@OMagicDaily If Isaac returns, how is he going to impact the team on offense and defense? Is getting the 7th seed the goal of the regular season? And a rematch with Toronto? How realistic is it to expect winning for that series?
— Wade Jiang (@WadeJiangHe) July 2, 2020
So JI is going to play, isn’t he?
— Jimmy Cooks (@JamesHollers) July 11, 2020
If you would have asked me before this whole thing began whether Jonathan Isaac would play, I would have told you the answer was a definitive no. They were bringing him along so he could continue working with coaches and be involved in the playoff process.
The hiatus undoubtedly slowed Isaac’s recovery from the injury. He probably would have been already cleared to play and resume his offseason work. But being unable to go into the training facility or touch a basketball for four months very clearly delayed things. And raised the Magic’s caution.
But after listening to both Isaac and the Magic talk about his recovery through the first few weeks of training camp, it sure seems like he is closer than we all would think. And some since-deleted footage in the Magic’s practice video suggests Isaac is moving around pretty well.
Not to mention he has started doing some limited contact work.
The Magic are still being cautious, as they should. But the chances of him playing have gone from unlikely to probably not, but who knows?
Isaac playing, even in a limited role, is a major wild card for this team. It is hard to envision the Orlando Magic being able to compete with the Milwaukee Bucks or the Toronto Raptors without him.
Swarm and Sting
It is not about any statistics he adds, but his versatility and the potential he has to slow down Giannis Antetokounmpo and Pascal Siakam. It is merely about a measure of resistance.
The Magic do not have anyone that can stand a chance to slow those guys down — despite Aaron Gordon’s best efforts as the most disciplined player on the team.
At this point, I would not expect Isaac to play more than a few minutes off the bench if he does play. Everyone else is already on a minute’s restriction and the rotation is already expanding because everyone has been off so long. The Magic will continue to be cautious with Isaac.
But he does have a major role to play in the team’s success and chances of scoring an upset.
At this point, the Magic’s only goal is to finish seventh. The team should view that as a goal and anything less is failure considering the players the Brooklyn Nets and Washington Wizards are playing without — not to mention the Sacramento Kings, the second opponent the Orlando Magic face when the season resumes.
The Magic should be able to do that even if they do not have Isaac available. But defeating the Toronto Raptors or Boston Celtics will be tough even with him.
Assuming, of course, that everyone plays somewhere near their ability level. A bigger mystery than anything else.