Will Evan Fournier shake off his shooting slump?
The biggest disappointment of the season so far is undoubtedly Evan Fournier’s all-around play. Or, at least, the thing the Orlando Magic have come to rely on him for heavily.
There is plenty to say about the outsized role Evan Fournier has taken on over the last few years. That was largely out of necessity without many reliable outside or perimeter threats. Fournier was probably not going to continue to see his scoring increase, but the Magic could certainly count on him for his regular production.
Last year, Fournier averaged 17.8 points per game last year (his second straight year better than 17 points per game) and shot 37.9 percent from beyond the arc. His 53.8 percent effective field goal percentage made him one of 18 players to shoot at least a 53 percent effective field goal percentage with a usage rate higher than 23 percent while playing more than 30 minutes per game. And it is some elite company.
The Magic may have expected to see his scoring decrease, but they figured they could still rely on him for his scoring and his shooting. All the while they hoped to put him on the ball more as a playmaker.
Some of it has worked — Fournier is averaging a career-high 4.0 assists per game through the first quarter of the season. But a lot of it has not.
At the heart of it all is his struggles with his shooting.
Through the first quarter of the season, Fournier shot 41.3 percent from the floor and 28.6 percent from beyond the arc. Those are well below his career averages. But now it has lasted long enough to say it might be a bit more than just a slump.
Fournier is taking a lot more shots off balance than normal as the team’s motion offense has him on the move a whole lot more.
More from Analysis
- 2023 Orlando Magic Playoff Lessons: Philadelphia 76ers can’t seem to avoid conflict
- Orlando Magic FIBA World Cup: Franz Wagner can be a star if he takes it
- Orlando Magic are going to find out who they are in 2024
- 2024 Orlando Magic Player Outlook: Moe Wagner is the spark off of the bench
- NBA 2K Ratings represent Orlando Magic’s hope and skepticism
According to NBA.com’s stats database, Fournier is shooting 33.3 percent on 5.1 catch-and-shoot field goal attempts in the first quarter of the season. Last year, he shot 41.0 percent on 5.1 attempts per game. On pull-up shooting, Fournier made 29.6 percent of his 3.4 field goal attempts per game. Compared to last year, when he made 38.7 percent on 3.5 field goal attempts per game.
It does not seem like Fournier is getting vastly different shots than he did last year. He is just missing them at a much more alarming rate. His shooting percentages are way down in every facet.
At this point, it feels like the Magic are taking it on faith that he will find his rhythm once again and right the ship. His history suggests that he can and he will. But the results are not there for him. At some point, the Magic will need him.
Fortunately, it seems like Fournier is starting to come around with his shooting. but it is still far too inconsistent. And his turnovers are up suggesting problems still persist with him.