Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

Five questions for the 2017-18 Orlando Magic’s fourth quarter

By Philip Rossman-Reich

MILWAUKEE, WI - JANUARY 10: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic and Eric Bledsoe #6 of the Milwaukee Bucks reach for a loose ball during a game at the Bradley Center on January 10, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - JANUARY 10: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic and Eric Bledsoe #6 of the Milwaukee Bucks reach for a loose ball during a game at the Bradley Center on January 10, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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Jonathan Isaac, Orlando Magic, Chicago Bulls
CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 20: Jonathan Isaac #1 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Chicago Bulls on December 20, 2017 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /

What can you get out of Jonathan Isaac’s rookie year?

Regardless of whether the Orlando Magic maintained their hot start or not, the team was investing a lot in rookie Jonathan Isaac. The sixth overall pick is a major asset. He was a player that would take some time to develop, but the Magic needed to figure out what they had in him.

Isaac’s sprained ankle in November was not supposed to take this long to recover. He returned for three games in late December. The injury would not go away.

Orlando seemed to use the time productively. They put Isaac in a weight training program and he put on more than 10 pounds of muscle. It seemed he was doing the things he needed to do off the court to be ready to hit the court once again.

But that was off the court. You can only do so much off the court. His improvement would not really begin until he could do it on the court. That will ultimately grow his game and make him a better player. There is no substitute for game experience.

Since coming back from the injury and stepping back onto the court, Isaac’s impact has been pretty evident. He is making defensive plays the Magic have missed for a long time, deflecting passes and getting seemingly impossible blocks.

His defensive impact is clear — the Magic have their best defensive rating when Isaac is on the court. Entering Wednesday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando has a 100.0 defensive rating. For a team that is one of the worst defensive teams in the league that is a huge impact.

Isaac is a big part of the team’s future. And investing in his growth through playing time and some lineup experimentation is more than warranted. And plenty more Isaac is more than wanted.

Orlando is not going to put a ton of expectation or restriction on Isaac. The team should want him to go out and play and just do what he naturally does. Figuring out where he needs to develop further for an important offseason.