Orlando Magic's D.J. Bakker Praises Roster Ahead of First Summer League Game

The Orlando Magic are set to kick off their Summer League slate of games by facing the Charlotte Hornets in Las Vegas on Thursday.

Ahead of their first game, Magic summer league head coach D.J. Bakker talked with the media about the feelings of the group heading into the first game.

"Yeah, it's exciting," Bakker said. "You know, we had a good five-day camp back in Orlando. Guys were really competitive, you know, eager to compete against a different team and get out here.

So, now the guys are excited," he added. "Great camp, great work habits. I love the energy and excitement to come here and play and compete. So, yeah, we're excited to be here."

The Magic’s summer league roster is headlined by returners such as Jase Richardson and Noah Penda, while also having new faces like second-round pick Izaiyah Nelson. In Bakker’s view, the intensity and character being displayed by those players and others is encouraging.

"That was great and it was what I anticipated," Bakker said. "You know, they've had the guys that were brought together, you know, the guys that are returning. There's a certain character that they have, a competitive character, characteristic about themselves. And, yeah, they were excited to be here and, you know, excited to keep building, keep working.

"We have a lot of time out here," Bakker added. "So, I'm excited to have this group and I like their mindset and approach ever since we flew out here and they're locked in."

When it comes to Richardson, there is a characteristic that Bakker admires.

"Yeah, number one for me with him, it's his leadership," Bakker said. "You know, he's an extension of me on the court. He has great IQ, great confidence. He knows his teammates well. So, he does a good job of putting players in different spots. He knows where their strengths are and gets them playing to that.

"So, you feel really confident with him on the court. I like how he carries himself. I love his communication and he's got great IQ; great feel for the game. And so, I'm excited to go through these games with him."

When it comes to Penda, Bakker is relishing the tools he has to work with and maximizing them.

"Well, he's a great competitor and he has a great physicality and he knows how to use his physicality and he likes physicality, you know," Bakker said. "So, he has all of the makeup of what a great defender is. You really appreciate his defensive versatility. He guards smalls.

"He could obviously guard wings and he can switch on to the bigs as well," Bakker added. "So, he wants those matchups. He wants to know, hey, who's the key players on the other team, the top scorer? And he wants those one-on-one matchups. He wants to take on that challenge. And then, offensively, just you can use them all over the floor."

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