Magic assured Cole Anthony can step in for Fultz

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Orlando Magic rookie Cole Anthony has performed largely a sixth man function off the bench so far of the season, however that figures to vary following the information that surfaced on Wednesday evening.

The Magic introduced following a 105-94 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers that start line guard Markelle Fultz suffered a torn ACL and can miss the remainder of the season. Fultz tried to plant on his left knee early within the first quarter however, as an alternative, his leg gave out and he went crashing onto the court docket. He was carted off again to the locker room in a wheelchair and instantly underwent an MRI.

The information instantly despatched shockwaves all through the workforce and the remainder of the NBA.

After all, Fultz performed simply 33 video games over the primary two years of his profession with the Philadelphia 76ers because of a shoulder harm. He had lastly been wholesome, showing in 72 video games final season with the Magic whereas averaging 12.1 factors per sport. He began off this season on observe to have his finest yr but however will now miss the rest of it, seemingly, as shortly because it began.

Following the sport, teammate Terrence Ross was shocked to listen to the prognosis of Fultz and was initially speechless throughout his press convention with reporters.

“I imply, it sucks. It’s not excellent news,” Ross stated. “But when anyone can deal with this, it’s ‘Kelle. He has the guts of a lion. He’s tremendous proficient, all the time optimistic. I do know he’ll have the ability to deal with this. All of us acquired his again, we’ll all be right here for him. You hate to see this, particularly for a man who already fought by a lot and got here again and was ballin’ and now this. It’s simply a kind of issues, it’s going to make him stronger. He’s going to return again from that, I’ve little question.”

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Instead of Fultz, the Magic turned to Anthony, who produced eight factors, 4 assists and three assists in a season-high 32 minutes of labor. The elevated workload will definitely be a precursor of issues to return with Fultz now out.

Anthony had solely performed over half-hour as soon as this season previous to Wednesday evening — a blowout loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on New Yr’s Eve. He was usually among the many first gamers off the bench and carried out properly in that function however will now be thrown into the hearth and play an in depth function for a workforce that has began off with a 6-2 document and is second within the Jap Convention.

Regardless of being solely eight video games into his NBA profession, his Magic teammates are assured that Anthony will have the ability to rise to the event rather than Fultz.

“He’s constructed for this,” Ross stated. “He isn’t shy of any second. He’s a tricky child. He’s bettering actually quick. He’s choosing every part up. It’s going to take a while however you gotta undergo it. That’s how everyone goes by it after they first get into the league. They gotta determine the place they’re, determine how they will contribute each single evening. It’s going to assist him develop up slightly quicker. It’s all about how he handles it however I believe he’ll do properly.”

Sadly, Anthony is within the midst of a brutal offensive hunch. He’s changing on 30.3% of his pictures from the sphere, together with 19% from 3-point vary. When requested if he feels ready to take over for Fultz, Anthony stated he’s prepared however playfully added that it might assist if he may begin making a shot or two on the court docket.

Regardless of the offensive woes, Anthony has managed to remain productive on the court docket because of his defensive exercise and talent to make performs. Anthony has drawn 4 expenses this season, which is tied for third-most within the NBA, whereas he’s additionally seventh in expenses drawn per sport. He earned reward from Magic head coach Steve Clifford for his defensive exercise and willingness to hunt contact on that finish of the ground.

That, as Anthony stated after the sport, is totally by design.

“I compete so, I imply, I take it private after I see somebody who’s making an attempt to get a bucket on me,” Anthony stated. “I’m going to do every part in my energy to stop that from occurring. In flip, that’s going to assist the workforce. They see that if I set the tone by pressuring my defender, that’s going to make them wish to go strain their defender, too. It’s a series response. As a workforce, we simply get higher defensive like that so I’m going to do every part I can on my half to try this.”

The lack of Fultz will undoubtedly damage the Magic this season, and additional take a look at their depth.

The workforce is already coping with accidents to Evan Fournier and Michael Carter-Williams within the backcourt, and the Fultz information additional exacerbates that subject. Anthony will definitely have his fair proportion of rising pains, however the workforce is assured that Anthony can step in and assist instantly.

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Record

Rookie Wire Energy Rankings: James Wiseman, LaMelo Ball cleared the path

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