Orlando Magic Daily
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2019 Orlando Magic: 5 questions for the second quarter of the season

By Philip Rossman-Reich

SAN ANTONIO, TX - NOVEMBER 4: Aaron Gordon #00 helps up Terrence Ross #31 of the Orlando Magic during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on November 4, 2018 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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 2018 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - NOVEMBER 4: Aaron Gordon #00 helps up Terrence Ross #31 of the Orlando Magic during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on November 4, 2018 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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 2018 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Evan Fournier, Orlando Magic
MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 08: Evan Fournier #10 of the Orlando Magic reacts after a foul call against the Miami Heat during the first half at American Airlines Arena on October 8, 2018 in Miami, 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. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

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.

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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.