The Orlando Magic were getting some solid play from Terrence Ross. Injury though prevented any real evaluation of Ross this year.
Terrence Ross’ season was notable for its absences. For what Ross was not doing. In a big way, it absolutely was. Ross simply was not there through no fault of his own.
The majority of his season — 58 games from late November to early April — was gone to injury. A fracture to his tibial plateau and sprained MCL suffered in the first half against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Nov. 29 essentially ended his season. A bone bruise when he was close to returning in February was the final nail in his coffin of meaningful production.
He literally was not there for the Orlando Magic to use. And it hurt the team. Ross was the selfless, glue guy that every team needs. He was not a great one-on-one defender, but he always knew where to be on the floor defensively off the ball.
Just before he suffered his injury, he requested coach Frank Vogel move him to the bench. He sensed then the team needed a change and knew he was not performing offensively to his capability. It is that kind of selflessness that has made Ross a valued teammate throughout his career.
Just two games later, Ross’ season was virtually over. And he was just hungering to get back and play again, making a two-game cameo to end the season.
It was not a year of confidence for Ross. What he did well all year was subtle rather than obvious. His usually dependable shooting was not there. The Magic valued him more for his intangibles than for his production.
And that leaves questions all new for Ross next year. A contract year at that.
Ross still has to prove he is healthy and productive at the NBA level after a season-long injury. More importantly, he has to prove it to himself.
It was clearly difficult for him to watch the team play without him. It seemed to kill him to sit out. And even his antsiness to play cost him more games in the end as he suffered a mid-season setback in his recovery.
It was simply a lost season.