Terrence Ross has had to fight off talk of his inconsistency for several years with the Toronto Raptors. The Orlando Magic gave him a second chance.
Terrence Ross has been the focus of promise and the focus of frustration for the better part of five years. For every person that believes Ross has the talent and potential to become an All Star, there is another person who looks at his production and sees the frustrating inconsistency.
That had been Ross’ entire career with the Toronto Raptors. His former coach Dwane Casey put it best, everyone celebrates Ross’ 50-point game, but everyone forgets he scored only six the next night. It was 12 actually.
That is the maddening inconsistency Ross has displayed for his career. Everyone ready to anoint him the starter has ultimately faced disappointment. Ross certainly had every opportunity with the Raptors, but ultimately found himself more successful coming off the bench. Yet still maddening.
Maybe Ross needed a new setting to unlock his talent. To get a new fan base excited.
It certainly was a new opportunity. Terrence Ross went to the Orlando Magic in February’s deal involving Serge Ibaka. He was slowly getting pushed out of the lineup in Toronto as younger players fought their way in. But this was another chance to start.
The Magic knew they were getting a strong athlete in Ross. He is a former dunk contest champion, after all. They also knew they were getting someone who could hit a 3-pointer, a desperate need for Orlando. It seemed like an experiment worth trying.
Orlando Magic
Ross was not quite the dominant scorer everyone wanted him to be. He was not quite the surefire, aggressive creator the Magic need either. But he reached a small measure of consistency as a starter with the Magic. They unlocked some of his playmaking potential and involved him in different ways.
It was, at least, enough to intrigue. And enough to keep him a part of the Magic and their starting lineup moving forward.
Of course, that was a small sample size. And the season was already lost. Terrence Ross can still get lost in the shuffle — see the crowd clamoring for Jonathon Simmons to start.
Ross is still searching for that ever-elusive consistency. He has not had a year where he started full time since 2015. He is getting that opportunity again. It may well be his last chance to get everyone on board.