Over the course of the last month, recent Covid-19 outbreaks in NBA have begun to ramp up. Since December 16th, over 70 NBA players have entered the Health and Safety Protocols, with 19 of the League’s 30 teams having at least one player in those Protocols. Of those 19 teams, ten have at least four players in the Protocols, which has prompted the NBA to postpone and reschedule seven games. While the Orlando Magic may only have four players currently in the Protocols, they’ve been one of the teams who have been hit the hardest. Just hours before their game against Miami, five of Orlando’s rotational players were quarantined, leaving the team with four eligible players for the game. To meet the minimum eight-player rule, Orlando had to sign four players from their G-league affiliate. Fortunately for Orlando, three of their active players have stepped up in this time of crisis.
Chuma Okeke’s Play on the Wing has Given Orlando Much-Needed Offensive Production
After showing some flashes in his first season in the NBA, Okeke was soon buried behind Orlando’s ‘exciting’ frontcourt depth and received minutes on an inconsistent basis. Once Orlando was down eleven players in their game against Miami, Okeke was trusted into the starting role, and didn’t disappoint. Okeke notched a season-high 18 points, ten rebounds, four assists, and six steals in the 105-115 loss to the Heat. Okeke also shot seven-of-twelve (58.3%) from the field and four-of-eight from three-point range. Okeke then proceeded to drop 15 points, six rebounds, two blocks, and two steals in Orlando’s 100-93 win over Brooklyn. While Okeke hasn’t been able to sustain this statistical success throughout his career, it couldn’t have come at a better time, given the current circumstances of Orlando’s roster. With Orlando continuing to deal with limited availably, Okeke’s play as a 3-&-d wing will shine brighter than ever moving forward.
R.J. Hampton’s Ability to lead the Offense has kept the Magic’s Offense Alive
Despite being placed in the Health and Safety Protocols on December 17th, Hampton provided solid play in the void that other quarantined players have left. Before being placed in the Protocols, Hampton was averaging 7.4 PPG, 2.8 RPG, and 2.3 APG while shooting 39.8% from the field and 41.7% from downtown. While Hampton’s averages aren’t anywhere close to impressive, he is only playing 18.5 MPG. It’s worth noting that when Hampton has received over 18 MPG (16 games), his play has slightly improved. Hampton’s statline of 10.1 PPG, 3.3 RPG, and 2.9 APG when playing more than 18 MPG is much better than the 4.1 PPG, 2.0 RPG, and 1.4 APG he has when playing under 18 MPG. With Hampton only being 20 years-old, he can easily become a key piece in Orlando’s upcoming rebuild. All Orlando needs to do is give Hampton time.
Robin Lopez’s Veteran Leadership and Reliable Play has given the depleted Magic a Plug-and-Play Center
When the Magic signed Robin Lopez to a one-year, $5 million deal this offseason, many envisioned Lopez to provide veteran leadership in the locker room, rather than an immediate impact on the court. With Orlando dealing with all of their absences, they had no choice but to turn to Lopez. Like Hampton and Okeke, Lopez has played quite well in his increased role. Over Lopez’s last four starts, the journeyman has averaged 11.2 PPG, 6.7 RPG, and 2.2 APG while shooting 53.6% from the field. When Lopez was previously coming off the Magic’s crowded bench, his numbers were much worse, at 8.5 PPG, 4.1 RPG, and 1.4 APG. At 33-years-old, this is likely Lopez’s last season in Orlando, but his veteran impact on the Magic has proved to be worth every penny of his $5 million contract he signed back in August.