The return of Kyle O'Quinn to the Orlando Magic lineup is about more than just a glorious beard.
O'Quinn returned Wednesday following a 15-game absence due to a sprained left ankle - a bout of good timing considering the recent injury to rookie forward Aaron Gordon. In O'Quinn, the Magic now have another option in the frontcourt rotation - one they're hoping will bolster what has the making of a decent defense.
"He gives us a physicality and another rim protector," head coach Jacque Vaughn said after the game. Vaughn highlighted that O'Quinn's ability to take charges and play physically in the paint will help the team keeping opponents from scoring inside.
That hasn't necessarily been a problem so far, but it's an area the team could improve. The Magic allow the 12th-most points in the paint per game and the 14th-highest opponent field goal percentage at the rim with a 52.8 percent mark. O'Quinn allowed opponents to shoot just 47.1 percent at the rim when he was nearby last season, and the team's defense improved by 3.9 points per-100 possessions when he was on the floor.
"I know that's something I can do," O'Quinn said.
Just how much O'Quinn will play is unclear. If he usurps Dewayne Dedmon as the de facto backup center behind Nikola Vucevic, he could see upwards of 12 minutes a night, or even as many as the 17.2 he averaged a year ago.
Last season, O'Quinn averaged 6.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in those minutes, shooting 50.1 percent from the floor. It will be the defensive impact the team looks for as they try to mold several talented defenders into a defense that ranks better than their current No. 19 standing.
