Everything is new for the Orlando Magic, and that is part of the challenge

Orlando Magic coach Jamahl Mosley is still learning the process of being a NBA head coach.

He has his practice plans all mapped out and his ideas for what his team needs to be about. His first three days of training camp were spent instilling these ideas. But there is a lot more a coach has to do.

Like the daily meeting with the media after practice.

Mosley has been good from that perspective, answering every question honestly and certainly feeling more comfortable with that camera’s glare on him. But there is one thing he may have forgotten, especially with a young group that sometimes has the eagerness of a group of puppies.

Practice is not over until it is over.

So when he came over to the media to chat while players finished up their free throws for the day and the session lasted too long, the players made sure to include their coach in their usual post-practice huddle. They were not waiting.

When assistants could not drag Mosley out of the media scrum to give parting words to players before they broke for the day, the players came over to him (reportedly Mohamed Bamba’s idea).

Suddenly the entire team was surrounding their coach and the media, shouting and clapping to end the practice session.

Rookie coach. Rookie mistake.

It is another thing the group has to learn. It has truly been a week of learning as they get used to a new coach and a new system.

The Orlando Magic continued a week of learning as they get used to each other and their new coach in training camp.

"“I think the foundation is being laid very well from our intensity, our positivity, our enthusiasm during the practices, the defensive focus,” Mosley said after Thursday’s practice. “The level of communication is getting better and better every single day. These guys are getting tied together. We talk about five guys on a string on a nightly basis. They have really adapted to that and are buying in.”"

The energy has certainly been up. That has been a hallmark of these practices so far according to players. Wendell Carter said Jamahl Mosley brings his own energy to practice and the team just has to match it.

But the real question is just how much of it has sunk in and how it will translate when they start facing outside competition next week.

And that is a part that might be a mystery to everyone. The players and team are still getting their understanding of what the coaching staff is asking of them.

Change has been the theme for the Magic since the trade deadline last March. Even with several players acquired at the deadline back for camp this year, they are still getting their feet wet in Orlando and getting used to things.

And everyone is starting from square one with a new coaching staff. It is a challenge the team has tackled head-on so far.

"“For us to be such a young group, I think we have picked up a lot of things,” Carter said after Thursday’s practice. “He has not having to repeat himself a lot. I feel like that is something we wanted to make sure coach has to do. We are a young team so I wanted him to feel we aren’t going to listen or get distracted easily.”"

A lot of that work is internal competition at the moment.

There is plenty to say about the guard rotation with all the players battling each other for playing time and notice. But the centers — Wendell Carter, Mohamed Bamba and Robin Lopez — are also duking it out for playing time.

Orlando has plenty of sorting to do with player roles and rotations, even with players out and unavailable early in camp — Jonathan Isaac and Markelle Fultz have participated in some of practice, Chuma Okeke is continuing to do more as he recovers from a bruised hip and Michael Carter-Williams is staying active with teammates even though he is still recovering from foot surgery.

Those roles have not been settled quite yet. And that is at least partially by design at this early stage. Right now the focus has been on figuring out what players can do and laying down those fundamental principles.

"“I try not to put a box on these guys because our job as coaches is to find out and see what their maximum potential can be,” Mosley said after practice Thursday. “You put them in as many situations as possible to grow and get better. If I just label them as this, it becomes tough for them to grow. I’d like to give them as many opportunities as possible to see what their strengths are and build on those strengths.”"

Players are competing against each other to make each other better at this point as much as sorting through rotations and playing groups. The encouragement right now has been the most positive observable aspect of the team’s training camp to this point.

The eager bunch is still soaking up all of Mosley’s messaging.

The team is not holding a second practice Thursday and Mosley told his team the gym would be closed for Friday’s off day. When Cole Anthony quipped immediately after, “That is this gym fellas.” Mosley gave him a fairly stern look in acknowledging the joke.

There is definitely some playful give and take between the coach and the eager young players.

Mosley though said he wants his players to use the off day for treatment and to stay off their feet so they can be fresh for Saturday’s practice and prepare for Monday’s preseason opener against the Boston Celtics.

The team has been eagerly learning though pretty clearly. Even the veterans can sense it.

“I think it’s been really good. I think the coaching staff has done a really good job facilitating it,” Lopez said after practice Thursday. “There’s always an adjustment period. Really you have to throw yourself into it.”

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There is still a lot to get down and learn. But this team is eager to do so.

They broke their huddle Thursday to a sentiment that has certainly been pervasive throughout camp so far: “Family.”