ORLANDO, Fla. _ Orlando Magic coach Steve Clifford didn't divulge his specific rotation plans for tonight's preseason opener against the San Antonio Spurs.
But, perhaps more importantly, he did discuss one combination he plans to explore this season: putting point guards D.J. Augustin and Markelle Fultz on the floor at the same time.
"If you sat down and said, you're playing against Orlando, what are the matchups you wouldn't want to play against? That would be one of the matchups I wouldn't want to play against," Clifford said after Saturday's team shootaround session at AT&T Center.
The conversation started with Clifford talking about Fultz's defensive potential and versatility, two reasons why Clifford sees putting Fultz and Augustin would work.
"He (Fultz) can guard wing guys and that's an advantage, too," Clifford said. "He can play with D.J., which is my plan going forward.
"They're going to play together some. Then you've got two point guards who are pick-and-roll threats ... they can be interchangeable. It's a good way to go."
Clifford agreed that the ability of Fultz and Augustin to control the ball and get teammates involved is part of what he thinks will make the combination work.
"They're both super-skilled," Clifford said. "They both play with a point guard mentality and then you've got two really good pick-and-roll players. If you put shooting around them, which we have the ability to do, then I think it could be both a good offensive and defensive line."
