When it comes to Markelle Fultz’s impact on the Orlando Magic, most numbers don’t tell the full story.
Among the 10 Magic players who played at least 30 games after Fultz returned from a fractured big left toe on Nov. 30, only rookie forward Paolo Banchero (minus-2.7) had a worse individual plus-minus than Fultz’s minus-2.2.
Orlando’s offensive rating (points per 100 possessions) was identical during the minutes Fultz was on the floor (110.3 points) as when he was on the bench (111.3) after his return. There was a more significant improvement in the Magic’s defensive rating with Fultz off the floor (109.4) compared with when he was on (114).
But watch a Magic game with Fultz on the floor compared to when he isn’t — especially in the 21 games he missed because of the toe injury — and it’s clear what he brought to Orlando.
A serene presence in moments one was needed. A ballhandler who pushed the pace and created easier scoring opportunities for others. A steady guard who garnered the respect of his teammates.
“What he’s done is given us a level of calm,” coach Jamahl Mosley said. “His maturity on the floor. His ability to keep guys in the right spot. He’s an old soul the guys gravitate to not just on the court, but off the court as well. He provides that calm energy for us as things tend to get frantic. He can always bring that calm resolve back to us.”
Some of these aspects Fultz can be measured with numbers.
The Magic’s turnover rate dropped from 15.2% with Fultz off the floor to 14.6% when he played.
Orlando improved with its late-game execution after he returned. The Magic went 16-13 in the games featuring “clutch” minutes — when the scoring margin is within 5 points with five or fewer minutes remaining — Fultz played after going 3-11 to start the season.
Fultz was second on the team in points (2.5) and first in assists (0.6) in the clutch while shooting 59.1% — the best accuracy among the three Magic players who averaged at least 1 clutch field goal attempt. His shooting accuracy was the best mark among the 42 players who attempted at least 40 clutch shots.
The biggest measurement of Fultz’s impact on the Magic: Orlando went 29-31 in the 60 games with him, including 29-28 after his minutes restriction was lifted. They’d started the season 5-16.
Fultz’s return wasn’t the sole reason for the turnaround.
Third-year guard Cole Anthony returned from injury the same game as Fultz and was instrumental in the second unit’s success. Wendell Carter Jr., Gary Harris, Jonathan Isaac (albeit for 11 games) and Jalen Suggs all returned from injuries after Fultz, bolstering the rotation and depth.
But Fultz was a significant factor in the Magic’s 12-win improvement from last season.
In ways that can — but also can’t — be seen easily.
“The best thing to kind of happen for me was getting Markelle back,” Anthony said. “It created a level of healthy competition between the two of us. Obviously, I want to start. But Markelle, he’s a great player. He really knows the game. He’s super skilled, he works his tail off, too. It created some competition in practice, even on the court when we both want to win and got the same goals. That was really good for this team.”
Fultz also elevated his own game while providing stability for the Magic.
His averages of 14 points, 5.7 assists, 3.9 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 29.6 minutes were all career highs.
Fultz played 60 games, marking just the second time he’s reached that mark in his injury-plagued career.
His 56.4% true shooting accuracy (a formula that incorporates free throws and higher-value 3-point shots) also represented a career-best.
Fultz’s jumper also developed, with the sixth-year guard shooting career-highs of 50.3% on non-restricted area paint shots and 42.6% from midrange.
He took more 3s and showed a higher release on those shots as the season wrapped up.
“I just decided to shoot more of them towards the end of the season,” Fultz said. “I realized this is one of the barriers I need to get over. Obviously, I could’ve [taken] pull-up 3s any time I wanted but I definitely felt I was more effective getting to the rim and my midrange game. I was doing what was best but I definitely wanted to showcase and show I’m capable of doing that and something I worked on all summer so I feel very confident. As the season went along, I kept feeling better. It wasn’t just about shooting. It was a legs thing as well, making sure I had my legs feeling good.”
Fultz added: “As the season went along, that’s all you guys continued to see. This is something that’s going to continue to build as I go into the summer and best believe you’ll be seeing that all next season.”
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Khobi Price at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter at @khobi_price.
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