Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

2017 Orlando Magic Draft Preview: Who is Jonathan Isaac?

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Jan 14, 2017; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Isaac (1) and North Carolina Tar Heels forward Luke Maye (32) fight for a rebound in the second half. The Tar Heels defeated the Seminoles 96-83 at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 14, 2017; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Isaac (1) and North Carolina Tar Heels forward Luke Maye (32) fight for a rebound in the second half. The Tar Heels defeated the Seminoles 96-83 at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next

The Good

Jonathan Isaac has the look of the kind of NBA star that is quickly becoming in vogue in the league these days. He is 6-foot-10 with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, according to DraftExpress. Isaac measures out well.

And he uses that length well on the defensive end. Immediately, Isaac should be able to make an impact on that end.

This is where his athleticism, length and raw ability is displayed most clearly. Isaac’s immediate NBA skill is on the defensive end. Every metric seems to suggest he will make good on his physical tools.

Isaac averaged 1.5 blocks per game, a strong number for a player who played largely on the perimeter. He also posted an incredible +6.2 defensive box plus-minus for the Seminoles last year, according to Sports-Reference.

Isaac stands out physically in that way. It feels like he could do everything.

When that translates to the offensive end, it is a thing of beauty.

Isaac has the speed to get out in transition and the athleticism to finish above the rim. He can step out and hit the 3-pointer fairly comfortably (although he shot just 34.8 percent from beyond the arc in 89 attempts).

Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic /

Orlando Magic

For a player as young and as tall as Isaac, he is very coordinated. This is not a player who is still growing into his body as you often see in the Draft with young, tall and long players like this. Isaac has command of his physical attributes. That will help as he adds strength.

And when he wants to, he uses them to devastating effect.

He has a fairly tight handle that allows him to get to his spots and take jumpers. He can create his own shot against weaker competition. And he is more than capable of taking and making difficult jumpers.

There are some who want to compare Isaac to Kevin Durant. That is a bit premature. But, then again, when you watch his highlights, it is easy to imagine. They have the same body type. So the similarities are easy to see, even if the comparison feels a bit crazy.

Isaac has all that potential within him. It may start on the defensive end. But the flashes he showed on offense were really intriguing. Enough to make him an easy top 10 pick and hard to pass up even at No. 6.