Wendell Carter Jr. believes Finals matchup shows what's possible for Magic
Unlike some online who view the Finals matchup between two small markets in Oklahoma City and Indiana as negative for the league, Carter believes it's healthy overall.
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'It's been nothing shy of amazing,' he recently told the Sentinel on the phone about the postseason. 'With these two teams in the Finals, it's very good for the NBA. Very healthy that two small market teams [are] getting this type of exposure.
'Of course, I want us to be there one day playing for a championship, to bring a championship to Orlando [but] it's a good thing what's going on right now with both teams young, scrappy [to have] made it that far,' he added. 'It's a good sign, for sure.'
Although the Magic were eliminated from the first round in two consecutive seasons, Carter believes they're not far off from replicating the type of run the Thunder and Pacers are on.
In addition to building through the draft and relying on internal development, Oklahoma City and Indiana also made key trades to bolster their rosters.
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As Orlando enters a crucial summer looking at its roster construction through a 'win-now' lens, Carter also pointed out something key about the Thunder and Pacers that's plagued the Magic over the years.
'It shows that anything is possible,' he said about the Finals matchup. 'It's very possible. We've just got to be even more locked in, be in better shape [and] take care of our bodies even more so that we can withstand 82 games and then go into the playoffs and not drop off at all.
'That's one of the biggest things when you look at teams that make deep playoff runs — it's the ones that can stay the healthiest,' he added. 'Those two teams have done a really good job of that.'
Remaining healthy has been a challenge for Carter throughout his Magic tenure. This past season, he saw improvement when he played a career-high 68 games, but it was only the second time in seven years he crossed 60 appearances.
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Without needing surgery this summer, Carter was able to dive into training after giving his body a break upon the start of the offseason.
'My body's feeling amazing,' he said. 'I'm getting in unbelievable shape, improving my skills, sharpening the tools in the toolshed … Next for me is just continue to work all of this offseason and then go into training camp feeling as good as I possibly can.'
When Carter and the Magic return for camp likely at the end of September, they'll be wearing Orlando's new uniforms and logos.
The 6-10 center described the rebrand as 'fire.'
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'Bringing back that retro theme, it's really good for the organization,' Carter said. 'I'm excited just to hoop in them.
'You know what they say — you look good, you play good.'
Jason Beede can be reached at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com
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