[jwplayer gGabj0xN]
Orlando Magic head coach Steve Clifford offered some words of encouragement for first-round pick Cole Anthony on Monday, saying the former North Carolina Tar Heels guard had his best day of practice since training camp began.
Anthony, like all rookies this year, will face an uphill battle with learning the playbook in such a condensed time frame prior to the start of the 2020-21 season. The task has presented its usual challenges for a first-year player but Anthony showed progress in practice on Monday.
“Today was his best day, for sure,” Clifford said. “We played two full quarters and I thought it was by far [his best]. When we got done today, I saw [Nikola Vucevic] go over to him and put his arm around him, I think more to say, ‘See, you’re going to get there.’ Listen, it’s [hard] for these guys to come in and learn this stuff. It’s a lot different.”
Clifford said that he wants to get Anthony comfortable playing at point guard this season before experimenting with him in different lineups. The Magic announced that Terrence Ross suffered a left big toe injury but Clifford said Anthony will not be used to replace Ross at the two if he misses time.
The Magic kick off their two-game preseason schedule on Friday as the team will have additional time to practice and continue preparations ahead of the season. Clifford has previously said Anthony has picked up things quickly, an encouraging sign after only a handful of practices.
[lawrence-related id=24798,24782,24337]
[listicle id=24420]