The Orlando Magic are still testing things out. They are still learning how to make Sean Sweeney's system work and how to mesh it with their returning players. They are still cementing things and making their processes habit.
As Sweeney put it, the goal for the Magic's second preseason game will be to make things more automatic.
That is not any easier with the injuries the Magic have already faced this season.
Nothing major. Noah Penda is dealing with a sore hamstring, and Anthony Black has a sprained ankle. That has kept them out of much of training camp. Both are practicing now and gearing up for their first set of action -- although the Magic promise they are not skipping any steps.
Jalen Suggs has been out for much of the last week with an illness. He is starting to do more and rejoin the team.
That means those key players will have to play some catch-up to get back into the swing of things. It also means there are opportunities for others to step in. And there is still the work for the team to get everything together.
It is all coming together for the team as the preseason hits its final week.
Jase Richardson stepped into that void, starting for Jalen Suggs in the Magic's preseason opener. It was his chance to fit in with this new offense and set a good tone for the preseason.
Of course, there was not a whole lot to do with the Magic's other four starters playing so well.
"It's easy to play with four guys like that who make basketball real easy for me," Richardson said after practice on Saturday. "Just trying to be in there and try to be a playmaker and make sure they get their shots. Also being aggressive and trying to be a leader with those guys."
There is still a lot to work on. Richardson has a lot to work on too, as he tries to be a better playmaker and set-up man for those bigger teammates while finding his pockets.
That is representative of how the Magic are buying in. They experienced success in Wednesday's opener. It was proof of concept of their buy-in. Now they are making sure everyone is coming along.
Making it automatic
The general consensus after the last two days of practice is that the Orlando Magic were pleased with their performance on Wednesday. They were happy with how they attacked things. The results certainly suggested that.
But they also all acknowledged that there is still work to do. That the team is not regular-season ready. There were things to clean up.
Orlando was not happy with its rebounding during Wednesday's game. The team still wants to see some things stiffen up and their communiation tighten up.
The team is still hoping to build up its communication. As Sean Sweeney said, the goal is to make more of the team's processes and reads more automatic.
"One of the things that I want us to hit on is our discipline on both sides of the ball," Sweeney said after Saturday's practice. "Discipline to be in the right spots defensively, disciplined to make sure we make the right call every time. We want things to be a little more automatic and know we're supposed to do it. And then offensively, disciplined to where we are supposed to be, disciplined in our spacing and our decision-making. And then make sure we do a good job continuing to build the habits that we brought into competition in the last game."
That is what training camp is for. The Magic are still learning how Sweeney wants to run things and the way they want to operate.
But a strong preseason opener has only added to the good vibes. The team got proof of concept for what they are running. That only further cements the buy-in for this team.
That has been the general belief around the team. They are eager to learn and grow within Sweeney's offense. And they have had that initial rush of success.
"I think we feel pretty comfortable for where we are right now," Nikola Vucevic said after practice Saturday. "It's still very early. I think we feel pretty good about everything. Guys really bought into it. The system that Sean wants us to run fits this team and fits the strengths of this team. When you have guys like Paolo and Franz buying into it, everybody just follows. For a first game, it was a lot of positive, we just have to continue to build with it."
There is still work to do to get ready for the regular season. But the team feels like it is in a good place. And that has them eager for the next step.
Playing Catch-Up
That building will include incorporating Noah Penda, Anthony Black and Jalen Suggs shortly. The Orlando Magic have admitted they are slow-playing their injuries to make sure they are all set before returning.
Sean Sweeney said they do not want to skip any steps in their recovery or leave these injuries nagging as the season begins. And so they are still working on their own.
Penda, Black and Suggs are still involved in the team's film study. The Magic hope that helps them close the gap and stay ready for when they return. They will be playing catch-up when they return. And there is now a little more than a week to go before the games count.
"I think it always takes time when you miss time, and you have to come back and re-find your way," Nikola Vucevic said after practice Saturday. "All three of them are really good players. They are pretty familiar with the guys. That helps. They will buy into the system pretty quickly. Even though they are injured, they worked a lot outside of the team and watched film. Just finding their rhythm. There is still some time before the regular season."
Those absences are allowing Sweeney to learn more about his team and what they need to be successful. Preseason is the perfect time for experimentation -- like using Franz Wagner as a primary ball handler.
The team is making sure they are all on the same page and that they are continuing to grow as they adjust to the new coaching staff.
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