Orlando Magic Daily
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Markelle Fultz’s gravity is what the Orlando Magic need

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Markelle Fultz is already proving how his drives create gravity and can open things up for the Orlando Magic. (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
Markelle Fultz is already proving how his drives create gravity and can open things up for the Orlando Magic. (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Markelle Fultz, Orlando Magic, Cleveland Cavaliers
Markelle Fultz and the Orlando Magic made a strong first impression in their season opener. (Photo by Harry Aaron/Getty Images) /

Impossible To Look Away

Still, it was impossible to look away from Fultz throughout the game. He had gravity and magnetism about him. Fans felt it. The national media felt it. And the defense certainly felt it.

This was the case throughout the preseason when it was clear he could drive into the lane and still create for others. It was not merely just the interest in him as a former top overall pick who seemingly fell off the face of the earth.

The day after the game, the national broadcasts were talking about Fultz and the Magic. Namely, they were replaying his vicious one-handed jam. Every ESPN afternoon show had at least one segment replaying the dunk and asking, “Is Fultz back?”

https://twitter.com/OrlandoMagic/status/1187173601692278784

That play in itself showed just the kind of difference he could make. He got the ball and immediately turned upcourt. He could see the hole and path to the basket opening up in front of him.

It is obviously just one game. Nobody should overreact. He had some breakthrough moments in the preseason only to return to a base level and struggle to find those same seams later on.

His passing though remained. That is where most of the attention for Fultz should reside in this early part of the season.

Fultz’s teammates could plainly see just the kind of impact he could make. Both from the energy created from his finishes and forays to the rim to the other ways he can impact the game.

"“Everyone forgets he can play,” Terrence Ross said after Wednesday’s game. “He was the number one pick. He can see everything. That’s the amazing part. Sprinkle that with absurd athleticism. He can definitely get the crowd and that’s just another spark plug for us.”"

Fultz was indeed that spark plug. In the Magic’s season opener he was a +3 and throughout the preseason he made a positive impact too — the team had a +7.4 net rating with him on the floor including a 100.4 offensive rating.

But it is his passing that really should have your attention and where the defense’s eyes betray them as they watch and try to corral him.