Magic will work Fultz into the fold slowly
With point guard Markelle Fultz finally joining his Orlando Magic teammates inside the NBA bubble at Walt Disney World on Wednesday, he will have some catching up to do.
Most of the rest of the Magic team went through the seventh day of practice Thursday without Fultz. He will be available after going through the NBA’s mandatory quarantine, which requires him to register two negative COVID-19 tests administered at least 24 hours apart.
Magic coach Steven Clifford, however, said this is such a unique situation with the NBA’s restructured schedule, that it’s hard to know how far behind Fultz might be until he gets out on the floor.
“This whole thing, to me, is so different. We’ve talked about this as a staff. I’ve talked to David Tenney [Magic high performance director] about it every day,” Clifford said. “It’s going to be hard to get to a good level of play. … You always worry about things and there’s more to worry about now, but you have to be realistic about the type of plan you can have and about how quickly a group is going to be able to move forward.
“Never have these guys, I would think from the time they started playing, gone this long without playing 5-on-5 and it’s going to take time.”
Clifford said he’ll work Fultz into the team plans slowly, but there is a sense of urgency since the first scrimmage game is just six days away, on July 22 against the Los Angeles Clippers.
“First … we have to see him on the floor and just get an evaluation of where he’s at. That’s what we’ve done with everybody else,” Clifford said. “We meet every day and decide what guys can do and how much contact they’re ready for and we’ll do the same with Markelle.”
Isaac participates in drills
Magic forward Jonathan Isaac, who has not taken part in group basketball activity since suffering a knee injury Jan. 1, was on the practice floor with his teammates Thursday, taking on a more substantial workload.
“He was limited in how much, but he did play some 5-on-5,” Clifford said. “… It’s not really easy to evaluate where the guys are, but I think he’s done great. He’s worked so hard. He hasn’t played for … seven months or something. We’re way, way too early to make intelligent comments on who’s playing well or who’s in rhythm. There all, right now, just trying to find their way.”
Law, Johnson happy to be in bubble
Two-way players Vic Law and B.J. Johnson, who spent a significant part of this early season with the Magic’s G-League affiliate in Lakeland, are pleased to be getting their shot with the parent squad in the NBA bubble.
Both players are excited knowing that during this ramped up ending to the NBA’s 2019-20 regular season schedule, they could have more opportunities to play as Clifford goes deeper in his lineup.
“I think, as a two-way player such as myself, you need to be ready every night and just be ready for your opportunity” said Law, an undrafted free agent out of Northwestern who signed with the Magic last summer. “Coming in, this being my rookie year, I’m super excited to be called up to the Magic and have this blessing, but I take it super serious every day to be mentally and physically prepared for whenever my opportunity comes.”
Johnson, a shooting guard who lit up the G-League for 23 points a game this season, including shooting 44% from 3-point range, could be a critical piece for Orlando, especially if there are any injuries. Johnson said he just wants to be ready, as well.
“Just hearing him thinking about expanding the lineup definitely gives me a confidence boost,” Johnson said. “Over the year, I did a good job of proving myself and earning some trust with Cliff, so if the opportunity presents itself, I think I’m prepared.”