Magic nonetheless see Cole Anthony contributing regardless of capturing stoop

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Earlier than taking up as the place to begin guard of the Orlando Magic, Cole Anthony mentioned he was totally ready for the chance, although he playfully added that it might assist if he may make a shot.

Sure, the rookie is mired in a tough capturing stoop this season however his teammates nonetheless have faith in his capacity to contribute to the workforce on the court docket.

On the season, Anthony is averaging 9.5 factors, 4.2 rebounds and three.1 assists in 11 video games with the Magic. He’s capturing 31.5% from the sector and 18.2% (6-of-33) from 3-point vary so far of the season.

Anthony was thrust into the beginning lineup on Jan. 8 after it was introduced that Markelle Fultz would miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL. Since taking up, his manufacturing has elevated from 8.6 to 11.7 factors per recreation however his capturing numbers have largely remained the identical.

Regardless of the low capturing proportion, Aaron Gordon mentioned on Thursday that he believes Anthony continues to be producing for the Magic.

I don’t assume Cole is struggling proper now. I don’t see it like that. I feel he’s being aggressive. I feel he’s choosing his spots. I feel it takes a while to actually discover a stage of consolation however he’s making the photographs he must make. He’s protecting the protection trustworthy. That’s not all you possibly can ask for, however that’s lots of the sport as a rookie is simply protecting the protection trustworthy. Guards are nonetheless chasing him over screens as a result of he flattening that 3-ball sufficient till he finds a rhythm, a consolation stage.

Anthony has typically been his largest critic this season. He calls for a sure stage of manufacturing from himself on the court docket and that has been evident to the Magic. Whereas which may be the case, the circumstances surrounding this season additionally haven’t made for a straightforward transition.

In fact, groups had a shortened coaching camp to organize for the season and have had little apply time as a result of condensed schedule. Anthony, like all rookies, didn’t have the posh of a standard offseason to play in Summer season League and coaching camp so it’s taking some further time to regulate to the NBA recreation.

Magic middle Nikola Vucevic noticed sporadic taking part in time as a rookie with the Philadelphia 76ers through the 2011-12 season and is aware of firsthand what Anthony is coping with. Given his personal expertise, Vucevic reassured Anthony to be affected person with the method.

He tends to be actually onerous on himself, which is sweet in a solution to hold pushing your self and to maintain wanting extra from your self however, on the identical time, I simply informed him that he’s coming into the league at a really troublesome time when he didn’t have Summer season League, a full coaching camp or anytime to actually get accustomed to every thing. … You’re able the place you’ll play towards all the perfect gamers on this league at level guard, particularly now that you must begin. You simply need to be affected person, hold working, hold doing what you’re doing and issues will likely be higher.

Whereas Anthony is coping with his personal struggles, the Magic as a workforce have gone chilly as of late, dropping three straight video games after a powerful 6-2 begin to the season.

Previous to this week, the group hadn’t had the chance to actually apply since altering the beginning lineup however lastly had the possibility just lately after their recreation on Wednesday versus Boston was postponed resulting from COVID-19 points inside the Celtics.

The apply on Thursday gave gamers the chance to organize for his or her new roles shifting ahead so the workforce is hopeful that may result in higher outcomes on the court docket.

Maybe a day or two off can be what’s wanted for Anthony to snap out of his stoop.

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