Orlando Magic Playbook: How best to use Evan Fournier

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Evan Fournier, Orlando Magic, Cleveland Cavaliers

Apr 4, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier (10) shoots over the defense of Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 122-102. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

Spot-Ups

Putting Fournier on the ball so much, or needing him to be on the ball, eliminated one of his best skills and traits.

Fournier is a fantastic shooter. A player does not shoot 40 percent in a season or become a career 37.9 percent 3-point shooter without having that ability. Considering the Magic’s issues generating good 3-point looks and spacing, Fournier’s 3-point shooting is critical to the team’s development.

Last year, Fournier had 2.7 spot-up possessions per game, according to NBA.com and scored 2.7 points per game on spot-ups — officially 0.99 points per possession. In 2016, Fournier had 3.7 spot-up possessions per game and scored 1.05 points per possession with a 53.4 percent effective field goal percentage.

The question then becomes why did this number decrease so drastically? How did the Magic’s offense change?

Certainly, Fournier’s increased usage rate suggests he was working more on the ball. His career highs in assists per game and turnovers per game also suggests the Magic asked him to attack more. He worked less in this creative role.

Orlando Magic /

Orlando Magic

According to NBA.com, Fournier drove the ball 6.7 times per game this year, shooting 49.0 percent on such drives, but averaging only 0.5 assists per game. In 2016, Fournier had only 5.7 drives per game, scoring 0.4 assists per game.

Fournier’s scoring off drives increased and his shooting remained relatively flat, but he was not the playmaker the Magic hoped. Certainly, he has the ability to play this role. It is just whether this is his best use.

Fournier is a great spot-up shooter. That much is clear. And considering the Magic’s need for shooting, relying on him more to attack off the dribble was a likely flaw in the offense — and the team’s construction.

That does not mean, Fournier should not be a driver when the opportunity comes. But part of the way the Magic need to use him is to get him back into this spot-up role spreading the floor. Considering his attitude at attacking rotating defenses, it makes sense to use Fournier more off the ball.