2017-18 Orlando Magic Player Evaluations: Terrence Ross

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – NOVEMBER 27: Terrence Ross #31 of the Orlando Magic is seen during the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 27, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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.(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

The Good and the Bad

Per Game Table
G	GS	MP	FG%	3P%	eFG%	FT%	TRB	AST	STL	TOV	PTS
24	20	25.0	.398	.323	.476	.750	3.0	1.6	1.1	1.2	8.7

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 4/26/2018.

Terrence Ross simply did not play enough to draw too many conclusions about his play. His season was defined by his injury almost completely. Seeing him in 24 games just was not enough.

But Ross still had his difficulties in the short time that he played. the usually reliable 3-point shooter found it difficult to hit from beyond the arc, making just 32.3 percent of his shots from there this season. For a team that still struggled to hit from there and space the floor, that hurt.

The idea of Ross seemed to threaten defenses more than his actual production at times. Defenses still respected that 3-point shot. That partially might explain why Ross was willing to decrease his role. He was trying to make good on his production. He wanted to give the team all he could.

Whether he should have even requested that demotion to the bench is another matter.

Before his injury, the Magic had a 105.3 defensive rating with Ross on the floor, one of the best overall marks on the team. It was a sign not only of Ross’ strong individual defense but how he fit into the larger defensive scheme. He helped get the most of the Magic and their defensive unit.

He just seemed to make everything fit and work for the team. But the shooting was still hard to get past. That is ultimately what held Terrence Ross back and made the decision to bring him off the bench a necessary one — the decision to start Jonathon Simmons over Jonathan Isaac was the debatable one perhaps.

Ross never got the chance to right the ship. His two-game cameo at the end of the season was more about getting his legs under him than anything else. There just was not much to draw from his play at any point in the season other than he struggled.

The hope has to be that he can recover his play and put this season behind him.