The second day of Orlando Magic Summer League practice concluded Monday with the common message of “getting comfortable” as the catalyst for players’ individual improvement goals.
As they gear up for their matchups in Las Vegas, rookie forward Tristan da Silva and second-year guards Anthony Black and Jett Howard shared what they want to improve on most.
Howard’s reply was simple: defense. The Magic anchored themselves with defensive tenacity as their strength last season, which Howard emphasized as a crucial aspect of their game plan and team identity.
“[The focus on defense] doesn’t change. No matter if it’s Summer League or anything else, it’s all the same,” Howard said.
He attributes his comprehension of the game as his biggest improvement from last summer.
“Probably just my understanding of the game from a mental level, on both sides of the ball,” Howard said. “Being more patient and not rushed, trying to scan the floor, read the defense more, and react instead of just going.”
Black also looks to build on his rookie season after averaging 4.6 points, 2 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 69 games played. Having gotten the experience of being a starting point guard, the 2023 first-round pick wants to elevate his level of play from last year.
“More aggression, getting to the paint and making plays, and then on the other side of the ball just continuing to take pride in doing small stuff to help the team,” Black said.
Black says his goal for the Summer League is to impact team play on both ends of the court.
“I’m just still trying to play super hard and affect the game a lot of ways,” Black said. “Definitely come in with more of a calm head space, I feel like I kind of have a good feel now of what’s coming up.”
He reiterated getting in the paint more frequently and being aggressive in finishing at the rim as a 6-foot-7 guard.
“I would just say my physicality on the offensive side and defense, really,” Black said. “Just getting back to that confidence of going at people and just being physical, for sure. That’s definitely what we’ve been working on the most and where I feel like I’ve grown.”
For rookie da Silva, it’s about getting reps and growing accustomed to the league coming out of college.
“Just getting comfortable, playing the way Coach wants us to play,” da Silva said. “Picking their brains and learning as much as I can in the Summer League, so I’m ready for when the season comes around whenever they do decide to throw me out here.”
Da Silva’s versatility and multi-faceted player profile are what Orlando saw in the Colorado product as a first-round selection. Magic Summer League coach Lionel Chalmers says building a base for the rookie will aid his transition to the NBA.
“I think once you put in your base foundation of understanding, then it’s easy to build from there,” Chalmers said. “Putting that base foundation of who we are and how we do things is important.”
The Magic open in Vegas against the Cleveland Cavaliers July 12.
