Alex Morales is making his case the old-fashioned way: by getting stronger, shooting it better and leaning into defense.
The Orlando Magic Summer League guard said his offseason focus has been on adding muscle and tightening up his perimeter game, all while trying to become more effective as a physical player. Morales described the work as a push to “get stronger, put on a couple pounds,” and spend plenty of time in the weight room and on shooting. He added, “Just trying to be-I'm already a physical player, but just being able to deliver blows instead of taking them so often.”
That mindset fits the role he’s trying to carve out. Morales said the path from G League standout to a permanent NBA roster spot runs through defense, smart play and staying inside the system.
He pointed to the developmental process as a big part of his growth, saying, “It just teaches us how to play basketball the correct way. You come here just with talent, and then they show you how to use your talent within the system.
I think that Dylan did a good job and the rest of the staff on instilling that in me and everybody that's come through. I would say the results showed; we got a couple people in the NBA that came through here.”
On the floor, Morales said the group’s strong first half came from a sharper start than in the first couple games. “Different from the first couple games, I think we came out with energy.
I think we came out with points to prove, just picking up our ball pressure and just playing hard, just starting off physical, playing hard, setting the tone. So, I think that was it.”
Defensively, Morales knows exactly what he has to clean up. He said Sean Sweeney has emphasized the importance of defending without putting himself in foul trouble, especially after some of his stints last year.
“Definitely. I just got to be able to defend.
I think some of the stints I got last year, I kind of fouled a lot. Just being able to defend without fouling, learning the rules of the NBA instead of G League rules, but just being able to defend and then knock down shots, and also play smart and within the system.”
Morales also had praise for teammate Noah Penda, calling him “Very versatile, very unselfish. He can guard one through five-obviously a physical player.
He just plays basketball the right way, and whatever is given to him, he takes it. Obviously his strong suit is he can go guard one through five and be physical on each position.”
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