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Of the Fab Five in the UK2NBA class of 2010, it seems only back-up center Daniel Orton is struggling to make it at the next level. We know that John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins are dueling for the title “Rookie of the Year” with things like playing time and double-doubles. We know that Patrick Patterson and Eric Bledsoe are impressing their coaches. If they’re not starting, they’re at least looking at some decent playing time and an opportunity to show what they can do. With Orton… not so much.
Orton’s one-and-done status was a stretch from the beginning. Many pundits were questioning why a backup center would be drafted in the first round, especially when he was averaging about the same PPG as your average soccer team. The answer was always “upside” or “potential” – to be sure, Daniel has some benefits (as one coach said “you can’t teach size”). On the other hand, there is that lack of production in college and the unenviable knee surgery Orton still seems to be recovering from.
Only time will tell, but the Orlando Sentinel came out with an [URL=”http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_magic/2010/10/2010-11-orlando-magic-player-preview-daniel-orton.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+sports/magic/basketblog+(Magic+BasketBlog)”]article[/URL] today stating that it is quite possible that Daniel will play some games with the Magic’s D-league affiliate. Is this a death knell to his career? Hardly. The article goes on to say that Orton wasn’t expected to get a lot of playing time this year anyway, and a bit of strength and endurance training will do Daniel a lot of good, but the Magic took a sizable gamble drafting Orton first round. It remains to be seen whether or not they will see a sizable return.
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