Tristan da Silva provided consolation in his rookie year

Tristan da Silva missed the big shot.

A wide-open three-pointer at the top would have given the Orlando Magic a four-point lead. Instead, the Orlando Magic had to defend to maintain their lead and an improbable victory over the Boston Celtics.

For many newbies, such a moment could cause doubts. If not, don’t doubt the player himself, but the teammates who return to him. It was a big moment and da Silva missed the decisive shot.

It didn’t take long for him to gain redemption, and the Magic were happy to go right back to the rookie. Trevelin Queen caught the ball on a kick-out and shot towards the field, taking just enough of a defender before he passed a pass back to Tristan da Silva in the corner.

As with the previous possession, Da Silva calmly took the shot and deflected it away. The play sparked hysteria during the Orlando Magic’s broadcast on FanDuel Sports Network Florida.

But even Brian Scalabrine heaped praise on the Boston Celtics on NBC Sports Boston, emphasizing how impressed he was with the rookie.

No one on the Magic had any doubt that da Silva would deliver. They saw it when he started working out with them during team training over the summer. You could see his IQ and see his understanding of the game. They knew immediately that he would be ready when his number was called.

“The fact that he doesn’t let his shots faze him at all I think says a lot about him, it says a lot about his confidence,” coach Jamahl Mosley said after Monday’s win. “More than that, it says so much about, and I don’t know if they get enough credit for, that our coaching staff is unbelievably great. What they do, how they work, the time they spend with these guys to have them.” “I’m prepared for the game plans and the personnel and what they have to do every night to prepare for these games is enormous.”

With all the injuries the Magic are dealing with, they turned to da Silva. And they never doubted that the still quiet and reserved newcomer would make such a big splash (look at the celebrations, or lack thereof, as Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner were the first to greet him from the bench), they never doubted that.

One thing the Magic have learned about da Silva in 30 games in the NBA is that his demeanor doesn’t change. And now that the game is slowing down for him, as it is for all newcomers, he is finding his place. He’s getting more and more comfortable – he would say he’s always been comfortable, but it’s been a process, especially on offense.

Da Silva steps up to the plate

Tristan da Silva’s counting stats aren’t particularly worth seeing. But you shouldn’t ignore them either.

He averages 8.3 points and 3.5 rebounds in 24.3 minutes per game. He is shooting 42.5 percent from the floor and 34.0 percent from distance. His usage rate is 14.9 percent, which indicates how few games are played for him and the role he plays in the offense.

But since Franz Wagner’s injury, Tristan da Silva has turned things around.

He is averaging 12.5 points per game and is shooting 45.2 percent and 35.7 percent from three in the last six games. This included 20 points in the loss to the New York Knicks and 15 points against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Da Silva had a usage rate of 19.3 percent during that period. According to Second Spectrum, his touches have increased from 29.8 touches per game this season to 36.5 per game over the last six games.

In his last four games, he scored 15 or more points in three games. Previously, he only had four games with 10 or more points. That helped him climb into the top 10 in NBA.com’s rookie ladder. People are taking notice.

The Magic needed da Silva to step up, and he did.

“He had to evolve because some players went down with different roles and different possessions,” Jalen Suggs said after Monday’s win. “He takes everything with his head held high, with utmost self-confidence and remains balanced despite mistakes, good games and bad games. He never hesitated. He’s a freshman, but he’s still 23.”

The young veteran

Tristan da Silva’s age has become something of a joke. He’s a veteran freshman who played four years at Colorado – another joke between player and coach, as Jamahl Mosley always attributes Tristan da Silva’s high basketball IQ to their shared alma mater.

Still, he was a newbie. And although the magic felt comfortable throwing him into the fire when they were injured, he needed time to get back on his feet. He needed time to adjust to the NBA.

Everyone knew he would get there. You could see how seriously he took the game and how he would fit into the team. They saw it in their offseason workouts and in the pickup runs when he first played with the team. Now it’s just a matter of taking him to the next level.

You could see how much he valued defense and how much he wanted to protect, which contributed to the Magic’s overall ethos. In doing so, he ultimately earned playing time by becoming familiar with his role in the offense.

A lot was asked of Da Silva. And his teammates want him to do more.

Throughout the season, his teammates publicly urged him to be aggressive. They want him to do more. They want him to shoot more. They want him to take advantage of this opportunity.

Da Silva is just beginning to scratch the surface.

“I just try to be aggressive,” da Silva said after the Magic’s loss to the Knicks on Dec. 15. “I sometimes feel like I’m letting my defender off the hook somehow by playing a little more passively and just moving the ball. “My goal, especially in the last few games, is to be more aggressive and attack.”

That doesn’t change da Silva’s basic approach of focusing on the team. He wants to make the right play or pass, just as he wants to make the big shot. Da Silva is mature enough to know what the team needs from him and when.

He is described as aggressive because he has proven his skills through hard work. The team trusts da Silva unconditionally. They see the hard work and know what he is capable of.

Now it’s just a matter of letting the young striker blossom. He gets the chance to spread his wings.

“This is a great opportunity. Nobody’s going to look at your odds in your rookie year,” Moe Wagner said after the Magic’s loss to the Knicks. “You can’t lose. Let it fly. You determine your own destiny, you determine the type of player you want to be. Be aggressive. You are here for a reason. You have a great opportunity right from the start. You just did it.” It’s a great feeling to enjoy it and live out your strength. When he realizes this, he will be really productive.

The magic is trying to take him there. They want him to realize how good he can be.

In the final week of the game, da Silva starts to show it on the pitch. He’s starting to feel more comfortable and that’s expanding his game and increasing his confidence.

Right from the start of the season it’s clear how much he’s grown and how much he’s learned. He’s starting to stack strong games together and stepping up when the Magic need him.

That’s exactly what they hoped for from him.