This is the second in a series of four Midterm Progress Reports I will be posting which analyzes, assesses, and critiques Orlando's 1st half of the 2014-15 NBA season.

In the comments section below, please feel free to agree or disagree with any of my assessments. Enjoy!

Maurice Harkless (17 GP), Grade: Incomplete

MPG PPG REB FG% TS% PER 15 3.5 2.5 43 49 8.0

What in the world? It's been quite a first half for Maurice Harkless. The third year swingman out of St. John's has logged minutes in only 17 games this season. To put this drop-off in playing time in perspective, Harkless played in 76 games his rookie season (59 starts, 6 DNP-CD's) and 80 games last year (41 starts, 2 DNP-CD's). The man had one hundred starts under his belt in the NBA by the time he turned 21!

Perhaps Maurice shouldn't have been playing as much as he did early on; those were some horrid Orlando teams. But he did; the team was patient and stuck with him only to see Harkless average over 13 PPG the last two months of his rookie season.

I gave Maurice a grade of incomplete because I don't know what else I could've given him (21 DNP-CD's so far). His lack of a role on this team has been one of the surprises of this 1st half. I think as fans we assumed Maurice was a part of this team's rebuilding plan along with Nik, Tobias, Victor, etc. Maurice has formed a very close bond with guys on this roster who are all working hard to improve their craft in the offseason TOGETHER. I wonder how much his lack of a presence or role is affecting the rest of the team?

It seems to me that some guys on the Magic get a pass when they don't fulfill their role, yet Maurice seems to get punished for not filling his (although his defensive numbers in a small sample size are not any different than at any other time of his career).

The 2nd half of this season will be a critical time in Maurice's Orlando career, if he continues to have one. I for one hope he's not traded or dumped just to make a move. His value has to be pretty low at the moment, so I don't see what the organization would gain by cutting ties with the third year pro. Harkless comes with a very cheap contract, so why not hold on to him and see if (perhaps) a new coaching staff next season can find a way to get something out of him?

Best Game of 1st Half: 11/7 vs. MINN - 11 PTS 4 REB 2 STL (4-5 FG, 3-3 FT)

Luke Ridnour (20 GP), Grade: B+

MPG PPG REB AST FG% TS% PER 15 3.9 1.9 2.6 42 48 9.7

Ridnour logged consistent back-up PG minutes in 13 of Orlando's first 14 games in 2014-15. Since the middle of November, Luke's role on this team has diminished. Ridnour's minutes took a big hit when Victor Oladipo came back from his knee and facial injuries. Offensively, you really can't argue with what Ridnour has given the Magic. The team signed him to be a third-PG who could provide depth and experience. Ridnour shot the ball well in November (48% from the field) and sported a near 3:1 A/TO ratio for the month. Realistically, fans shouldn't have expected much more than what he has provided. However, the organization and its fan base found out pretty quickly about Ridnour's defensive shortcomings. Luke is a bit of a defensive liability to say the least, and he will be used moving forward as little more than a match-up/change of pace type guard because of his deficiencies.

Best Game of 1st Half: 11/9 @ Brooklyn - 11 PTS, 4 REB, 4 AST (4-6 FG, 3-3 3PT)

Willie Green (22 GP), Grade: F

MPG PPG REB FG% TS% PER 15 3.7 1.2 29 35 3.0

Willie Green started two games for this team in the 1st half of 2014-15, but didn't it seem like ten? Good god. I think that's all I need to say.....

Green ranks last on the Magic in just about every offensive category (FG%, ORtg, TS%, WS/48, etc.). Forget Orlando's roster, Green ranks dead last in TS% and PER for all qualified SG's in the NBA. He's undersized for a SG, yet JV was using him to guard SF's in a three-guard lineup at times. I just don't know....#VeteranPresence

Best Game of the 1st Half: 11/21 @ Charlotte - 9 PTS 5 REB (4-6 FG)

Dewayne Dedmon (28 GP), Grade: A

MPG PPG REB BLK FG% TS% PER 11 3.2 4.1 0.7 52 54 15.2

I consider signing Dedmon one of Rob Hennigan's best decisions thus far in his tenure. Dedmon's play in the 1st half of 2014-15 has earned him a guaranteed contract for the rest of the season. What more could you want from a third-string center? Dewayne is always ready to play, brings intensity and hustle consistently, is a legitimate rim-protector, and provides great depth and balance to the roster.

If you extrapolate the stats, Dedmon leads the Magic in REB%, Rebound per/36 & per/100, blocks per/36 & per/100, and overall DRtg (102 pts. per 100 possessions).

Best Game of the 1st Half: 12/30 vs. Detroit - 8 PTS, 10 REB (4-6 FG)