2021 Orlando Magic Player Evaluations: Cole Anthony is the truth

Cole Anthony is living his dream.

It may have started as a nightmare when Orlando Magic starting point guard Markelle Fultz injured his ACL at the beginning of the 2021 NBA season. But rookie point guard Cole Anthony put on his big boy pants and went out there and competed against some of the best point guards in the NBA far sooner than he was likely ready.

The last thing you want to see as a teammate is your colleague menacing in pain without any certainty of a return. Fultz’s injury put the Magic and Anthony in a tough position.

Coach Steve Clifford was forced to do something he did not want to do: Start Cole Anthony less than 10 games into his career.

Originally the thought process was Clifford would allow the rookie time to get mental reps and sit behind a guy like Fultz. But the injury to Fultz ruined his plans and the franchise’s plans to make a third consecutive playoff berth.

The injury pushed Anthony to become more than an insurance policy. The rookie did work to keep a little enthusiasm flowing throughout the locker room.

A lot of weight was placed on the shoulders of the former North Carolina Tar Heel as he was selected to help lead a team full of veterans.

Anthony was not merely trying to learn the league as a rookie, but also prove he should have been selected higher than 15th, making good on his hype coming out of high school rather than his disappointing run in college.

For the most part, the rookie did not disappoint during his first season as a pro considering how Clifford had no choice but to throw Anthony into the fire. The rookie took over and helped lead a team and giving them some hope for the future as their season drifted to the bottom.

Cole Anthony had a stellar rookie season filled with moments that made the Orlando Magic’s season as the team threw him into the fire far sooner than expected.

Anthony was selected with the 15th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, but he finished the year fourth in rookie scoring only behind Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves), LaMelo Ball (Charlotte Hornets) and Tyrese Haliburton (Sacramento Kings). Those three players are the finalists for the Rookie of the Year Award.

If not for missing two months with a rib injury, Anthony would almost certainly be a shoo-in for the all-rookie team.

His scoring numbers were pretty good as he averaged 12.9 points per game and shot well from beyond the arc this year boasting a 33.7-percent 3-point shooting.

Anthony also finished fourth in assists per game among rookies setting up veteran teammates like former center Nikola Vucevic for easy baskets throughout his first year. He almost led his team in assists this year and averaged 4.1 assists per game after being tossed in the fire on a mediocre team. This is significant for a young player that is more known for his scoring ability.

Anthony was also a surprisingly strong rebounder for a guard with 4.7 rebounds per game. Anthony was promised to be a fighter and he delivered with a heady attitude, a willingness to learn and a flair for the moment.

Orlando Magic

Anthony got an early jolt when Terrence Ross fouling out put him in the game at the end of the win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. With no timeouts and time ticking away after Jarred Vanderbilt missed a free throw, Anthony got the outlet pass and bravely hit the winning 3-pointer.

He displayed those late-game chops again late in the season.

Against the Cleveland Cavaliers, seemingly learning lessons from how the Los Angeles Lakers closed the game just one game before, Anthony drove the lane aggressively and finished over taller defenders to help the Magic hold off the Cavaliers for a win.

He doubled down on it again by leading a fourth-quarter comeback including the winning 3-pointer with 0.1 seconds left to defeat the Memphis Grizzlies.

The best moments of the season came from Anthony. And, more importantly, that confidence led directly to improved play.

After returning from his rib injury, Anthony averaged 15.0 points per game, 5.0 rebounds per game and 4.5 assists per game while shooting 41.7-percent from the floor and 34.8-percent from beyond the arc. That included a near-franchise-record 37 points in the final game of the season.

Yes, many of those games deserve some warning coming late in the season where young players were playing excessive minutes against limited competition in non-competitive games. But no one would blame Anthony for packing it in for the season. He went and played hard even with a team that was not designed to win.

His confidence improved as the head coach continued to believe in his offensive game, he started off slow but began to show the franchise why they made a great selection with the 15th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. He still has a long way to go to become a complete basketball player as his defense is nothing to brag about.

Most scoring point guards in today’s NBA are not known for what they can do defensively but are still considered at the top of the food chart because of what they are capable of doing offensively.

For example, Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard, Trae Young are all known for what they can do offensively and although they are never mentioned on any all NBA defensive teams they still are considered better point guards than defensive-minded guys like Avery Bradley, Jrue Holiday and Patrick Beverley.

The Magic were pleased with Anthony’s all-around development throughout the season. But even they admit he is a scorer at heart.

So Anthony has to focus on what he is great at and continue to improve his offensive game in order to lead the Magic in the near future. His presence was definitely felt on the court in his rookie campaign, but he will need to stay focused on what is to come.