Evan Fournier looking to grow by simplifying his role

Evan Fournier struggled as the Orlando Magic’s main creator and scorer last year. Simplifying his role and becoming a better playmaker may help him improve.

Evan Fournier has done what he always has done this preseason. The ball swings to him and he attacks a rotating defense, mixing his speed to catch the defense off guard.

Fournier is not a direct straight-line attacker. He does not have the top-end speed to blow past player. He has always had to rely on some form of craftiness, weaving his way through defenders using pick and rolls and pulling up quickly to hit his sweet jumper.

The Orlando Magic last year perhaps got a bit too excited about what Fournier could do after his breakout 2016 season — 15.4 points per game and a 54.6 percent effective field goal percentage with 40.0 percent mark from beyond the arc. Part of the gamble in adding so many veteran players and trading Victor Oladipo came with the expectation Evan Fournier would take on a larger playmaking role as the team’s primary perimeter scorer.

There were aspects of this role that Fournier succeeded in. But overall it is hard to say he did not struggle.

While Fournier averaged a career-high 17.2 points per game, his shooting numbers dipped to 50.8 percent effective field goal percentage and a career-worst 35.6 percent shooting from beyond the arc. As somewhat expected, his field goal shooting decreased as his field goal attempts went up.

Still, it was clear Fournier was not quite right. And even he would recognize it.

"“I’m really focusing on making plays for guys and focusing on defense,” Evan Fournier told Orlando Magic Daily before last week’s game against the Miami Heat. “I thought last year defensively I had not a very good year. It was not bad, but compared to my previous season, it was definitely not as good as it was with Scott [Skiles]. Definitely focusing on defense and making plays for others.”"

Add in the pressure of living up to a new contract, something coach Frank Vogel acknowledged might have been part of Evan Fournier’s forceful play, and Fournier was not the player the Magic needed last year.

Orlando Magic

Get teammates more involved and play a more synchronized, fast-paced offense was a focus for the entire team this offseason and preseason. To do that, the Magic have to get rid of isolation plays and, in Vogel’s favorite coach-ism, trust the pass more.

That was part of the work the Magic wanted Fournier to undertake this summer.

Vogel said during the team’s exit interviews at the end of last season, he and the coaching staff asked Fournier to focus on being a better playmaker. They wanted him to focus on becoming a better and willing passer.

Fournier last year, playing at a career-high 23.5 percent usage rate, was not always an effective passer. He averaged a career-high 3.0 assists per game, but also posted a career-high 2.1 turnovers per game. Fournier certainly had some struggles adjusting to a more central role in the offense. Particularly without shooters around him to space the floor.

Becoming a better playmaker would be essential to Fournier growing his game. And, eventually, making the team better.

"“It’s definitely a focus for all of us,” Fournier told Orlando Magic Daily. “We struggled offensively last year. When you get into a bad situation mentally where you are frustrated, that’s where you start making bad decisions. We all have to make better decisions. That’s why I’m really focusing on it now.”"

The Magic’s new wide-open offense seems to suit Fournier. In the preseason, Fournier has looked refreshed and efficient with the ball. With Elfrid Payton on the ball more as the primary playmaker, Evan Fournier gets to work those gaps and seams he found so effective in 2016.

Like so many other players, Fournier is continuing a strong finish to last season. After the All-Star Break, Fournier averaged 18.0 points per game. He shot a much more efficient 53.2 percent effective field goal percentage including a more normal 37.5 percent from beyond the arc. However, his assists dropped to 2.1 per game.

Vogel added too that switching Fournier to small forward helped him defensively. He avoided some of the quicker shooting guards on the perimeter.

In the preseason so far, Fournier is averaging 8.3 points per game in 16.0 minutes per game in three preseason games. He is shooting 68.8 percent from the floor and 2 for 4 from beyond the arc.

"“I have seen so much,” Elfrid Payton told Orlando Magic Daily last week. “Evan is knocking down shots. He is doing what he does getting to the paint. But he is also making that late pass. That is really going to help our offense this year. He draws so much attention because he can score. When he makes that pass, it is only going to open it up for himself. I am really excited by how Evan is playing.”"

Fournier is averaging 3.0 assists per game in three games. It would appear Fournier is passing much better and protecting the ball. He has just one turnover in 48 minutes.

It is just preseason though, so take everything with a few grains of salt.

Vogel said it seemed Fournier was more at ease and content to play with aggressiveness, but still making the right pass. Fournier has looked a bit liberated, not trying to force things and playing within the offense.

Of course, that has come in very limited minutes. And a minor ankle injury he suffered in Saturday’s win over the Heat kept him out of at least one additional preseason game. The Magic expect to have him back in the lineup for Friday’s preseason finale against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Fournier was the team’s leading scorer last year and took the criticism that comes with taking that role. Fans believed Fournier had an extra level to his game. Or he was not quite the player the Magic needed.

By simplifying his role after the All-Star Break, the Magic got more from Fournier. He found his fit again. And it seems like, within that role, Fournier can grow again.

"“Every player as they evolve has to be able to play the game and make their teammates better if they are going to be an effective offensive player,” Vogel told Orlando Magic Daily. “It is definitely something Evan is concentrating on this year.”"

The preseason has shown plenty of promising signs for the team throughout. Fournier has quietly been one of them.

Next: D.J. Augustin vows a better 2018 season

But his measure of success this year will come with whether he can rediscover his efficiency and become a better passer and playmaker for the Magic.