Orlando Magic: Top 3 performers of the 2020-21 season

Orlando Magic top performer No. 2: Cole Anthony

The impact that Cole Anthony had on this organization in his rookie season was pretty remarkable. Like Okeke, you can split his influence in two, both before and after the trade deadline deals were made. Early on, Anthony was a spark off the bench for the Magic, who looked like he was going to diligently back up Fultz before one day maybe starting alongside him.

It would be fair to say the Magic have lacked snarl and attitude in recent years, with the roster following the quieter, go-about-your-business approach set out by Vucevic. Once he left, Anthony’s demeanor and the way he handles himself permeated through the team, and head coach Steve Clifford will have been happy with this development.

He preaches strong defensive play always, with Anthony’s in-your-face style being a really nice compliment to that. It is also telling that when the veterans left the scene, it was Anthony’s personality that quickly rose to the top. He comes across as a leader and somebody who is only going to get better as time goes on.

A mysterious rib injury threatened to derail the promising campaign, but once he returned to more opportunity with other faces gone, Anthony really kicked on. He was unlucky not to win the Rookie of the Month award for April, posting averages of 14.1 points and 5.3 assists during that time.

With Hampton actually winning that award in May and looking good after coming over in the Gordon trade with the Denver Nuggets, it will be interesting to see how Anthony develops in Orlando. The front office clearly loves Fultz, and rightly so. But already the personality, aggression, style and solid play of Anthony are proving hard to ignore. His rookie season in Orlando a resounding success.