Five Orlando Magic takeaways from NBA Summer League

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Mohamed Bamba, Orlando Magic, Brooklyn Nets

LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 06: James Webb III #0 of the Brooklyn Nets and Mohamed Bamba #5 of the Orlando Magic battle for rebounding position during the 2018 NBA Summer League at the Cox Pavilion on July 6, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Magic defeated the Nets 84-80. 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 Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

Jonathan Isaac, Mohamed Bamba and Defense

The focus for the entire week was on the Orlando Magic’s two most recent first-round picks. Jonathan Isaac and Mohamed Bamba are both still very raw prospects. No one seemed to expect them to come into this Summer League and blow anyone away. It would still be flashes of how good this group can be. But not a full picture of it.

They may have gotten a clearer picture of what this duo can do. In fact, surprisingly, they were the talk of the Summer League, garnering several national articles in the process.

It did not come on offense either. Neither Isaac nor Bamba blew anyone away offensively. Their stats were relatively meager (I will talk about Isaac’s offense on the next slide). But they had a clear impact defensively.

When Isaac and Bamba were in the game together, it was just very difficult for anyone to score.

The game against the Memphis Grizzlies was the highlight game of the week. It started with Jonathan Isaac and Mohamed Bamba nearly simultaneously blocking a Jaren Jackson Jr. floater. That became the play to define the Magic’s whole Summer League.

Isaac and Bamba collected blocks throughout the week with the two affecting far more shots.

They were not the only ones who were strong defensively. Although they anchored it with their rim protection. No one seemed able to score when they were on the floor together. It was extremely hard at the very least.

No wonder then that everyone spoke so highly of them. It finally seemed like the Magic had something to believe in.

But defense was the calling card for the entire team. Wesley Iwundu and Melvin Frazier locked down the perimeter too. They were dominant on that end, locking down the perimeter as much as Bamba and Isaac locked down the paint.

Aaron Gordon may have said it best when describing the defensive potential of this group. Having someone behind him who can reliably lock down the paint and switch onto the perimeter allows everyone else to play that much more aggressively.

Orlando saw that potential with Isaac and Bamba. That was the biggest takeaway.