ORLANDO, FL - APRIL 4: Brandon Bass #30 of the Orlando Magic takes the ball to the basket for a dunk against Zach Randolph #50 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the game on April 4, 2010 at Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2010 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brandon Bass;Zach Randolph
Fernando Medina
Brandon Bass has a lot of skills as a power forward. Just not ones that fit what Orlando wants to do.
Bass is a banger inside, an in-the-paint guy. Orlando uses Dwight Howard for that. They need fours who can stretch the floor, like Rashard Lewis. So while Bass kept doing the things he does the way he does them last season, his minutes dropped to 13 a game, that in the 50 games he got in.
Bass told FanHouse this year he wants to play. He’d like that to be in Orlando, but he wants to see the court more than stay with the Magic.
“I think they’ll do the right thing, whatever is the right thing -- either play me next season or send me somewhere else. That’s what I’m hoping,’' Bass told FanHouse earlier this week following the Summer Groove charity game in Miami. “I won’t go through what I did last season.’'
“I’m one of the hardest working guys on the team, so hopefully I’ll have a bigger role next season,’' Bass said. “Right now, I’m just working on my game, trying to get better. I don’t worry about things like trades. I won’t go through again what I did last season.’'
Dwight Howard is the man inside in Orlando, as it should be. You need a backup inside presence, too. But the Magic got that in Martin Gortat, the backup center to Howard. That leaves Bass on the outside looking in,
The Magic looked at trading Bass this summer, but didn’t find a deal they liked. If Matt Barnes leaves, they may be able to use him to find a perimeter defender they like.
Or, they could just play him.
But the bigger question becomes, if he didn’t fit the system, why sign him in the first place? He’s a good player, but you have to consider fit.