Orlando Magic Daily
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3 Up, 3 Down from Orlando Magic’s 2022 preseason

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Bol Bol was one of the big surprises of the Orlando Magic's preseason. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports
Bol Bol was one of the big surprises of the Orlando Magic's preseason. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports /
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R.J. Hampton, Orlando Magic
R.J. Hampton saw the game slow down for him in the Orlando Magic’s opening preseason game. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports /

3 up, 3 down from Orlando Magic’s preseason

3 Up: End of Bench Fun

Part of the fun of preseason is discovering all the parts of the roster. Because the team is experimenting and looking at different things, everyone gets a chance to play and get tested out. The team discovers who might be their energy guys and who might surprise them off the bench.

Orlando found a way to fall in love with a lot of players off the end of the bench. There might be some disappointment when some of these players do not crack the regular season rotation and maybe some pressure to play them if players ahead of them struggle.

But then again, there will probably be excitement when they do come in and do contribute.

No player seemed to take a big step up more than R.J. Hampton.

The last time Magic fans saw Hampton, he was struggling through Summer League. It looked like he had not quite slowed his game down or figured out what his ideal role in the NBA was. All anyone knew was that the way he was playing was not going to work.

In the preseason, Hampton returned much more composed and controlled. He ran the offense well, measured his attacks, changing speeds effectively, and just played well.

Hampton averaged 8.0 points per game while shooting 42.5-percent from the floor. While he struggled some with his shot (as everyone did, see the previous slide), it was hard not to say that his play was night and day.

Even when he made mistakes he recovered with gusto, blocking two key shots in the late stages of Friday’s win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. This is a drastic difference from last year and a clear sign of how the Magic are focusing on moving on to the next play rather than letting mistakes compound.

No player for the Magic entered the preseason with more intrigue than Bol Bol. He exited the preseason as a growing fan favorite and a team favorite. The Magic are willing to try this experiment and bet on his potential and talent.

Finally healthy, Bol put a lot of that on display in the preseason.

Bol scored 25 total points in 86.2 minutes during the preseason, shooting 10 for 22 overall. But it was clear Bol was a bit wild having not played for the majority of the past two years. The Magic were encouraging him to shoot and be aggressive. As he got more comfortable, he got more efficient and effective.

His guard skills at his size and shot-blocking ability are solid. The question is whether he can put all those pieces together to contribute consistently.

The last player worth mentioning is rookie Caleb Houstan.

Houstan may run hot and cold during his rookie year, but his shooting was undoubtedly a major boost for the team. And he looked solid and more comfortable as the preseason continued.

Houstan finished scoring 31 total points in 75.1 minutes, shooting 7 for 18 from beyond the arc and an overall 63.0-percent effective field goal percentage. It is easy to see why the Magic liked drafting him.