Orlando Magic: 3 bold predictions for the 2020-21 season
By Luke Duffy
2. Markelle Fultz makes a leap for the Orlando Magic
Make no mistake, there’s a difference between “a” leap, and “the” leap. The front office still isn’t putting too much pressure on Fultz to succeed, and that has worked well so far. He overachieved on modest expectations last year, in what was his first with the franchise, which is why a leap is not out of the question.
With Anthony having been drafted, there is less pressure on Fultz to run the backcourt alone, but also perhaps more in the long run if Anthony starts hunting for his job. Of course it may also end up being that they play together, a prospect which as a result of their skillsets could most certainly work.
Last year Fultz averaged 12.1 points and 5.1 assists per night. Pedestrian enough numbers, certainly the kind that can be improved upon. As we saw in the bubble though, when those numbers held firm in the postseason despite playing five games against the Milwaukee Bucks, the game of Fultz practically guarantees that these numbers will move north this year.
Fultz was the Magic’s second best player in that series, which really says more about Fournier and Gordon than anything else. The step up in competition, although tough to handle, didn’t faze him, and he continued to play like he had all season and up to that point. Composed on the ball, picking the right pass often, and a problem for opponents in the paint.
If Fultz continues to do all of those things, and a couple of preseason games would indicate that being the case, while even being a slightly better shooter, then good things are going to happen. As it is he is already an above average defender, and is only likely to improve as he gets more games and experience under his belt.
By the end of this coming season, Fultz may have done enough to make fans feel less worried about the continued injury woes of Jonathan Isaac. To establish himself as the team’s second best player over a whole year, behind Vucevic, would be a brilliant development from a guy who is still only 22-years-old.