Orlando Magic: 5 goals for Jonathan Isaac’s rookie season
By Max Holm
For an Orlando Magic team going nowhere fast, Jonathan Isaac presents the brightest prospect they’ve had since Dwight Howard.
When the lottery order came out, the Orlando Magic had to be a little disappointed. Though they had just the sixth-worst odds, the top of the 2017 NBA Draft was more than promising. A top-two pick likely meant landing either Markelle Fultz or Lonzo Ball. The Magic haven’t had a talent like that since winning the lottery in 2004.
That, of course, was when they drafted Dwight Howard. Howard would grow and lead them to the NBA Finals, only to leave for train wrecks in Los Angeles and Houston. The Magic went down the road of another rebuild and it’s been an utter disaster.
Having missed the playoffs for the fifth straight year, the Magic have been in the lottery almost as many times as they’ve been to Disney World. While that could have led to an excellent young core, Orlando has anything but.
With a collection of fringe NBA starters and no potential All-Stars, 2017 was a big year. Though Jonathan Isaac was one of the riskier players at the top of the draft, he was also a good bet. A 6’11” forward who moves like a wing, Isaac can protect the rim and spot up from the outside. Should he surpass his offensive floor, Orlando could have a bonafide all-star.
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He has a long way to get there, though. In starting his path to become a great professional, he should keep in mind these five goals for the season ahead.