Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

2018-19 Orlando Magic Player Evaluations: Jonathan Isaac

By Philip Rossman-Reich

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 20: Jonathan Isaac #1 of the Orlando Magic handles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers on October 20, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 20: Jonathan Isaac #1 of the Orlando Magic handles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers on October 20, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 5
Next
Jonathan Isaac, Orlando Magic, Minnesota Timberwolves
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 4: Jonathan Isaac #1 of the Orlando Magic boxes out Dario Saric #36 of the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 4, 2019 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Jonathan Isaac got a second shot at a rookie season after his injury-riddled first year. He began to show the contours of the player he can become.

It almost came crashing down on Jonathan Isaac again.

Jonathan Isaac missed 56 games in a 59-game stretch in his rookie year thanks to a sprained ankle that would not heal properly. The Orlando Magic were cautious with him throughout the whole recovery process. His final 12 games were nothing more than a tease (before he was shut down again).

Everything was so fast for Isaac in those first games back, it became more of a bonus “prep school” type year. Isaac showed flashes of his defensive ability, but he was playing purely on instinct and athleticism. There was not much direction to him.

He would need a second “rookie” year as he played his first full season.

Just eight games into the season, it happened again. Isaac came down for an offensive rebound in a game against the LA Clippers and turned his ankle. It seemed all the progress and confidence he was slowly gaining would disappear over another random chance turn.

Isaac missed the next six games before gingerly returning to the lineup. He had spent more time on the injured list than on the court. And his return was slow. Isaac was still clearly getting used to the NBA.

Slowly but surely, you could see his confidence growing within him. He trusted his body would be able to withstand the rigors of the league — and even the occasional ankle turn — and began to grow his game.

Jonathan Isaac quickly had Steve Clifford’s trust as a defender. Isaac would get a ton of difficult defensive assignments and dominate some games solely on his defense. Slowly too, his offense became more confident.

In late January, the light clicked for him. The confidence was there and his shot started to fall.

As the Magic made their playoff push, Isaac’s play took a major swing up. He started to look more and more like the player everyone hoped he would become.

Evan Fournier said before the season, Jonathan Isaac would be the team’s X-factor. He was proven right. Isaac finished his year finding his place in the league.

And he was clearly only scratching the surface. His playoffs showed just what an impact he could make and if he can put everything together, it should only get better now that he has one full healthy year under his belt.