November 2, 2021 the Orlando Magic play against Minnesota: Franz Wagner pulls past an opponent to the basket, climbs up powerfully – and stuffs the ball over two defenders into the basket. On the sidelines, a substitute player turns wildly in circles, waves his towel and celebrates the spectacular Dunk: Brother Moritz.
No German got off to a better start in the NBA
It’s a symbolic scene: Moritz Wagner, the bench press, has been in the North American professional basketball league for three years, and Franz Wagner, the bearer of hope, has been for three months now. The German is already Youngster Outgrown his brother – and not just him: no German is ever better at that NBA started as Wagner. Yes, not even Dirk Nowitzki.
The 2.08 meter tall one Forward had taken the same route into the NBA as his brother, via Alba Berlin and that collegeProgram in Michigan. As in the summer of last year then the annual Draft came in, he was in eighth position of the Magic drawn. With this, Wagner overtook Nowitzki, who was elected ninth at the time (1998), as the highest German Draft pick the story.
While this news in basketball Germany for Hype the headlines in the United States belonged to others – even in Orlando. In fifth position, the Magic had also been allowed to move. Jalen Suggs, a Point guard, supposed to be the new face of the franchise will.
Cornerstones instead of role players
Wagner meanwhile had the profile of a useful role-player, who mainly helps his team defensively. He was considered as “NBA ready”, so as a comparatively well developed talent who would hardly have any teething problems. This impression quickly turned out to be wrong – in a positive sense: Wagner was underestimated.
While Suggs initially had great difficulties and is now injured, Franz Wagner delivers a strong 15.7 points, 4.7 halfway through his first season Rebounds and 2.6 Assists im per game – and rising. He is now considered a legitimate candidate for the title of best Newcomers (Rookie of the Year).
Basketball IQ as the key to success
His greatest strength is his head: Wagner has a high basketball IQ, he can read the game very well at both ends and makes many good decisions. In addition, his threesome is falling better than expected – and his defense is already at a high NBA-Level. No Nowitzki, no Dennis Schröder, no Detlef Schrempf was anywhere near as far as Wagner at the start of his career.
Jamal Mosley, Orlando Magic coach, recently highlighted another quality of his protégé: ambition. “He always wants to do everything right“says Mosley: “He’s very hard on himself because he has very high standards.”
This attitude is likely to be the main reason for Wagner’s rapid development: In October, his points average was still 13.9. In December he increased this to 19.5 – including the Rookie of the Month award. A considerable leap, even in the first year, although this also has to do with his changed role.
Through Corona to a leader
At the beginning Wagner was mainly away from the ball and scored his points after being passed by three or simple Drives to the basket. Now that several Magic performers are incapacitated by Covid infections or injuries, Wagner bears greater responsibility and should create his own litter more and more often. Here shows the Forward good approaches, but at the same time its weaknesses come to the fore.