Orlando Magic have a point to prove at NBA All-Star Weekend

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 30: Jalen Suggs #4 and Cole Anthony #50 of the Orlando Magic celebrate a three pointer on the bench against the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half at Amway Center on December 30, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 30: Jalen Suggs #4 and Cole Anthony #50 of the Orlando Magic celebrate a three pointer on the bench against the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half at Amway Center on December 30, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Orlando Magic: Point to prove at NBA All-Star Weekend
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – JANUARY 30: Franz Wagner #22 of the Orlando Magic dribbles the ball during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at Amway Center on January 30, 2022 in Orlando, Florida Orlando Magic have a point to prove at NBA All-Star Weekend. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

If you’ve been paying attention to the Orlando Magic at all this season, well then respect to you, because you are most certainly in the minority. So far, we have witnessed plenty of losing, some frustrating injury luck, and the bizarre situation with Jonathan Isaac, which shows no signs of getting any less weird.

This is why the recent news that the format for the Risings Stars game (or now games) at the upcoming NBA All-Star Weekend in Cleveland was received so warmly in Orlando. With four rosters of seven players now competing against one another, it gives a young group like the Magic a chance to shine.

Hopefully, the Orlando Magic will shine at NBA All-Star weekend, with Franz Wagner, Cole Anthony, and probably even Jalen Suggs all being included

This is a wonderful opportunity for these young players and the Magic fanbase to really show out and make casual fans understand that they are overlooking what is going on in Orlando right now.

Let’s start with Wagner. You could make a legitimate case that he is the Rookie of the Year at this point, which, when you consider the luck the Magic have had with drafting lottery picks in recent years, is amazing. He has already shown more promise than Aaron Gordon, Victor Oladipo, Elfrid Payton, and Mario Hezonja ever did.

He’s been named a Rookie of the Month once already, and his averages of 15.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.9 assists bode so well for the future. A three-point shooting percentage of 34.6 percent is hopefully moving in the right direction as well.

Wagner is the future of the franchise, but because he is in a small market, nobody seems to be really paying attention.Evan Mobley has been brilliant, and Scottie Barnes has (reluctantly for some) been really good too, but Wagner is right up there.