Ahead of the Magic’s 109-97 preseason-opening loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, coach Jamahl Mosley made clear what Orlando had been specializing in throughout coaching camp.
Transition protection. Protect the paint. Move the ball whereas additionally caring for it.
After permitting 50 factors within the paint, 30 fast-break factors and ending with 25 turnovers that led to 33 factors Monday, it’s clear extra work is required.
“It was a great challenge for our guys,” Mosley mentioned. “It was an opportunity for them to understand the level of growth and the things we’re going to have to continue to do to get where we’re trying to go.”
For many of the recreation, the Magic seemed like a staff that missed two days of coaching camp due to Hurricane Ian and nonetheless is working to know each other.
But Orlando’s struggles with giveaways weren’t unique to Monday.
The Magic have been one of many league’s extra turnover-prone groups final season. They typically have the best move in thoughts however try it a second or two too late. Or don’t power the protection to break down sufficient on drives and attempt to move by way of clogged lanes.
A handful of Orlando’s giveaways are simply correctable: stepping out of bounds, touring and offensive fouls.
The different errors — telegraphing passes, forcing passes into tight or closed home windows, adjusting to totally different lineups — will take extra time.
The Magic, not less than, now have recreation movie to construct off of.
“A lot of us have to get used to playing with each other,” mentioned Paolo Banchero, who completed with 8 factors (2-for-9), 2 rebounds, 2 steals and 4 turnovers in his debut. “I feel like our process was a little different than most teams with the way we had to deal with training camp and cancelations. Coach told us before the game to treat preseason as extended training camp, getting used to the game and each other.”
The loss was a wake-up name however the Magic maintained their perspective. It was simply the primary of 5 preseason exhibitions.
A whole lot of the areas the Grizzlies, who had the league’s second-best document at 56-26, dominated Orlando — particularly factors off turnovers and within the paint — are ones they thrived in final season.
The Magic’s efficiency wasn’t all dangerous, both.
They moved the ball properly after they weren’t giving it away, ending with 23 assists on 35 subject targets. Their half-court protection was strong. They created open seems from past the arc (18-for-54 on 3s) however they didn’t make sufficient of them (33.3%), additionally a wrestle for final 12 months’s staff.
“These are great learning opportunities for each of these young men and our staff to be able to teach the things we’ll need to do to continue to grow,” Mosley mentioned. “When and where we’re making passes, transition defense, how we’re getting back. [This] is going to be great teaching tape for us.”
Watching recreation movie might be crucial to determine learn how to minimize out these errors. But what the Magic struggled at is evident.
“You can never not learn something from film,” mentioned Cole Anthony, who led Orlando with 17 factors (6-for-10, 4 of 8 on 3s) and 5 rebounds. “I don’t even have to observe the movie to let you know we have to minimize down the turnovers. We had 25 for 33 factors for them. We minimize that in half and we’re a distinct ballgame.
“It’s early. It’s going to be a lot of mistakes, but I think we can cut this stuff out sooner rather than later so by the time the regular season rolls around, we’re doing something, moving in the right direction and winning some games.”
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Khobi Price at [email protected] or comply with him on Twitter at @khobi_price.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com