Magic Guards Pushing Each Other To New Limits

I asked Desmond Bane about the defensive energy in the backcourt at Orlando Magic Training Camp.

It has been crazy.

Guys picking up, hounding the ball, fighting over screens; it has been good.

(Makes) Everybody (better). If we are going to be the defensive team that we want to be, it’s going to help all of us continue to improve.Desmond Bane

I asked Jevon Carter if this Magic defensive system allows the guards to feel more comfortable gambling to generate turnovers:

Everybody is locked in.

So you can be a little more aggressive because you know you got four guys on the backside locked in and ready to help. So it does make it easier when you are pressuring the ball if you do make a mistake, you know you got guys that got your back.

Definitely makes it a lot easier knowing you got five guys guarding with you, you’re not just by yourself on an island.Jevon Carter

I asked Anthony Black how Orlando's defensive system helps him be a ball hawk and helps the Magic Guards force Steals

Our spots that we are supposed to be in defensively lead to a lot of those steals…

All the guards in practice are working on being in those spots, being ready for the ball.Anthony Black

I asked Jase Richardson how the team is helping him know when and where to gamble for Steals:

For me, it is all about timing.

Certain areas I can, certain areas I cannot. It is going to the flow of the game

When we need a play like that, probably be more aggressive with it.

But when we have certain leads, certain runs, certain things in the game, got to be mindful of what the score and time is, and just being smart on that front.Jase Richardson

On the defensive energy in the backcourt being contagious, Jase confirmed, "1000%"

One thousand percent.

You see Desmond or Jalen dive after a loose ball or get a steal on ball, it turns up the energy for everybody.

Being a guard, setting the tone early, disrupting plays, passing lanes…Jase Richardson

How Sweeney's Defense Helps Guards Gamble For Steals

Bane described the defensive energy of the Magic's backcourt battles as 'crazy', saying how the experience will definitely help everybody continue to get better and reach their goals to be an elite defensive team. Suggs noted the challenge laid upon the players by the coaching staff to chase consistency and efficiency, to stay locked into the challenge at hand every day.

Richardson confirmed that chaotic defensive energy is contagious in Orlando's backcourt battles, saying that the guards set the tone. On the idea of when and where to gamble for steals, Richardson said, for him, 'it is all about timing.'

Carter said knowing all five teammates are locked in behind you makes it easier to be a little more aggressive when it comes to gambling for steals. Black praised the positioning of the defensive system for helping the team force turnovers, saying the guards are focused on being in the correct position and staying ready for the ball.

Gambling for steals in general can be a negative, but gambling for steals when you have a realistic shot of deflecting the ball and have the confidence that even if you miss, you have an all-world defense behind you ready to clean up your mistake, turns this form of gambling into a low-risk high-reward proposition. The payoff of potential points off forced turnovers outweighs the risk of giving up a good shot to the other team, because you have the team defense capable of minimizing that risk.

While some players lean on lazily reaching out of position to gamble for steals too often, the place that particular skill has positive value is when it's flanked with a team defense that can make up for it, making the risk more calculated and even a positive.

If Orlando's guards stick to their positions in Sweeney's defensive system, the force turnover tallies should write themselves.