Leading the Magic to their third Summer League win Wednesday night against the 76ers, second-year pro Jase Richardson wasted no time making his presence felt on the offensive end of the court at UNLV’s Thomas & Mack Center.
Read more Do we really need permanent daylight saving time?
And the 6-foot-1 guard did so in a variety of ways.
He knocked down three 3-pointers in the first half, slammed down a driving dunk in the opening quarter and finished around the rim with tricky layups throughout the 99-92 victory against Philadelphia that moved Orlando to 3-1 in Las Vegas.
Richardson ended with 25 points on 10-for-15 shooting, four assists and three steals in the seven-point win. Just as impressive as his scoring skillset was his ability to control the tempo of the game, according to Magic Summer League coach D.J. Bakker.
“I told him, even in the late game, even when they caught up to us, I want the ball in his hands,” Bakker said about Richardson. “Get us organized. If we can run and we can score easy in transition, let’s do it.”
“If not, he knows his plays to get him going, but he also … has a great feel for his teammates and putting them in the best position they can be in,” Bakker added.
As a rookie with the Magic, Richardson averaged 4.4 points, 1.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists during 10.9 minutes per game across 54 appearances.
He wasn’t asked to do much for Orlando in his first year in the NBA.
During Summer League, however, the Michigan State product has been handed control of the ball and he’s made the most of the opportunity. In three appearances in Las Vegas, Richardson is averaging 18.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.7 steals during 30.1 minutes per game.
He’s shot 54.1% from the field, 50% from 3-point range on 4.7 attempts per night, and has yet to miss a free throw (5 for 5).
Read more Unleashed from FAA grounding, SpaceX Starship aims for launch today
Of course, he hasn’t been perfect. He’s averaged 2.3 turnovers, committing three in the fourth quarter Wednesday night. Still, he’s mostly pleased with how he’s performed at his second Summer League and feels like he’s gotten better at taking charge on the court.
“Just being able to control the floor,” Richardson said. “I mean, end of the game I had a lot of uncharacteristic turnovers, so that’s on me. Going forward, I’ve got to take care of the ball. But other than that, I feel like I’ve been setting guys up for good shots, getting to my own shots and then defending.”
Sean Sweeney’s Magic journey filled with ‘pouring his heart and soul into basketball’
Orlando will play a fifth Summer League game either Saturday or Sunday based on the outcomes of other exhibitions Thursday. Whether or not Richardson suits up for a final game remains to be seen, but he’s made a new fan in Las Vegas.
“He might be the only guy with the speed to blow by anybody at any given time,” ESPN analyst and 2016 NBA champion Iman Shumpert said on Wednesday’s game broadcast. “It’s just a matter of him staying balanced, staying controlled. But I love his pace. I love that he’s getting downhill now and you can tell that he’s way more comfortable with that NBA 3-point line.”
Richardson also shared what new Magic coach Sean Sweeney expects from him this season and beyond based on early conversations between the two.
“(A) guy that’s just a dawg that’s ready to work,” Richardson said about what Sweeney told him. “(A) guy that hounds guys defensively. (Someone who) can knock down the shot and make plays for others.”
Read more Apopka commissioners can’t agree on tax rate as statewide tax vote looms
Jason Beede can be reached at [email protected]