Magic’s Chuma Okeke stayed steady defensively despite offensive ups and downs
Regardless of his role or the Orlando Magic’ s opponent, Chuma Okeke was steady throughout the 2021-22 season on the less glamorous end of the floor. The second-year forward once again was one of the Magic’ s high-level consistent defensive contributors regardless of the scheme coach Jamahl Mosley deployed. Okeke led the Magic in steals for the second...
Regardless of his role or the Orlando Magic’s opponent, Chuma Okeke was steady throughout the 2021-22 season on the less glamorous end of the floor.
The second-year forward once again was one of the Magic’s high-level consistent defensive contributors regardless of the scheme coach Jamahl Mosley deployed.
In zone, Okeke would show active hands and fly around his area on the floor. In man-to-man, he’d often guard the opposing team’s better 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 game were second behind Jalen Suggs after leading Orlando in the category last season.
“A lot of the dirty work,” Mosley said when asked how Okeke had grown the most. “He can start some games and not start some games. He takes on that role and responsibility. He just embraces it. Some nights if his shot is going in, good. If not, he’s still going to play the same way. We continue to ask him to guard multiple positions. He does it selflessly, being able to do whatever is necessary to help the team.”
Okeke’s defensive versatility helped him remain a positive contributor even when his offensive production — and especially his outside shooting — waned.
Okeke dealt with a bone bruise in his right hip for most of the preseason, limiting what he could do during training camp and keeping him out of preseason action.
He missed the season’s first six games with the injury. Okeke returned in late October but it was evident he was rusty after being sidelined, shooting 23.4% on 3-pointers (4 attempts per game) in his first 27 contests before entering the league’s health and safety protocols in late December after making 34.8% of his 3s his rookie season.
“I’ve had some ups and downs with my shots,” Okeke said. “I don’t think it bothered my confidence. I just don’t like to shoot a lot when I’m missing. I’m always confident in my shot. This season did have a big role in me feeling confident in taking my shots and being aggressive.”
Okeke returned from the protocols with an improved outside shot, knocking down 35.2% of his 3s (6.1 attempts) in his final 43 games (15 starts). He finished the season averaging 8.6 points (31.8% shooting on 3s), 5 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 25 minutes in 70 games (25 starts).
Mosley could consistently be heard telling Okeke to let it go after catching the ball.
“Him telling me that just adds a boost to my confidence,” Okeke said. “My teammates always tell me that too. They got faith in me. I got faith in myself as well.”
Okeke was in spot-up situations — 45% of his offensive usage — more than he was last season (35.2%), making his reliability and effectiveness from beyond the arc even more important for his scoring production.
Steadier shooting would also force defenders to close out harder on Okeke, which would help open up driving lanes to showcase his underrated passing chops.
“You want these guys to continue to have the level of confidence in themselves and within each other,” Mosley said. “The fact he’s willing to do that and we encourage it is something we have to continue to look at. I want these guys to feel confident every time they step on the floor.”
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Khobi Price at khprice@orlandosentinel.com.
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