In a media session with German journalists, Franz and Moritz Wagner from the Orlando Magic talked about the rookie-of-the-year race, trash talk and Dirk Nowitzki, among other things.
Moritz Wagner has been playing with the Magic since last season, and his younger brother Franz followed as the eighth pick in the 2021 NBA draft.
After the training, the two answered the reporters’ questions in a German media round.
Franz Wagner on a possible EM participation: “Summer is still a long way away. We’re only halfway through my first season and I’m trying to finish it as best I can. Then we’ll see what’s possible in the summer.”
Moritz Wagner about participating in the European Championship: “For me it’s similar to Franz. There’s so little you can plan in advance in this job, so I can’t think about it at the moment. We’ll see when the time comes.”
Franz Wagner on whether he prefers to play more on-ball or off-ball: “I enjoy both a lot. It was definitely a completely different strain because as a point guard you have to do a lot more than announce the plays and communicate more. So it was cool to have this experience and I did too learned a lot. I think I’m best when I do a little bit of both and it’s not hard for me to switch back and forth. A healthy balance of both is what I like most.”
Franz Wagner on his chances in the Rookie-of-the-Year race: “I just try to play as well as I can every time I come on the field. Of course it’s cool to play so well, but it’s also always difficult when you compare yourself to other players. That’s how the situations are anyway different, so I’ll let the media have fun with the discussion. I just want to enjoy the game and not think too much about stuff like that.”
Franz Wagner on playing with his brother: “I notice how easy it is and that you don’t have to say so many things. It’s easy for us in attack, and I think we have a good feeling for the game in general. But also for what the other person likes to do or not I love doing it so much and I think you can see that on the pitch.”
Moritz Wagner on the interaction: “The one thing that impresses me is his consistency. I knew he could play basketball and it doesn’t surprise me that he’s playing so successfully. But to be able to do it so consistently, three to four times a week, that’s something special.”
Moritz Wagner: “I don’t want no smoke”
Franz Wagner on the differences between him and his brother on the court: “I started playing basketball because my big brother played. Of course, I also copied things. We play with a certain energy and emotionality that is unique. Moritz has a lot of energy, which is also very important for every team, for which he plays.”
Moritz Wagner on verbal battles with DeMar DeRozan and Luka Doncic and trash talk: “I’m honestly embarrassed in a way. I don’t want to be known for that, I just want to play basketball. Doncic and DeRozan aren’t really players I want to trash talk with right now. They’re both 30 points on average – I don’t want no smoke. I try to play hard and in the future I have to find a better balance.”
Moritz Wagner about Dirk Nowitzki as inspiration: “I could talk about it for hours. He was the first to answer the question of whether a German boy can make it into the NBA, and the way he did it is something very special.”
The next game of the Wagner brothers at DAZN you’ll see on February 5th when the Orlando Magic are visiting the Memphis Grizzlies.