Franz Wagner among rare company to start every game this year
In sports, there is the common saying that the best ability for a player is availability. If there is anyone that can relate to that notion, it is Orlando Magic rookie Franz Wagner.
Wagner, 20, is averaging 15.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and three assists in 60 games. He currently leads the rookie class in totaling scoring (935 points) and is second in average. He also has the highest-scoring game by a rookie (38 points) and the most 20-point games (14) this season.
The eighth pick is currently among five NBA players that have started every game for their respective team: Saddiq Bey, Detroit Pistons; Kevon Looney, Golden State Warriors; and Mikal Bridges and Chris Paul of the Phoenix Suns.
Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley called it a great experience for Wagner.
I think there is no substitute for that experience. What he has done and being able to play in every single game and logging some decent minutes within that time. But it is just the experience of what he is seeing in real-time. He watches a ton of film with our coaches, watches a ton of film by himself. He is in practice every day working and being here early, staying late and now you get to put it into real-game situations.
The list of five players will shrink by one as it was announced by the Suns over the All-Star break that Paul is expected to miss 6-8 weeks with a hand injury. Paul will see his streak this season end once the Suns take the court on Thursday.
Only 6 NBA players have started every game their team has played this season — Kevon Looney, Franz Wagner, Russell Westbrook, Saddiq Bey, Mikal Bridges and Chris Paul.
— Stan Van Gundy (@realStanVG) February 5, 2022
A player starting in every game for a team is typically a rare feat but for a rookie to do it is extremely rare. In fact, there have only been 31 rookies in history to start every night in an 82-game season and only 10 since Carmelo Anthony during the 2003-04 season, according to Stathead.
Wagner potentially accomplishing it this season, given all of the circumstances with the health and safety protocol and other factors, would make for quite a feat. He is proud to still be in the mix to start and play in every game this season.
It would be really cool. I think that would show me, at least, that the consistent work I put in, that everybody helps me put in here, that it works. I think it is just super cool to be available for the team for every game. We still have 22 games left so there is still a lot of work in front of us.
Of course, the Magic still have 22 games left to play this season so there is still a good portion of the schedule to go. However, Wagner is on the verge of becoming the ultimate iron man this year and etching his name in the history books, as a result.
This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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