Orlando Magic Daily
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Evan Fournier never found his consistency in 2019

By Seth Arora

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JANUARY 09: Evan Fournier #10 of the Orlando Magic looks to shoot the ball against the Utah Jazz in the first half of a NBA game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on January 9, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JANUARY 09: Evan Fournier #10 of the Orlando Magic looks to shoot the ball against the Utah Jazz in the first half of a NBA game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on January 9, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /
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Evan Fournier, Orlando Magic, Patrick Beverly, LA Clippers
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 06: Orlando Magic Guard Evan Fournier (10) looks to make a pass during a NBA game between the Orlando Magic and the Los Angeles Clippers on January 6, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Caveats to the Results

The Game Score data shows Evan Fournier was glaringly inconsistent in 2019, but there are a few grains of salt available for taking.

First, it is important to look at Fournier as a player historically.

Since coming to Orlando, inconsistency has not defined him as a player using the same methodology as above:

   Season     GP     GS     MPG     GmScAvg     GmScStDev     Coefficient
2018-19     81     81     31.5        9.706           6.724           0.693
2017-18     57     57     32.2      11.865           5.989           0.505
2016-17     68     66     32.9      10.810           5.731           0.530
2015-16     79     71     32.5      10.472           6.476           0.618
2014-15     58     32     28.6        7.497           5.264           0.702

The data suggests Fournier is capable of greater consistency.

In terms of average Game Scores, 2019 was his most inconsistent since his first in Orlando. In each of the three seasons from 2015 through 2018, Fournier showed more steadiness at the 2-guard position for Orlando.

So, despite how maddening the Game Score data suggests 2019 was for Magic fans watching Fournier, it is not the case that all we can wish for is more wildly scattered game performances. Fournier can do better.

We should also consider that 2019 was Fournier’s first under coach Steve Clifford, who is well known for his emphasis on defense.

He asked Fournier to step up his defensive game, and Fournier responded. He posted his best defensive rating since 2016, and career bests in defensive win shares and defensive box plus-minus.

Those types of results would not be reflected in Hollinger’s formula, which relies on weighted assignments to standard counting stats.