Markelle “Fultz Flag Operation” Fultz maybe isn’t quite a starting-level point guard in this league, but the Magic aren’t quite a “starting-level” team in this league so I see no reason why they can’t start him as they go from The Bubb Regular Season to the Bubb Playoffs. I mean, nobody’s going to be sad about D.J. Augustin getting relegated to the bench except maybe Augustin himself and Augustin’s mom. Forget about that game-winner Augustin hit in the playoffs last season that sent Raptors fans into a depressive tailspin. What are the chances of him doing that again? Like 0%. If not lower.
Speaking of probabilities, what are the chances of the Magic scoring a first-round upset this season, using their current lineup (which is notably missing Jonathan Isaac)? I’d say about 4%. And that number doesn’t go down a whole lot if you swap Fultz into the starting lineup. However, the chances that Magic games are fun to watch in that scenario go from 4% (again) to about 30%. The Magic probably make MORE money trotting out a more entertaining product than one that is marginally more likely to win a given game. Think about how much money they lost out on over the course of the season. Fans who come to games specifically are also fans who will buy hot dogs for $5 and novelty trucker caps for $49.99 + tax. Just saying.
Steve Clifford is exactly the kind of coach who would give Augustin too many minutes, so I’m not holding out hope here that anything will change. Clifford is the guy who would give twenty minutes a game to a forty-year-old veteran like John Lucas III and not see anything wrong with it.