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Orlando Magic Playbook: Jonathan Isaac is a rising star and deserves Orlando Magic’s trust

By Philip Rossman-Reich

DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 16: Stanley Johnson #7 of the Detroit Pistons and Jonathan Isaac #1 of the Orlando Magic fight for position during the game on January 16, 2019 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 16: Stanley Johnson #7 of the Detroit Pistons and Jonathan Isaac #1 of the Orlando Magic fight for position during the game on January 16, 2019 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Jonathan Isaac, Orlando Magic, Brooklyn Nets
ORLANDO, FL – FEBRUARY 2: Jonathan Isaac #1 of the Orlando Magic dunks the ball during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on February 2, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Growing Confidence

The biggest thing for Jonathan Isaac throughout his short career is just being patient. He had to be patient through injuries and had to face a lot of doubt in the process (if you have not read Josh Robbins of The Athletic on this). It was not an easy thing to do, especially for a young person.

That is where Isaac has had to pause and remind himself the work will be worth it and to stick with it. To Isaac’s credit, he has put in the work and his growth has started to come. Especially in recent games.

Since January 9, Isaac is averaging 9.3 points per game, 7.2 rebounds per game and 1.3 blocks per game. He is shooting 41.7 percent from the floor, but he has not been afraid to let his shots fly and is playing more assertively and aggressively.

The development of his offensive game is ultimately what could drive up his playing time and create more trust in his other skills.

Take this play from Isaac in the win over the Indiana Pacers:

This is an opportunistic play and the very basis of young players with poor outside shots. They are sometimes told to spread the floor and look for moments to cut when the defense is not looking.

Jonathan Isaac here waits for Thaddeus Young to turn his head and watch the ball too much before cutting in front of him to receive the pass. More impressively, though, Isaac gets the ball and makes a tough finish over Young.

This is not a play he would have made last year. Or maybe even earlier in the season.

Take this play from the win over the Houston Rockets.

Again, the defense is laying off him because they do not respect his 3-point shot (he is making 27.3 percent from beyond the arc). But Isaac cuts hard to the spot to receive the handoff and shoots in one, fluid motion without any hesitation.

That kind of off-the-cut 3-pointer was not in his repertoire previously. And that is the kind of confident shot-making the Magic need for him when the opportunity arises.

All this has happened very recently and is beginning to coalesce into some form of consistency. Isaac has had a really nice run of play for nearly a month now. It has only gotten better in the last week.

And the signs of his growing confidence are all there. It just takes a bit more faith from the team to reap it.