Orlando Magic: 3 takeaways from 2021 media day
By Luke Duffy
Orlando Magic media day takeaways: 2. Team chemistry is for real
Pretty much everybody gets up for media day, so it was no surprise to see smiles on player’s faces and the likes of rookies Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner enjoying the new experience. But what also seemed evident was just how much the social media stories and interactions from the summer appeared to be genuine.
There was Suggs taking a selfie with Isaac, and Bamba and Cole Anthony joking around with each other while the other was being interviewed. Markelle Fultz sat in on the media availability for Gary Harris, with Harris himself having a funny moment with media member Dan Savage.
Put simply this was a group that had a college-like feel to them. Everybody interacting with each other, with Lopez and Terrence Ross the old heads who were getting in on the act as well. Being friends isn’t going to get you to the very top. Neither is bringing J. Cole in for a scrimmage just before the games get real.
But all of this does build a culture and a bond, and it was great to see that translate to the interactions that took place at media day. Much had been made about Isaac’s previous comments, and how somebody who has a different viewpoint of such an important issue might look and feel next to everybody else.
Instead, those worries were dispelled immediately, adding to the positivity here. Even if behind the scenes Isaac doesn’t end up being best friends with everybody (although there is no reason to suggest this won’t happen), to know that everybody can and will get along when the cameras are trained on them is important. There will be enough present once the regular season begins.