Jonas Valanciunas thought he had made the difference with his support, to give himself an easy floater. But Jonathan Isaac caught up again to emerge and counter it. During this preseason match against the Pelicans, the Magic interior showed that it had lost none of its defensive qualities.
The 26-year-old is preparing to start his seventh year in the Big League. “Year”, not season because his career was weighed down by his left knee. The 6th choice of the 2017 Draft experienced a real nightmare, with a series of relapses and blank seasons.
Since 2019, he has only taken part in… 14 matches, including around ten played during last season, before having to play billiards again. But Jonathan Isaac was there, in shorts, for this preseason.
Two average counterattacks in less than 10 minutes!
“ I feel like I’m still adjusting to the rhythm, to feeling like myself and trying to be helpful. My playing time is limited right now because it’s preseason. When I come into play, I just try to interfere with shots, pick my positions and shoot when I’m open “, he summarizes.
In terms of contesting shootings, its mission is already accomplished. During this preparation, he finished as the best blocker on his team, with two units on average, playing less than 10 minutes per game. A line completed by less than 4 points per match with very low skill levels (23%). But his current offensive contribution does not seem to concern his coach, who rather thinks of his prowess on the other side of the field.
An Isaac effect
“ We know what he is capable of in terms of effort defensive. He’s one of the best defenders I’ve ever been around. His defensive intelligence is unique. He covers the guys, he communicates. (Facing the Pelicans) he blocked three shots in just 10 minutes. It’s a very good defensive effort, and then there are the actions where he modified shots. These are important things, and our guys continue to realize how valuable it is », Judge Jamahl Mosley.
Moritz Wagner can testify to this, after this same match against New Orleans. This one finds “ amazing » the defensive contribution of the ghost. “ With him you don’t have to [aider]. He takes it upon himself to not want help either. I think we played 11 games last year together and our team was really good on defense because he was there », remembers the German.
Orlando had actually climbed to fourth place among the best defenses in the league (110 points conceded on 100 possessions) during the window where Jonathan Isaac was active (January-February), before finishing in 18th place at from the season (114 points). An Isaac effect? Undeniable according to Moe Wagner: “ It takes the pick-and-roll out of the equation. He makes it easier to return from the inside, he is also an incredible rebounder. He makes up for mistakes, it’s great to have him on our team. »
| Jonathan Isaac | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2017-18 | ENT | 27 | 20 | 37.9 | 34.8 | 76.0 | 0.6 | 3.1 | 3.7 | 0.7 | 1.8 | 1.2 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 5.4 |
| 2018-19 | ENT | 75 | 27 | 42.9 | 32.3 | 81.5 | 1.3 | 4.2 | 5.5 | 1.1 | 1.9 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 9.6 |
| 2019-20 | ENT | 34 | 29 | 47.0 | 34.0 | 77.9 | 1.7 | 5.1 | 6.8 | 1.4 | 2.4 | 1.6 | 1.4 | 2.3 | 11.9 |
| 2022-23 | ENT | 11 | 11 | 41.5 | 40.0 | 55.6 | 1.4 | 2.6 | 4.0 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 5.0 |
| Total | 147 | 25 | 43.4 | 33.3 | 78.9 | 1.3 | 4.1 | 5.3 | 1.0 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 9.0 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
