Michael Carter-Williams deserves credit for Orlando Magic’s renewed energy

The Orlando Magic are playing energetic and revived basketball. A lot of that has come with Michael Carter-Williams on the floor. He has earned his role.

Michael Carter-Williams knew his shot was off. That statement on its own is probably not super noteworthy. The knock on Michael Carter-Williams and why he has found himself falling from once-Rookie of the Year to 10-day contract is his shooting.

That was never why the Magic signed him and gave him a chance.

So when Carter-Williams fired an open 3-pointer, it was good to see him willing to take the shot. But it is what he did next that has made him a key part of the Magic’s playoff hopes.

He knew he missed immediately and started to run toward the rim. He knew exactly where it was going to come off. Carter-Williams caught the entire Philadelphia 76ers front line by surprise as he grabbed the rebound before anyone knew what hit them and made the layup.

This was the kind of play the Magic wanted from Carter-Williams on offense. That and the defense and versatility to fill a stat sheet.

Freed from the pressure of expectation and fighting for his NBA life, Carter-Williams has ignited a new energy for the team. One that feels entirely necessary for the team in the playoff hunt.

Monday’s 119-98 win over the 76ers showed just how vital Carter-Williams’ presence can be and how much his defensive presence and energy can change the game.

It is rarely the big things that matter. It is the little things. How he pushes the ball up the floor and gets the Magic into their sets. How he creates turnovers and deflections and pushes the Magic forward.

It does not always reflect statistically, but the effect is noticeable.

Orlando plays at a much better groove and energy, for lack of a better term, with Carter-Williams in the game with that second unit. It is no wonder that group has played better since he entered the lineup.

And it was no wonder the Magic opted to re-sign him to a second 10-day contract. It is almost assured he will finish the season with the team.

Carter-Williams is playing like a guy who understands the opportunity in front of him and is in a situation where his talent fits and he feels comfortable. His previous experience with coach Steve Clifford has surely helped him integrate quicker. And his play is proving just how much he is worth.

Monday was perhaps his best game of the season with the Magic. He scored 15 points on 5-for-10 shooting, adding six rebounds and three assists. Carter-Williams was everywhere, especially changing the team’s energy in the fourth quarter and feeding Evan Fournier to catch the 76ers off balance defensively.

Michael Carter-Williams was hunting for steals, catching players like Joel Embiid unaware throughout the night. He had two steals and was hunting for deflections throughout the evening.

Carter-Williams has done this all while not taking over the second unit. If anything he has made things easier for everyone else. He can take players off the dribble and get to the basket, but he can also loft passes easily and quickly cross-court.

Against Philadelphia, he showed all of that ability.

Michael Carter-Williams saved the ball from going out of bounds directly to Terrence Ross. He quickly attacked the empty space left from Philadelphia’s rotating defense for a layup.

Consistently, Carter-Williams pass the ball further up the court, getting the Magic running on his outlet passes. And similarly, Carter-Williams chased down rebounds. It is these little things that no one on the roster — not even Isaiah Briscoe who did the driving and pace part — can do at his position.

Carter-Williams’ overall averages are not overly impressive, of course. He is scoring 6.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game in 17.2 minutes per game in his four games since joining the Magic. He is shooting 41.2 percent. Again, not overly impressive.

But the impact he has had on the team outside of that is clear.

The Magic have a +22.1 net rating with Carter-Williams on the floor in the last four games. The team has an astounding 84.4 defensive rating with Carter-Williams on the floor and a 106.5 offensive rating. The offense has started picking up — perhaps sparked from Friday’s come-from-behind win.

This is still a small sample size. And most of those minutes have come against weaker competition and at the Amway Center.

Things are about to change for the Magic.

The Magic are about to hit the road for the first time since signing Carter-Williams. They close with six of their final eight games on the road and all but three of their final eight games are against playoff teams, including all four on this upcoming road trip.

On this road trip, the Magic will need Carter-Williams’ energy more than ever. They will need that spark and to find those hidden points and defense. This will be the bigger test for the Magic’s success. And the bigger test for Carter-Williams.

Clifford described the kind of energy and defense the Magic played in the second half as the kind of basketball that travels. The Magic will need that to happen.

And on the road, they will need to find pockets of energy. That is what Carter-Williams has provided since the first time he stepped on the court in a Magic uniform.

Now he is clearly much more comfortable in his role. And the Magic are receiving the dividends.