The Steve Clifford era is underway in Orlando. The new Magic head coach running his first training camp. Clifford is the Magic's 5th coach since the start of the 2014-2015 season and is tasked with molding a young group of exciting players. The talent is clear but what about the timeline. The Magic haven't made the playoffs in 6 years. This team is still young but patience is growing thin. Here are 5 things we learned at practice.
1. Clifford is establishing a defense first culture
Clifford came to Orlando after establishing a defense first culture with the Charlotte Hornets. He was able to turn around a 21 win team and make the playoffs his first season there. The hope is he can do that in Orlando as well. The players have noticed a culture change right away.
"I think we are going to be a tougher team," Jonthan Isaac said. "Just with his focus on defense and attention to detail. Nit-picking the little things that are going to make us a great team down the road."
"He's doing a lot of teaching," DJ Augustin said. "He asks us questions to see if we are listening and paying attention and I think it's good because it's making guys concentrate and focus while we are in practice."
2. Jonathan Isaac could make a major step forward on offense and defense
Jonathan Isaac was Jeff Weltman and John Hammond's first pick with the Orlando Magic. They took the Florida State forward 6th overall, but barely got to see him play his rookie season. Isaac was limited to 27 games as a rookie due to injuries. This offseason he's made it a point to get stronger physically and develop his offensive game.
"I think what he's focused on this summer is what people are going to see," Clifford said. "It's range shooting, shot making which you saw some of in summer league, and again being an elite defender which I think he can do."
Isaac knows he won't be the focal point of the offense like he was in Summer League but he's looking forward to putting his expanded skill set to work and making a jump in year two.
"I think that's what's expected of me and of myself as I continue to get better get more comfortable and gaining experience to be that guy to step up and be able to make great plays on the defenisve end offensive end," Isaac said. "I just see myself stepping into that role more and more as I play more and more.
Isaac talked about growing into a guy that consistently guards a teams best offensive player. He said guarding Lebron James and Anthony Davis were his toughest matchups last season. This season he feels much more confident if and when he's put in that position.
"Gaining strength and time and experience has given me a lot more confidence to seek those tough matchups and be aggressive with it," Isaac said.
3. DJ Augustin doesn't care what you think
Many expected the Magic to draft a point guard with the 5th overall pick or atleast at some point in the draft....or in free agency. Jeff Weltman essentially did none of the above. Jerian Grant and Isaiah Briscoe were added but the only point guard with a proven track record on the roster is DJ Augustin. Some would say that's not good enough. Augustin doesn't care what the critics think.
"I've had doubters my whole life I'm 5'11 eleven years in the NBA so I don't listen to it honestly."
Augustin said him and Clifford have had good communication so far and that the two share a similar mindset basketball wise. Clifford isn't worried about the doubters either.
"I have confidence in him, the coaches have confidence in him, management has confidence in him and I know his teammates have confidence in him."