Ennis gave Magic a lot more 3 & D play
This is the seventh in a series of player capsules from the Orlando Magic’s 2020-21 season:
James Ennis, forward
Games: 41. Games started: 37. Per-game averages: 8.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.8 blocks, 0.2 steals, 0.9 turnovers, 24.0 minutes.
Shooting: 47.3% FG, 43.3% 3FG, 80.5% FT Contract status: Ennis completed the one-year $3.3 million deal he signed in 2020. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent.
Top game: April 14 vs. Bulls — 22 points (8-for-12 from the field, 5-for-6 from 3), 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block, 0 turnovers, 19.2 Game Score
The buzz: After the Magic re-signed him on a one-year deal, Ennis was penciled in as the starting small forward but a preseason calf injury put that on hold. He missed the first
seven games before returning Jan. 6 against the Cavaliers. He then started the next 23 games before injuries began to shuffle him in and out of the lineup.
Overall, Ennis had four stretches where he missed at least five straight games. After his calf injury resurfaced in April, he played in just two of the team’s final 16 contests and missed the last nine.
Scoring has never been Ennis’ biggest asset, but he became more of the 3-and-D wing the Magic envisioned when they acquired him in February 2020. Ennis wound up shooting a teambest 43.3% (45-for-104) from behind the arc. The percentage was the second-highest of his career and his best for a full season with one team.
He had six games where he made at least three 3-pointers, including five in a 115-106 victory over the Bulls on April 14.
Ennis finished with an effective field goal percentage of 56.6%, the highest on the team among players who attempted at least 200 shots.
In particular, Ennis provided the Magic with 3-point efficiency and timely offense after the calendar reached February. He averaged 10.1 points on just 6.8 shot attempts over his 27 games from Feb. 2 to April 16. He also got the free-throw line nearly three times per contest.
In addition to playing on the wing, Ennis played some minutes at power forward because of the Magic’s slew of injuries.
Ennis also provided another voice of veteran leadership and took pride in being a mentor to the team’s younger players. He said in April that it was the responsibility of the veteran players “to keep everybody engaged” as the season drew closer to its conclusion.
The future: In his seven NBA seasons, Ennis has played a full year with the same team just twice — last season with Orlando and 2016-17 with Memphis. He brings a competitive and hard-nosed edge, he doesn’t shy away from challenges and he’s willing to do the little things that help a team win — all characteristics a young team can utilize.
Ennis, who will turn 31 in July, has carved out a role in Orlando, which does not have a small forward on the roster for next season. While his injuries are somewhat concerning, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Ennis return on another short-term deal.