The transition to the NBA can be a bit difficult for rookie players. They are tasked with learning a completely new system while also dealing with better competition against stronger players.
They are also subjected to a bit of rookie hazing by their veteran teammates.
Typical rookie responsibilities include taking care of expensive checks at restaurants, picking up food for plane rides and other related tasks. They also may find that their cars have been filled with popcorn at some point in the season.
Orlando Magic rookies Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner may have a different experience this year.
That’s because newly-signed veteran Robin Lopez has developed a highly unique plan to welcome Suggs and Wagner to the league. He detailed his plan this week on Twitter, which includes several publications and a magazine club.
I've decided to haze the Magic rookies by making them get me the newest issues of National Geographic, Popular Science and The New Yorker when they come out and we're going to have a little magazine club and talk about what we've read.
It will be delightful and you can't join.
— Robin Lopez (@rolopez42) September 27, 2021
Lopez said Suggs and Wagner look to be embracing the idea a little bit.
While they appear to be warming up to it, Cole Anthony and R.J. Hampton each expressed their excitement to no longer be considered rookies. Lopez is going to try to force them into participating anyway.
“The second-year guys haven’t (embraced it),” Lopez said on Thursday. “What’s the rule, you have to play 82 games before (you’re no longer considered a rookie)? R.J. and Cole were saying, ‘I’m glad I’m not a rookie anymore.’ I’m going to have to send them to the airport (to get the magazines) because that’s the only place you can get print media these days.”
Good thing I ain’t a rookie no more🙅🏽♂️ https://t.co/Y7pcXaeO9s
— Cole Anthony (@The_ColeAnthony) September 27, 2021
Glad this my 2nd year https://t.co/jo8Fu61vPG
— RJ (@RjHampton14) September 28, 2021
Lopez is regarded as one of the most entertaining players in the NBA from his infamous spats with mascots to his personality off of the court. Of course, he has also established himself as one of the most productive centers over his time in the league.
The 13-year veteran signed with the Magic over the offseason and cannot wait to get started with his new teammates. He has spent the past few weeks practicing with the team ahead of training camp and believes the team has plenty of talent to make noise this season.
With Lopez in the mix, the Magic have brought plenty of energy and enthusiasm to the first few days of training camp and appear to have developed strong chemistry with each other.
We’ll see if that will continue once the magazine club kicks off.
This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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