Jase Richardson knows that in order to see the floor throughout his rookie campaign for Magic coach Jamahl Mosley, he’ll have to defend at a high level.
Sure, the Michigan State product shot 41.2% from 3-point range during his lone season of college basketball and could help an area of need for Orlando.
But listed at only 6 feet 1, Richardson steps onto the court at a size disadvantage that opposing offenses could look to attack.
“Just being a guy who’s willing to guard,” Richardson said Thursday at the AdventHealth Training Center when asked what role he’s held during practice. “That’s the biggest thing for me. I have to show that I can guard, especially at my size.
“So, [I’m] just coming in picking up 94 feet, trying to get over screens, fight, being a physical guard,” he added.
Despite his size, Richardson plays above his height. It was a characteristic he portrayed at Las Vegas Summer League in July and it’s carried over into his first NBA training camp.
His new teammates, including Wendell Carter Jr., have noticed Richardson’s confidence on the court.
“The one thing I love about Jase is that he came in and he’s showing what he can bring to this team,” the Magic center said Wednesday.
Richardson explained Thursday where that confidence comes from as the youngest player on the squad.
“I always try to come into everything I do with the utmost confidence in myself,” the 19-year-old said. “When I came into training camp, I just wanted to show that I could compete with these guys. So, bring the energy, talk a little trash if I have to, show that I’m not just a rookie who’s going to suck up to these guys, honestly.
“Coming in with the utmost confidence and then also being a sponge in that too, respecting other guys when they’re trying to talk to me.”
Penda relishes competition
Not much has surprised fellow rookie Noah Penda through the first three days of camp but he has noticed an uptick in quality of play compared to his home country of France.
“The NBA level, that’s pretty different,” he said. “The individuals in here are just a step above what I used to play against. But most of my teammates and the coaches say, ‘irons sharpen irons,’ so it just makes me better and that’s good.”
The best advice he’s gotten from his new teammates is to ask questions.
According to Mosley, Penda has done just that alongside Richardson.
“Noah and Jase ask some of the best questions because they want to know and they’re not afraid to ask because [of] the environment we’ve created,” Mosley said. “Everybody has to be able to have a voice in what we’re doing. They understand exactly when they’re on the floor what they’re being tasked to do.”
New NBA rule
The NBA in September approved a new rule that could contribute to more end-of-quarter half-court heaves.
Starting this season, any shot taken within the final three seconds of the first three quarters and from at least 36 feet away on any play that starts in the backcourt will count as a team shot attempt — not an individual one.
In recent years, some players have avoided taking deeper shots at the end of quarters so as to not lower their personal shooting percentages. The new rule should change that from happening.
Mosley, a defensive-minded coach, shared his thoughts about the change.
“The league has looked at a lot of different things trying to figure out ways to go about changing the game and making it a priority for guys to take shots,” he said. “They’ve look at it throughout the G League and our league, and they say, ‘Get the shot up, give yourself an opportunity.’”
Jason Beede can be reached at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com