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Am I among the minority that actually think Jonathan Isaac has a future with this young team?

I was researching on Youtube on JI's game in the past. One game stood out to me is the 12/09/19's game agains the Bucks. Yes, JI was a beast defensively but struggled with his shooting. He was matching up with Giannis.

I know we resigned him and he is coming back probably early next year. Am I among the unlikely to think he has a position in the rotation with this team?

Why though? We already have Paolo, Bol Bo and Franz at the forward, is JI going to ever getting enough Playing Time?

But his defense, man. If he can get back to his old self that was before injury. His defense along will be the difference maker on this team.

I am among the impatient majority. Jonathan Isaac has been out for more than 2 seasons. I think he needs to get back asap.

But again, I am thinking of his defense and his length. He will trouble the league with this Magic team, especially this season.

I am a believer. Just like Fultz proved all yall wrong. Jonathan isaac is going to prove all yall wrong. And again? We are going to the Playoff!

It all depends on his health.

His skillset would be what's very much needed if he's available.

We'll find out by the end of the season.

MasterGMer wrote:

Watch on YouTube

That was hard to watch.

It was not that JI was raw on offense, he was just really bad.

He had no idea where the ball was going when he shot it.

It was a success if it actually came close to the rim.

Zero offensive footwork.

No ability to use any kind of move to win the face-to-face battle to force the opposing defense to adjust.

If that is the JI the Magic get back, he will not see the court.

AaronB wrote:If that is the JI the Magic get back, he will not see the court.

I guarantee you they do not care about his offense as long as his defense can continue being all-team level. We're playing Kevon Harris big minutes simply because of his defense and don't care about his offense. Okeke too.

He was 47/34/78 his last season, so he'll be fine, as long as he makes an okay recovery. If both his defense and offense has declined due to the injury, so be it, but I feel like those defensive instincts just don't leave a player. As long as he can even be 70% of who he was, he's still a better defender than most of the roster.

SOUL wrote:

AaronB wrote:If that is the JI the Magic get back, he will not see the court.

I guarantee you they do not care about his offense as long as his defense can continue being all-team level. We're playing Kevon Harris big minutes simply because of his defense and don't care about his offense. Okeke too.

He was 47/34/78 his last season, so he'll be fine, as long as he makes an okay recovery. If both his defense and offense has declined due to the injury, so be it, but I feel like those defensive instincts just don't leave a player. As long as he can even be 70% of who he was, he's still a better defender than most of the roster.

I hope you are right.

Future Superstar

I’m still holding out hope. If JI returns to the court as half the player he was I think he can still have a defensive impact. If he can manage to hit some open threes he’ll be good.

Lets hope holding out JI this long results in a period of health so we can judge his impact on our team.

I’ll take this space to also point out that I really dislike the negative comments about JI (and Markelle for that matter). Listen, it’s against all odds and we don’t need to act like he’s a superstar or ever will be. But he’s a player for our beloved magic. To me, just that warrants at least our support.

Well time will tell, I know I’m excited about his potential return! Just as I’m excited about our recent play!

If healthy of course

Fultz Franz
Ji PB WCJ

Bench
Suggs, Cole, BOL, Moe, Harris

cedric76 wrote:If healthy of course

Fultz Franz
Ji PB WCJ

Bench
Suggs, Cole, BOL, Moe, Harris

While I could most definitely get behind that, I could also see a route where either JI or WCJ gets traded for a shooter at SG. I’d also like to see some Fultz/Suggs/Franz/Paolo/JI.

Depending on health of course.

Hopefully we’ll get healthy at the same time soon so we can get a preview of possible lineups going forward!

Just imagine if you will.. JI of yesteryears playing instead of Admiral, Kevon and Bamba...

It's possible that he improved offensively during his time off. I remember Embiid coming back with an outside shot that he didn't have before.

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I’m still not convinced he will see game action again. Yes I know he’s allegedly practicing with Lakeland. But I wonder if he even should try this again, in the interest of his long-term health. He’s made plenty of money and has his whole life ahead of him.

MasterGMer wrote:Am I among the minority that actually think Jonathan Isaac has a future with this young team?

I was researching on Youtube on JI's game in the past. One game stood out to me is the 12/09/19's game agains the Bucks. Yes, JI was a beast defensively but struggled with his shooting. He was matching up with Giannis.

I know we resigned him and he is coming back probably early next year. Am I among the unlikely to think he has a position in the rotation with this team?

Why though? We already have Paolo, Bol Bo and Franz at the forward, is JI going to ever getting enough Playing Time?

But his defense, man. If he can get back to his old self that was before injury. His defense along will be the difference maker on this team.

I am among the impatient majority. Jonathan Isaac has been out for more than 2 seasons. I think he needs to get back asap.

But again, I am thinking of his defense and his length. He will trouble the league with this Magic team, especially this season.

I am a believer. Just like Fultz proved all yall wrong. Jonathan isaac is going to prove all yall wrong. And again? We are going to the Playoff!

it is 2023 in 10 days, and you had to go back to 2019 to talk about a game that he shined in?

would i like him to come back? yes. he was good defensively (but his defense is being drastically overrated imo, if only because he hasnt played for so long people forget) he was torched in the playoffs vs Toronto. But with all those injuries too, and what seems like a frail body, i dont see him being a force defensively, or if so, only for like 15-20 mins a night

I could absolutely see him as first big off the bench, possibly even starting Center. If he can finish lobs and hit an occasional 3, his size and defense make him a very intriguing complement to Franz & Paolo. WCJ, if he becomes expendable, could be critical in bringing back the backcourt scorer we need...Obviously, can't base anything off of JI until we see quite a bit of durability and confirm he can still move...BTW, Zion was out a long time too-just saying, he looks pretty athletic.

If he's the same player he was pre-injury he's a starter and difference maker on D.

Sit back, watch, find out. The rest is just healthy or unhealthy speculation.

it is 2023 in 10 days.

- tiderultz probably

I think we have as an organization moved on. I don't see any reason rushing, speculating, debating, or much less betting on any version of him returning and having an impact.

When he is back, the player he is, is likely the player he will be.

If healthy, this is where I see the Magic

PG: Fultz ... Anthony getting about 12-20 MPG
SG: Suggs ... Harris getting 12-20 MPG
SF: Franz ... Bol Bol getting 12-20 MPG
PF: Paolo ... JI getting 10 MPG/MWag getting 5 MPG
C: WCJ. ... Bamba getting 10-12 MPG/MWag getting 5 MPG

Far bench: Okeke, others

This is not a great scenario in that come playoff time, the minutes will go to top 8.

MasterGMer wrote:Am I among the minority that actually think Jonathan Isaac has a future with this young team?

I was researching on Youtube on JI's game in the past. One game stood out to me is the 12/09/19's game agains the Bucks. Yes, JI was a beast defensively but struggled with his shooting. He was matching up with Giannis.

I know we resigned him and he is coming back probably early next year. Am I among the unlikely to think he has a position in the rotation with this team?

Why though? We already have Paolo, Bol Bo and Franz at the forward, is JI going to ever getting enough Playing Time?

But his defense, man. If he can get back to his old self that was before injury. His defense along will be the difference maker on this team.

I am among the impatient majority. Jonathan Isaac has been out for more than 2 seasons. I think he needs to get back asap.

But again, I am thinking of his defense and his length. He will trouble the league with this Magic team, especially this season.

I am a believer. Just like Fultz proved all yall wrong. Jonathan isaac is going to prove all yall wrong. And again? We are going to the Playoff!

NAH.... I'm with you too... on him and Fultz. I've been waiting for both to come back. Health is the only thing that holds him back. Even if we get what he was in the last season with no improvements... this team would take a leap forward.

and if we got BUBBLE ISAAC..... small sample.... shoooooot.... play-ins here we come especially when added to what this team is already building. Imagine him and wendell being our front court. Just saying.