SUMMERTIME MAGIC
Here’s hoping what happened in Vegas, doesn’t stay in Vegas.
Anthony Black, Jett Howard and Tristan da Silva arrived in Las Vegas, and immediate made a strong first impression. In front of their new head coach Jamahl Mosley, and starters en mass, the new-look Magic showed up, and proved their draft stock to be way more than hype. As special as last season was for Orlando, thanks to a well-constructed core that remains largely in-tact, the depth that this new generation offers is a game-changer. With the bitter-sweet memory of last year’s playoff run still burning in everyone’s mind, this Summer League couldn’t come soon enough.
Our five first impressions are as follows:
WAGIC WIN???? pic.twitter.com/ErpfDaT5TR
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) July 12, 2024
Anthony Black
Ta-Da! We have a pure point guard in Orlando.
Orlando’s energetic, 20 year old locksmith was everything you’d want from a young, backcourt general. While his growth, and skill development, on the offensive end of the ball has been consistent, his defensive instincts have been the biggest highlight in his game. Jalen Suggs’ ferocity, and Jonathan Issac’s dominant presence, complimented by AB’s IQ-fueled confidence on defense will be an absolute joy to watch for Magic fans.
Regarding his front court duties, Anthony Black’s playmaking services at the point (so Paolo can focus on playing his actual position), is going to do us a world of good. Thank you in advance sir.
Jett Howard
Howard is the answer to prayers of Magic fans, who acknowledge last season’s shooting-relating challenges.
cleared for takeoff @JettHoward5 pic.twitter.com/bS59SLZq57
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) July 13, 2024
See more below.
Tristan da Silva
Orlando’s wealth of length continues with the addition of a six-eight German secret weapon.
See more below.
New Shoot-Callers
We were one of last season’s worse three-point shooting teams.
While this was no secret, getting exposed for it in the playoffs showed us how pressing the issue is. Thankfully, the arrival of KCP will ease some of that pressure, but I’m more excited to see how the arrival of Jett, Tristan and Black impacts our percentages. Jett Howard, in particular, has been described as potentially our strongest perimeter shooting presence, with legitimate untaped upside. Additionally, Anthony Black has shown key improvements in this aspect of his offensive game.
But, one of the most consequential questions is how much of an impact can Tristan make.
Happy days are here again.
New Space for Paolo
Paolo is too unselfish of an all-star to say it, but I will: please just give him a lane, and clear out.
This is the area that makes me most excited about the arrival our newest German asset. While you never draft players solely for their rookie play, Tristan da Silva presents an answer to our other biggest problem from last season. Lack of spacing was a key weakness, that eventually exposed us last season. Along with our inability to find a clutch three when our lives depended on it, the suffocating environment that this one-dimensional offense created for our playmakers. Especially Paolo.
Our resident all-star has done everything that would fair to ask of him to overcoming this shortcoming, but it’s time to help him out. So, how do we create more space? That’s exactly what the front office has done by assembling this trio of off-the-ball assets. Paolo will drag Orlando out of the first round, as soon as we give him the space to.
NEXT: Summer League Game 2, Orlando Magic faces New Orleans, July 14th.
WAGIC WIN???? pic.twitter.com/cXfAqD1keG
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) July 15, 2024
HUFF THE MAGIC DRAGON
One the highlights of the Summer League festivities is learning new names.
This Summer, we have all had the pleasure of learning the name Jay Huff from this year’s squad. The seven-one, 240 pound University of Virginia product has bursted onto our screens during this summer, particularly during Thursday’s last minute rally against the Brooklyn Nets. Although the Magic fell 100-102, Huff stood out as a leader for the summer league squad, throughout, that features a number of talented free agents. Huff (alongside Theo Maledon) led the Magic with 20 points.
Huff was the G-League Defensive Player of the Year two seasons ago and prior to becoming a pro played at the University of Virginia, where he won a national championship his sophomore season. Huff’s on-court consistency earned him stops in Denver, and Houston. In Orlando, Huff is averaging 14.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and one block per game.
The twenty-six year old center is a prime candidate for a two-way contract, and would be the latest former Denver Nugget to join the Magic (alongside Kentavious Caldwell-Pope) ahead of the NBA preseason.
‘BIG THREE’ INACTIVE FOR THE REST OF SUMMER LEAGUE
MAGIC ELIMINATED FROM SUMMER LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
- June 12: Orlando Magic defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers, 106-79
- June 14: Orlando Magic defeated the New Orleans, 91-86
- June 17: Orlando Magic defeated by Memphis, 104-98
- June 18: Orlando Magic defeated by Brooklyn Nets, 100-102
- June 21: Orlando Magic defeated by Minnesota Timberwolves, 100-115
