The Bench's Key Player

[ogmagicfan]

Our bench is playing great, and they know their roles increasingly with time. Cole is the scoring guard who playmakes occassionally, Joe Ingles is the point forward, Gary Harris is the floor spacing SG sharpshooter, & Moe Wagner is the hustling, finishing 5

However, I don't think any of them have been more important, than Jonathan Isaac. His defensive impact has been incredible.

Last I checked he was in the 100th percentile for blocks, & 99th percentile for steals. He covers Moe Wagners serious weakness at defending at the rim, allowing him to focus more energy on offense, he makes it possible for our bench to be struggling offensively but not let the team out score us because of the defense holding up

I honestly can't recall the last time I've seen a player come off the bench and have the level of impact Isaac has had, and now he's closing out games with the starters. He truly is an x-factor, and I'm curious if he can end up all-nba defense team without playing 20+ mpg. If anyone can, it'd be him

[ORLMagicGirl15]

I believe there is a minutes threshold to win that award which is part of the CBA.

[ogmagicfan]

I believe there is a minutes threshold to win that award.

For the All-NBA Defense Team? I know there's a games played limit, but I didnt hear about a minutes restriction

[ORLMagicGirl15]

I believe there is a minutes threshold to win that award.

For the All-NBA Defense Team? I know there's a games played limit, but I didnt hear about a minutes restriction

20 minutes based on CBA.

[Last Guardian]

4 players get to focus on offense and JI makes them elite defensively. The bench is a major weapon for this team.

[basketballRob]

Tari Eason has been playing as well as Isaac for Houston. They are tied with us in defensive rating.

Ben Wallace holds the record for defensive rating in a season with around 87.5. Isaac is currently at 94.1, and Eason is around 90.

Looking through the single season records. Only 10 of the top 250 single season defensive ratings have been after 2010. That's when they started shooting 3's more. That's what makes a low defensive rating now more impressive.

94.01 would be the lowest since Garnett in 2007 had a 93.85

https://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/def_rtg_season.html

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

[Rainwater]

Don’t think there is one important player, as a group they have been amazing. And it seems like every night when the Magic are lacking a different bench player steps up each night.

[jezzerinho]

Tari Eason has been playing as well as Isaac for Houston. They are tied with us in defensive rating.

Ben Wallace holds the record for defensive rating in a season with around 87.5. Isaac is currently at 94.1, and Eason is around 90.

Looking through the single season records. Only 10 of the top 250 single season defensive ratings have been after 2010. That's when they started shooting 3's more. That's what makes a low defensive rating now more impressive.

94.01 would be the lowest since Garnett in 2007 had a 93.85

https://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/def_rtg_season.html

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

Eason was on my draft shortlist for Orlando back in that draft. It was so obvs he was going to be a plus player for the team who drafts him. It amazes me how front offices screw it up so often, maybe they forget to look objectively at players with all the scouts and tools at their disposal. Not blowing smoke up my own azz here, as ive made my share of boo-boos (hi Johnny Davis!).

I dunno, i just think good players with the right character smell different. Follow your nose!!

Reminds me of the (maybe apocryphal) scene in the Jordan shoe movie where the Nike guy responsible for signing talent sees what he's looking for in one key shot by MJ - the other players trust him and Jordan wants the responsibility. I do believe little signs like that add up to a very good picture of a player's possible future.

Sorry for the sidetrack!

[fendilim]

As important as Isaac is on defense, its gotta be Ingles on offense. He is a steady rock and he is the one creating shots for guys like MoW. He also helps in spacing the floor.


He is a huge addition to the team and will be tough to replace once his contract expires.

[Skybox]

It’s a fantastic stew. Cole’s playing quite a bit more mins than Black (the “starter”) and brings a completely different energy.

As far as Isaac, when/if he gets the medical green light, he should be the starter at C. The minutes he’s played there were a revelation. Goga has been good, but I think that’s mostly an indication of what ORL needs from that spot. Isaac could elevate even further with a greater dose of his elite D…probably not comfortable moving in that direction this season, but I’d like to see more and more minutes. If Goga doesn’t demand an unreasonably big raise this summer…I’d be good with him playing 20mpg in a platoon situation…like Black & Cole have been. We come at teams in waves now, our depth is what allows us to sustain the energy…I feel like we still need an additional upgrade of backcourt offensive firepower, but that doesn’t mean we have to change the way Mose is rotating guys. It’s a real luxury to have so many guys that can contribute…and to still have potential talent like Jett percolating. I also think a guy like Kevon could contribute to this kind of play if a consolidation of some kind moved a few guys out. We could move any or all of WCJ, Fultz, Harris, picks for a single better player and not miss a beat, imo. Mose is really weaponizing his team depth effectively.

[yoyojw17]

Tari Eason has been playing as well as Isaac for Houston. They are tied with us in defensive rating.

Ben Wallace holds the record for defensive rating in a season with around 87.5. Isaac is currently at 94.1, and Eason is around 90.

Looking through the single season records. Only 10 of the top 250 single season defensive ratings have been after 2010. That's when they started shooting 3's more. That's what makes a low defensive rating now more impressive.

94.01 would be the lowest since Garnett in 2007 had a 93.85

https://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/def_rtg_season.html

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

Eason was on my draft shortlist for Orlando back in that draft. It was so obvs he was going to be a plus player for the team who drafts him. It amazes me how front offices screw it up so often, maybe they forget to look objectively at players with all the scouts and tools at their disposal. Not blowing smoke up my own azz here, as ive made my share of boo-boos (hi Johnny Davis!).

I dunno, i just think good players with the right character smell different. Follow your nose!!

Reminds me of the (maybe apocryphal) scene in the Jordan shoe movie where the Nike guy responsible for signing talent sees what he's looking for in one key shot by MJ - the other players trust him and Jordan wants the responsibility. I do believe little signs like that add up to a very good picture of a player's possible future.

Sorry for the sidetrack!

With you on this one. Loved him coming out of college.

[Knightro]

The key player off the bench is pretty obviously Cole.

The Magic aren't a great offensive team and really need Cole to be good in his role to have success.

Cole In Wins: .585 TS%, 117 ORTG, 107 DRTG, +9.8 +/-
Cole In Losses: .492 TS%, 94 OTRG, 119 DTRG, -17.5 +/-

When Cole is bad, it becomes very difficult for the Magic to win games.

[drsd]

The key player off the bench is pretty obviously Cole.

The Magic aren't a great offensive team and really need Cole to be good in his role to have success.

Cole In Wins: .585 TS%, 117 ORTG, 107 DRTG, +9.8 +/-
Cole In Losses: .492 TS%, 94 OTRG, 119 DTRG, -17.5 +/-

When Cole is bad, it becomes very difficult for the Magic to win games.

Can you work this out for M-Wagner also, please?

..

[Knightro]

The key player off the bench is pretty obviously Cole.

The Magic aren't a great offensive team and really need Cole to be good in his role to have success.

Cole In Wins: .585 TS%, 117 ORTG, 107 DRTG, +9.8 +/-
Cole In Losses: .492 TS%, 94 OTRG, 119 DTRG, -17.5 +/-

When Cole is bad, it becomes very difficult for the Magic to win games.

Can you work this out for M-Wagner also, please?

..

Sure.

Moritz in wins: .729 TS%, 21.3 USG%, 137 ORTG, 105 DRTG, +10.4 +/-, 19.6 MPG, 12.8 PPG, 4.3 RPG
Moritz in losses: .671 TS% 23.7 USG%, 121 ORTG, 118 DRTG, -20.0 +/-. 18.7 MPG, 12.2 PPG, 4.0 RPG

[drsd]

This extends the notion that Orlando must get strong bench play to win to: Orlando needs scoring and defense from Anthony and M-Wagner.

What is amazing is that both players just signed handsome new deals and THEN ball out. Man does management looks like a geniuses right now.

[JBSouthpaw]

Coach has done a great job of getting the bench players to buy into their roles.
Everyone was worried that we'd have too much depth, but right now it's paying off.
No WCJ, Fultz and JI, our starting PG, Harris and Ingles go 3-10 (1-7 from 3)and we win by 13.

[basketballRob]

The second unit needs Isaac. Charlotte is the worst defensive team in the league, so we looked okay. We'll need Isaac's offensive rebound and covering for all the weak defenders in the second unit against the good teams.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app