At the end of the Orlando Magic's training camp practices, it has been common for the group to gather near midcourt before closing. A player is invited to recap what they saw from the day, and other players can chime in and add to what is said.
It can be a circle of ecnouragement. A chance to recap what was learned and reinforce the effort and intensity the team needs.
It can be a circle of admonishment. When the team is not up to standard, players let it be known there. They assess, they analyze, and they move on, promising to come back next time.
This is the Magic's way of holding each other accountable. It is their way of making sure the team stays on task.
This has felt like a different kind of training camp. The vibes are more serious and more determined. This is a different kind of team.
It is not that things like this did not happen before. But this is a team that is a year older and a year wiser. This is a team feeling the pressure and the heat to perform this year after last year's disappointment.
This is a team trying to show its maturity as they work their way through training camp.
"Attention to detail, intensity, togetherness," Desmond Bane said after practice Monday to describe the team's training camp. "I think we are reaching another level of togetherness and accountability. It's going to serve us well throughout the course of the season."
The story of the Magic's training camp has often used all of those adjectives.
The team has talked endlessly about the attention to detail, the accountability and the urgency of practice. The team has talked about how they are aiming to get things right and calling each othe rout.
They have fully embraced what their new coach, Sean Sweeney, has tried to preach. For now, at least, they see the vision of what they are installing and believe that it can bring the outcome they hope for. They are praising the intensity, physicality and focus of practices.
They have all seemingly taken steps as leaders. Those post-practice get-togethers have seen players young and old step up.
Adding to the seriousness of camp is the way Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner have stepped up as leaders. Sweeney has pointed out their work ethic and the example they have set throughout camp.
Those are the team's best players, but they are not the only ones.
Sean Sweeney has called Desmond Bane "leadership personified" for his offseason work and the way he helped bring the team together throughout the offseason. Jevon Carter and Nikola Vucevic have both played the part of veterans with their steadiness, Desmond Bane said.
A lot of players are making their voices heard. This is a collaborative process. And that has the Magic hopeful for the season.
That is typical of a training cmap though. Teams are alwyas their most optimistic in the early days when there is no adversity. They have not seen this go against another team. They have not had to problem solve without the ability to stop and correct. They have not had to fight the urge to fall back on bad habits.
That will be among the biggest tests when the Magic play their first preseason game on Wednesday. Everyone should be eager to see where they stand in a game setting.
"I think it is just keep developing our habits and identity," Bane said after practice Monday on the approach to the first preseason game. "We get the chance to do what we've been doing for the last week and a half against other players and other teams. It's exciting to get out there and have the opportunity to compete against somebody else."
Everyone should be a bit curious how the Magic look and how they will operate.
There has been a lot of talk about the team's physicality on defense and the team's focus on spacing on offense. But this is virtually the same roster as last year. What will actually be different? What will actually take root?
The first preseason game is not going to be a place to draw conclusions. It is a check-up for where the team is at. It is a progress report.
The Magic are still learning their new coach and the way they want to play. They are still having their good days and their bad days. They are still learning.
That is what this time is for.
This team is still developing its identity and who it is.
"I like the level we're at," Bane said after practice Monday. "I think we're extremely connected. We are building an identity. Teams that have that strong identity are the ones who usually have long, long seasons."
The Magic are still at the start of this journey. They are still figuring out who they ultimately will be this season.
This camp has been different. Soon they will see if the results will change too.
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