Orlando Magic Daily
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2017 Central Florida 85 Nos. 1-17: The Best of the Best

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - AUGUST 31: UCF mascot Knightro takes the field before the football game between the visiting FIU Panthers and the UCF Knights on August 31, 2017 at Spectrum Stadium in Orlando FL. (Photo by Joe Petro/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - AUGUST 31: UCF mascot Knightro takes the field before the football game between the visiting FIU Panthers and the UCF Knights on August 31, 2017 at Spectrum Stadium in Orlando FL. (Photo by Joe Petro/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Evan Fournier, Orlando Magic, Washington Wizards
WASHINGTON, DC –  MARCH 5: Evan Fournier #10 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball during a game against the Washington Wizards on March 5, 2017 at Verizon Center in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

14. Evan Fournier, Orlando Magic

Two years ago, Evan Fournier was an up-and-coming player whom Orlando Magic fans were excited to watch develop. He seemed to be a great complementary piece, able to drain open 3-pointers and attack off the dribble efficiently.

Things change quickly. Especially when a team faces failure.

The Magic failed in 2017. That is usually what necessitates a change in the front office and everyone is asking why. Some fans have blamed Nikola Vucevic. Others have blamed management exclusively. And some of the blame fell to Fournier — fairly or unfairly.

The reality is Fournier was the team’s leading scorer at 17.2 points per game. That usually sounds good. And most fans would get excited about a 24 year old who has increased his scoring every year. There should be some momentum behind Fournier and what he can do.

Then again, it always feels like someone on this Magic team is the “good stats, bad team” player. Someone has to score. And that was kind of the season Fournier had last year.

His efficiency fell off a cliff. He shot 43.9 percent, his worst in a Magic uniform, and a 50.8 percent effective field goal percentage. His 35.6 percent 3-point shooting was the worst of his career. Everyone knows he can play better. And that would seem to suggest he is due to bounce back next year.

Yet, there is still this running narrative that Fournier is not the guy to step up. Maybe it was because he seemingly pushed Victor Oladipo out of Orlando (Evan Fournier got paid first and it would have been tricky to pay both considering the team’s record). Maybe it was simply fans getting frustrated with Fournier thinking he was the star and playing like it even if he really was not.

It could even be Fournier got his paycheck and now fans no longer view him as the cheap, young option but the star. And they do not see him in that.

Like so much about the Magic, there was a poor fit. It was not that Fournier is a bad player. He is a good player and a certain starter. It is just that he is miscast as the team’s primary perimeter scorer. And that is not a role he is best suited for.

But that is the role he will have to fill again.