Orlando Magic: 3 goals for Evan Fournier in 2018-19
By Chris Murch
3. Improve defense
This an absolute must for Fournier’s longevity in Orlando. With the Magic’s new M.O. seeming to trend toward more of a defensive game, Fournier must adapt. Yes, Orlando will need his offense, but with Isaac and Gordon improving and guys like Terrence Ross coming back from injury, his go-to scoring won’t be as imperative. In order to play the minutes he expects to new head coach Steve Clifford will demand some better defense from the Frenchman.
Fournier has never really been able to show that he is anything more than a one-dimensional player. His defense has never been a strong part of his game and he continues to struggle on that end. Whether it’s a lack of lateral speed, effort or technique, Fournier needs to improve here.
More from Orlando Magic
- The most exciting NBA team you won’t see on national TV this season
- 5 NBA teams on the rise that will surprise everyone in 2023-24
- Ranking the 10 championship-less NBA teams by closeness to title
- Orlando Magic draft odds: What are the chances of landing the #1 pick?
- Franz Wagner has smashed the sophomore slump for the Orlando Magic
On his heels in Orlando is Jonathon Simmons, who is known as a defensive ballhawk; Terrence Ross, who is taller, quicker and longer; and Wesley Iwundu, who sports a 7’1” wingspan. These factors must be in the back of Clifford’s head when he decides lineups moving forward.
Simmons could be the Magic’s X-factor this season and if he brings more defensive intensity and can become more consistent on offense, he could chip away at some of Fournier’s minutes this season.
Plain and simple, Fournier needs to up his defensive intensity. Last season, he had a defensive rating of 109.3, good for 411th in the league. He ranked 215th in defensive win shares at .022 and allowed his opponents to shoot 48.9 percent from the field when he was guarding them. These numbers need to improve next season for the Magic to be successful and for Fournier to stay on the court.
This is a deciding year for Fournier in a lot of Magic fans’ eyes. While he has been a reliable scorer for four years now and has improved on that end every year, his defense is going to be a crutch in his career if he can’t improve. There are better defenders behind him that might be better suited for Orlando’s plans moving forward.