The Orlando Magic are learning a new standard of precision under coach Scott Skiles. As their preseason wraps up, Skiles will want to see a sharper effort.
The Orlando Magic returned from a 90-73 romp over Brazilian champion Flamengo on Sunday morning. They got the day off and will go right back to work Monday as they enter the final week of the preseason — just two home games remain before the games start to count.
The result of Saturday’s win in Rio de Janeiro was not too important. The Magic wanted to win and do so comfortably. They blew out Flamengo from the beginning, going up by as much as 28 points. Even without Elfrid Payton (sore hamstring), Aaron Gordon (held out as a precaution) and C.J. Watson (food poisoning), the Magic eased through things and escaped without any more injury.
All in all, the trip was a success.
Despite all the advantages and necessity for the Brazil trip for reasons aside from preparing for the season, it was something of a disruption to turn from basketball team to tourists and goodwill ambassadors.
By all accounts, though, the Magic still got their work in. Despite having to cut practice short one of the days because the gym was too hot and seat was pooling on the court, Victor Oladipo told John Denton of OrlandoMagic.com the trip was a productive one for the Magic.
“At the end of the day, this was a business trip for us. Brazil is fun, but we have goals as a team and as players. We knew all along we had to get our work in, get our practice in and get better and come ready to play. Yeah, there’s a little vacation (feel), but it’s time for work for us as a team. We’ve been able to transition and focus on the task at hand no matter what’s going on around us.”
There is still plenty of work to do for the Magic though. Skiles was not happy with the focus on that first practice in Brazil that got cut short because of the conditions. He reported things were better when the team reconvened Friday for a final practice before the game.
And the game itself showed a team there just to take care of business. They stifled the Brazilian champions and even Flamengo’s coaching staff noted the changes from the Magic from this year to last.
For much of the preseason, the Magic have seemingly played OK. There have been moments of really good play to hold onto. But for the most part, the coaching staff has noted that those moments have not lasted long enough. At least not in Skiles’ eyes.
The effort seemingly has gotten better with each progressive game, with a few notable setbacks — the first quarter of the Houston game among them. Generally, Skiles has continued to impress on his team they need to be alert and prepared at all times. They cannot sit back and celebrate small moments during a game but focus on the next possession.
This goes for in game and preparation too. Skiles said earlier this preseason, he is still teaching his team how to prepare and wants to see the team have better, more focused shootarounds. That has been something that has been repeated throughout the preseason too. Concepts from practice have to be carried over into the game. And done so consistently.
The Magic are still working and learning this skill. The big focus from the preseason has not been Xs and Os necessarily. It has been learning to bring intensity and focus to everything they do.
Skiles has had to establish a lot of new habits and old habits from three years of losing and getting pat on the back have still showed up.
The Magic have played better and have seemingly gotten things moving in the right direction. But there still have been some slips.
Now that the team is back from Brazil, Orlando should be expecting a cleaner, more focused game in the preseason finales as the regular season gets closer to starting.
