Orlando Magic: Three Players Named To All-Star Ballot

Following the departure of Dwight Howard, the Orlando Magic’s forecast read lottery-bound with a gradual uptick of depression in central Florida. Fortunately, only one of these has taken place and it’s not the latter.

Fans have been able to take refuge in Orlando’s resilience this season. As the team has taken to every contest with a renewed sense of purpose and effort, desperate to make it known that no single player will define their franchise.

And while their record reads 2-5, this year’s All-Star ballot tells an entirely different story as Glen Davis, Arron Afflalo, and  Al Harrington are featured in the East.

Davis, who openly accepted a leadership role prior to the season, has performed admirably. While his consistency can be called into question at times, he’s averaging 15.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists through seven games.

All highlighted by his eruption for 29 points, 10 rebounds and 2 blocks in the Magic’s season opening win over the Denver Nuggets. Davis has ultimately been given the green light in Orlando, so if he manages to find his recapture his rhythm over the course of November, we could see his those kind of numbers more often.

Afflalo was they key piece in the Howard deal and immediately assumed a role as the Magic’s best two-way player. He’s currently leading the Magic in scoring with 16.1 points and has lived up to his billing as one of the leagues premiere perimeter defenders. He currently ranks 8th in scoring among small forwards and 12th among shooting guards.

His season so far has been highlighted by his breakthrough performance in a loss to the Chicago Bulls, in which he posted 28 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Afflalo has managed to score in double-digits every game since.

Harrington was oddly enough added to the ballot despite the fact he has not appeared in a single contest so far this season. Whether it’s a fluke or just a testament to Harrington’s abilities when healthy, he’ll be looking for the first All-Star selection of his 14 year career.

He’s currently rehabilitating a surgically repaired right knee, and while reports have been positive he has still not been cleared for on-court activities. You can check back with us at anytime for any breaking updates on his status.

All-Star voting began Tuesday and will be running through Jan. 14th. You can vote by simply visiting NBA.com or by voting for one player per day on twitter using the hashtag #NBABALLOT.

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