Orlando Magic: Cole Anthony is making a huge leap this season
By Luke Duffy
If you are a fan of the Orlando Magic, then this season’s slow start has not been great to watch. It hasn’t been totally surprising either, though. A young group such as this alongside a first-time head coach in Jamahl Mosley was always going to struggle.
At 1-6, however, any hopes of even flirting with the play-in tournament already look in trouble. That is not being hyperbolic either, as the Eastern Conference is much improved this season. Although injuries may hamper other organizations, right now the outlook is looking like a lot more losses.
Cole Anthony is the silver lining to a disappointing Orlando Magic season
There has been one real silver lining early in the year though, and that has been the play of point guard Cole Anthony.
The second-year player has already firmly established himself as somebody who sets the tone for this group. His controlled aggression and willingness to fight on every possession are admirable traits that have positively rubbed off on his teammates. Anthony also clearly has a knack for bringing people together, as we have seen this both on and off the court a bunch already.
But all of these facts are scant consolation when you are watching a losing product most nights. Fans need something to point to in order to show tangible improvement, and to that end, Anthony (as well as rookie Franz Wagner, who has surprised) has been somebody who has really delivered so far.