Magic training camp: Early observations after media day, first practice

ORLANDO, Fla. — With a new coach in charge, the Orlando Magic held their first official practice on Tuesday under Sean Sweeney at the AdventHealth Training Center.

Sweeney was hired as the 16th head coach in franchise history on June 1 after serving as associate head coach of the San Antonio Spurs. He officially joined the Magic after the New York Knicks closed out the Spurs in Game 5 of the NBA Finals for their third title.

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A native of Minnesota, Sweeney established himself as a detail-oriented coach who brought an intensity, intentionality and passion to the job daily across his stops as an assistant coach in Brooklyn, Milwaukee, Detroit and Dallas.

So far, nothing has changed in his new role.

“He is going to keep it real, every single day, whether you want to hear it or not,” said Magic guard Jalen Suggs, who met Sweeney at a young age through basketball in Minnesota. “I think my favorite part about it is he appreciates you. He is going to let you know that he appreciates you beforehand by how he treats you in the daily interactions, but when it is time to share some truth with you, and he has got to keep it real, he is very authentic in how he does so, and I appreciate that.”

Sweeney tried to gather much of the roster in Orlando weeks before training camp to further implement his vision and plan for the team, which has been eliminated in the first round of the playoffs in each of the last three seasons under Jamahl Mosley.

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The first-time head coach has also added new terminology on both sides of the ball that will be instituted early in training camp. The group will also have new principles in its defensive coverages, which will differ from what the team did with Mosley.

The team primarily executed defensive drills during the first practice session Tuesday morning. Sweeney was particularly pleased with the group’s buy-in and the level of communication between the players during breaks in action.

“I thought it was a good day,” Sweeney said. “I thought the intent was phenomenal. I thought they did a really good job with their effort. I thought the defense was ahead of the offense, all of the normal stuff for training camp for the first day. I loved the way they attacked it.”

Sweeney and the rest of the coaching staff have kept their messaging succinct and consistent, with a clear plan outlined for the players before each drill on the court. It allowed for a relatively seamless transition when the urgency ratcheted up.

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“It is very organized,” Magic forward Franz Wagner said of their first practice. “Every drill is scheduled to the second pretty much. It’s running to the next drill, jogging to the water bottles when you get a little break, and some of those little things. It wasn’t too long, but very intentional and very intense as we were going.”

While the first practice was on the defensive side of the ball, the team was scheduled to return to the facility in the evening for offensive teaching. Sweeney said that gathering would be “hard and fast-paced,” but “much more mental” than physical.

The Magic, who don’t play their first preseason game until Oct. 7, expect plenty of opportunities to instill a new system before they take the court in a game setting. The group is confident it’ll be up to speed by opening night on Oct. 21.

“Every day, coming in with the right attitude and right mindset ready to compete and push each other,” Magic forward Paolo Banchero said. “Execute what the coaches are telling us and then have fun at the end of the day. Urgency is definitely important, and that’s what I feel like has been the theme so far.”

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Other observations from media day and Practice No. 1:

Paolo Banchero

Banchero arrived at media day on Monday visibly slimmer after a purposeful offseason in the weight room and on the court. He spent much of the summer back home in Seattle, and he even worked out with Sweeney a couple of times in the Pacific Northwest.

“I just worked all offseason,” Banchero said. “I was in the weight room a lot. A lot of running, a lot of conditioning. Just challenging myself throughout the summer in my workouts. Really, it was just fun for me, getting back to that and getting to really just challenge myself and push my limits and finding fun in some of the struggling throughout the summer. I definitely learned a lot about myself. I’m excited for this year. I feel great. I’m in a great spot.”

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Banchero linked up with several teammates throughout the summer, and he even joined Kevin Durant for a high-intensity workout. He also returned to Duke, along with Wendell Carter Jr., for the annual “Pro Devils Weekend” in Durham.

After missing 46 games over the past two years, the former All-Star said he wants to play every game this season and lead the Magic back to the NBA Finals. Though Banchero declined to share how much weight he lost, Carter can see a difference in his physique.

“He has definitely slimmed up some,” Carter said. “Very springy, very bouncy like I remember when he first got in the league. I’m super excited to see what he can do, for him individually and for this team. He is one of those guys who wants to win; whatever it takes to win. He has proven that this summer with taking care of his body. I’m ready to get out there with my brother.”

Speaking of weight loss, second-year forward Noah Penda had perhaps the most noticeable transformation from last season on arrival Monday. To take a step forward this season, Penda wanted to transform his body this summer and improve his shot.

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The Frenchman worked diligently with a chef while he essentially lived in the weight room. He revealed that he slimmed down from 260 pounds last season to 236 pounds entering training camp based on his experience as a rookie.

“I’ve always wanted to lose some pounds,” Penda said. “I’ve never felt like I really had to, but what was really the turning point for me this season was seeing a couple of guys out of the league after being first-round (picks), some guys getting traded after finishing their rookie contract. I realized that the NBA can be really short. You don’t have time to waste on stuff you can fix earlier in your career.”

Nikola Vučević

Five years after being traded from Orlando, Nikola Vučević is back in Central Florida in his familiar No. 9 Magic jersey. He signed a one-year contract with the Magic on July 1 after splitting last season between Chicago and Boston.

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Vučević played in 591 career games with Orlando from 2012-21, averaging 17.6 points, 10.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists. He is the Magic all-time leader in field goals (4,490) and ranks second in double-doubles (354) and rebounds (6,381), and third in points (10,423).

The two-time All-Star grew quite fond of Orlando during his time with the team and even kept his house in the “City Beautiful” after he was traded to Chicago. He is confident he can help the team on and off the court as he enters his 16th year in the league.

“For me, being back here after five years, everybody knows how much Orlando means to me, so I’m very excited to be back,” Vučević said. “But I think what I’m most excited about is the opportunity we have with this group of guys. A very talented team, obviously, led by Paolo, Franz and Desmond — guys that are really locked in and really want to win and take the next step. I’m excited to be a part of it, and hopefully I can help with my experience and what I bring on the court.”

This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Magic training camp: Early observations after media day, first practice

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