Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

Orlando Magic Media Day: Jonathan Isaac grew — in height, in confidence and on the court

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Jonathan Isaac was at ease during media day and is ready to expand his game. (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
Jonathan Isaac was at ease during media day and is ready to expand his game. (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 5
Next
Jonathan Isaac, Evan Fournier, Orlando Magic
Evan Fournier called Jonathan Isaac the Orlando Magic’s x-factor last year. That might be the case again this year. (Photo by Gary Bassing/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Jonathan Isaac is comfortable with his role on the Orlando Magic. He is now ready to show his growth and confidence on the floor for his team.

Jonathan Isaac is embracing himself more.

Last year at media day, Jonathan Isaac balked at the thought of declaring himself 7-feet tall. It created a bit of a social media firestorm (my bad, Jonathan) as there was another player trying to avoid a seemingly arbitrary moniker.

He was still the quiet and shy young player searching to prove himself in the league and unsure of his place — or his interactions with the media. Everything was still new.

Looking to avoid any controversy this year, Isaac was not shying away from questions that he had grown. If the league wants to list him at 7-feet, he is cool with it.

He may still claim to be 6-foot-10 out in public — he said what he was trying to say last year was that claiming to be 7-feet outside of a basketball court will cause people to gawk — but if he measures out at 7-feet tall, he will gladly take it.

The whole interaction and self-awareness showed greater confidence in himself than he had last year perhaps. It showed how much more comfortable he is in his own skin. He knows what he is doing and how he needs to play.

It is the other parts of his game that will help determine his future and role for the team. Much like last year, Isaac’s development is key to unlocking the Magic’s future. And Isaac took last year as a confidence builder for a young player still defining his team.

He may again be the team’s X-factor.

"“Last year was so fun having guys say that and being able to have a good season,” Isaac said. “I feel like I was able to impact this team in a positive way. And knowing that I did it, I can do it again. As I continue to get better, my mindset is on helping this team be a positive impactor on both sides of the floor.”"

It was easy to see all of Isaac’s potential last year. He averaged 9.6 points per game and 5.5 rebounds per game, shooting a 49.9 percent effective field goal percentage.

He hit his stride just as the Magic hit theirs, averaging 11.8 points per game and 6.2 rebounds per game with a 53.1 percent effective field goal percentage in the team’s final 31 games (he missed the last game of the regular season with a concussion, but played in 76 total after an injury-riddled rookie season).

It was a proof that Isaac could hold his own on a NBA court. Like everyone else, the playoffs provided some important lessons. It mapped out his development — starting with his body.

But he put in that work and appears to have grown — in confidence, in comfort. . . and, yes, physically he has actually grown.