In the team currently being rebuilt, including the Pistons, Rockets and Thunder, the Magic’s lineup looks more imaginative. In addition to ability and talent, the composition and size of the players are more modern, or in other words: cool.
There are many things to look forward to in the new generation of Magic. Although it has not yet become a reality, many young players have already shown their talents on the court, such as Bol Bol’s unprecedented offensive and defensive influence, Paolo Banchero’s scoring explosiveness, The stability of Wendell Carter Jr., as well as Cole Anthony, Jalen Suggs, etc. Among them, Franz Wagner has the size of a power forward, but the potential value of a large playmaker who can attack and control is the core of the engine and system.
Just as the Tyrannosaurus prefers the collector’s long striker, it was also given the “action code: 6 feet 9 inches”. But the current lineup of the Magic is even better. It can almost be said that it is “Operation Code: 6 feet 10 inches”. Among the 17 players including two-way contracts, 7 players are above 6 feet 10 inches in height, not counting injuries. Jonathan Isaac, and the remaining 6 players are in the main rotation.
The most talented player in the team is of course Paolo Banchero, the No. 1 pick in the 2022 draft. He even broke the scoring record for rookies at the beginning of the season. Wendell Carter Jr. is a very solid and reliable center, a healthy Jonathan Isaac has a chance to be a super lock, and Bol Bol is currently playing like we expect the No. 1 pick in 2023, Victor Wembanyama, to be like.
Further reading:
Paolo Banchero deserves the title of No. 1 pick in his career
And Franz Wagner is the least important engine.
In the NBA, flying dunks, dazzling dribbles, ultra-long-range large three-pointers and various non-human technical displays are what attract people, and they are also indispensable star entertainment in the NBA.
Unlike their companions, Franz Wagner does not have too many advanced moves, extraordinary athletic ability and explosive power, but he is an indispensable part of the integration of magicians.
For most basketball fans, there will be a vague concept that seems simple but is actually full of difficulties. The so-called ability to hold the ball is not one-fingered skill or dribbling skills, but the purposeful dribbling of the ball; Ability is not a variety of shocking or exaggerated skills, but a variety of means to send the ball into the basket; vision and passing are to find gaps for purposeful delivery.
And all actions revolve around “purpose”, which is also the imagination that Wagner is slowly developing in the second season of his career. But what exactly is his purpose?
Compared with the league’s top offensive engine, Wagner is not as good as Luka Dončić or Trae Young in half-court battles, has a superb single-handed fire, is not as athletic as Ja Morant, and has a shooting level that is not as good as Steph Curry and Damian Lillard.
The above-mentioned players are all point guards with the highest usage rate in the team. Wagner currently ranks second in Magic’s usage rate, second only to Banchero. According to Cleaning the Glass data, Wagner’s 24.7% usage rate ranks first among all forwards. The top 15%, about 5% higher than the previous quarter.
The main reason for the sharp increase in usage is that the Magic empowered Wagner to be the ball handler and decision maker. Although only 4% of the rounds this season are currently playing point guard directly, he has shown that he is very good at organizing and launching offense. reliable. Wagner does not hesitate on the court, and will shoot decisively when he has the opportunity to make his own shot:
In the film, Wagner can orderly direct the traffic on the field, including screens, running positions, and then using screens to get the opportunity of misplaced center Myles Turner. The most important element in the clip is patience. Wagner slowly observes the dynamics on the field and waits for the best opportunity to make a shot.
Wagner’s outside jumper, which wasn’t his strong suit early in his career, has taken more shots per game this season, but his shooting percentage has been poor (30.3%). Wagner’s free throw accuracy is not bad (86.3% of his career), so he can be expected The outside line will at least be corrected to return to the league average.
While the number of outside shots has increased, the frequency of Wagner’s attacks on the basket has also increased, from 43% in the previous season to 48%, and his shooting percentage has also increased, from 60% in the previous season to 66%. , The scoring average also rose from 15.2 points in the rookie period to 19.5 points.
The reason why Wagner attacks the basket so efficiently is that he is 6 feet 9 inches tall and has a wingspan of 7 feet. Steps, angles to create shooting space.