Player Capsules: E'Twaun Moore

Josh Cohen
Digital News Manager

By John Denton April 30, 2013

ORLANDO – The Orlando Magic’s run of six straight seasons in the playoffs is over, ending the Eastern Conference’s longest such streak. But not all is lost for a Magic franchise with a bright future.

The Magic have a history of success that says that the franchise will soon be back in the NBA’s postseason. In the past 20 years, the Magic have made the playoffs 14 times – the fifth most times of any NBA franchise. And since the 1992-93 season, Orlando has had a .500-or-better record 16 times – also the fourth-best mark in the NBA over that time frame.

There are plenty of positives to come out of the 2012-13 season as the Magic have established a core of promising young players and they have a base of veterans expected to return next season.

Orlando also has secured the best odds at getting the top overall pick in the June 27 NBA Draft. The draft order will be determined in the May 21 NBA lottery, a process in which the Magic have a 25 percent chance of winning. The Magic have won the NBA’s top overall pick three times, and the last time they were in this situation they won the top pick and used it to select Dwight Howard in 2004.

Looking back on the 2012-13 season, we here at orlandomagic.com are going to spend the next three weeks breaking down each of the players currently on the Magic roster. We’ll look at their stats, highs and lows from the season, a favorite moment and analyze their role for the future.

So without further ado, here is today’s Magic player capsule:

NAME: E’Twaun Moore
JERSEY NUMBER: 55
HEIGHT, WEIGHT: 6-4, 191
POSITION: Guard
NBA SEASONS: 2
AGE: 24

2012-13 SEASON STATS: 75 games, 7.8 ppg., 2.2 rpg., 2.7 apg., 39.6 percent FG, 34 percent 3-point FG, 79.7 percent FT.

2012-13 SEASON HIGHS: 18 points (three times – latest Feb. 4 vs. Sixers); 9 rebounds (March 25 vs. Heat); 11 assists (March 1 vs. Rockets); 3 steals (three times – latest March 27 vs. Bobcats); 3 blocks (Dec. 26 vs. Hornets); 41 minutes (Nov. 11 vs. Nets).

BEST MOMENT: He had a dazzling performance early in the season against the Phoenix Suns when starting point guard Jameer Nelson went down with an injury and Moore came to the rescue. Not only did he hit all three of his 3-pointers and score 15 points, but he also handed out six assists and had three steals to secure the victory for the Magic. He also played well in December wins against Golden State and Washignton, scoring 15 points and hitting three 3-pointers in each game.

OF NOTE: Moore scored in double figures 28 times this season, including a career-best 18 on Feb. 4 when the Magic were badly depleted because of injuries. He led the team in scoring four times and in assists 12 times while splitting time as a reserve and a starter. He also had seven games with at least three 3-pointers made.

FUTURE ROLE WITH THE MAGIC: Moore was a very key cog in the Magic’s solid start to the season, but his play tailed off dramatically down the stretch. He seemed to never be the same player after badly spraining his left elbow in Washington on Dec. 28. Before his injury, Moore made 43.9 percent of his shots and 39 percent of his 3-pointers; after recovering from the elbow sprain, Moore hit only 36.4 percent of his shots and 30 percent of his 3-pointers. Moore proved extremely valuable early in the season to head coach Jacque Vaughn because he could play as many as three positions in the team’s small lineup. While he proved himself competent at point guard, he is still better served playing off the ball where he can maximize his abilities as a shooter. His future with the Magic could come down to the June 27 NBA Draft. If the Magic take a point guard or a shooting guard, he could be released before July 1. But if the Magic opt for a power forward or center, Moore could very well return because of his versatility, shooting touch and humble personality.

Note: The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Orlando Magic. All opinions expressed by John Denton are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Orlando Magic or their Basketball Operations staff, partners or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Magic and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media.

 

 

 

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