When Cole Anthony arrived at Summer League, he was still buzzing from a strong finish to the season.
He was in line to get Rookie of the Month in April as he took charge of a team beginning a rebuild and seemed like a sure thing for an All-Rookie team appearance. He missed on both — a decision that still confuses plenty.
Anthony had some highlight moments for the Orlando Magic during his rookie year. Plenty for hungry fans to hold onto and believe in.
He hit the game-winning shot against the Memphis Grizzlies in one of the highlight wins of the season. He then doubled down on that with more late-game heroics in the few opportunities the Magic had to win after their trade deadline teardown.
There were few bright spots as the Magic were starting from scratch. Anthony was one of them. There was a lot of excitement for what the talented 15th overall pick from the 2020 NBA Draft would be able to do in his second season. His improvement in his rookie season was already pretty evident.
Cole Anthony progressively grew throughout the preseason. And the Orlando Magic guard is already showing he could be due to take another leap this season.
Anthony averaged 12.9 points per game, 4.1 assists per game and 4.7 rebounds per game. He shot 39.7-percent from the field and 33.7-percent from beyond the arc, going through the normal ups and downs of a rookie player.
He came on strong though late in the season. He scored 15.0 points per game, dished out 4.5 assists per game and grabbed 5.0 rebounds per game in 22 games after the trade deadline. He shot 41.7-percent from the floor and 34.8-percent from beyond the arc. All signs he was getting better and improving.
Anthony was expected to jump right in and show the usual poise of a second-year player in Summer League. But he struggled in that setting with Anthony blaming it on his lack of access to 5-on-5 basketball before the August gathering.
Anthony has quickly put all the concerns that arose through Summer League to rest. Now Cole Anthony looks like the offensive threat that Orlando needs.
In just 25.1 minutes per game in the preseason, Anthony averaged 11.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game. Although it may be just about 12 points a game, the efficiency he is playing with is to note. He is shooting 39.0-percent from the field and a solid 42.1-percent from three.
It is a small sample size and it is preseason, but this is the type of game that was expected from Cole after the way ended the prior season.
There should be a reason to believe that he can take a step forward to become an efficient scorer.
Last season Anthony struggled with his efficiency. But some context is needed.
The Magic had to throw Anthony into the fire, and Anthony had to increase his development at a rapid rate. He then suffered an injury that kept him out for two months and forced him to start up again and hit the ground running. And once Anthony did get accustomed to the league, the team around him continued to change through injury and trades.
A combination of what he has done during the final stretch of last season in May, scoring 16.3 points per game on 41.0-percent shooting from three, and what he has done during the preseason should be taken as a signal of what Anthony can eventually be this season.
He has also shown he is already a better defender than he was last season. Even throughout Summer League, it was clear that Anthony put effort during the summer to become a better defender.
In three games, Anthony ranks sixth on the team in defensive rating at 102.9 compared to last season’s rating of 109.4, which ranked 12th on the team. The new style of defense is contributing to his aggressive style of play as it is the entire team.
Anthony has been focused on improving his play and has certainly addressed some of his weaknesses. For a player who slipped in the draft after ranking as one of the top high school prospects of the class of 2019, Anthony is making good on a lot of his talent.
Surprisingly, he feels like one of the veterans on this team, able to control the pace of games and attack and score on his own. That is something the Magic need. And if he can continue to become more efficient and learn to pick his spots as he has in the preseason, Anthony can take his game to another level.
He has shown a ton more flexibility too as the Magic try to implement a more versatile offensive playing style.
In addition to his general improvements, he is playing well while playing with another guard. The question of whether or not he can play off the ball being answered is essential to what the Magic plan to do once the regular season begins.
The ability to play alongside Jalen Suggs, R.J. Hampton, Markelle Fultz and Gary Harris will have a significant impact on determining how successful those specific lineups will be.
The ability to effectively have multiple ball handlers and playmakers is something the Magic lacked in prior years. Now, this versatility will allow Orlando to play at a faster play and allow them more freedom on the defensive end of the floor.
Now it is time for Cole Anthony to start growing into the player Orlando needs. A player who will show on the defensive end and create transition opportunities by creating havoc — Anthony is already strong at grabbing loose balls and has shown how quickly he can turn those into points on the other end.
Then on the offensive end, he can become a player who will make the right play and also have the ability to make shots and have the ability to get to the rim.
Anthony has already shown flashes of being able to do so, but it is time for Cole to put it together and take that leap.
In the end, the Magic have multiple guards who deserve minutes. Anthony being among them will have the opportunity with Fultz’s injury to leap to the next level.
If the Magic want to find success this upcoming season, Anthony will be a big part of it regardless of whether he starts or comes off the bench. Anthony can be one of the most dangerous offensive sixth men or one of the two starting guards.
In any case, it is time for Anthony to take his confidence and game to the next level.