Jonathan Isaac was left off the NBA Rising Stars Challenge roster. But it is clear his improvement is coming quickly and he is earning a larger role quickly.
There was little surprise Jonathan Isaac was left off the roster for Team USA at the Rising Stars Challenge.
As an exercise as an All-Star exhibition game, a player who is not much of an offensive force or full of highlight-reel worthy defensive counting stats. When it comes to defense, centers are the only ones who seemingly get glory for their defensive work.
Aside from that, the sophomore wings on Team USA are pretty stellar — Donovan Mitchell, Jayson Tatum, Kyle Kuzma and John Collins are all worthy. There are only so many spaces on the team.
Jonathan Isaac’s stat line does not read like anything impressive. Last year’s sixth overall pick has averaged only 8.2 points per game while shooting just 40.8 percent from the floor. His counting stats are hardly impressive.
Even Thursday against the Indiana Pacers, Isaac had a career game. He had his second career double-double, scoring 11 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. He was great tracking down rebounds in traffic and made some stellar defensive plays.
Even though he shot just 4 for 12 from the floor and 1 for 6 from beyond the arc, he showed a ton more confidence with his shot and offense. Isaac was driving and finishing aggressively around the basket.
He followed that up with another double-double effort in the Brooklyn Nets. Adding three blocks and three steals to boot.
The statistics are still muddied — his coach Steve Clifford would say Jonathan Isaac is not one to care for statistics — but the flashes of confidence are plenty apparent.
"“I just think with every single game I am getting more and more comfortable out there,” Isaac said. “Just coming into my own. Playing with the guys on the floor and being more comfortable playing with certain guys and having minutes on the floor. I would say it’s just the timetable and the more and more I play, the more relaxed I become.”"
The injuries that kept him out for most of his rookie year essentially rendered it a redshirt year. Isaac is going through all the normal growing pains of a rookie this year. If something of a rookie-plus. Even his Summer League efforts were strong, but still wanting.
Isaac’s development has been slow but steady for the most part. It has required a lot of patience. Patience that Isaac has been willing to give.
As Clifford said, this is not a league for the impatient. If you are looking for instant gratification, you are in the wrong place. Isaac has had to wait his turn in some ways.
But it feels like Isaac has just gotten started. As he has found his rhythm after a mid-season ankle injury, Isaac is starting to assert himself more and more on the defensive end. His confidence is growing on the offensive end too.
"“I think he has been doing it steadily all the way through,” Clifford said. “I have the advantage of watching him every day in practice and the way that he works. He is understanding the importance of having a routine. He is a very serious-minded guy. He is very bright and picks things up quickly. I think he has played better and better. Now he is getting more confident. As he does, he is going to continue to make quick progress.”"
It is slow and still in bits and pieces. Flashes here and there. But the time is coming where the Magic need to trust Isaac and push him outside of his comfort zone. It feels like he is ready and the team needs him to be ready.
And it is this the exact reason why the Magic need to put their trust in Isaac more. He is ready for the added responsibility.