For Orlando Magic guard R.J. Hampton, the final three weeks have been a microcosm of his third 12 months within the league.
He’s had practically as many video games taking part in fewer than 12 minutes (six) than taking part in 20 or extra (seven), together with two November video games he was a wholesome scratch vs. Houston and Chicago.
A fluctuation in minutes has been constant for Hampton getting into Wednesday’s matchup vs. the Atlanta Hawks at Amway Center (7 p.m., Bally Sports Florida/Bally Sports+/FM 96.9 The Game).
“I’ve had a chance to lock in,” Hampton just lately instructed the Orlando Sentinel. “Not knowing when you’re going in, you kind of got to be prepared for anything. That makes me even more locked in.”
Despite displaying enhancements, Hampton’s spot within the gameplan hasn’t been as solidified because it was in 2021-22.
He was a constant a part of that rotation, averaging 21.9 minutes and taking part in in all 64 video games he was obtainable for, together with 14 begins.
Through the primary 21 video games right this moment, he’s been a wholesome scratch 3 times despite the fact that the Magic (5-16) have had player-availability points.
He’s averaging 17.2 minutes after the current stretch of 5 video games he’s performed at the least 20 minutes — averaging 24.4, together with 21 within the loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Monday.
The spike in minutes was partly as a result of guards Cole Anthony and Markelle Fultz weren’t obtainable and Jalen Suggs was both out or restricted for many of them due to proper ankle soreness.
“It really [doesn’t] change anything,” Hampton mentioned when requested concerning the fluctuation in his position. “The coaches give me confidence every game whether I’m playing or not. My teammates give me confidence every game, so whether I don’t play for two games or 10 minutes [in] one game, I feel like I’ve been prepared by them.”
His averages of seven.2 factors, 1.7 assists and 1.7 rebounds are barely down from final 12 months however he’s taking part in 4 1/2 fewer minutes.
Hampton’s efficient discipline aim proportion (51.5%) — a system that adjusts for 3-pointers being value greater than 2-pointers — could be a career-high at the same time as he goes by means of a capturing droop from past the arc after a scorching begin (19.2% on 3.7 makes an attempt in his final seven video games in contrast with 55% on 1.8 makes an attempt in his first 11).
He’s knocked down 4 of his 20 catch-and-shoot 3s (20%) throughout that seven-game stretch — which accounts for three-quarters of his 3s tried throughout the chilly streak. Hampton shot 39.8% on catch-and-shoot 3s final season and 40.8% the prior season, offering optimism he’ll flip it round.
His improved 2-point accuracy (50.9%, up from 40.5% final season) and ending across the rim (68% inside 5 toes, up from 47.9%) display the sport is slowing down for him and he’s higher weaponizing his pace — areas he wished to enhance over the summer time.
“R.J. has been fantastic,” coach Jamahl Mosley mentioned. “He has been so good at staying prepared, which we’ve talked about being a job for him. He works earlier than apply, after apply — he’s placing the time in.
“It says a lot about him in that he’s making sure he’s putting the work in. That’s so important for these young guys to understand how much work they have to put in. You don’t know when your number is going to be called.”
There might be extra uncertainty for Hampton shifting ahead — short- and long-term.
Gary Harris returned and made his season debut in that win over Chicago and has been a key a part of the rotation since, beginning the final two video games when the Magic have been with out guards Anthony, Fultz and Suggs. Anthony and Fultz shall be obtainable to make their returns Wednesday.
The Magic getting more healthy may impression Hampton’s position — one thing he says he isn’t fearful about.
“I just try to worry about each day,” Hampton mentioned. “You never know what can happen in this business. No one expected us to have this many players out at this point in the season. You can’t worry or think about that when you’re focused on the right now.”
Hampton, the No. 24 choose within the 2020 draft, will change into an unrestricted free agent in July after the Magic didn’t train their fourth-year possibility for the 2023-24 season.
The Magic can nonetheless re-sign Hampton as a free agent. If they re-signed him, the Magic could be capped at paying Hampton $4.2 million within the first 12 months of a brand new contract — the quantity of his declined possibility.
During a June 20 pre-draft information convention, president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman talked about how essential it’s to “keep the pathway clear for our young players to develop” when discussing what number of extra rookies the Magic wished so as to add to a workforce stocked with youth.
Hampton sees it, even when it hasn’t been explicitly damaged right down to him.
“As far as [with] my own personal development, I know there’s a clear pathway,” he mentioned. “I can see it for myself.
“It’s always been, ‘We want you to develop,’ and coach Mose has always believed in me. I kind of feel like it’s something I’ve made in my head, my own clear pathway, and maybe something that hasn’t been totally expressed here but I don’t think it’s not been expressed for a reason, you know what I’m saying?”
He’s felt assist from the teaching workers by means of the uncertainties.
“It’s good to have coaches that care, coaches that want to see you succeed,” Hampton mentioned. “Whether I’m getting minutes or not getting minutes, when I’m in the game they believe in me and I feel like that’s part of why I can play my game and perform.”
Hampton’s additionally within the means of determining which company he’s going to signal with subsequent.
He signed with LIFT Sports Management, based by former UF and Magic guard/ahead Mike Miller and CEO Donnie McGrath in the summertime of 2020, because the company’s first signing after taking part in for the New Zealand Breakers of the National Basketball League in 2019-20. He began the method of leaving the company in late October.
Through all of it, the short-term and long-term uncertainties, Hampton retains his deal with what he can management — the work.
“I’m going to stay in the gym, stay working and I know I got God on my side,” he mentioned. “Whatever happens should be in my favor.”
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Khobi Price at [email protected] or observe him on Twitter at @khobi_price.
()
Source: www.bostonherald.com