Orlando Magic: 3 worrying NBA stats for this young group
By Luke Duffy
Monday night represented a new low for what has already been a tough season for the Orlando Magic, as they were eviscerated by the Milwaukee Bucks. Losing was always a part of the plan for this season, but the 123-92 beatdown was even tougher to watch because at halftime it was 77-36.
Games like this are really testing the patience of a fanbase, even those who had signed up to witness more losses on the way to another high lottery pick. It has been said here time and time again, but it is one thing to talk about the excitement of watching young players develop while losing big, and quite another to sit through numerous years of it actually happening.
Worrying NBA stats regarding the young group on the Orlando Magic
Nevertheless, it is not all doom and gloom, with a number of young players who do look like long-term solutions. Cole Anthony has put this team on his back and has made great strides after his rookie season.
Wendell Carter Jr. already looks a steal with the new contract he recently inked. Franz Wagner has also stood out as one of the best rookies in what looks to be a deep class, so the talent is there and is constantly trying to improve.
First-year head coach Jamahl Mosley has struggled to find consistency with the roster, however, although at 4-13 (last in the Eastern Conference), even a Hall of Fame level coach would have struggled to cobble anything lasting together with this group. With the sample size now having reached a fair amount though, there is also cause for concern.
Nobody expected the Magic to lead the league in any category, but in fact, it has been even worse than many would have feared. Even areas such as three-point shooting, despite the much-improved efforts of the likes of Carter Jr. (41.2 percent), have not gone to plan (33.2 percent, 24th in the league). Look away now if you don’t want the reality of some numbers to hit you in the face.