Keep running, just to catch up with the self who once had high hopes, Markle Fultz
With the return of Markle Fultz, the Orlando Magic's record was boosted in time after the All-Star. Overall, the point guard was previously absent for 14 months due to an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tear in the knee, and the team has changed a lot since then.
When Fultz left, the Magic were built around Nicolas Vucevic, Aaron Gordon and Evan Fournier, with Steve Clifford as head coach and guiding them into the playoffs. At the time, Fultz was the second-best performer on the Magic in the series against the Milwaukee Bucks.
All of those faces are now gone, and after two games, it's clear that the return of Markle Fultz has greatly lifted the lower bounds of the new-looking Orlando Magic.
Looking back at Monday's win over the Indiana Pacers, it's clear why that view is right. Markle Fultz plays in a way that no other defender on the squad has, and his performance is very nostalgic.
Before he fell injured, the Fultz we knew was cunning, playing at his own pace, easily getting into the box, and his rhythm made it easy for his teammates to play.
The most encouraging aspect of his return is that he can still do all of the above and come out early. After coming off the bench, Fultz had a peaceful power when he held the ball. If he's overdoing it because he wants to announce his return to the NBA and can help the team, you'll forgive him.
Of course, Fultz wasn't without mistakes, but the way he played meant he was likely to regain his starting point guard position in the near future. Look at his style of play with Cole Anthony, it makes sense for everyone. This was one of the key reasons Fultz promoted the Orlando Magic to a future related team, and he fit perfectly and increased the team's squad depth.
Before Fultz was injured, the Magic had yet to pick Franz Wagner and Jaylen Sargas. Anthony was a rookie with some injury problems at the time, and Wendell Carter Jr. was still with the Chicago Bulls. But soon, Fultz took some of the opportunity to organize offense and scoring from Wagner, who desperately needed help, and apparently Wagner was happy with Fultz's return.
Wagner was a pleasant surprise new discovery for the Magic and he had a chance to be named Best Rookie. But he's also just a rookie. As a young team, an 82-game schedule and all the defeats will cost you. Wagner is no exception, and the prospects for the two men to work together are exciting.
We've seen James Harden and Joel Embiid do some reverse cover for the Philadelphia 76ers, and Fultz and Carter Jr. will benefit from doing some of the same thing. When the chemistry between the two of them begins, the Magic will be truly successful. It can be the basis for some offensive tactics, but it can also be used to mask Fultz's limitations in shooting.
Finally, and most importantly, this makes both Fultz and Anthony the players they are destined to be. Anthony is a fan favorite player and he has done well with the Orlando Magic this year. But at this point, it's fair to say that because of his energy and enthusiasm, it's amazing when he can play as a sixth-man substitute for the playoff version.
Fultz, on the other hand, sets a more measured rhythmic tone, which you want to do when you start a race and want to build a lead. These are two point guards with very different styles, both of whom have had a positive impact on the Magic in their own way. That's not a bad thing, as it allows the Magic to play to their strengths and have excellent depth, and that's what makes them really good again.
Anthony will be the sixth man and Fultz will start, which is certainly not an established fact. Maybe they'll start together, and the progressive Sargas will take the time to get off the bench. Either way, it's a good fix and undoubtedly raises the lower limit on how good this team can be in the coming years.
In a season where there were a lot of losses, this time it felt different. The Orlando Magic have several competitive youngsters who will unknowingly become really good. The addition of Markle Fultz, a team that once had playoff experience, seems like a reward for management and further proves that the trade was right to get Fultz.