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Orlando Magic: Top 3 performers of the 2019-20 season

By Luke Duffy

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 29: Evan Fournier #10 celebrates with Markelle Fultz #20 of the Orlando Magic after shooting a three point basket against the Milwaukee Bucks during the fourth quarter in Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 29, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, 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. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 29: Evan Fournier #10 celebrates with Markelle Fultz #20 of the Orlando Magic after shooting a three point basket against the Milwaukee Bucks during the fourth quarter in Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 29, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, 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. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

2. Markelle Fultz

The fact that Markelle Fultz placed second on this list at all is amazing. Let us not forget where he was 12 months ago. A guy who the Magic had traded scrap for and who they hoped could one day get back on the court to help take them to the next level. The next level may not quite have been reached yet, but Fultz was good to go from opening night and never really looked back.

There were some off nights and below-average performances, but Fultz took the starting point guard job from D.J. Augustin quickly and established himself as the floor general of the future for this franchise. His poise with the ball in hand was immediately evident, as was his ability to dictate the pace and to find teammates with ease.

Driving to the basket is another strength of his, while his midrange shot, although not the prettiest in the league, found a way to go in on a lot of occasions when it looked like it was going to do anything but. This type of regular season alone would have nabbed Fultz second on the list. Again, make of that what you will.

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But to then go into the playoffs against the Bucks and be one of the better players on the court for the Magic was something else. It got to the point quickly where fans online were voicing their displeasure at Fultz not running the show more when on the court. This will come with time, he is a young player who is happy to defer to the veterans of the group.

But there is no doubt that there were times in the series where the Orlando Magic went on small runs and Fultz was a reason for that. Even to have not played badly, or been exposed horrendously in a postseason scenario, was a positive. Defensively Fultz looks like he can be really good in that area, and is already a tough guy to shake. He’s not quite Eric Bledsoe stout but he’s got a biggish frame.

Finally to have seen his playoff numbers (12.0 points and 5.2 assists per game) mirror that of the regular season, shows that if nothing else Fultz didn’t take a significant step back against the best defensive team in the league, despite playing them five times in a row. When you consider how the year started for him, everything about his play was a huge plus.

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