Brandon Bass: Reasons Why the Orlando Magic Should Make Bass a Starter

The Orlando magic went into the 2009-2010 season with high hopes of winning an NBA Championship, but fell short of their goal, being eliminated by a more physical Boston Celtics team in the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Magic have had a relatively quiet off season, essentially trading away Matt Barnes for Quentin Richardson. Orlando brings back nearly an identical roster that won 59 games in the regular season last year, but could not reach the finals.

Why should Magic fans feel any better about this year's team?

With Miami landing all-stars Lebron James and Chris Bosh to go along with Dwyane Wade, the Magic clearly have their work cut out for them just win the Southeast Division, let alone an NBA Championship.

The Magic do have one clear advantage over Miami: the strength of their front court, anchored by Dwight Howard.

When the Magic were eliminated by the Boston Celtics in last year's eastern conference finals, it was clear that the Magic could not match the physicality of the Celtics' front court, with Rashard Lewis often being outmatched down low.

So what must the Magic do differently this year to make it out of the East?

Move Rashard Lewis to his natural three position and start the young and physical Brandon Bass at the four.

Brandon Bass was upset last year with his lack of playing time, and he had a right to be.

When Bass is on the floor we see a different Magic team. No, Bass can't go outside and fire up threes, but he can bang down low with Dwight and create a more dominate defensive presence, and also can contribute offensively with his nice mid-range jumper.

The Magic cannot rely on Howard to get every rebound and block every shot, and at times last year when a shot would go up, the other Magic players on the floor would not even attempt to grab a board.

Bass will fight for every rebound and compliments Howard nicely at the four. By moving Bass into the starting rotation, Rashard Lewis can now play his natural position at the three where he is more comfortable and will help keep his legs fresh on the offensive end.

In the Boston series it was clear that Lewis was outmatched down low and could not keep up with Garnett, or even match Glenn Davis's physical style of play when he was in the game. Most Magic followers agree that Stan Van Gundy made a mistake not playing Bass more in the Boston series, but he now has a chance to give this Magic team a new look this year with Brandon Bass.

With a starting lineup consisting of Howard, Bass, Lewis, Carter and Nelson, the Magic would have great depth at every position, with Redick, Richardson, Gortat, Anderson, Pietrus and Duhon coming off the bench.

The Orlando Magic must become a more physical team if they want to win a Championship in their new arena this year, and it starts up front.

The Magic have the most dominate center in basketball, why not surround him with another big body up front like Bass?