikola Vucevic, whom Bismack Biyombo will back up.

As you can see, the stability and veterans in the second unit are pretty good, to say the least. The depth that the Magic have acquired will definitely be a key to the teams success this year.

Now let’s takes a look back to previous teams to find what reserve unit can compete with or top this one.

Jan 16, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons Ben Wallace smiles after the game against the Golden State Warriors at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Pistons won 113-95. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

5. 1999-2000

Significant Bench Contributors

PG Chucky Atkins 9.5 Pts/1.5 Reb/3.7 Ast

SF Pat Garrity 8.2 Pts/2.6 Reb/0.7 Ast

SF Corey Maggette 8.4 Pts/3.9 Reb/0.8 Ast

PF Chris Gatling 13.3 Pts/6.6 Reb/0.9 Ast

C John Amaechi 10.5 Pts/3.3 Reb/1.2 Ast

The Heart and Hustle Magic make the top five benches for a few reasons.

During this season, the Magic had no real star to lean on or even a go-to guy among the average talent level on the roster. With all the roster spots holding an equal amount of talent, coach Doc Rivers distributed the minutes evenly among the team.

The even playing time helped the Magic to play full throttle at all times and overachieve for the season.

Being able to pull almost 50 points from your bench is an awesome tool for any team. The key to this bench is the balance scoring. No one player was truly dominant and everyone had the green light if the shot was open.

That balance kept opponents guessing as to who they should focus their energy on. Veterans Chris Gatling and John Amaechi were two of the more consistently contributors playing 23 and 21 minutes per game respectively and were efficient with the time given.

While this bench didn’t have any household names, they did their job and stayed competitive. The heart and hustle given night in and night out almost earned this team a playoff spot with a .500 record.

Their efforts gained the respect of Magic fans and earned them the Fifth spot of Magic Benches of all time.

Jan 20, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Brian Shaw during the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at Pepsi Center. The Spurs won 109-99. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

4. 1995-1996

Significant Bench Contributors

PG Brian Shaw 6.6 Pts/3.0 Reb/4.5 Ast

SG Anthony Bowie 4.2 Pts/1.7 Reb/1.4 Ast

SF Donald Royal 5.3 Pts/2.4 Reb/0.7 Ast

PF Joe Wolf 4.6 Pts/2.9 Reb/1.0 Ast

C Jon Koncak 3.0 Pts/4.1 Reb/0.8 Ast

While this season was not as magical as the 1995 Finals run, Orlando had a lot of work to do to match it. The Magic largely did in winning 59 games and needing someone to step in for Shaquille O’Neal during an early season injury.

While the team had a starting five that was arguably the best in the league, the bench played a big role in their success.

What this bench provided for Orlando was stability. There were no big names coming off the bench for the Magic so there were no egos to appease with minutes. Everyone on this Magic team knew their role and did not play outside of it.

The Magic never looked to the bench to supplement any scoring or defensive deficiency from the starters. They were only asked to be consistent and sustain the situations they are plugged into until the starter returned.

Accepting their roles and being consistent when given opportunities earned this Magic bench the 4th place ranking.

Oct 24, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Jameer Nelson (14) against the Orlando Magic during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

3. 2005-2006

Significant Bench Contributors

PG Jameer Nelson, 14.6 Pts/2.9 Reb/4.9 Ast

PG Carlos Aarroyo 10.8 Pts/2.2 Reb/2.9 Ast

SG Keyon Dooling 9.4 Pts/1.6 Reb/2.2 Ast

PF Pat Garrity 4.9 Pts/1.9 Reb/0.7 Ast

C Darko Milicic 7.6 Pts/4.1 Reb/1.1 Ast

This was Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson’s second year in the NBA. The Magic were preparing Jameer Nelson, learning behind veteran Steve Francis, to take over the starting duties and eventually did after Steve Francis was traded midseason.

Aside from a future All Star in Nelson coming off the bench, Orlando would bring in Hedo Turkoglu off the bench until Grant Hill ultimately was shut down for the season. The team then had Keyon Dooling to as another guard support and then a young Trevor Ariza after the Steve Francis trade cleared up some room.

They key for this bench was floor spacing. Each of the backcourt players had the ability to break down the defense to get into the lane and score or create for teammates, while Pat Garrity was great at spot up shots on the perimeter.

While the season was nothing to write home about as the Orlando Magic finished 36-46

Sep 26, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat (13) poses for a portrait during Wizards media day at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

2. 2009-10

Significant Bench Contributors

PG Jason Williams 6.0 Pts/1.5 Reb/3.6 Ast

SG J.J. Redick 9.6 Pts/1.9 Reb/1.9 Ast

SF Mickael Pietrus 8.7 Pts/2.9 Reb/0.7 Ast

PF Ryan Anderson 7.7 Pts/3.2 Reb/0.6 Ast

C Marcin Gortat 3.6 Pts/4.2 Reb/0.2 Ast

Continuing on from the previous year’s NBA Finals appearance, this team was set up to shoot. There were only two significant changes to the bench and both can be considered an upgrade.

Ryan Anderson was brought in through a trade, which included Vince Carter, to provide stretch-4 shooting from the bench similar to Rashard Lewis. Anderson would serve as a backup to Rashard Lewis with similar skill sets and ability to stretch the defense on the perimeter.

Jason Williams was brought in for reserve point guard duties. Williams’ ability to penetrate and pass continued what Rafer Alston did the previous year as Jameer Nelson’s fill-in starter after the trade deadline.

Because the Magic did not reach the NBA Finals that year, this bench is considered a slight step down from the previous year’s squad.

Apr 25, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard J.J. Redick (4) watches the closing minutes from the bench Portland Trail Blazers in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports

1. 2008-2009

Significant Bench Contributors

SG Courtney Lee 8.4 Pts/2.3 Reb/1.2 Ast

SG J.J. Redick 6.0 Pts/1.7 Reb/1.1 Ast

SF Mickael Pietrus 9.4 Pts/3.3 Reb/1.2 Ast

PF Tony Battie 4.8 Pts/3.6 Reb/0.4 Ast

C Marcin Gortat 3.8 Pts/4.5 Reb/0.2 Ast

In a year the Orlando Magic made their second trip to the NBA Finals, the supporting cast had much to do with their success.

The Magic needed some time to figure out who would firm up as a starter. The team started the year with rookie Courtney Lee coming off the bench. His energy, defense and shooting were contagious with the bench unit. He eventually became a full-time starter.

The Magic also had the luxury of depth at point guard after acquiring Rafer Alston at the trade deadline to fill in for Jameer Nelson following Nelson’s midseason shoulder injury.

Alston owned the starting role, making many people question whether Jameer Nelson would get his starting spot back if he returned from his injury. By the Finals, Nelson was coming off the bench for his return.

The Magic were a dangerous team from behind the arc that season. Two of the biggest contributors to the deep threat were J.J. Redick and Mickael Pietrus.

While Redick has made a name for himself by hitting threes, Pietrus was just as deadly when left open. When put in the rotation alongside other great shooters like Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis, Redick and Pietrus would slide into open spots and wait for a pass to be thrown out from Dwight Howard or a penetrating Alston.

The Magic were one of the most exciting teams in the league that year because of the number of shooters they could put on the floor at any time. This teams style of play may be the blueprint for the current Golden State Warriors. This team was good enough for second in our rankings.

Sep 26, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic head coach Frank Vogel, center Bismack Biyombo (11), center Nikola Vucevic (9) and forward Serge Ibaka (7) pose for a photo during media day at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

2016-17: Outlook

This year’s Orlando Magic have been written about on numerous occasions this offseason.

From the addition of coach Frank Vogel to the trading of Victor Oladipo and the many free agent signings that took place, the team has been polarizing. There have been many questions about this team’s direction and how the new pieces will fit together. Most of the comments center around the Magic’s “crowded” frontcourt and lack of offense.

Can Frank Vogel find enough time for his capable reserves without limiting the growth of his young guys? Have the Magic abandoned their rebuilding plan in order to win now? We will see.

The amount of talent and athleticism on this roster will be capable of playing with any team in the NBA on both ends of the floor. The Orlando Magic’s bench being able to rotate guys in with similar skills sets as well as complementary skills sets will keep them competitive.

In order for this group to reach the goals they have set and finally make the playoffs after four years, Frank Vogel will need to be at his best. Not only will his reputation as a developer of young talent be tested, but his choice of lineups and matchups as well.

The Magic can throw a variety of different looks on the court. Frank Vogel will need to use the assets at his disposal efficiently and effectively night in and night out to pick up wins without an All Star on the roster.

Can this group of reserves be the best in franchise history? Only time will tell.