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Orlando Magic need Terrence Ross to get it all back

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 20: Terrence Ross #31 of the Orlando Magic grabs the rebound against the Philadelphia 76ers during the game on March 20, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 20: Terrence Ross #31 of the Orlando Magic grabs the rebound against the Philadelphia 76ers during the game on March 20, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Terrence Ross had a rough season on the court and then with injuries. He has worked tirelessly to get healthy. And the Orlando Magic need him back.

Terrence Ross is a constant on Instagram. 3tross1 pops up often on the Instagram stories as he shares his adventures with his kids especially. He does a lot of things around town and around the country. He is one of the Orlando Magic’s most active players on social media.

Ross always seems like a chill dude in these posts — showing off his video game exploits and his love for comics as much as anything else. He shows plenty of his personality.

But it was not those posts that should have gotten Magic fans’ attention throughout the summer. It was the late night posts from the Amway Center. The late trips to the gym to get that last workout in, trying to put his time in where management could see him and come back from a devastating injury that took away most of his 2018 season.

As much as anyone on the Magic’s roster, Ross is the biggest mystery facing the team. And one of the most important players for Orlando to have any hope of success on the court this season.

Last year, Ross played in only 24 games as he missed time with a fracture to his tibial plateau. He played two games in the final week of the season to prove that he was “back.” But he was certainly not back.

Even before the injury, Ross was not quite the same player. Ross is a player who has scored 50 points in a game in the NBA and has averaged a career-high 11.0 points per game just a year before. But last year, he averaged only 8.7 points per game, the worst since his rookie year. He shot a career-worst 47.6 percent effective field goal percentage.

Under normal circumstances, it would seem certain Ross is poised for a bounce-back year to get back to his averages. In a contract year, especially, Ross would be poised for a big season, further establishing himself as a quality sixth man at the very least in the league. Ross certainly has the talent to compete for a starting spot if Jonathan Isaac is not developed enough to hold the spot down.

But these are not normal circumstances. Ross is coming off a major injury that cost him more games than any other time in his career. Before last year, Ross had never played fewer than 70 games. It leaves a lot of questions.

And while Ross had plenty of fun this offseason, he also put in plenty of work. He shared plenty of his late-night workouts on social media. Just as he shared some highlights from his trip to Seattle for a local pro-am there.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bmwm0q4DsZH/?taken-by=3tross1

Both Magic coach Steve Clifford and high performance director David Tenney lauded Ross’ hard work throughout the summer, telling Dan Savage of OrlandoMagic.com that he looks ready for the season. All he is missing is the game reps and the rhythm.

Of course, that is a big part of things. Ross has played in a few games since the injury, but it was clear he was not 100 percent.

Ross played in about 24 minutes in two games to end the season, scoring 11 total points on 4-for-14 shooting. It was Ross getting his feet wet, but not exactly being efficient.

Ross had to prove he could get on the floor in those games. But he was clearly not all the way back.

Orlando will need Ross all the way back to have any measure of success this coming season.

Ross at his best is a floor spacer who can threaten from beyond the arc. Even last year when he struggled from 3, shooting 32.3 percent, he had enough gravity to force opponents to respect his shot. He is a career 37.1 percent 3-point shooter.

To be sure, for Ross to contribute and find success with the Magic, he will have to return as a shooter and get back to his career averages. Orlando needs that with the lack of shooting elsewhere on the roster.

Ross also proved last year he could be a solid team defender. He was great working off the ball rotating to the right spot and being active in help side. The Magic rode that kind of play to a strong defensive start.

Despite his slow offensive start, the Magic had a 105.1 defensive rating with Ross on the floor before his injury. Orlando was only better defensively with Jonathan Isaac on the floor.

Those on/off numbers are not a full summary of Ross’ individual defense. But it is a sign that Ross had a positive impact defensively. Even at a time when the Magic were playing some good defense.

Ross is also an underrated passer. Something he showed as he worked on the ball more since he arrived in Orlando.

In essence, Ross was someone who did whatever the team asked of him and filled in those gaps. Especially on a roster that will feature several young players finding their way, having a veteran like Ross to play that supporting role is key.

And that remains the biggest mystery. Whether Ross can do that after a long season full of injury.

Next. OMD Roundtable: Rounding out the offseason. dark

All the indications from the coaching staff and social media suggest Ross is up for the challenge.