No matter his position or the Orlando Magic’s opponent, Chuma Okeke was regular all through the 2021-22 season on the much less glamorous finish of the ground.
The second-year ahead as soon as once more was one of many Magic’s high-level and constant defensive contributors whatever the scheme coach Jamahl Mosley deployed.
In zone, Okeke would present lively palms and fly round his space on the ground. In man-to-man, he’d usually guard the higher wing scorer, clogging up passing lanes and even stealing the ball from opposing ballhandlers mid-dribble.
Okeke led the Magic in steals (1.4) for the second consecutive season and his 2.1 deflections per recreation had been second behind Jalen Suggs after main Orlando within the class final season.
“A number of the soiled work,” Mosley mentioned when requested how Okeke had grown essentially the most. “He can begin some video games and never begin some video games. He takes on that position and duty. He simply embraces it. Some nights if his shot goes in, good. If not, he’s nonetheless going to play the identical method. We proceed to ask him to protect a number of positions. He does it selflessly, having the ability to do no matter is critical to assist the workforce.”
Okeke’s defensive versatility helped him stay a constructive contributor even when his offensive manufacturing — particularly his exterior taking pictures — waned.
Okeke handled a bone bruise in his proper hip for many of the preseason, limiting what he may do throughout coaching camp and maintaining him out of preseason motion.
He missed the season’s first six video games with the damage. Okeke returned in late October, but it surely was evident he was rusty, taking pictures 23.4% on 3-pointers (4 makes an attempt per recreation) in his first 27 appearances earlier than getting into the league’s well being and security protocols in late December. He made 34.8% in his rookie season.
“I’ve had some ups and downs with my pictures,” Okeke mentioned. “I don’t assume it bothered my confidence. I simply don’t wish to shoot loads after I’m lacking. I’m all the time assured in my shot. This season did have an enormous position in me feeling assured in taking my pictures and being aggressive.”
Okeke returned from the protocols with an improved exterior shot, pulling down 35.2% of his 3s (6.1 makes an attempt) in his remaining 43 video games (15 begins). He completed the season averaging 8.6 factors (31.8% taking pictures on 3s), 5 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 25 minutes in 70 video games (25 begins).
Mosley may persistently be heard telling Okeke to let it go after catching the ball.
“Him telling me that simply provides a lift to my confidence,” Okeke mentioned. “My teammates all the time inform me that, too. They acquired religion in me. I acquired religion in myself as effectively.”
Okeke was in spot-up conditions — 45% of his offensive utilization — greater than he was final season (35.2%), making his reliability and effectiveness from past the arc much more necessary for his scoring.
Steadier taking pictures additionally would pressure defenders to shut out tougher on Okeke, which might open driving lanes to showcase his underrated passing.
“You need these guys to proceed to have the extent of confidence in themselves and inside one another,” Mosley mentioned. “The actual fact he’s keen to do this and we encourage it's one thing we've to proceed to have a look at. I would like these guys to really feel assured each time they step on the ground.”
This text first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. E mail Khobi Value at khprice@orlandosentinel.com.
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