Magic Head Coach Jamahl Mosley on "In The Zone" with Brandon Kravitz 1/24/23

[Knightro]

Read on Twitter

Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley joined Brandon Kravitz and Mike Tozzi on "In the Zone" on Tuesday afternoon 1/24. Here is the transcript. Questions have been edited down for length and clarity.

Kravitz: Coach Mose, welcome to the show. You must be elated with the way last night went top to bottom.

Mosley: I’m so excited for our guys. Obviously you talk about the fans and how great they were last night with Jonathan coming back. Just being able to experience that and feel the atmosphere in the building was just something special.

Kravitz: How happy are you for him (Isaac)?

Mosley: I thought it was great. I really do. His poise during it. He wasn’t too amped up. He was excited about it, but at the same time he stepped into the game like he had never left. So excited for him. To have him go through what he’s been through and to continue to get through that. Being able to step back on the court, it was fantastic to be a part of.

Kravitz: You have never coached him in a game before last night, did you learn anything about his game?

Mosley: The interesting part is I’ve coached against him before. I watched what he did defensively to some of our guys when I was in Dallas. So I’ve seen those clips before. We knew what he was capable of. The great part of what we’ve been watching since he’s been out is how much he’s been honing in on his offensive side of the game. That’s been something fun to watch. He’s worked with our assistant coaches who have been doing a great job to help him get better offensively.

Tozzi: What goes into monitoring his minutes going forward?

Mosley: I think constantly evaluating how he responds after each game. Understanding it’s going to be a long and slow process, but just building up and ramping up. Being out that long, our performance staff does a great job of monitoring that and seeing how he feels post-game. And then as time goes on we’ll see what that looks like.

Tozzi: How much stock do you put into beating the Celtics 3/4 times?

Mosley: You’re talking about the top team in the East. Our guys respond to that every time we play them. It says something about our group, what they know they’re capable of doing on a regular basis. And now it’s just a matter of being consistent. Understanding how we can continue to level up more and more each game, each situation.

Kravitz: Were you holding your breath at any of Isaac’s cuts or falls with his injury history?

Mosley: Absolutely. You’re sitting there and you just want it to go the right way for him. You don’t want to see anybody get hurt. When he takes those bumps and those hits, you’re a little bit more worried. But again, he’s put in so much work to get back to where he is right now. That’s where you gotta just trust the work he’s put in and let him get out there and go.

Kravitz: What was the vibe like in the locker room after the game?


Mosley: The vibe was great. I talked to the team afterward. Said “great job” “welcome back J” “great team win”. The atmosphere was great. Then our guys waited until we actually broke the huddle to dump the water on him. He liked it, but he kind of just wanted to go to his interviews and be done. Just being part of that in that locker room, you have a group of young guys who really continue to pull for each other. And then bringing one of their brothers back into the fold, it’s so fun to see the pure joy they have for one another.

Tozzi: What’s gotten into Cole Anthony?

Mosley: I think really just settling in to where he is, when he going into the game, understanding what is asked of him. When to be aggressive, when to distribute. He’s playing at a difference pace. Understanding when he can attack. I’m enjoying seeing that. His teammates that are out there on floor with them are understanding when he’s looking to attack and when he’s looking to distribute. I think his ability to slow things down has been great, just take control when he needs to.

Tozzi: Is anyone talking about the play in?

Mosley: I mean you want to be able to look at that as where we’re trying to go. Because you look at it and we’re like 3 or 4 games out of that play-in spot. You take it one game at a time, because that’s all you can control. What other teams do, you can’t control that. But you can control trying to go after every single game. Play the right way and help these guys continue to grow and get better on a consistent basis.

Kravitz: How much of a relief is it to finally have a healthy roster?


Mosley: Just being able to have bodies. Health has always been a think we’ve talked about here. Guys are getting healthy. I think it’s a great thing. The other part of it, when we were going through the time where we didn’t have bodies, that creates such a level of toughness and resolve. The guys who didn’t get a lot of minutes early are starting to get minutes and now it’s going to look a little different. But they’ve been through that and that’s a good thing to get through that because now you can enjoy having more bodies on that floor.

Kravitz: Did all the injuries wear on you?


Mosley: No. The patience level is something we continue to talk about. Understanding that it wasn’t going to be forever. We were gonna get through that moment, whatever stretch that was. We talked about it constantly. Like “We’re gonna get through this. We’re bringing guys back slowly. Guys are coming back in the fold.” And that’s what we’re getting to now. And so now to be able to see that, cause we talked about it during that time, was so important because now they can actually see the things we spoke on early.

Kravitz: Magic 5-1 against the 2022 Finals contingent. Did you realize your team has been that successful against championship level teams?



Mosley: It’s interesting you say that. No. We just really look at one day at a time. I truly mean it. Whether you win or you lose, you come in and do the same work every single day. You celebrate the moment we had last night with Jonathan coming back and the guys getting the win, but it’s still goes into the 24-hour rule. You celebrate it and then you move on because we have Indiana tomorrow. I want these guys to be able to have fun. If we could play the Celtics and Warriors for 70 something more games that we’d be pretty good then *laughs*

https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1248-in-the-zone-byte-sized-30599435/episode/magic-head-coach-jamahl-mosley-on-107771297/

[richi_v25]

Wow i didn't realize we were 5-1 against last years final team, that's pretty impressive.

[eyriq]

I want the play-in buzz to grow. Competitive games towards the end of the season will be so fun.

[Knightro]

I want the play-in buzz to grow. Competitive games towards the end of the season will be so fun.

I was honestly surprised that Mosley did address it even though he was directly asked about it. Usually he says very little and is extremely heavy on cliches and coach speak.

For him to actually say that is a goal for the team to strive for the rest of this season was very interesting and surprisingly candid for him.

[JoshuaPotter]

I want the play-in buzz to grow. Competitive games towards the end of the season will be so fun.

As much as I hate to say it, we are closer then ever to looking into the play in.

My issue is two fold. I do not want to trade to get better for the play in. I would rather go to the draft and free agency based on our results this year.

We have some interesting chemistry in the locker room and I do not want to disturb that, so I think the answer of playing 1 game at a time is the correct thing to do.

A trade for FVV for example. While on the surface is exactly what we need to become a playoff caliber team (on paper). We might just be one anyway and there might be another path we can take which allows Paulo and Franz to "taste" competition at their own current level own their own terms. Does that make sense?

In other words, I am interested to see if they can "earn" a play in with the current roster while simultaneously if they don't thats fine. They deserve the record they have and they made the team better then last year already by the looks of it.

Our G situation is still bottom 20-30 in the league, but for this year improving that i'm not sure matters because FVV just might take touches away from Franz + Paulo.

[eyriq]

I want the play-in buzz to grow. Competitive games towards the end of the season will be so fun.

As much as I hate to say it, we are closer then ever to looking into the play in.

My issue is two fold. I do not want to trade to get better for the play in. I would rather go to the draft and free agency based on our results this year.

We have some interesting chemistry in the locker room and I do not want to disturb that, so I think the answer of playing 1 game at a time is the correct thing to do.

A trade for FVV for example. While on the surface is exactly what we need to become a playoff caliber team (on paper). We might just be one anyway and there might be another path we can take which allows Paulo and Franz to "taste" competition at their own current level own their own terms. Does that make sense?

In other words, I am interested to see if they can "earn" a play in with the current roster while simultaneously if they don't thats fine. They deserve the record they have and they made the team better then last year already by the looks of it.

Our G situation is still bottom 20-30 in the league, but for this year improving that i'm not sure matters because FVV just might take touches away from Franz + Paulo.

Yeah, I get this. This allows our organic growth to balance out the loss of lottery odds. Any trade trades those odds away.

[JoshuaPotter]

Oh still a fan of a trade if the right trade comes along. After our win against Boston, the almost impossible return of the Kraken, and me constantly hoping that Cole Anthony excepts his place in the circle of life as a SMOTY candidate, then we have all the pieces on paper to be a play in team today we just may not make it due to our woeful start to the season and I reitterate thats OK. It also increases the asking price of any trades because I don't want to disturb what seems to be good locker room chemistry.

[eyriq]

I want the play-in buzz to grow. Competitive games towards the end of the season will be so fun.

I was honestly surprised that Mosley did address it even though he was directly asked about it. Usually he says very little and is extremely heavy on cliches and coach speak.

For him to actually say that is a goal for the team to strive for the rest of this season was very interesting and surprisingly candid for him.

Makes me think we are ahead of internal expectations and are adjusting targets. We are in a tier by ourselves, it's wild. Could fall back into the tank tier or move up into the play-in bubble tier.

[JoshuaPotter]

I want the play-in buzz to grow. Competitive games towards the end of the season will be so fun.

I was honestly surprised that Mosley did address it even though he was directly asked about it. Usually he says very little and is extremely heavy on cliches and coach speak.

For him to actually say that is a goal for the team to strive for the rest of this season was very interesting and surprisingly candid for him.

Makes me think we are ahead of internal expectations and are adjusting targets. We are in a tier by ourselves, it's wild. Could fall back into the tank tier or move up into the play-in bubble tier.

Disagree. Paulo from day one said his goal was the play-in.

It was just a question or not of whether that was rookie / young kid + wishful thinking.

Oh no, no no no no. Franz + Paulo + WCJ + any combo of our G remembering how to play basketball is apparently a top 7 team as of Dec 7th.

[drsd]

As much as I hate to say it, we are closer then ever to looking into the play in.

As much as I love saying it, since the Magic escaped the horrible losing streak, the team has been 13-9 over the last 22 games. This 59% winning rate if over teh whole season would mean the Magic would be the 6-seed of the play-offs.

If the Magic plays at a 59% rate for the rest of the season, a not-impossible task, the Magic would finish at 39-43. That record would squarely put the Magic in the thick of a play-in slot.

Right now I would say it is about 15% for Orlando to make the play-ins.

[JoshuaPotter]

As much as I hate to say it, we are closer then ever to looking into the play in.

As much as I love saying it, since the Magic escaped the horrible losing streak, the team has been 13-9 over the last 22 games. This 59% winning rate if over teh whole season would mean the Magic would be the 6-seed of the play-offs.

If the Magic plays at a 59% rate for the rest of the season, a not-impossible task, the Magic would finish at 39-43. That record would squarely put the Magic in the thick of a play-in slot.

Right now I would say it is about 15% for Orlando to make the play-ins.

It is becoming more and more obvious that Franz + Paulo are a winning combination. How we respond the next 3-5 games will really form my opinion now that Isaac is back for sure.

I have a lot of "if then else" running through my mind that peeking too soon is a short term concern of mine. If for example we make the play in and lose. I would be happy for what our term accomplished. The road to get better however will be a lot more tricky.

The tools we have to upgrading our guards shrink if we make the play-in and that is a concern of mine in terms of options while team building. Because I think if we make the play-in its going to be largely credited to Paulo + Franz +long length front court players, not because of guard play.

I'm not mad if we win though. Just means my analysis has to change, and fast of the team that maybe a trade for FVV is actually a good idea again.

[Knightro]

Disagree. Paulo from day one said his goal was the play-in.

It was just a question or not of whether that was rookie / young kid + wishful thinking.

Oh no, no no no no. Franz + Paulo + WCJ + any combo of our G remembering how to play basketball is apparently a top 7 team as of Dec 7th.

I think there's a significant difference between players/coaches expectations and front office/ownership expectations.

I don't think the front office expected the Magic to have 18 wins right now. I think they were banking on being in the bottom 3-4 and making a run at Wemby/Scoot.

The players want to win as much as they can. So do the coaches, although I do think coaches follow orders from the top too.

[drsd]

If for example we make the play in and lose.

I see a huge amount of benefit for Orlando to seek in as the #10 seed, win game 1 and lose game 2. Then with 5% odds, go top-4 anyhow. And get a 8-pick from the Bulls.

We fans can get our cake and eat it also. There is a path for the anti- and pro-tankers to both "win" here with the season's outcome.

Frankly at this point, I would be disappointed if Orlando does not crack 30 wins, play0ins or not.


..

[JoshuaPotter]

Disagree. Paulo from day one said his goal was the play-in.

It was just a question or not of whether that was rookie / young kid + wishful thinking.

Oh no, no no no no. Franz + Paulo + WCJ + any combo of our G remembering how to play basketball is apparently a top 7 team as of Dec 7th.

I think there's a significant difference between players/coaches expectations and front office/ownership expectations.

I don't think the front office expected the Magic to have 18 wins right now. I think they were banking on being in the bottom 3-4 and making a run at Wemby/Scoot.

The players want to win as much as they can. So do the coaches, although I do think coaches follow orders from the top too.

I think we "took our time" with injured players coming back for all the reasons but mostly because of playing time for Paulo + Franz + Suggs and draft pick positions.

Is it tanking if you are injured and win? (We beat Golden State with Suggs as our PG) and then the injured players come back and you win a bunch more? No. But I also don't think that if Paulo twisted his ankle tomorrow that we would rush him back for a chance at the play-in.

Just my 02 cents as well.

I will say I don't want my Magic to tank, but I don't exactly want them to make the play-in either for the similar reasons as you say. I am measuring the team and talent at the time and saying "this" sounds about right.

I'm not going to be mad at more wins, in fact just the opposite this should mean Franz and Paulo are better then we suppose and as I believe if we get any amount of consistent guard play on both sides of the floor + our current roster = play in or even playoff.

[JoshuaPotter]

If for example we make the play in and lose.

I see a huge amount of benefit for Orlando to seek in as the #10 seed, win game 1 and lose game 2. Then with 5% odds, go top-4 anyhow. And get a 8-pick from the Bulls.

We fans can get our cake and eat it also. There is a path for the anti- and pro-tankers to both "win" here with the season's outcome.

Frankly at this point, I would be disappointed if Orlando does not crack 30 wins, play0ins or not.


..

No 28-35 wins seem doable. The next couple games will tell us a lot about their focus. LOOKING AT YOU FULTZ + COLE. As they go, we go. This is where Isaac can become a dark horse. Him competing for playing time with Mo + Bol + Carter Jr is gonna increase our rosters competitiveness and maybe even allow us to experiment with Franz at the 2. Talk about length.

[basketballRob]

Even if we make the 10th seed we'll still have a chance to move up in the lottery. Plus, how many times over the last 5-6 years has one of the best players been picked between 10-15. Off the top of my head, Mitchell, Haliburton, Sabonis, Bam, Kennard, Mikal Bridges, MPJ, Herro, Vassell, and Sengun.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

[JoshuaPotter]

Next 3 teams are Pacers, Heat, Bulls. A win against all 3 will wreck havoc on the play-in numbers and odds. Combine that if we manage to go 1/2 against the 76's then its anyman teams playin i'd wager.

[AaronB]

If the Magic stay healthy (big "if") they actually have a really good chance of finishing stronger than what they have shown the last 22 games.

Usually the last 1/3 of the season, the tank teams rev up the tank and the playoff teams start to load manage their best players (although they seem to be doing that earlier and earlier each year).

The teams that are scratching to make the playoffs can make a run. The Magic did that very thing a few years ago.

[Black and Blue]

If for example we make the play in and lose.

I see a huge amount of benefit for Orlando to seek in as the #10 seed, win game 1 and lose game 2. Then with 5% odds, go top-4 anyhow. And get a 8-pick from the Bulls.

We fans can get our cake and eat it also. There is a path for the anti- and pro-tankers to both "win" here with the season's outcome.

Frankly at this point, I would be disappointed if Orlando does not crack 30 wins, play0ins or not.

..

This is one of the few years where the team is in pretty great shape no matter if they win or lose. With Isaac coming back we have ample time to get intel on long term player fits, and there is enough oomph behind Franz and Paolo to suggest we have the alphas on this roster to build around.

With the returning pieces, we are too good this year for the bottom 1-2 spots (and wow the teams there are ABYSMAL), so better to use this time to see how good a fully healthy team can be. Best case scenario is the team proves to be better than expected and lessens the amount of players we have to add in free agency and the draft. And it's always a good thing for young players to get playoff experience and help rehab the organization's image.

No matter what news pops up with the Magic these days, I find all of them being "good problems to have".

[penny_nz]

Love your work Knightro, appreciate the transcript!