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LAS VEGAS – On Sunday night, Memphis Grizzlies' rookie, Jaren Jackson Jr., was quick to realize that the evening was going to be long – the word being long-faced in Orlando. Magic, the duo of Jonathan Isaac and Mohamed Bamba.
When Jackson Jr. led the way in the first quarter, he was naturally surprised by what he encountered. Bamba, who has the longest streak ever recorded in the NBA, sprinted from the left bottom line, while the 6-foot-11 Isaac left his man on the right wing to cut the penetration. The two Magic players got up simultaneously, creating a wall of arms and body to prevent Jackson Jr. from seeing the rim or another teammate. No more confusion ensued when Bamba hit the ball with his left hand and Isaac rocked it with his right hand. In the end, statisticians ruled that the game was a rollover instead of a stuck shot because of the way Jackson threw the ball with a sense of hopelessness.
“ Nahhhh, it was not happening; that did not happen, "said Bamba about Jackson Jr.'s failed attempt." I would say (Sunday's defensive performance) change a lot of opinions about what we can do. Jaren is a very talented player and he is a great bidirectional, but my approach tonight was to dominate. "
This isolated match between Bamba / Isaac and Jackson Jr. was emblematic of the domination that prevailed in the match. The expansive wings of Isaac and Bamba played a major role in the suffocating Jackson Jr. Magic all night and completely smothered Memphis in an 86-56 victory for Magic in the NBM Summer League of MGM Resorts.
What was the dominant performance? Isaac had 12 points, seven rebounds, five blocks and two interceptions and the Magic was a plus-28 on the scoreboard in his 24 minutes of action. Bamba, the No. 6 pick in the NBA draft last month, had 11 points, five rebounds, one block and a 3-point corner and its plus-minus ratio was plus-15 in 15 minutes. Jackson Jr., meanwhile, struggled in a shooting night of nine on five points. Fortunately, Memphis (1-1) had a minus-25 in 22 minutes.
“ Jaren is a good guy, he's going to be a great player and I worked all night to stay in front of him, but Isaac said of his partnership with Bamba.
For the game, Orlando held Memphis at 26.2 percent shooting from the ground and 22.2 percent accuracy from the 3 point arc. The Magic made life miserable for a Grizzlies team that played its fifth game in eight nights, causing 18 turnovers.
Subsequently, Bamba said that even though it 's only about the summer league, the world of basketball magic defense can become with him and Isaac patrolling the painting.
“ The potential between me and Jon is unreal, '' said Bamba. “ In the summer league, we start turning that potential into production with the little things we do. I think we had three shot clock violations of 24 seconds and … all this was due to the length. Jonathan coming weak side to block the shots is huge. Our presence is everything, to be honest.
Bamba will not receive any argument from Jackson Jr., who had eight times three points and 29 points in his pro debut last week. The No. 4 pick in the June draft shows that the Magic will be able to frustrate his opponents this season with the length he has on the inside.
“ They are long, they are good defenders and they've put me on (double contest at the beginning of the game), 'said Jackson Jr. “ It's crazy – these are good players, they are dynamic and they are long with the length given by God.
Byron Mullens and Troy Caupain, products of the Magic & # 39; s G League team in Lakeland, scored 11 points and 10 points respectively on the substitutes' bench. Wes Iwundu was scooped 10 points, largely by making his eight free throws.
That night, Orlando's defense stole the show. The magical badistant coach Pat Delany, a member of the new staff of head coach Steve Clifford in Orlando, challenged his team before the game and he certainly reacted.
“ (Memphis) played a bunch of games in Utah and we knew our hands are full, but Jonathan's individual talent has made it difficult, 'said Delany. "It was a total team effort to keep this team at 26% on the field and 22% from 3. And I told Mo," No matter how many minutes you play "Because every time he walked on the floor tonight Isaac also attracted Delany's attention because he played during a night of fights and that he always seemed to be the best player on For the majority of the game, Isaac made only four of 11 shots, but his dribbling shot on the right-hand corner of the lane in the third quarter showed offensic progress he made after a summer of work. 19659002] “ It was just a matter of me playing hard and I think my engine is improving, '' said Isaac. “ I was getting shots that I'm getting. I loved, but they did not fall for me, I kept my head in the game and I contributed in other ways. "
Bamba contributed a three-point corner in the firsthalf-time and he did the majority of his damage in a third 27-18 quarter for magic. He has eight points right after halftime converting four dunks. Bamba's best climax came when he caught a lob pbad with his back to the rim and finished the dunk knocked down with authority.
Afterwards, he admitted that he played this game with a bit of advantage after slipping to No. 6 in the NBA Draft – two places behind Jackson Jr. at No. 4. [19659002"Asthebestplayerintheclbadthereisstillworktobedone"hesaid`'Isincerelybelievethatmotivationisinternalbutthereissomuchgoingonoutsideandit'shardnottothinkofitasmotivationDraymondGreenisaguywhoremembers(34)namesthatwerechosenbeforehimIfIcancontinueinmygameandhavehalftheintensitythathehaddefensivelyandoffensivelyIthinkIwillbeaplayertorememberinthisleague"
Isacc thinks that finally, he and Bamba will form the kind of long, one-two punch that will be quite memorable in the NBA." They played only two games in the league. Been together and they believe that their chemistry and their confidence will continue to skyrocket as they will play together.
“ To tell you the truth, I do not think we're scratching the surface "said Isaac, aged 20." Regarding the future of Mo in a year or two years and where I will be in a year or two years physically, mentally and game-wise – and then you run (Aaron Gordon) and the guys we have – I think we'll be a defensive nightmare for a lot of teams. "
Note: The content of this page has not been reviewed and approved by Orlando Magic. All opinions expressed by John Denton are solely his and do not reflect the opinions of Orlando Magic or its staff, partners or sponsors of basketball operations.
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