Orlando Magic: 3 things we learned from their scrimmages

1. Having Isaac/Fultz back

Starting with Fultz, and while it was generally accepted that he would play some part in the bubble, it was great to see him get some game time against the Nuggets. All of the positive attributes of his game were on display, from the assured and calculated way he moves with the ball, to his ability to find teammates.

Fultz has been excellent at getting into the paint since arriving in Orlando, and similarly, his jerky way of getting free for jump shots closer to the basket has been impressive too. Neither appears to have left him, while he also made a 3-point shot that wasn’t the prettiest as he threw it up, but they all count for the same amount of points when they go in.

D.J. Augustin is a firm fan favorite and has been such a steady veteran presence for the Magic for a number of years now. But before the season stopped he had been usurped by Fultz in the starting lineup and was doing a decent job of backing him up. At 32 and undersized even for a guard, he needs help running the team. Fultz has already been that, and it was great to see him back and not missing a beat.

Isaac on the other hand is a totally different story. How excited are you allowed to get about one game that doesn’t mean anything? The Magic were down by nine points when both Isaac and Fultz checked into the game, and they quickly went on an 11-0 run. Isaac was amazing, having both an old-school three-point play (he failed to convert the free-throw), and a successful four-point play.

Defensively he looked outstanding, patrolling every area of the paint and snatching rebounds. In this one performance, he looked like the true franchise cornerstone that fans have been crying out for since Dwight Howard left. Isaac’s shooting looked crisper too, and he knocked down a tough look in the corner from deep over Nikola Jokic during that aforementioned run he inspired.

Isaac may not start in Thursday’s game against the Brooklyn Nets. Already it doesn’t even look like he’ll need to. Once he gets some minutes, and again it cannot be stressed just how good he looked out there, he is sure to make a difference. Especially against the undermanned Nets. The return of Isaac wasn’t guaranteed but has quickly become the best part about the Orlando Magic in the bubble.