Though the Magic misplaced all 5 summer time league exhibitions they performed in Las Vegas, coach Ameer Bahhur nonetheless had a lot to love from what he noticed all through the crew’s 10 days out west.
In actual fact, Orlando misplaced to 3 of the 4 groups that reached the match semifinals — two of which it fell to by a mixed 6 factors (Raptors and Kings).
“The phrase for this summer time league has been relentless and our guys have been precisely that,” Bahhur stated. “We performed some actually good, skilled groups and we hung proper them in some one-possession video games, and it speaks volumes about our guys and their capacity to play for one another.”
Thankfully for the Magic, wins and losses in summer time league are far much less necessary in comparison with growth and development of youthful gamers on their roster.
That features rookies Jase Richardson and Noah Penda, who bought their first style of NBA competitors, and Tristan da Silva, who returned to Las Vegas for a second 12 months.
Right here’s what stood out in regards to the Magic throughout everything of summer time league:
Rookies made their mark
It’s simple to see why the Magic focused Richardson late within the first spherical of June’s draft after which traded up within the second spherical to take Penda from France.
In two summer time league video games, the 6-foot-1 guard from Michigan State averaged 16.5 factors, 2.5 assists and 1.5 rebounds. 50% from 3-pointers on 3 makes an attempt per contest. He managed the ball for Orlando, attacked the basket constantly and didn’t shy from contact on both finish of the court docket.
“He performed two actually robust, bodily groups and he did a heck of a job commanding our offense, getting his teammates concerned when he wanted to and regarded to attain when he wanted,” Bahhur stated about Richardson. “Defensively, for his first style of NBA minutes, he did an incredible job of matching physicality and battling.”
Penda ended up showing in three summer time league video games and moved effectively for his measurement. At 6-7 with a 6-11 wingspan, the French ahead showcased his capacity to seek out his spots on the ground on offense and defend at a excessive degree.
In three contests, he averaged 11.3 factors capturing 51.7% from the ground, 7.7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1.7 steals and almost a full block (0.7).
“Noah did an incredible job playmaking for himself after which exhibiting at his measurement he may be versatile and make performs for others,” Bahhur stated. “Defensively, we requested him to protect bigs [and] smalls, and he took on no matter problem we gave him.
“He confirmed why we’re so enthusiastic about him due to his capacity to do it on either side of the ball,” the Magic summer time league coach added.
da Silva stable
Equally to Richardson, da Silva suited up for under two video games in Las Vegas, which was a lot for the sophomore wing who appeared in 74 NBA consists as a rookie.
The 6-8 ahead believed he grew extra snug on the court docket with the ball in his arms and as a vocal chief for a younger squad. Dealing with largely rookies drafted and undrafted, da Silva took benefit of his matchups and delivered high quality offense for Orlando when it was wanted.
In two video games, he averaged 18.5 factors whereas capturing 38.5% from 3 on 6.5 long-range makes an attempt per contest with 6 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal and a block.
“He took steps on all sides of all of the ball,” Bahhur stated. “Offensively, he was aggressive, shot the ball effectively, did an incredible job of being bodily [and] created offense for himself and others. Defensively, he took on the problem of guarding some actually good gamers. Two nice steps for Tristan, and we’re going to proceed to construct on it.”
Added da Silva: “There have been some good glimpses in there … There’s additionally stuff to nonetheless enhance upon and be taught from this expertise. However I really feel like this was a very good factor for me.”
Moore two-way worthy
Throughout an in-game TV interview Friday when the Magic misplaced to Dallas, Richardson highlighted Wendell Moore Jr. when the rookie was requested who has impressed all through summer time league.
It’s arduous to disagree.
The 6-foot-5 guard from Duke who has three years of NBA expertise averaged 13.8 factors, 6.8 rebounds and a steal throughout 22.7 minutes per recreation throughout 5 summer time league contests for Orlando.
He’s beforehand appeared in 90 profession NBA regular-season video games with Minnesota, Detroit and Charlotte in addition to spending time within the G League.
Whether or not it’s with the Magic or one other membership, Moore confirmed why he may find yourself on a two-way contract this upcoming season. Orlando has a pair of two-way offers accessible however is stuffed with guards.
Regardless, Moore believed he did sufficient to earn his subsequent alternative within the NBA.
“I confirmed that I deserved to be on this league,” he stated. “I confirmed I may be probably the greatest defenders out right here. I could make pictures, I can get downhill [and] play secondary lead-guard, if wanted. I confirmed I can do a bunch of issues on the ground that may assist groups win.”
What’s subsequent
With the draft, free company and summer time league behind them, the Magic could have break day to proceed to work on their recreation and get well earlier than coaching camp within the fall.
Some members of the crew will compete for his or her dwelling nations at FIBA EuroBasket 2025, a match that takes place throughout Europe late August by way of mid-September. Franz Wagner has made his intentions clear to go well with up for Germany whereas Goga Bitadze will play for the Republic of Georgia.
After that, the 2025-26 NBA season and the thirty seventh 12 months in Magic historical past can be across the nook.
Orlando’s crew media day on the AdventHealth Coaching Middle is about for Sept. 29 with coaching camp beginning the subsequent day.
Jason Beede may be reached at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com
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