Clumsy in the first half against the Nuggets (3 points to 1/6), Franz Wagner scored the Magic’s first 6 points after the break. Result: 24 points in the second half, 10/12 on the shoot!
However, the German winger assures that he has not changed much in his approach between the two periods.
“I just tried to do the right things. I was probably thinking a little too much so I tried to be aggressive and make the right choices. I found rhythm in the third quarter. »
The world champion has not yet settled his shot (43% success including 29% from afar) this season but he is essential in the good start to the campaign for Orlando, which is in 2nd place in the East with 10 victories for 5 defeats. And which remains above all on five victories in a row (Chicago x2, Indiana, Toronto and therefore Denver).
A group that really likes each other
For his coach, Jamahl Mosley, Franz Wagner is the symbol of this group which has taken responsibility in recent months, and which has found its identity, between defense and altruism.
“It’s their team” assures the coach about his players. “That’s what we’ve been talking about since the start of the season. It’s their team. When we begin to take ownership of defense and identity. When you start not worrying about who takes the shot, when and how. They all buy into that. I don’t know if you noticed at the end, but Franz had just scored on two or three actions in a row, but on the next action he called a system for Paolo. Because he had seen something. It is enormous. It’s leadership and it’s not worrying about who gets the laurels because when you win, everyone succeeds. »
Franz Wagner did not hesitate to attack Nikola Jokic in one-on-one in the second half. At the end of the match, he took advantage of the switches to get rid of Aaron Gordon’s defense and play against Michael Porter Jr. To score several baskets, before taking advantage of the help to serve Paolo Banchero to 3 points.
“We have learned a lot of lessons over the last three years. But the energy has always been good in the gym” he concludes. “And then everyone likes each other. It’s that simple. The chemistry is very good, on the field but also off the field. To be a very good team, that’s an important thing that we have to have, and then it’s really more fun to play with guys that we like.” concludes the German.
