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Orlando Magic Daily Roundtable: Summer League Takeaways

By Philip Rossman-Reich

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 9: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns and Mohamed Bamba #5 of the Orlando Magic look on during the game during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 9, 2018 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 9: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns and Mohamed Bamba #5 of the Orlando Magic look on during the game during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 9, 2018 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Jonathan Isaac, Orlando Magic
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 9: Jonathan Isaac #1 of the Orlando Magic looks to pass the ball against the Phoenix Suns during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 9, 2018 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

What impressed you most about Jonathan Isaac’s play? What is the next thing he has to work on before camp?

Henderson: The biggest thing that impressed me with Jonathan Isaac’s play was that he looks to have fully recovered from his injury and now his attention to detail on the defensive side of the ball is greater than ever. Isaac’s willingness to help out teammates on defense is another impressive part of his game. His IQ on defense is at an elite level already and the more he plays a leadership role within the team the better.

The next thing he needs to work on is his long-range shooting and his ability to finish layups with contact. If he develops a long-range shot, it will open up a lot of room for Mohamed Bamba and Aaron Gordon to post up in half court sets. If he does develop a long-range shot, he will be considered one of the better two-way players in the league.

Rossman-Reich: We already knew Jonathan Isaac was a stellar perimeter defender. He called defense in the NBA at one point easy. That was when he was still clearly an extremely raw prospect who needed a lot of refinement and a little more discipline. His natural instincts and length allowed him to make an impact despite all that.

This summer, Isaac clearly took another step defensively. He dominated the perimeter and the post defensively. It was impressive to watch just how much impact he makes. Offensively, he still has work to do. He looks more comfortable on the ball and willing to search for his own shot, but he has to become more efficient and fluid.

Palmer: The thing that impressed me most about Isaac was his ball-handling ability. I think to some extent, confidence really helped Isaac improve his handle. We saw Isaac use his dribble to create a lot of mid-range jumpers and make some attempts to attack the basket.

Last year it was clear Isaac was a little intimidated on offense and just kind of wanted to blend in. Summer League showed a whole new kind of Isaac.

As far as camp goes, I think the most important thing for Isaac is to keep working on his 3-point shot. Isaac did not really take a large number of threes but he certainly passed up on many open ones.