Orlando Magic's Jonathan Isaac Improving Offensively
While Orlando Magic big man Jonathan Isaac is typically known for his outstanding defensive ability, he has made it a point to improve his offensive game this season.
"I was talking to them even after the game that I have to be better at forcing the switch, so that's what we want," Isaac said. "We want Paolo coming off and having to have Vuc guard Franz on that last possession, that's why he was able to get down there so easy. Just learning to play off those guys, setting great screens, rolling, getting out, trying my best to stay in the pocket to give them relief if there's a red or if they're blitzing it and just allowing those guys to have room to work."
In a 103-97 road win over the Chicago Bulls in the In-Season Tournament, Isaac had his best offensive game of the season. He scored 18 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the field and 2-of-4 from deep, while adding in nine rebounds, a steal and a block.
Jonathan Isaac is averaging 6.4 points per game this season in 13.8 minutes.
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He played 20 minutes in the game, also a season-high for him as head coach Jamahl Mosley has been monitoring the big man's minutes to start the year. Isaac has struggled with injuries in the past, so preserving his health for the season is the team's top priority.
Isaac's performance against the Bulls showed promising flashes of the offensive player he can be, even if he has struggled on that end to start the season. Still, Isaac's value lies in what he brings to the team defensively, even if his potential ceiling as a player is determined by his offense.
