https://www.nba.com/magic/news/qa-steve-clifford-20180917
ORLANDOMAGIC.COM: With you coaching previously in Charlotte, you faced the Magic four times a year. What are your impressions of the roster as a whole?
STEVE CLIFFORD: ``Obviously, the goal you have to have in this league is improving year in and year out and you have to be well-balanced (offensively and defensively). You have to take what you have and find ways that you can be good offensively and defensively every night. The defensive part of it is more black and white where you can have those hard-and-fast rules. The offensive part, to me, you can have plans, but you have to read the situation and see what changes you need to make to develop.
``Simply put, offensively, we need to have an aspect of ball movement, playing inside-out, playing unselfishly and taking advantage of one-on-one play, a post-up game and our catch-and-shoot game. We have to be able to depend on guys who have (advantages in) matchups. On the other end, being able to switch is a bigger aspect of this game and I think we’ll be able to do that.’’
Good luck finding advantageous one-on-one matchups nightly.
ORLANDOMAGIC.COM: Let’s shift to your thoughts on some of your players and positions. I know you have said that player rotations and playing time will be decided in practice and games, but what are your initial thoughts on how you will balance the center spot with Nikola Vucevic and Mohamed Bamba?
STEVE CLIFFORD: ``One of the things that I’m hopeful of – and I don’t know if it will be this way from Day 1 – but that we will have a package of offense set to put in where they can play together some, too. I think so much of that will be dependent on whether they can play together, which I think they can. Also, it will be about how quickly Mo develops. My thinking on younger players is that you put them into roles where they can play well and that starts with minutes. Give them a role to start where they can have success and then go from there. A lot of that will play out as we get started with camp.’’
the ghost of Frank Vogel lives! ORLANDOMAGIC.COM: Aaron Gordon made a huge jump individually last season. What do you see for his future and where can he make the biggest strides?
STEVE CLIFFORD: ``I think, as much as everything, he’s made a jump every year offensively. Now, it’s about purpose of play on the offensive end. He can put up similar numbers or even better with increased efficiency. But to me, the biggest things that I have been talking to him about are his defense and rebounding. This league is so much about having two-way players and I told him that if he wants to be considered an all-star level player you are going to impress more coaches and basketball people by becoming the defender that you can be. If he’s first or second-team All-Defense with 19 (points) and 9 (rebounds), he’s going to become an all-star. To me, that’s where it all starts for him. He’s a capable guy and that’s been my message to him every time that we’ve talked.’’
Pretty fair assessment.
ORLANDOMAGIC.COM: You’ve gotten to see Mo Bamba play in Summer League and in some of the pre-camp workouts. How much of a load will he be ready for early in the season and how much of a chance to does have to be special in this league?
STEVE CLIFFORD: ``I certainly wouldn’t put any limits on who he can become, but I just hope that right now people are fair with him. He’s younger and physically he’s still developing. He’s worked hard this summer and since summer league he’s come in here every day and he’s gotten a lot stronger. He’s so easy to deal with and I’m so excited about working with him going forward.’’
Translation: temper those expectations.
ORLANDOMAGIC.COM: What are your goals for this season? What can make this season a success? Do you talk playoffs with this team from the start or is that too far down the line to even discuss at this juncture?
STEVE CLIFFORD: ``What I hope this team is thinking right now is training camp. We need a good training camp to get ready for the season. I think we’ve had a good offseason and most of these guys are in good shape and they’ve put a lot into it already. Training camp is all about getting ready for the games. We’ve got like five weeks now before we get started with (regular-season) games, so I hope that’s what we’re focused on for now.’’
Translation: throw ice water on those expectations
ORLANDOMAGIC.COM: You put a big emphasis on developing forward Jonathan Isaac in Summer League and he responded with some strong play. Like Bamba, how much of a load are you willing to put on him early in his second season and do you see signs of him being a special player for this organization?
STEVE CLIFFORD: ``I think he’s had a really terrific offseason. All the work that he did last year while developing his body and skill level gave him a level of confidence. Then, I think Summer League was great for him and he’s spent a lot of time with (Magic assistant coaches) Pat Delany and Bruce Kreutzer working on his skill level and his range shooting. I think people will see his development this year.
``I think he’s still just starting with where he can be, but he’s worked really hard and he’s playing with a lot of confidence right now.’’
I really hope Isaac develops as a shooter.
