Throughout the 2021-2022 NBA Season, there has been a numerous amount of players who have enjoyed breakout seasons. This can often be attributed to a large number of factors. For some players, spending time with the team throughout the offseason helped build chemistry with the team and the coach. For others, they have just received more playing time, which has brought back better statistics. Both of these examples are true for three players on the Orlando Magic, all of whom have had their best statistical and overall seasons to date.
1. PG Cole Anthony
In his second season, Cole Anthony has elevated his play to an entirely new level as Orlando’s lead Point Guard. With Markelle Fultz continuing to heal from the ACL Tear he suffered last January, Anthony has taken advantage of the increased playing time he’s received. In just 24 games this season, Anthony’s averaging 20.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG, and 5.8 APG while shooting 41.8% from the field and 35.4% from three-point range. These numbers are much improved from last season’s averages of 12.9 PPG, 4.7 RPG, and 4.1 APG while shooting 39.7% from the field and 33.7% from three-point range. In addition to improving in nearly every statistical category, Anthony’s play on the court just looks clearer and smoother. When handling the ball, Anthony makes the smart play, rather than the flashy play. Together, these facets of Anthony’s game have caused him and the Magic to enjoy a career year from the second-year guard.
2. PF/C Wendell Carter Jr.
Like Anthony, Wendell Carter Jr’s. production has taken a sizable leap as a result of increased playing time. Carter Jr. averaged 12.6 PPG, 8.8 RPG, and 1.6 APG in 22 games with Orlando last season. This year, Carter Jr. is now up to 12.6 PPG, 10.1 RPG, and 2.5 APG in 32 games. Carter Jr. has also become a viable three-point shooter, making 34.5% of his attempts, compared to the 24.1% he made last season. Part of the reason for this is that Carter Jr. is playing meaningful minutes this season. Carter Jr. has started in all of the 32 games he’s played for Orlando, opposed to the 19 starts he made last year. Carter Jr. has also had time to learn Jamahl Mosley’s coaching style, whereas he was confronted with Head Coach after Head Coach before coming to Orlando. Seeing Carter Jr. develop as he has makes Orlando’s future brighter.
3. C Mo Bamba
There’s no doubt that this would be Mo Bamba’s most crucial season in the Sunshine State thus far. With this being the final year of Bamba’s rookie contract, he needed a highly productive season to possibly persuade the Magic to re-sign him this offseason. Bamba’s certainly done that, as he has also undergone a statistical progression this season. Bamba is averaging 10.3 PPG, 8.6 RPG, and 2.2 BPG in 28.7 MPG. Bamba’s three-point shooting numbers are also up, as he’s now making 32.4% as opposed to 32.2% last season. Like Carter Jr., Bamba is playing more significant minutes than he previously was. Last season, Bamba started in just five of the 46 games he played in and notched 15.8 MPG. This season, Bamba has started every game he’s played in and averages around 28.7 MPG. If Bamba keeps his stellar play up, there’s no doubt that Orlando will likely re-sign him.
(Featured image by John Raoux/AP)