Orlando Magic: Cole Anthony Is The City’s Next Iconic Athlete
Orlando has always been home to Mickey Mouse and the Magic Kingdom. In a city that’s dominated by family entertainment, the basketball scene has never truly been a highlight of a Central Florida vacation. While the Orlando Magic have had their share of star attractions over the team’s brief history( Penny Hardaway, Shaq, T-Mac, Dwight Howard), the franchise has never truly won over the Orlando fanbase (despite some truly successful and magical playoff runs).
It’s tough to fathom any Magic fan accepting the team as a contender in their current state. This year’s roster has played well below expectations. The first overall pick seems like it’s within reach (not a good thing). Another losing season with renewed optimism for a great, big, beautiful tomorrow (It’s Orlando I’m going to throw at least one Disney reference in). If any Magic fan can see a semblance of hope on the horizon, it’s because of second-year point guard, Cole Anthony.
Orlando is no stranger to the occasional superstar (the aforementioned names being some of the best in league history). While Anthony isn’t an NBA building block as of yet, he’s a fringe All-Star in his 2nd season. Thought of as a backup option to LaMelo Ball, Killian Hayes, Tyrese Haliburton, and Kira Lewis in the 2020 Draft, Anthony has arguably been just as dominant as Ball and Haliburton (who’ve carved out huge roles on their roster).
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Orlando nabbed Anthony in the middle of the 1st round despite having former top pick, Markelle Fultz, on the roster. The general consensus after Orlando traded for Fulrz was he would wind up as the guy in Orlando. With proper coaching and development, Fultz would finally tap into that imenense and unproven potential. That has not been the case at all in Orlando. In Fultz’s injury absence this season, Anthony has seemingly taken the job outright.
The Orlando Magic’s 2021 first-round pick, Jalen Suggs, was drafted with Anthony already having a successful first year. He has now been deemed as a mere afterthought with Anthony’s play and Orlando’s 2nd first round pick, Franz Wagner, establishing himself as a ROY candidate. The guard situation in Orlando has seemingly sorted itself out. Perhaps it hasn’t sorted itself out the way Orlando had hoped. However, Anthony is a star, just embrace it.
Anthony might have scared a lot of fans off last season due to his frequent poor shooting. Year two in the NBA has been a different story for Anthony, who has increased his shooting percentage from .397 to .425 (as of December 15th).The most telling stat of all, his shooting percentage increase while attempting more shots per game (16.6 compared to 11.1), and a huge increase in 3-pt attempts (7.7 compared to 3.7). As of December 15th, there are only 4 point guards averaging over 20 PPG, 6 RPG, and 5 APG. Anthony is one of those, along with James Harden, Luka Doncic, and LaMelo Ball.
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The elite company that Anthony has put himself in this year could give Orlando fans the notion of Anthony as the second coming of Penny Hardaway. Cole is now the first Magic player since Hardaway to average 20 points with a .500 or better effective field goal percentage. It’s all there to be seen for Orlando fans. Nothing behind the curtain, just plain as day.
He’s got a lot of those qualities that made Penny the star he was. Anthony has the swagger and confidence, not just the playing ability. Would it really be surprising to see Cole Anthony on your TV screens with Lil’ Cole?
It’s safe to say given the Magic’s track record that Anthony will become a name that NBA fans know. Heck, he might even get a signature shoe. What’s not known, will it equate to a title for the Magic? Who can really tell that at this point. For what it’s worth, the start Anthony has had in year 2 is a clear indication that something big is about to happen in Orlando.
Whatever the end result is, fans in Central Florida who wish to live and breathe outside the works of theme parks, once again have an icon just as prevelant as that damn mouse.
Image Source: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports
Daniel is a guru of baseball and basketball prospects. He’s a very experienced Amusement Park traveler as well. Follow him and his hot takes on Insta @dgentleman9288
