2018 Orlando Magic Player Outlook: Jonathan Isaac

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Jonathan Isaac, Orlando Magic, Indiana Pacers

ORLANDO, FL – JULY 1: Jonathan Isaac #1 of the Orlando Magic handles the ball during the game against the Indiana Pacers during the 2017 Orlando Summer League on July 1, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Growing Confidence

The biggest puzzle for the Magic to solve when it comes to Jonathan Isaac is how to draw out that bit of aggression from him. It will be easy for him to fade into the background again. But for Isaac to become the star the Magic hoped to select with the sixth overall pick, they will need him to assert himself more.

Somehow the Magic will have to imbue this confidence in him. It may take the full year and the Magic may pick the spots where they turn the ball over to him or slowly increasing his role as he grasps concepts and masters them. It could be a season of starts and stops.

But if Summer League showed anything, it is that Isaac can be a very confident player once he gets comfortable.

In his three games at Summer League (really 2.5 after he left the third game with a hip injury), Isaac averaged 10.3 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. He shot just 44.4 percent, but there were some small sample sizes to sort through.

What was important is that he looked better in each game of Summer League. His confidence was brimming until it overflowed in the final game. The only thing that stopped his momentum was the injury. But the Magic had clearly seen enough from him not to risk anymore.

His first game, he was clearly nervous. But even with his nerves, he played some stellar defense and attacked the glass aggressively. He posted double-digit rebounds in that first game. Isaac certainly could keep things simple as he felt his way through the game.

The second game, he was much more assertive. He still made some offensive mistakes, but it was easy to tell he felt more comfortable on the court.

In the third game, through about a quarter and a half before he left, Isaac was the best player on the floor. He confidently drove the ball and hit pull-up jumpers. He was dominant defensively throughout the week too. A sign of where he is committed to making an impact immediately as a rookie. That would be plenty for the Magic to ask for his rookie year.

What that week showed was how quickly Isaac can gain confidence. If the Magic can grow his success and build confidence, it seems like Isaac could accomplish about anything.