1. The Orlando Magic have endured bizarre injuries
It’s not just the sheer amount of injuries, although that is relevant at this point. Bad luck happens to all organizations over time, but the recent revelation that rookie Cole Anthony was initially misdiagnosed and has a fractured rib (the top one at that, which is strange), is baffling and scary if you’re a player.
It also raises questions about Isaac coming back from a very bad knee sprain sustained on New Year’s Day of 2020, to play a couple of games in the bubble in Florida, before tearing his ACL. The same injury that struck Fultz down and ruined this season. Two ACLs, plus a year-long plus knee injury for Aminu, is ridiculously worrying.
If you’re unlucky enough to be a supporter of Arsenal Football Club (as this writer is), as well as the Magic, then you will be all too aware of just how much a poor medical staff can set you back. Right now the Magic are enduring the same, and while the front office doesn’t tend to the players on a daily basis, they do decide who works on their stars in the first place.
This is why they have to take responsibility for the myriad of injuries that have ruined the year. The one which Cole Anthony suffered and likely continued to play with, the worst of all. This is strange considering these are the same people who managed to fix whatever was ailing Markelle Fultz, as before injury his play was basically the best thing about the Magic.
But this lack of confidence with the medical staff hurts everybody. If they told you your surgically repaired knee was ready to go again, as will one day be the case with Isaac and Fultz, do you believe them? Would you look for a second opinion? The Magic will always get the odd veteran to come to Florida to play as well, as they did with Aminu.
Will they trust their bodies around these guys? If you asked Aminu the answer would likely be telling. Somebody like Gordon has had niggling injuries for years now. Fournier too. Given everything that has happened this year, how confident are they walking into the treatment room? On top of all of this, why is the front office suddenly going quiet as this is happening?