Official Orlando Magic Training Camp Thread - Practices Underway

[jezzerinho]

I took the time to watch pretty much all of these. I usually find these entry and exit interviews very revealing about players and the team. Normally there are 1 or 2 guys who have me excited, one or who whose vibe I don't like the sound of and then the rest in the middle.

This time around I'm left in no doubt by the entire group that there is a unity of purpose, a humility and a dedication in this team that has me very excited for this season.

"We can finish top seed" level of excitement. I honestly believe we can win the East in regular season play. There's enough talent and enough team ethos here to do it.

They want to speed up, improve finishing and increase possessions. Referenced in a few interviews. Sounds logical and will definitely help our efficiency woes. Other than that no big clues about any deeprooted offensive gameplan changes.

But if we're going to transform our offense 1 thing has to happen that could be harder to achieve than a lot of the rest. Paolo has to agree to cut his usage way back.

This is where Suggs and Bane are so important. If anyone can sell a changed vision for Paolo and manage it on gameplay without bruising egos, it's those 2. We needs Suggs asap in that sense.

Postseason is it's own animal and while we're theoretically set up OK to do well in the playoffs, the results to date have been encouraging without fully convincing.

So I'll hold off on playoff predictions. But I see no reason why we couldn't finish top of the East after 82. Those interviews - taken as a group - are very impressive if youre looking for that magic combo of individual skill and collective purpose.

[Knightro]

The biggest question for me right now…

When push comes to shove how much effort and energy defensively is Mosley willing to sacrifice to see an uptick offensively?

I just think it’s very easy to say oh yes, we have to play faster. Oh yes, we have to get more possessions. Oh yes, we have to limit our turnovers, blah blah blah.

Because they’re not actually playing games right now.

When they start playing, will they fall back into the old habits of grinding the clock and being super physical and aggressive and high energy on defense to the point of sacrificing offense?

[tiderulz]

I took the time to watch pretty much all of these. I usually find these entry and exit interviews very revealing about players and the team. Normally there are 1 or 2 guys who have me excited, one or who whose vibe I don't like the sound of and then the rest in the middle.

This time around I'm left in no doubt by the entire group that there is a unity of purpose, a humility and a dedication in this team that has me very excited for this season.

"We can finish top seed" level of excitement. I honestly believe we can win the East in regular season play. There's enough talent and enough team ethos here to do it.

They want to speed up, improve finishing and increase possessions. Referenced in a few interviews. Sounds logical and will definitely help our efficiency woes. Other than that no big clues about any deeprooted offensive gameplan changes.

But if we're going to transform our offense 1 thing has to happen that could be harder to achieve than a lot of the rest. Paolo has to agree to cut his usage way back.

This is where Suggs and Bane are so important. If anyone can sell a changed vision for Paolo and manage it on gameplay without bruising egos, it's those 2. We needs Suggs asap in that sense.

Postseason is it's own animal and while we're theoretically set up OK to do well in the playoffs, the results to date have been encouraging without fully convincing.

So I'll hold off on playoff predictions. But I see no reason why we couldn't finish top of the East after 82. Those interviews - taken as a group - are very impressive if youre looking for that magic combo of individual skill and collective purpose.

Suggs needs to finish the season healthy and not on the IR for what, 4th season in 5?

[drsd]

We all want to be excited from 1-14. The quote on Mr #14 did make me laugh though:

Jett Howard focused on improving his mentality and daily habits this offseason.

Should we laugh or cry?

[jezzerinho]

The biggest question for me right now…

When push comes to shove how much effort and energy defensively is Mosley willing to sacrifice to see an uptick offensively?

I just think it’s very easy to say oh yes, we have to play faster. Oh yes, we have to get more possessions. Oh yes, we have to limit our turnovers, blah blah blah.

Because they’re not actually playing games right now.

When they start playing, will they fall back into the old habits of grinding the clock and being super physical and aggressive and high energy on defense to the point of sacrificing offense?

Totally agree. I said the exact same thing a couple of weeks back. They will have to dial back the intensity. But hopefully the offense can be more by committee now also, so its not on 1 or 2 players to be amazing at both ends.

[jezzerinho]

We all want to be excited from 1-14. The quote on Mr #14 did make me laugh though:

Jett Howard focused on improving his mentality and daily habits this offseason.

Should we laugh or cry?

Jett Howard is totally irrelevant now. Hes an afterthought at best. He has probably 13 properly prepared professionals ahead of him in the pecking order. If we need to give him minutes, the wheels will aready have come off.

[tooler]

Totally agree. I said the exact same thing a couple of weeks back. They will have to dial back the intensity. But hopefully the offense can be more by committee now also, so its not on 1 or 2 players to be amazing at both ends.

Along those lines, less offensive burden on Franz means more energy for him on defense. That's a small mitigating effect.

[jezzerinho]

Totally agree. I said the exact same thing a couple of weeks back. They will have to dial back the intensity. But hopefully the offense can be more by committee now also, so its not on 1 or 2 players to be amazing at both ends.

Along those lines, less offensive burden on Franz means more energy for him on defense. That's a small mitigating effect.

If we want to up tempo and get easier baskets off that, Franz will prob have an increased load there, given how goodnhe is at it. Maybe less of a load in the halfcourt though.

I want less offensive burden moreso on Paolo and Suggs. Dial Paolo's usage back and especially have him get out of all those heavily contested midrange attempts. Have Jalen be a Tyus Jones on offense - move the ball and shoot threes.

[JoshuaPotter]

We all want to be excited from 1-14. The quote on Mr #14 did make me laugh though:

Jett Howard focused on improving his mentality and daily habits this offseason.

Should we laugh or cry?

Jett Howard is totally irrelevant now. Hes an afterthought at best. He has probably 13 properly prepared professionals ahead of him in the pecking order. If we need to give him minutes, the wheels will aready have come off.

Sacrifice an already dead bull?

[rcklsscognition]

It wasn’t media day but the other day Bane was asked if he saw himself putting up career numbers in 3pa this year after getting some time with the Orlando guys and coaches….he said yes, 9+ a game

[ORLMagicGirl15]

The biggest question for me right now…

When push comes to shove how much effort and energy defensively is Mosley willing to sacrifice to see an uptick offensively?

I just think it’s very easy to say oh yes, we have to play faster. Oh yes, we have to get more possessions. Oh yes, we have to limit our turnovers, blah blah blah.

Because they’re not actually playing games right now.

When they start playing, will they fall back into the old habits of grinding the clock and being super physical and aggressive and high energy on defense to the point of sacrificing offense?

Totally agree. I said the exact same thing a couple of weeks back. They will have to dial back the intensity. But hopefully the offense can be more by committee now also, so it’s not on 1 or 2 players to be amazing at both ends.

The intensity might naturally dial back because we lost two great defenders in KCP and Gary Harris.

[eyriq]

Defensive intensity is probably like 10% of the reason we are defensively elite. A drop off there will have a negligible impact on our defense imo.

Our anchor-by-committee, perimeter size and mobility, defensive rebounding, and elite system aren't going to suffer overmuch from a shift in energy towards offense.

[Knightro]

Defensive intensity is probably like 10% of the reason we are defensively elite. A drop off there will have a negligible impact on our defense imo.

Our anchor-by-committee, perimeter size and mobility, defensive rebounding, and elite system aren't going to suffer overmuch from a shift in energy towards offense.

I think effort and intensity defensively are massive reasons for defensive success personally, but to each his own.

Now everything you've cited *when combined with high effort* is how you go from a well coached good defense to an elite defense.

But defense is really an attitude and a mentality and a level of effort and intensity first before those other things.

[jezzerinho]

Defensive intensity is probably like 10% of the reason we are defensively elite. A drop off there will have a negligible impact on our defense imo.

Our anchor-by-committee, perimeter size and mobility, defensive rebounding, and elite system aren't going to suffer overmuch from a shift in energy towards offense.

I think effort and intensity defensively are massive reasons for defensive success personally, but to each his own.

Now everything you've cited *when combined with high effort* is how you go from a well coached good defense to an elite defense.

But defense is really an attitude and a mentality and a level of effort and intensity first before those other things.

Agree Knightro. We make more effort than anyone else in the NBA, imo. I hope though, as eyric alludes, we can work smarter rather than harder to grease the wheels on O a bit.

[Last Guardian]

Defensive intensity is probably like 10% of the reason we are defensively elite. A drop off there will have a negligible impact on our defense imo.

Our anchor-by-committee, perimeter size and mobility, defensive rebounding, and elite system aren't going to suffer overmuch from a shift in energy towards offense.

This make zero sense. Intensity is the only way to be a good defensive team. Doesn't matter how big you are, NBA players will eat you alive if you play soft.

[yoyojw17]

Man, i'm happy to hear Tyus' point of view on everything that he can help with on the Magic team. The selflessness and desire to know how to get people the ball in a way to maximize their opportunities will go a long way. Hope he rubs off a lot!

[eyriq]

Defensive intensity is probably like 10% of the reason we are defensively elite. A drop off there will have a negligible impact on our defense imo.

Our anchor-by-committee, perimeter size and mobility, defensive rebounding, and elite system aren't going to suffer overmuch from a shift in energy towards offense.

This make zero sense. Intensity is the only way to be a good defensive team. Doesn't matter how big you are, NBA players will eat you alive if you play soft.

Zero sense? Everyone in the NBA plays hard, effort is a baseline not a differentiator. Weltman deliberately drafted for wingspan, size, and mobility, then Mosley built a system that leverages those physical edges to control the rim, shrink passing lanes, and suppress high-value shots; intensity fuels it, but attributes and scheme are what elevate the defense to elite. This is a defense first build by design.

[magicfan217]

I think people confuse effort with physicality/athleticism. These are the things that create a the baseline for a good defense.

[jezzerinho]

Defensive intensity is probably like 10% of the reason we are defensively elite. A drop off there will have a negligible impact on our defense imo.

Our anchor-by-committee, perimeter size and mobility, defensive rebounding, and elite system aren't going to suffer overmuch from a shift in energy towards offense.

This make zero sense. Intensity is the only way to be a good defensive team. Doesn't matter how big you are, NBA players will eat you alive if you play soft.

Zero sense? Everyone in the NBA plays hard, effort is a baseline not a differentiator. Weltman deliberately drafted for wingspan, size, and mobility, then Mosley built a system that leverages those physical edges to control the rim, shrink passing lanes, and suppress high-value shots; intensity fuels it, but attributes and scheme are what elevate the defense to elite. This is a defense first build by design.

If you genuinely believe that I don't know what to say. You have some very binary and hard to reconcile takes.

[eyriq]

This make zero sense. Intensity is the only way to be a good defensive team. Doesn't matter how big you are, NBA players will eat you alive if you play soft.

Zero sense? Everyone in the NBA plays hard, effort is a baseline not a differentiator. Weltman deliberately drafted for wingspan, size, and mobility, then Mosley built a system that leverages those physical edges to control the rim, shrink passing lanes, and suppress high-value shots; intensity fuels it, but attributes and scheme are what elevate the defense to elite. This is a defense first build by design.

If you genuinely believe that I don't know what to say. You have some very binary and hard to reconcile takes.

Floor slapping and chase down blocks all stand out which is why I can understand over indexing on effort but hidden levers like wingspan, positioning, verticality, defensive IQ etc are doing most of the work.