3 realistic goals for Jonathan Isaac’s Orlando Magic return
By Luke Duffy
3 realistic goals for Jonathan Isaac’s Orlando Magic return
1. Average a block per game
Before going down with that knee injury in the bubble, Jonathan Isaac was averaging a fabulous 2.3 blocks per game. At the time that was a top-five mark in the entire league. It was clear opponents feared driving on Isaac in the paint.
To average 2.3 blocks per night today would again put Isaac in the top five (fourth, and some way behind the monstrous 3.3 that Jaren Jackson Jr. is posting). He is not going to get back to those heights this season, especially if he only plays around 20 games on limited minutes. So let us recalibrate.
The Magic as a whole average 4.8 blocks per night, which is bang on league average. We have already listed out their rotation of big men and when you also factor in Mo Bamba, they should be doing better in this category.
Blocking is but one aspect of defending, and if Isaac can be a plus defender as many expect him to be again right away, then that will be huge for a group that ranks a lowly 23rd in defensive rating at 114.8 points allowed per 100 possessions.
But if he can average a block a game, and there is no reason why he should not be given he will be bringing more to the defensive end when he returns, then that small act would lift the Magic into the top five in the league in this category.
Next. Orlando Magic are ready to raise their standards. dark
It would unlock so much more than a cool highlight reel to be posted on social media as well. Deterring opponents from shooting over or near Isaac means the ball will be funneled elsewhere.
Making scoring on this team a real pick-your-poison decision for opponents. The entirely doable one block a night from Isaac is the key to this, and is not asking too much of him either.