Looking Ahead
Jonathan Isaac was luckily able to enter the offseason with his health intact. For him, the time between seasons seemed to be about gaining confidence and comfort.
To do so, he spent a lot of time in the gym gaining strength and working on his game.
Knowing he has to withstand a lot of punishment over the course of the season, Isaac said he bulked up from 209 pounds to a muscular 234. He then took part in the U.S. Select Team and reflected positively not only on the experience of learning from coaches and other players involved but also on how he handled his newfound strength and bulk.
As for his game, Isaac specifically mentioned working on being a more consistent 3-point threat. He also seems to want to play more within himself and let the game come to him. The more relaxed and free he plays, the better it will be for the whole team.
The Florida State Seminoles product also had opportunities to work out or spend time in the gym with his Orlando Magic teammates, including Terrence Ross, Markelle Fultz, Aaron Gordon and rookie Chuma Okeke. Isaac also spoke highly of working out with his Magic teammates, commenting on the buzz among the players that the team can go farther than it did in 2019.
Offseason work is all well and good, but for Isaac to play his part in helping the Magic reach new heights, he will have to stay healthy and develop a true and consistent offensive skill.
For many Magic faithful, the jury is still out on whether Isaac’s ankle injuries are a case of bad luck and bad timing or early signs of the dreaded “injury-prone” label. Still, the naysayers must acknowledge Isaac’s participation in 75 regular season games and all five playoff games last season. What that suggests about his work ethic, willingness to improve his durability, and understanding of the punishing NBA season.
Offensively, the lead-up to about Feb. 2019 was concerning for Isaac. He sometimes looked awkward and hesitant with the ball in his hands. Something changed around that time, and Isaac began showing signs of developing as a respectable 3-point threat that defenders must account for in the flow of the Magic’s offense.
In 2020, as Isaac drove home several times in the offseason, he should look to make this weapon a consistent one.
If he makes teams pay for abandoning him to double another Magic player, it will work wonders for a team that struggled offensively in 2019. It is wonderful he was able to make them pay for more than two months to close out last season.
He now has to prove he can do it for longer stretches in 2020.
His improved confidence also improved his defensive productivity to close out 2019. He has already proven an adept and skilled defender, but the stakes are higher in 2020.
The Magic will not have the benefit of being overlooked and teams now know about the stretch-4 who can also block several paint shot attempts in a 15-second stretch. Isaac will have to better understand how he fits in the flow of the Magic’s defense as well, in order to maximize his freakish athleticism and its disruptive potential.