Orlando Magic improve on defense, previewing regular season philosophy

The effort the Orlando Magic Blue gave in Monday’s Summer League game resembled more what will be expected when the regular season begins.

The Orlando Magic Blue team was looking to play better after a disappointing and disheartening blowout in Saturday’s game. Shots might fall or miss, but the defensive effort and precision was not anywhere near the level the Magic want it to be.

After all, the Magic’s main team will one day hang its hat on its defense. The Summer League team is not going to be any different.

As shots failed to fall — the Magic made just 31.9 percent from the floor and 5 for 19 from beyond the arc — the defense had to be the one to step up. Even if things were not perfect, defense meant effort and that gave the team a chance.

That might be something the Magic will be preaching for much of this upcoming season. Contest shots. Play hard. Play together. Get after loose balls.

“We were disappointed in Saturday’s effort based on our defense and competing,” coach Chad Forcier said. “Basketball is basketball. When the 3-point line disparity is what it was, that makes it hard. But we were really disappointed in ourselves as competitors and our defensive effort, which is what we are trying to hang our hat on. Offense is going to be offense, shooting is shooting. A group of new guys trying to get to know each other, it’s not always going to look great , but we can always play defense together and compete every time down the court.”

There were still mistakes, this was a nasty, dirty Summer League game after all, but after Saturday when the Magic gave up 57.4 percent shooting and 93 points, the Magic simply needed a better effort. The rest would fall into place.

Never mind the mistakes that did occur in Monday’s 73-68 loss to the Detroit Pistons at Amway Center. The parade to the free throw line — 40 free throw attempts for the Pistons — was the only blemish. Or Nick Johnson having hist last-second 3-point attempt blocked and Vincent Poirer turning the ball over trying to get it back to him with the chance to tie.

What mattered was the effort. The play like Devyn Marble chasing a loose ball into the backcourt and diving headlong trying to keep it from going out of bounds. Those plays mattered more. And the Magic had their share as they continued to show improvement from Saturday, inching closer to a win.

Or at least inching closer to how the Magic ultimately want to play.

“We definitely wanted to show better than we did the first day,” Nick Johnson said. “I think we did that. We were right there. A few plays didn’t go our way. A couple rebounds at the end, we had a good effort.”

Johnson led the Magic with 19 points, adding another four steals to his strong total from Saturday’s game. He shot just 6 for 16 though from the floor as the team as a whole struggled to shoot once again — 31. 9 percent for the game and 5 for 19 from beyond the arc.

Vincent Poirier added 10 points and 11 rebounds starting next to second round pick Stephen Zimmerman, who managed only six points and nine rebounds on 2-for-11 shooting.

The offensive numbers were very ugly. But that is not how players are being measured this week.

It will be about playing as a team and moving the ball (11 assists on 23 field goals but plenty of solid ball movement to set up good looks, even overpassing to an extent). It will be about putting in effort on the defensive end.

If the Magic do that, it will be a successful Summer League run.

“Overall I was proud of the group in terms of their bouncing back,” Forcier said. “A much better performance in terms of playing together and competing. If we can do that, i told them that is how I am measuring them. It won’t be the win and loss. That’s the goal of course. We’re trying to pay attention to the process we do this and I liked the process today.”

And then those will be the things the coaching staff expects from the main roster when they convene in October.

Magic White wins again

The Orlando Magic White team scored a 92-85 victory over the Dallas Mavericks, using a strong defensive surge in the first quarter to establish their lead and hold on for the victory.

The Magic were really dialed in defensively early on established their lead quickly. They used a balanced lineup from there to secure and maitain their lead.

Treveon Graham scored 14 points. Brandon Fields added 14 points too, but on 2-for-10 shooting. He was able to get to the basket but struggled to finish. Fields put up an intriguing enough stat line and had some moves that deserve some continued observation, even if he did not produce.

Patricio Garino scored 12 points as did Kevin Murphy. Arinze Onuaku scored 13 points and grabbed nine rebounds.

The Magic had control of the game from the beginning, going up 27-19 after the first quarter. They held on with a constant attack at the basket, drawing 43 fouls for 36 free throw attempts. Orlando was ready to run and had 18 fast-break points on just six fast-break field goal attempts.

It helped Dallas was trying to press and trap the corners. The Magic attacked it well early and got them out of that with quick passing and drives to the basket.

Next: Orlando Magic summer to enable Elfrid Payton jump

Orlando put in yet another strong performance in this game and continue to look like one of the best teams in the Orlando Summer League.