Orlando Magic: 3 X-factors ready to seize their opportunity
By Luke Duffy
Orlando Magic X-factor No. 1: Evan Fournier
No player on this Magic roster has a more complicated relationship with the fans than Evan Fournier. For years now, many fans have accused him of hijacking the offense, not being good enough to carry an offense, and being at the root of a lot of the issues for the team. They feel like he and Vucevic look for each other always, and that if he is their best offensive player, that’s a problem.
On the other hand, it is obvious when Fournier is not out there that he is the Magic’s most complete offensive player and in many ways the team’s closer out of necessity. Would he work better as the second or third option? Most likely, but the Magic don’t have that right now, and although the offense flows through Vucevic, Fournier is capable of doing a lot of things he can’t.
Monday’s loss to the Knicks was the latest in a growing list of evidence to support this. Fournier again sat out with back spasms, and the Magic looked terrible offensively for long stretches of the game. The ability of Vucevic kept them afloat, while Gordon had a great game, especially defensively.
Had Fournier been on the court, the Magic could have pulled out the win, even if the Knicks are an organization that themselves are going in the right direction. Last season Fournier averaged 18.5 points a night on a shade under 40 percent shooting from deep. It would have been much better for the team if he was taking most of the shots that Dwayne Bacon and James Ennis III did.
Here is where it gets interesting. Fournier is an unrestricted free agent after this season. With Fultz and Isaac gone, he has even more responsibility to produce. This puts him in a strong position, as he will surely attract interest from elsewhere because of this. He would be an ideal third option on a contending outfit.
Or else the same fans who groan when he makes a play will have to accept that he’s as good as it gets in that department as he is brought back. All of a sudden wishing he was no longer around doesn’t look so good when you consider how they have struggled without him already this year. Either way once healthy, Fournier looks like he will ensure his value continues trending upwards.