Magic’s Cole Anthony after scoring 37 points: ‘I was terrible tonight’

Fresh off of setting a new career-high, Orlando Magic rookie Cole Anthony thought his performance on Sunday to close out the season could have been better in a losing effort versus the Philadelphia 76ers.

Anthony finished with a game-high 37 points, eight rebounds, two assists and one steal during the 128-117 loss. He converted on 10-of-25 shot attempts from the field, including 14-of-14 from the free-throw line, in 38 minutes of work.

His 37 points were the fifth-most by a Magic rookie in team history.

“I ain’t gonna lie, I was terrible tonight,” Anthony said. “That 37 looks cool, but I have to be better. We lost the game, I had six turnovers. My assist numbers were down. I gotta be better. If I want to have any chance to be a key guy on this team, I gotta be better than that. I’m going to be grinding this whole summer and come back a new man next year.”

Anthony was often his harshest critic throughout the season and took exception with his performance on Sunday, vowing to come back better than ever next season. He held himself accountable for each game and constantly vowed to correct his mistakes.

The work ethic by Anthony, in just his first season in the NBA, hasn’t gone unnoticed, either. His teammates often praised him for the work put in and his ability on the court, something Magic head coach Steve Clifford noted on Sunday.

“I will say this about him: He loves basketball and he loves to be in the gym,” Clifford said. “That is a big deal. I would be very surprised if he is not one of those guys that gets better and better every year. … He is going to play hard. If he plays 2-on-2, it’s natural for him. That’s a skill that you’ve got to have.”

The players and coaching staff on the Magic will now have some time off before beginning their offseasons. The team secured no worse than the third-worst record in the NBA with the loss as they look ahead to the draft lottery on June 22.

Anthony will rest up, unwind and then hit the gym as he looks to build upon a solid first season with the Magic. Based on what his head coach said, it is reasonable to believe Anthony will come back a different player next season.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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