When Magic players took to the practice courts inside the AdventHealth Training Center for their scrimmage Wednesday, they would have noticed different coaches calling out the game plan.
That’s because Orlando guard Jalen Suggs and backup center Moe Wagner helped serve as coaches during the scrimmage portion of practice, according to coach Jamahl Mosley.
Suggs (left knee trochlea cartilage tear) and Wagner (left knee torn ACL) both went through their individual non-contact workouts prior to the scrimmage, Mosley said, but the Magic coach wanted them to gain a different perspective on the team.
“They were able to communicate to the guys and coach the teams separately to understand what that feels like to be behind the board, to communicate with your teammates, to show the expectations of what you want to be done while you’re on the floor,” Mosley said.
Mosley explained the benefits of such a drill for Suggs, Wagner and the rest of the group as the pair continue to rehab their separate left knee injuries and the team progresses through the preseason.
“It’s huge because it talks about communicating,” Mosely said. “It keeps communication as the high priority. You’ve got to be able to communicate with your teammates the things that you see, what you want, the standard that we’ve set.
“I’ve said this before, but it’s easy for coaches to say things, to put things on boards, to watch it on film … It becomes real when these guys can repeat it back to you and they can repeat the message of what they’re calling themselves to do,” he added.
Wagner reacts to preseason opener
Magic forward Franz Wagner, the younger brother of Moe Wagner, didn’t play in last weekend’s preseason opener against the Heat, but not because he’s injured.
Instead, the 24-year-old was resting after his time spent with the German national team at EuroBasket, which Germany won for just the second time in its country’s history.
Although he didn’t take the court vs. Miami, Wagner watched closely as Orlando won 126-118 over its in-state rival.
“I thought we did a good job of playing a little faster, not always calling a play and stuff like that,” he said. “Which were the main points we talked about going into training camp. So, obviously we have to continue to get better. I was very impressed with Jase (Richardson) and Jett (Howard) as well.
“It’s just the first preseason game so hopefully we can get some more rhythm,” he added.
Wagner will have three more chances to play before opening night Oct. 22 against Miami at Kia Center. The first two come this weekend at Philadelphia on Friday and back home Sunday vs. the Heat. The Magic then wrap up the preseason next Thursday at home against New Orleans.
“Yeah, I definitely want to play, get out there with the guys and get a couple minutes,” Wagner said. “Not that much time before the first, real game.”
Wagner was joined by second-year pro Tristan da Silva on Germany’s squad this summer, and Magic center Goga Bitadze represented his home country of Georgia at the tournament.
Mosley said the Magic will manage their minutes on the court as well as their recovery in the preseason.
“It’s just being smart and communicating a ton with our performance team,” the Magic coach said. “And we do a great job of that, making sure that guys are right where they’re supposed to be conditioning-wise but also recovery-wise.”
Jason Beede can be reached at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com
