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2018-19 Orlando Magic Player Evaluations: Terrence Ross

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 19: Terrence Ross #31 of the Orlando Magic dunks the ball against the Milwaukee Bucks on January 19, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 19: Terrence Ross #31 of the Orlando Magic dunks the ball against the Milwaukee Bucks on January 19, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Terrence Ross, Orlando Magic
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 06: Aaron Gordon #00 and Terrence Ross #31 of the Orlando Magic against the LA Clippers at Staples Center on January 6, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. 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. Clippers won 106-96. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /

Final Grade

A-. . G/F. Orlando Magic. TERRENCE ROSS

Fans were long eager to see Terrence Ross play and get a full season. Even though he struggled in the half season he played after the Orlando Magic acquired him and then dealt with injuries in his first full season, fans really latched onto the idea of him as a player.

He exceeded all those expectations and then some this year. Ross lifted the team and the energy on the floor whenever he stepped onto the floor. He was liable to go off for a big scoring burst at any moment and change the game.

That happened several times. The Magic do not make the playoffs without him. Not even close.

For a team that lacked much playoff experience or confidence late in games, Ross provided a lift in both departments.

He was the one who usually stepped up first to change a game and turn it in the Magic’s favor. That confidence quickly spread to other players on the team. Ross may not always hit the game-winning shot, but in most of the Magic’s big wins, there was usually a Ross shot everyone could point to as the catalyst.

Orlando desperately needed that to help turn the team’s culture around. Replacing that will not be easy if he ends up leaving this offseason.

It did come with one downside. There were more than a few games where the Magic needed that energy from Ross and he could not seem to shoot himself out of the hole. Those games were few, but there were notable cases — think the losses to the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers. That is a lot to put on Ross and a sign of the team’s overall weaknesses.

Ross covered up a lot of those throughout the season. Giving them a quick energy burst and showing just how fine the line is between success and failure. It will be interesting to see how the Magic respond to this moving forward now that they have the success behind him.

Individually, Ross had the best season of his career in 2019. That should net him a big payday in free agency and it is unclear if the Magic will be able to match that offer. The market will bear what it will bear.

dark. Next. 2019 Orlando Magic Player Evaluations: Melvin Frazier

But Ross endeared himself to fans and made himself a key figure to one of the most memorable seasons in franchise history.