Orlando Magic: Cole Anthony is making a huge leap this season

Who should start for the Orlando Magic – Cole Anthony or Markelle Fultz?

The introduction of Fultz when he is healthy again might end up affecting the continued development of Anthony. It doesn’t need to come down to choosing between one of these guys, but the feeling up until recently has always been that Anthony may work best as an overqualified sixth man who snarls his way to consistent scoring while setting the tone for the second unit.

However, because of injuries Anthony has started every game so far this year and has seen his personal playing time go up six minutes from a year ago (27.1 to 33.1). It also feels like Anthony is reveling in having a heavier load to carry as Suggs finds his feet. RJ Hampton has flattered to deceive thus far, placing even more onus on Anthony to get things done.

His style of play in running a team is different from Fultz’s. There is more manic energy compared to the smooth and fluid play of Fultz, but that unpredictably has perks in how it makes opponents uncertain. Choosing between the different styles of Fultz and Anthony may be an important decision when the time comes.

For now, though, fans can simply enjoy the fact that a recent lottery pick, and one who came later than most of their other selections, looks as though he is really going to work out for them.

Defensively, there is still plenty to work on as well, although the way in which Anthony attacks on that end is promising. It may be that he ends up being the most balanced two-way player of the current guard rotation.

Leading the Magic in scoring and assists, as well as placing third currently in rebounding (7.4 a night, which again speaks to that tenacity) is exactly the kind of start the organization would have wanted from Cole Anthony. The most promising thing of all is that this not only seems sustainable, but it could be a platform on which he will continue to build, no matter how many losses the team suffers this year.