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.
Orlando Magic have a point to prove at NBA All-Star Weekend: Cole Anthony and Jalen Suggs
Anthony needs no introduction at this point, as he is the heart and soul of the Magic’s roster as currently constructed. It will be so much fun to see his tenacious game and infectious personality on display with everybody during the festivities in Cleveland.
The second-year guard is more than that, of course, and earlier in the year would have been a fringe (ok, maybe fringe fringe) player who could have made the actual All-Star game.
His time for that is not now, but his trajectory is also very encouraging. If he ends up going against any of his teammates, that will be a fascinating subplot and something he is sure to have fun with.
The point of NBA All-Star Weekend is to celebrate and enjoy the game of basketball. The Magic haven’t had much to cheer about this year (and that is ok), but this is a rare chance to tell everybody that “we’re here, and we’re on track again”. This is why the inclusion of Suggs is the most special of all.
Wagner and Anthony were locks to make it, but Suggs has had his detractors so far. Injuries haven’t helped and having Barnes get picked before him in the draft caused much debate as well.
Recently he has looked much better though, and to have two lottery picks from one draft appear in the game is vindication (not that it is needed at this point) that they got the Nikola Vucevic trade right.
If he can continue his improved play through the rest of the season, then no matter what happens with Isaac and Markelle Fultz, the core of this franchise is set. Getting the chance to show out in Cleveland is the cherry on top.
When you consider where the organization was even three years ago, that is huge.
Orlando Magic have a point to prove at NBA All-Star Weekend: Cole Anthony in the Slam Dunk Contest
Last, but most certainly not least, is the news that Anthony will also be taking part in the Slam Dunk contest. This is important for two reasons.
The first is that, even though everybody complains about it at this point, we all still watch it. So it’s another way for fans to get to know Anthony.
Secondly, and more importantly, it gives the Magic the chance to really move on from being so heavily associated with Aaron Gordon and his own appearances in the contest.
Despite eight perfect 50 scores, Gordon never won the competition, and even wrote a song about it. We’ve all moved on (except Gordon, who wears 50 for the Denver Nuggets), but this rubber stamps it.
The dunk contest was also how most people knew who Gordon was during his time with the Magic anyway, so if Anthony can make use of the same exposure, but then actually improve more than Gordon ever did, it will be a huge win.
There will be lots of stuff happening for the group at NBA All-Star weekend, and it will have much more importance for them than it usually would.