Magic Gaming using experience to grow in second season

Magic Gaming missed the playoffs by the slimmest of margins last year. That left them hungry to start year two. They are a lot more prepared for it now.

The road was laid out for Magic Gaming. Two games on the final day of the season to complete a dream year and get into the NBA 2K League’s inaugural playoffs.

Magic Gaming had rallied from early-season struggles to give themselves a chance at the big prize. They carved out a reputation as the quiet, focused team that got its work done and beat you in silence.

It was different from some of the louder, trash-talking teams that inhabit the NBA 2K League.

Their offensive approach was different too. They did not have a dominant scorer and worked together to beat teams. Their charge — after hiring a coach — was as much about their figuring out a formula for success in the inaugural season of the league.

They put themselves in position to make the playoffs. The eventual champion Knicks Gaming stole a spot in the playoffs by winning The Ticket tournament. A loss would leave Magic Gaming at home even though they would have otherwise qualified.

A curious coaching decision to sit first-round pick Kontrul (now with Lakers Gaming) got some criticism. But that is the pressure of win-or-go-home games. Magic Gaming would fall one game short, winning their second game of the day.

A long offseason waited as the 2K League entered its second season. For the two players Magic Gaming retained from their season last year — Emanuel “UCMANNY” Cruz and Cameron “KingCamRoyalty” Ford — it was something that lingered a bit.

"“It definitely stuck with me throughout the offseason,” Ford said. “It hurt not to be there. To be tied makes it that much worse. You want to get over that hump. We had multiple opportunities and just weren’t able to get that done. Looking at the past, we’re looking to get through that this season with the experience we have now. We have a lot of confidence that we’ll be able to get over that hump and make it to the playoffs this season.”"

There was plenty of change around the league. Four new teams entered the league. Teams could only retain two players from the previous year’s roster. The rest of the league was re-drafted in a four-round draft a few weeks ago.

Hungry to return

KingCamRoyalty was one of the biggest surprises of the league last year. He was a sixth-round pick, the final round, in the inaugural draft and was left out of the rotation to start the season. Once he entered the rotation, his energy and all-around play were vital to Magic Gaming’s turnaround and success.

He finished the year averaging 13.0 points per game and 8.1 rebounds per game. He also added 60 assists in 384 minutes, third on the team despite not playing for much of the season.

They also kept UCMANNY, who was second on the team in scoring with 15.0 points per game. He scored the most points on the team, getting a safe spot in the rotation as the power forward on the team.

A different build that seems to favor perimeter players over post players caused Magic Gaming to go in a slightly different direction with how they drafted their team.

The team brought in Tucker “TuckerLocksUp” Henry to add one more layer of experience. He played for Pacers Gaming last year and is hoping to add some post presence to the game.

They also added Reid “Reizey” Hill with their first-round pick. He was under the age limit last year but was one of the more promising shooting guards available in the draft. They hope he can turn into the team’s point guard.

Magic Gaming was different for not having a dominant scorer. They had a team approach where anyone could be the team’s leading scorer. And that put teams on notice plenty.

"“That’s what I like about Orlando last year,” TuckerLocksUp said. “They are very unselfish. They all play for one another. That is why they were able to go on such a great winning streak at the end of the season and almost make the playoffs. They were able to play as one and that’s what we are trying to do in season two.”"

Most importantly, a second year of the league brought experience to everyone on how to run things and find success.

UCMANNY said the team is a lot more prepared to give the players the support and training they need for success this year compared to last year’s first run. The players also know more of what to expect from the games themselves and the atmosphere in the New York City studio where games are played.

Magic Gaming is fortunate to have three players who played last year. And they are already trying to impart on the league rookies about what playing in that environment is like. It might be similar to pro-am events they have played in before, but being in this league is a bit different.

Better support, building a culture

The support staff is also more firmly in place for Magic Gaming. A clear mistake the team made as it got started last year.

The decision to hire a coach midseason changed things for Magic Gaming last year. Director of Magic Gaming Ryan DeVos said the biggest lesson from season one was how much they needed someone who could manage the Xs and Os.

They made sure not to make that mistake again, hiring Jonah Edwards. He has directed an intense training program that already seems to be paying dividends.

Since the team joined together, Edwards has put the team through its paces with long training days — seven or eight hours per day in training camp — and plenty of scrimmages against other pro-am teams.

"“It’s great to have a coach who has played 2K and at a high level before and understands the game,” Reizey said. “Somebody who motivates us to work harder every day. I think it is really important for teams to have someone like that coaching. I think it is one of the most important things in this league for success.”"

Players called the training intense. He wants them to work hard and be as sharp at the end of training as they are at the beginning. But the dividends already paid off.

Magic Gaming once again was projected as one of the worst teams in the NBA 2K League. They were criticized for the decisions on which players they would retain and their overall team approach.

Paying dividends

In last year’s Tip-Off Tournament, Magic Gaming was still struggling to get its footing underneath them and they lost all their games.

In group play Tuesday, Magic Gaming pulled off one of the most dramatic games of the day. UCMANNY buried a 3-pointer to force overtime against the defending champion Knicks Gaming. Newcomers Daniel “DT” Tlais found Mykel “KelMav” Wilson for a dunk in double overtime to seal the win and Magic Gaming’s place in Saturday’s single-elimination quarterfinal round.

That got even Magic Gaming’s players up and loud. They were pumped and there is a new energy about the team. Or at least a quiet confidence that they know what they are doing more this year than before.

Experience is a powerful teacher for sure.

It has made the Magic Gaming organization better and more prepared for the season. It has given the team a good base to build on — with all three players from last year providing good insights to their teammates.

Something new to prove

The second year of the 2K League will be different than the first in a lot of ways. It is a much deeper talent pool now and there seems to be a lot better sense of what works and what does not in the league.

Every team has this advantage, of course. Every team (except the expansion franchises) have this experience to build upon.

But Magic Gaming has something else to prove. They got left out last year once they found their footing. Their playoff spot was stolen from them in some way.

"“We got as unlucky as you possibly could,” DeVos said. “We had a successful season regardless. We knew we were right there and we were right in the hunt. We were certainly one of the best teams in the league and we were riding that hot streak. We thought we could make some noise in the playoffs. It was disappointing. Guys were very down coming out of that. They used that as motivation going into year two.”"

They have some unfinished business.