In a round with German media, Franz and Moritz Wagner from Orlando Magic talked about their respective paths to the NBA, the 2022 basketball championship, goals for the coming season and the strengths of the team.
Moritz came to the Magic late last season, Franz followed as the 8th pick of the last NBA draft to Florida.
In a German media panel, the brothers talked about their free time in their shared apartment, the situation in their team and the differences between college and the NBA.
Franz and Moritz Wagner about:
Franz on his way to basketball: “I started basketball at the age of seven because Moritz played. I would say that I was such a little brother who always wanted to do what my big brother did and that I looked up to Moritz a lot I think Moritz’s path helped me a lot and I’m happy that I went there. “
Moritz’s best advice for his brother: “You turn around and suddenly three years are over. The most important thing about the whole story is that you can’t control anything except your daily work. It’s a very, very awesome job that you do here. When you lose yourself in it , you have the most peace and fun in the situation. Franz has internalized that quite well and that is the best advice I can give him. “
Franz about his first NBA experiences in the Summer League and Preseason: “I think the biggest difference is simply that these guys are all grown men and I have to get used to their physique. You have to make decisions much faster, small mistakes are punished directly.”
Moritz on planning security in the NBA: “I chose the wrong job for planning security. I don’t think I’ll ever have that as an NBA player and that’s okay too.”
Franz on the pressure to perform as an NBA rookie: “You usually put the most pressure on yourself, unfortunately that’s always the case. I’m really looking forward to the season, that’s what you’ve dreamed of. I try to do my job every day and then at some point you lose yourself in the process. “
Moritz about individual seasonal goals: “For me, it is a successful season when I go to work every day with a smile. I don’t fix it to statistics or game minutes because they are things that you can’t control. When I can look back and think that I am I’ve given everything, it’s a successful season for me. “
Franz Wagner: “Our focus is clearly on defense”
Franz about the circumstances in Orlando: “Here is a really great situation to learn together with many young team-mates and many players who want to prove themselves in the league, to create a good culture together and to become a successful team together. I think nobody sets that Expectations are really high. At the same time, we are all very ambitious to get the maximum out of it. I think that success will come quite quickly at some point. We have a very talented team and I fit in here very well. Of course, I also want to show that I belong here and can still take many steps forward. “
Franz on the identity of the team: “Our focus is currently very clearly on defense. Otherwise, versatility is also a keyword, especially defensive. Many people in the team can defend many positions. But on the offensive, too, Coach Mosley often talks about the fact that every player should know every spot on the field and every action should be able to run. In our training, Moritz sometimes pulls to the basket after a handoff. “
Moritz about the Olympic Games in Tokyo: “The Olympics were of course awesome, every athlete has great fun. The group was incredible, I’ve rarely had so much fun with a basketball team.”
