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Orlando Magic: Top 3 players so far this season

By Luke Duffy

ORLANDO, FL - NOVEMBER 5: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic watches film before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on November 5, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Bassing/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - NOVEMBER 5: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic watches film before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on November 5, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Bassing/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Terrence Ross

It would be great if we could put second-year forward Jonathan Isaac in this spot. Certainly some of his play through the first few games of the season warranted it. But like last year, the problem for him has been staying on the court.

Isaac missing time during the preseason with an ankle issue, the same problem that has him missing more games now. Evan Fournier also has a case to make this spot, but despite some recent late-game heroics, his style of play continues to rub sections of the fanbase the wrong way.

That’s where Terrence Ross steps in. The swingman has started the year well, with career highs in points (12.3 per game) as well as assists (2.1 per game). Despite being a useful sixth man type off the bench for a Magic outfit that needs that kind of player, he could be making the case to step into a starting role soon.

In the Magic’s two recent wins to get their campaign back on track, he averaged 30.5 minutes per contest (season average 24.8) and was a factor on both ends of the court. At a time when Orlando has come out looking lethargic for some games, the attitude of Ross alone puts him in this spot.

He cheers hard for his teammates when on the bench, and has had one of the plays of the young season for the Magic so far, stealing and diving on the floor for an eventual jump ball late on in the fourth quarter of the last second win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Effort like that from a supposed finesse offensive player will see him get plenty of time on the court for head coach Steve Clifford, who’s a big fan of playing hard.

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