Evan Fournier ready to return to basketball
Evan Fournier‘s early season injury was something of a blessing after an emotional run through Eurobasket. Fournier though is ready to return for the Magic.
Evan Fournier had seen a lot of the basketball court this summer. This after missing a good chunk of the end of his season in Orlando.
Fournier played a key role off the bench for France during their bronze medal run at Eurobasket. These were high intensity, emotional games — France was playing on their home floor and lost a lead late in regulation before falling in overtime to eventual champion Spain in the semifinal round.
When Fournier returned to Orlando, he had a sprained ankle suffered in that bronze medal game where he scored a tournament-high 15 points. It was disappointing that Fournier could not see the floor the moment when training camp opened. But it was needed as a mental break after such an emotional ride.
“It felt great being back on the court, but I think I needed a break to be honest,” Fournier said after practice Sunday. “Playing all summer was hard. I was very disappointed not winning Eurobasket. So I had to get my mind right and get in better shape mentally and physically. I think this week off for me was great. I’m just ready to go now.”
Fournier though has been cleared to practice and has done so fully since Sunday. He is set to make his preseason debut tonight against the Heat in Louisville.
Talking to him at media day, it was still clear the loss in Eurobasket weighed on him. Like a defeated champion, he said he still believes France has the best team in Europe. He is looking forward to next summer’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament and the chance for France to reclaim its spot as the second best team in the world (behind the U.S.).
After his fortuitous week off to reset himself, Fournier is ready to get back to playing. He missed 21 of the team’s final 23 games last year, and it was clear how much the team missed him in the two games he did play.
He averaged 12.0 points per game and shot a 51.4 percent effective field goal percentage. With Fournier on the floor, the team had an offensive rating of 101.5 points per 100 possessions, the second highest among all players. It was just 98.2 with Fournier off the floor.
The team he left then though is much different than the team he is coming to.
Scott Skiles has changed a lot of things already in the Magic’s schemes, strategy and mindset. Yet, even here Fournier has found some familiarity that is helping him integrate into the team.
Skiles sees Fournier as a big part of the team’s offense. Because Fournier is such a good shooter and good decision maker who does not waste too many dribbles, Fournier should fit in right away.
“He fits what we’re trying to do anyway in moving the ball more,” Scott Skiles said. “[Saturday] night was not a huge dribble game for us. Which is good. We didn’t take off too many times and kind of get ourselves in trouble off the dribble. We were trying to get into our spots and move the ball. He is another guy that fits that. He likes to move his body, cut and he can shoot of course, he’s a sneaky finisher. It will be good to have him out there and get him with this group.”
Skiles said Fournier is a quick learner. He was able to go through practice fully without missing a beat in his first practice. He was able to integrate what he saw from watching on the sideline and put it to practice.
And fortunately Fournier said his fitness is good because he was playing so much this summer. He dove right back into practice.
The transition back onto the court has been smooth as Fournier has picked things up quickly after watching on the sideline for a week.
“First of all, I’m learning the way he wants us to play,” Fournier said. “Obviously there is a lot of open play like backdoors, screening and pick plays. I’m really comfortable doing it. It’s a lot of what we do in Europe. I’m really comfortable. I’m learning the system and I’m very optimistic.”
Movement is a big part of the Magic’s new offense.
The responsibilities for Fournier are still largely the same in his mind. Fournier is under his fifth coach in four years and his third in his second year in Orlando. He said at the end of the day his responsibility is to play defense, hit shots and play together.
That is the nuts and bolts of what Skiles is asking his players to do.
Considering how key Fournier was to last year’s team, having him back should be a big boost as the team aspires to do more.