Fansided · Jun 18, 2021
2021 Orlando Magic Player Evaluations: Veteran big men got their chances
Khem Birch was a solid veteran for the Orlando Magic but not the veteran the Magic needed. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
The constant criticism Steve Clifford faced throughout his tenure with the Orlando Magic — and really too with the Charlotte Hornets — was his penchant for leaning on veteran players.
That is not out of some spite or hatred of young players, for the most part. Clifford played plenty of young players and lots of young players met his eye and got the patience to play and develop with on-court experience.
Clifford was always looking for a base level of understanding before he threw them out on the court.