5 Bold Predictions for the Orlando Magic’s 2020 Season

Jonathan Isaac will get All-Defensive Team nod

Last year, coach Steve Clifford impressed upon Aaron Gordon the goal to make the All-Defensive Team. Aaron Gordon seemed to take on that challenge and desire to make the team. He had a breakthrough year defensively for the team and was a big part of the Magic getting the eighth-best defense in the league.

Gordon lamented at the end of the season that the All-Defensive Team was more about which teams get on TV rather than who actually is among the best defenders. He is not wrong. The media voters only can vote on who they watch. So the Magic have to get more notice and more television attention to garner votes.

The Magic expect to have one of the best defensive teams in the league once again. It will be hard to ignore them. But Gordon’s criticism plays a factor. He is a solid and grounded defender who will not make a ton of highlights.

Jonathan Isaac will. And not only that, he is as grounded defensively as Gordon is.

Talk to anyone in the Magic’s orbit and they will tell you Jonathan Isaac’s defense has impressed the team the most. It is hard not to notice Isaac flying around defensively. His length allows him to recover from mistakes and he can switch and guard anybody.

There were several possessions during the preseason where Isaac blew up plays on his own. Players just do not know how to get around him thanks to his length and athleticism.

Throughout training camp, Isaac’s defense has drawn immense praise. Somehow he has improved even more on what was already a strength. Just what Isaac can be overall will depend on how his shooting and offense develop. The jury is still out on those. But his defense is already nearing elite levels it seems.

Eventually, Isaac will overtake Gordon as the Magic’s best defender. For now, Gordon will get the primary defensive assignment and Isaac will be a roamer. He will be the team’s de facto rim protector. And it is going to be hard not to notice him.