I began an analysis of the Magic roster using a metric created by Kevin Pelton called WARP, or Wins After Replacement Player. The findings have been one part insightful and another part humorous, as WARP really, really, likes what Otis has done with this roster.

What does it say about the other two members of the Eastern Conference Big 3? Jump below to find out.

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Four Factors

eFG%: +.055%

#2 in the NBA. The only team that had a better eFG% differential was Boston. This was and will continue to be a hallmark of this team and a big reason why the Magic win games.

TOV%: -.011

#25 in the NBA. The Magic are slightly below average at taking care of the ball, and horrible at creating turnovers, so this is no surprise. This is a big factor into why the Magic lose games.

ORB%: -.001

#16 in the NBA. The Magic are an elite Defensive Rebounding team, and a horrible Offensive Rebounding team. This factor neither helps nor really hurts our ability to win games (unless we play a team like old Detroit, then it kills us, lol).

FT/FGA: +.042

#2 in the NBA. The Rockets are the only other team that had a larger FT advantage. If they Magic could convert their FTA at a higher rate (they are currently last in FT%) they would easily lead in this Factor and become all the more dangerous.

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I posted this over at RealGM and I figured it would be suitable for a blog post over here, so here it is. I hope it inspires some wild debate as a conversation with our very own erivera7 inspired it.

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With a new week, comes a new showcased fanpost. This time from Eyriq the Red, who provides an assessment of the Magic after the first 32 games. Check it out. - ER

As Ben Q. Rock notes in his post game recaps, Four Factors have been shown to stand above the rest in terms of leading a team to victory, or defeat. These are Effective Field Goal Percentage, Free Throws/Field Goals, Offensive Rebounding, and Turnover Rate. So, how do the Magic look after 32 games? Which Factor are we strongest in? Weakest? Let's take a look.

What I did was look back through all our games so far and I recorded how many games we beat the other team in a particular category. So for eFG we are 26-6, or in other words 26 times we had the higher eFG% against our opponent. I also noted how we rank compared to the rest of the association. Below is a table showing the results.

[editor's note: Click after the jump to see the stats.]

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Former Lottery Picks/Developing Players:

J.J. Redick SG; F. Vasquez F/C; M. Gortat C

Redick either needs to be given a chance to play or be traded. He fits in with what the Magic want to do offensively, just not defensively.Fran is struggling over in Spain and wants to come over. He has a power game that we need and the athleticism to really pay off, he needs to just come over already. Gortat has shown flashes and looks to be on the rise, most likely continuing in Foyle's role next year.

Magic Needs:

The Magic look to lose possibly seven players this off season, including 4 players from the back court. So really they need a lot of everything, and with the 22cd pick you are usually lucky to find a rotation player, so lets not be picky. That being said, the two positions I see the greatest need is at the 2 and the 4. Also, due to the style of play and what was lacking from those positions this year, I think a slasher at the 2 would be great, as well as a banger at the 4. So from that perspective, lets begin.

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I am considering both team needs and BPA in structuring this board. Here are my team needs in order of highest need to lowest need.

1) A starting Shooting Guard. I pick a starter here over starter at Power Forward because I am more comfortable with Lewis at the 4 than Turk at the 2.

2) A starting Power Forward. See above^.

3) A starting Point Guard. Replacing Nelson is a very low priority and I only see one guy that could come in and challenge Jameer right away.

4) A starting Small Forward. This would force both Lewis and Hedo to play out of position. Do we really want that?

5) A backup Point Guard. Both Arroyo and Dooling are free agents, and Nelson has had health problems. I think we need some security here.

6) A backup Power Forward. Here a pick could be nurtured to eventually fill Battie’s shoes once his contract is up.

7) A backup at any other position. I think any guy we pick at positions like C, SF, and SG will have a hard time cracking the rotation this year or anytime soon.

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