“We have to be who we are and stick together,” said Banchero, who played for Team USA this summer in the FIBA World Cup. “There are going to be highs and lows, ups and downs throughout the year. But as long as we stay together as a unit, I’m confident with us going up against anybody. When we were healthy last year, there wasn’t a team that we looked at and (felt) we were outmatched and outmanned. We have a full roster coming into this year. It’s just living up to our expectations and trying to be as good as we can be as a unit. (If we do that) the playoffs and whatever else will take care of itself.”
“Not at all,” said Fultz when asked if his contract is weighing on him. “I’ve been through so much in my career. The best thing for me is just being able to play. That’s all that I’m focused on. I know that if I focus on that, everything else will take care of itself. Obviously, I would love to be in Orlando for a long, long time. But again, I’m just worried about every day, taking it one day at a time. But I love this organization. I think everything is going to fall into place where it needs to.”
Anthony expressed a similar sentiment.
“I’m not worried about that,” Anthony explained. “I’m just worried about getting ready for training camp, which actually starts tomorrow, and just being the best version of myself that I can be.”
Speaking of being the best version of yourself, Fultz believes this upcoming season could be his best to date.
On some teams, lottery picks like Black and Howard would be gifted minutes. That’s not the case with this deep Orlando team. If Black and Howard are to work their way into the rotation, they’ll have to compete and earn their minutes. It’s a challenge both players are ready for.
“I think that’s how it should be for anybody, no matter where you were picked or anything like that,” Black said. “You still have to come in and prove yourself. Prove yourself to your teammates and coaches and everybody in the organization. I’m definitely excited to do that.”
His draftmate couldn’t agree more.
“I feel like on all levels I’ve had to do that,” said Howard. “You want that at the end of the day, just being in an environment and a culture that’s for that rather than something being given to you. That’s big on the Magic for saying that.”
