Orlando Magic veterans still rounding into form in preseason

The Orlando Magic have shown plenty of positive signs. But several key veterans are still trying to round into form this preseason.

Evan Fournier has a long history of making tough shots late in games. He has established himself as something of the Orlando Magic’s go-to player in late-game situations. While there have not been copious amounts of close games over the years, Evan Fournier has hit some big shots.

And so it was no surprise coach Steve Clifford, coaching his first “clutch” situation with his new team, dialed up a play for Evan Fournier. It was a reliable play that generated a good shot.

Fournier came around a curl screen to the top of the key and had open space in front of him. He did what he has done forever and reliably: He took the shot.

Perhaps a bit off balanced, Fournier’s shot missed and the Miami Heat grabbed the rebound. The Magic would get one more chance to take the lead in a one-point game, but could not get the ball inbounds — ironically, Evan Fournier jumped the gun on making his cut before the official handed the ball to Nikola Vucevic.

A miss here or there in a well-executed play is nothing to worry about. Especially at this point of the season. It is the preseason, results do not matter yet. And the execution of the play was probably more important for the long run.

But this came in the context of a difficult game for Fournier overall. And that part is at least nominally concerning.

Fournier made just 2 of his 12 shots and committed five fouls, all within the first three quarters. He had a frustrating evening, clanking open jumpers and sometimes forcing his offense to try to find a rhythm. Fournier had a bad shooting night and he struggled to find other ways to contribute.

A single game from Fournier would not be concerning in the preseason. But this comes against a larger backdrop that brings some concern for the Magic (or at least their fans). One of their key players is just not playing well in the preseason games.

Fournier through three preseason games has scored just 12 points on 5-for-27 shooting (18.2 percent). This is not the Fournier the Magic have seen the last few years or the one they expect or, most importantly, the one they need.

Fournier last year averaged 17.8 points per game and shot 45.9 percent from the floor (including 37.9 percent from beyond the arc). That is the kind of production the team expects.

And considering Fournier has averages of 15.6 points per game and 45.1 percent shooting in his four seasons with the Magic, there is little concern that Fournier will not right the ship.

Clifford seems to agree:

There is something to getting their sea legs under them. Several of the Magic’s veterans seem to be underperforming during this preseason. It is not merely just Fournier.

Jonathon Simmons, recovering from a wrist injury that kept him off a basketball court until just a few weeks before camp began, has struggled to get his footing too. He has made just 6 of his 21 shots (28.6 percent) and scored just 16 points. He has missed some of his deep shots badly and struggled to finish around the rim some.

It is clear he is still playing himself into shape and regaining his rhythm. For no one is this truer than Jonathon Simmons.

But even players like D.J. Augustin have had their ups and downs. D.J. Augustin is shooting 8 for 20 (40 percent) from the floor this year with half of his shots coming from beyond the arc (4 for 10).

Like Fournier, there should be little concern that these players will not be ready for the regular season. They have been through preseasons before — especially Fournier and Augustin — and should know how to get themselves ready whatever that looks like. Preseason stats are irrelevant.

They know how to get their legs under them and adjust their play for the preseason as it moves to the regular season.

Most of the work the Magic have done this month has happened behind closed doors. The preseason games are merely an extension of practice. And three games is hardly a large enough sample size to draw any kinds of conclusion. Clifford is right not to worry, especially if they have played fine in practices. There is plenty of tape to suggest they will regress to their mean and right the ship.

Then again. . . there is only a week before the regular season. For fans, these games are all the information and all the clues they have to where the team is at and how ready the team might be. No matter how many warnings that it is “just preseason.”

The Magic are still rounding into form. That much is clear.

Orlando’s loss to Miami showed a lot of positive signs. The team was happy with its defensive pressure throughout the game, even if that exposed the team elsewhere defensively. And the Magic played strong enough defense to allow the offense to struggle and come from behind to give themselves a chance to win the game.

But the poor shooting and sometimes shoddy execution will be things Clifford will want to address for the final two tune-up games. The team is still grasping their rotations and they are not quite consistent yet. And fouling remains an issue. The Heat had plenty of problems too.

There is still time for the Magic to get their work in. There is still time to get that work done.

There is plenty of faith the Magic’s veterans can and will round into form. They have earned that benefit of the doubt.

But, indeed, time is running out before the games start to count.