On the ropes in the last Florida derby this weekend, after losing their 15-point lead in the last quarter under the repeated assaults of an untenable Jimmy Butler (38 points including 15 in the 4th quarter), the Magic finally held on in overtime, inflicting a fatal 18-6 on the Heat (126-114).
Already caught in such a scenario at the end of the knife game with the Heat this season, the young troop of Jamahl Mosley has obviously learned from their mistakes, counting in passing on a big double-double from Wendell Carter Jr. at 27 points and 11 rebounds, including 7 points in overtime to tip the balance in favor of his team.
A little too often in the infirmary…
“He doesn’t know how good he is, that’s what’s crazy”, smiles his coach Jamahl Mosley in the Orlando Sentinel. “He is a young talent apart. He has presence in defense, in attack, toughness, and he also brings his voice and his perseverance in the locker room. He’s a warrior. »
In his fifth campaign when he was only 23 years old, the young Georgia native is simply having his best career season at 15 points on average, 52% on shots, plus 9 rebounds and 2 assists.
“There are few players who can do what he does: defend on the pick & roll and hold the inside in one-on-one behind, or change to a back and across the court, the “roll” towards the circle and finishing near the circle”, continues Jmahl Mosley. “He also sacrifices himself for the team, and the guys know that. »
In his second full season in Orlando, Wendell Carter Jr. arrives, so to speak, at the balance on his early career, after his first two and a half years in Chicago. And the first assessment is that he still misses a lot of matches…
Often injured, like this season for 22 games (plus a suspension after the altercation in Detroit), Wendell Carter Jr. is clearly not the model of the “Iron Man”, the durable and unbreakable player of his team, moreover not spared from injury right now (Jonathan Isaac), and historically (Grant Hill)…
In his fifth NBA season, he reached the symbolic bar of 60 games played only once, last year (62).
“Yes, I know I have to work on my body and be more available throughout the season. Its very important. This is already one of my objectives for the next off-season. I have to better understand my body and put in place what is best to recover as quickly as possible. »
At the heart of a rising Magic
This season, one of the Magic’s assistant coaches, Randy Gregory, has in any case been able to sting the former Dukie. How ? By hanging in his locker room a ranking of the best pivots in the League made before the start of the season. A Top 10 where the interior of the Magic does not appear.
Perhaps simply for the good reason that he was listed as a power forward! But no matter how…
“This is what motivates us on a daily basis”, confirms Wendell Carter Jr, now full-time pivot. “Until they put my name on that list!” It helps me stay motivated. A little reminder that gives me a reason to keep pushing. I feel like I have more to prove this season. »
An important member of the new hard core in place in Orlando, along with Markelle Fultz, Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs and Paolo Banchero, Wendell Carter Jr. knows that he still has a long way to go before reaching the peaks, in this case the All-Star level.
Like his team more generally, still at the beginning of its young history, in this promising new configuration around the probable rookie of the year, Paolo Banchero, and the rebirth of Markelle Fultz…
“We just want to win more games. With that, we will have more matches on the national antenna. And with that, we will recognize our respective talents,” concludes WCJ. “Unfortunately, we are not yet one of the best teams in the League. But by earning more, we will have this collective recognition. »
| Wendell Carter, Jr. | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2018-19 | CHI | 44 | 25 | 48.5 | 18.8 | 79.5 | 2.0 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 1.8 | 3.5 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 10.3 |
| 2019-20 | CHI | 43 | 29 | 53.4 | 20.7 | 73.7 | 3.2 | 6.2 | 9.4 | 1.2 | 3.8 | 0.8 | 1.7 | 0.8 | 11.3 |
| 2020-21 * | All Teams | 54 | 26 | 50.3 | 29.4 | 73.2 | 2.4 | 5.8 | 8.2 | 1.9 | 2.7 | 0.7 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 11.2 |
| 2020-21 * | CHI | 32 | 25 | 51.2 | 36.4 | 73.9 | 2.2 | 5.6 | 7.8 | 2.2 | 3.0 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 0.8 | 10.9 |
| 2020-21 * | ENT | 22 | 27 | 49.3 | 24.1 | 72.1 | 2.8 | 6.0 | 8.8 | 1.6 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 11.7 |
| 2021-22 | ENT | 62 | 30 | 52.5 | 32.7 | 69.1 | 2.2 | 8.2 | 10.5 | 2.8 | 2.7 | 0.6 | 1.9 | 0.7 | 15.0 |
| 2022-23 | ENT | 45 | 30 | 52.4 | 34.1 | 74.0 | 2.2 | 6.6 | 8.8 | 2.4 | 2.9 | 0.4 | 2.2 | 0.6 | 15.3 |
| Total | 248 | 28 | 51.5 | 31.2 | 73.3 | 2.4 | 6.5 | 8.9 | 2.1 | 3.1 | 0.6 | 1.7 | 0.8 | 12.8 | |
