Versatility is a good thing

August is the time of year where the NBA action calms down. Today's announcement of the schedule is going to be a nice pick up of the action from the late summer reprieve. From this point until late September, there is simply nothing to do.

So with most of the free agents having already decided where they will be playing next season, the annual offseason power rankings are rolling out.

The reviews on the Magic are generally good. But, like whenever a major contender complete remakes their team the summer after reaching the NBA Finals, there are some questions.

Most notably, Bill Simmons wonders whether Orlando lost the uniqueness that made it so good and so difficult to matchup with last season. Various others believe the Magic positioned themselves for a championship and did more to keep their window open than the Cavaliers or the Celtics.

Me, I will say that I am willing to wait. I share Mr. Simmons' concern that Orlando lost its uniqueness. And, honestly, I am afraid of change after such a successful season. I remember the years when the team was constantly overhauling its roster around Tracy McGrady to little success.

What I am saying is: these things can be quite hit or miss.

Obviously this situation is much different. Vince Carter is a huge offensive improvement over Hedo Turkoglu and adds a dynamic to the team that the franchise has not had since McGrady's departure.

But still, that doubt lingers. When the schedule comes out later today, I will certainly take a close look at that first month. It will be formative for this team.

I believe most Magic fans consider Rashard Lewis a power forward and that they and he operates best with him at power forward. But a lot of people -- esepcially in the national media -- believe Lewis will shift to small forward with Brandon Bass starting at the four.

One thing is for sure, and this is a point that has been made unendingly at 3rd Quarter Collapse, this kind of versatility is good. To be able to comfortably go big with a lineup of Jameer Nelson-Carter-Lewis-Bass-Dwight Howard or stay with the "traditional" Nelson-Carter-Mickael Pietrus-Lewis-Howard is a hug matchup advantage.

Bass has the ability to step out and hit the mid-range jumper (not a 3 mind you) and could still allow the Magic to play its up-tempo shot-happy style. But it also gives them a bruising secondary low post presence. Just watch Dwight Howard's assist numbers skyrocket.

In the Los Angeles series -- and in the Detroit series last year and the year before and even to a certain extent against Boston -- Orlando struggled with bigger lineups. Now the Magic can throw out their shoot-first, Howard clean-up second lineup as well as a bruising lineup that can physically match their opponents.

I forget who said this -- Kevin Pelton, maybe? -- but Orlando is no slouch even if it has to play Lewis at small forward for stretches. So what if the Magic go traditional for most of the season, they can go back to what got them to the Finals in the postseason, when the matchup dictates it.

Orlando can play any way it wants. I do not know if it will equate to a title. But if it all gels correctly, the Magic will certainly be a tough team to beat on any night.