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Jonathan Isaac is eager to play again.

Ask him how he’s feeling or a general question about returning to the floor, and he’ll make sure to let you know he feels “fantastic” as he continues to work his way back from a two-plus-year absence.

“I’ve been playing [5-on-5] the last few weeks and just getting in shape,” Isaac recently told the Orlando Sentinel. “I’m still getting there. But in terms of body, knees and hamstrings, everything is great. I’m just not in game shape.”

Being in game shape, Isaac says, is the next major step he needs to take before he can return.

He said he’s been playing full court 5-on-5 with the coaching staff when the team is in Orlando — when all of the coaches are available — for the last two weeks.

When the team has been on the road, Isaac said, “it’s really just an individual workout of me playing 1s, running on the court, just continuing to try to get me tired.”

The individual workouts have often been the case, with six of the Magic’s first eight matchups to start the season being road games before the ongoing seven-game homestand that continued with Monday’s matchup vs. the Houston Rockets at Amway Center.

“The only step is continuing to get in shape,” Isaac said. “We played the other day and I was gassed. Obviously, I haven’t done it in a long time. Continuing to get in shape and playing 5-on-5 four times a week. Just being able to run up and down and get in shape is what I’m focused on right now.”

Read More: https://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-sp-orlando-magic-jonathan-isaac-comeback-update-20221107-k5ephntvb5f5fmju7cvw73ejcy-story.html ($)

All I can say... a lot of the contents of this article are dubious at best.

As good as JI was starting to be when healthy, if Bol keeps going like he is there aren't a lot of minutes for JI.

Hahaha i doubt he’ll play soon.

Moe Wagner hasnt even played a game. And Bamba is struggling to get playing time.

Playing isaac will only lead to less minutes for guys like Franz, Wcj and Paolo. Not to mention, Bol bol as well.

I’m not getting my hopes up, I need to see him on the court in uniform being subbed in before I get excited.

fendilim wrote:Moe Wagner hasnt even played a game. And Bamba is struggling to get playing time.

Playing isaac will only lead to less minutes for guys like Franz, Wcj and Paolo. Not to mention, Bol bol as well.

JI will replace Okeke. Moe can backup WCJ. Bamba might be done.

Both Franz and Pablo are at 35 mpg, which is a bit high. They might do better with a little more rest.

I bet he plays after January 10, 2023. Contract thing.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/orlandomagicdaily.com/2022/05/13/making-sense-of-jonathan-isaacs-contract-status-with-the-orlando-magic/amp/

His contract is so incentivized the Magic actually save a lot of money not playing him. Lol

fendilim wrote:Hahaha i doubt he’ll play soon.

Moe Wagner hasnt even played a game. And Bamba is struggling to get playing time.

Playing isaac will only lead to less minutes for guys like Franz, Wcj and Paolo. Not to mention, Bol bol as well.

He'd definitely just eat into bench minutes seeing as he still has to play himself into game shape/speed.

fendilim wrote:I bet he plays after January 10, 2023. Contract thing.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/orlandomagicdaily.com/2022/05/13/making-sense-of-jonathan-isaacs-contract-status-with-the-orlando-magic/amp/

His contract is so incentivized the Magic actually save a lot of money not playing him. Lol

*puts on folded tin hat* Well that's why the Magic are in no rush to get him playing again they can save money. He's been saying since this summer he feels good and ready but they're aren't letting him play. It would be nice to see him at the end of this home stretch but your date is more plausible.

SOUL wrote:

fendilim wrote:Hahaha i doubt he’ll play soon.

Moe Wagner hasnt even played a game. And Bamba is struggling to get playing time.

Playing isaac will only lead to less minutes for guys like Franz, Wcj and Paolo. Not to mention, Bol bol as well.

He'd definitely just eat into bench minutes seeing as he still has to play himself into game shape/speed.

yeah. True. Still effects minutes of some players.

I’d love to see him play tho. IF he comes back healthy, there’s no doubt he can battle for starting minutes and even elevate our team.

The Magic bench is so bad right now, that they could use all the help they can get.

Knightro wrote:All I can say... a lot of the contents of this article are dubious at best.

Yes, but an update is still an update!

I just hope Isaac comes back and proves enough to get us something decent in return via trade. Healthy Isaac + Bamba should be intriguing to someone out there.

Lol. I know I'm the board JI hater or whatever, but what does this say about JI if he's 100% healthy and could play and he's just cool sitting on the bench instead of playing basketball?

Definitely not an attitude on any sort of winning team.

Also - 10 minutes after 27 months? Yeesh.

swarlesbarkley wrote:Lol. I know I'm the board JI hater or whatever, but what does this say about JI if he's 100% healthy and could play and he's just cool sitting on the bench instead of playing basketball?

Definitely not an attitude on any sort of winning team.

Also - 10 minutes after 27 months? Yeesh.

He isn’t saying he doesn’t want to play. He said he wants to play, he’s trying to get in game shape. Yes, after 2 years of rehabbing, it is taking a while to get his stamina back to where it needs to be.

“The only step is continuing to get in shape,” Isaac said. “We played the other day and I was gassed. Obviously, I haven’t done it in a long time. Continuing to get in shape and playing 5-on-5 four times a week. Just being able to run up and down and get in shape is what I’m focused on right now.”

27 months of no play, 17 million guaranteed, and still zero sense of urgency to get on the court. I'd cut bait next offseason and eat the 7 million we will owe him.

swarlesbarkley wrote:Lol. I know I'm the board JI hater or whatever, but what does this say about JI if he's 100% healthy and could play and he's just cool sitting on the bench instead of playing basketball?

Definitely not an attitude on any sort of winning team.

Also - 10 minutes after 27 months? Yeesh.

Who said 10? Lol

Im not worried about it. Embiid even sat more than 2 years. Its about coming back healthy and gives us ample time tank. Lets face it, a healthy isaac is probably a top 3 player in this team.

Magic#1 wrote:As good as JI was starting to be when healthy, if Bol keeps going like he is there aren't a lot of minutes for JI.

This team is one of the worst teams in the nba we need all the help we can get lol

swarlesbarkley wrote:Lol. I know I'm the board JI hater or whatever, but what does this say about JI if he's 100% healthy and could play and he's just cool sitting on the bench instead of playing basketball?

Definitely not an attitude on any sort of winning team.

Also - 10 minutes after 27 months? Yeesh.

Did you not read his quote ?!? He said he wants to play right now the magic are the ones keeping him out !!! They are the one telling him they want him to get into game shape . He is saying he can play ten minutes a game as he ramps up but they are not letting him . The magic are just a loser organization .

Mc-o wrote:

Magic#1 wrote:As good as JI was starting to be when healthy, if Bol keeps going like he is there aren't a lot of minutes for JI.

This team is one of the worst teams in the nba we need all the help we can get lol

Since JI last played, we have added Franz and Paolo at his positions. Then you add in Bol and those are the major minutes. Maybe he can take Chuma's minutes, but it seems like we still like what he brings to the table. I'm just wondering whose spot he could take.