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5 storylines to watch at the Orlando Magic’s Summer League

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Mar 10, 2023; Nashville, TN, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Anthony Black (0) dribbles the ball while defended by Texas A&M Aggies guard Dexter Dennis (0) during the second half at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2023; Nashville, TN, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Anthony Black (0) dribbles the ball while defended by Texas A&M Aggies guard Dexter Dennis (0) during the second half at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jett Howard, Michigan Wolverines
Michigan guard Jett Howard (13) attempts a 3-point basket against Michigan State during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023. /

5 storylines to watch for Orlando Magic’s Summer League

The Rookies’ Debut

Every Summer League has an obvious big focus for every team: This is the first chance they get to see their rookies on an NBA floor and see how they really receive coaching and instruction.

This is their introduction to all the foundations and fundamentals of what a team is going to run through the course of the season. It is a lot of information thrown at players in a very short amount of time. They are not always expected to perform at the highest levels. This is just about building the foundation for the future.

The Orlando Magic have the challenge of doing it twice over with both sixth-overall pick Anthony Black and 11th0overall pick Jett Howard making their debuts in Las Vegas this week.

"“Obviously they have earned this opportunity, all the work they have done up until this point,” Orlando Magic Summer League coach (and Osceola Magic coach) Dylan Murphy said after the team’s practice Friday. “They have had great attitude, energy, willing learnings, very coachable. Kind of how Jeff [Welman] and [Jamahl Mosley] have talked about, just great young men with high IQ and they want to do things the right way. I’m really excited for them to finally get back to playing some 5-on-5.”"

Everyone is eager to see how they both will play.

As much as anything, their play will be confirmation of the Magic’s faith in picking them. Poor performances will only lead to more hand-wringing throughout the offseason, even if that is not the end-all, be-all for their futures — just remember Franz Wagner’s rough Summer League performance.

More than anything, the Magic want to see what their skills look like in an NBA setting and see how they can fit in. They may not be as concerned with their counting stats but more with their willingness to be aggressive, throw themselves into the mix and their ability to take coaching and apply it quickly.

After all, these players may not see the same kind of shot attempts they will get in the Summer League as the ostensible stars of this Summer League team.

Orlando has worked hard to develop this and to use this time to develop their skills. After the Magic’s Summer League practice in Orlando on Monday, Mosley was on the court working with Black in a shooting and driving drill. That is something he has continued to do in Las Vegas, working also with Howard.

Murphy said their IQs have stood out in practices and it is a credit to the coaching they received in college from Eric Musselman at Arkansas and Juwan Howard at Michigan. Now it is just about showing it all on an NBA floor.

Those two players are going to be important players for the Magic and their future. And so the Magic are trying to make the most of the hands-on time with them.