Magic's Jett Howard Under 'Pressure' to Succeed?

Orlando Magic guard Jett Howard was selected with the No. 11 pick in last month's NBA Draft, but is under pressure to succeed right away?

It seems every year there's a player who unexpectedly slides in the NBA Draft. 

And Houston Rockets guard Cam Whitmore was the unfortunate recipient this time around. A projected top-10 pick, Whitmore ended by falling all the down to No. 20 before hearing his name called. 

As a one-and-done star at Villanova, Whitmore posted 12.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.4 steals for the Wildcats before declaring for the NBA Draft in April. 

NBA Draft analyst Rafael Barlowe spoke about the Orlando Magic, who had two opportunities to select Whitmore, and why it could regret picking Jett Howard instead.

“I do think a [Howard] a Taylor Hendricks those guys are going to have the most pressure because their fanbases are going to hate them because they’re going to say hey we took you over Cam Whitmore most fans wanted Cam in that lottery pick,” Barlowe said.

Heading into the NBA Draft with picks at No. 6 and No. 11, Whitmore was a projected option for Orlando with one of those two. However, the front office instead opted to add shooting and playmaking to its backcourt by drafting Arkansas guard Anthony Black and Howard. 

And following a Las Vegas Summer League where Orlando's rookie tandem had its fair share ups and downs, Whitmore went on to win MVP after averaging 20.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and three steals. 

Black and Howard will have a chance to prove Barlowe and other critics wrong once training camp starts in September.

---

You can follow Riley Sheppard on Twitter @RileyDSheppard.

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Magic? Click Here.

Follow The Magic Insider on Facebook.

Follow The Magic Insider on Twitter.

Want even more Orlando Magic news? Check out the SI.com team page here.