2023-2024 Regular Season Game 54: Oklahoma City Thunder (36-17) at Orlando Magic (29-24) - 7:30pm

[D12VCMagic]

Shaq calling for Nick Anderson’s jersey to be retired was all class, and he’s right.

[JF5]

So no argument as usual? Yeah.

Your cope is that Orlando is “just young” getting blown out at home to a team just as young lmao.

You’re delusional thinking zero moves could have been made to make Paolo’s and Franz job easier for this team in their development. Kinda like OKC has perfectly done for many years leading up to drafting Chet and JWilliams.

You must think this FO has done an amazing job. I think RealGM is too real for you. Go check out Reddit with all the other homers sucking this FO up like they work for Magic marketing team or something .

Cope? The things that you write are sometimes unhinged, hypocritical, or outright make no sense...

I'm critical of your previous post because the Magic by Mid-Decenber last year were 5-22 and were very much in the running to get a top pick (Hyped and to believed franchise altering players at the time were Wemby and Henderson).

The logic that by game 40-41 that the Magic front office should've started adding surrounding pieces/veterans around Paolo/Franz that wouldve heped them win more, when they had a very real shot at getting a perceived franchise altering player in the 2023 draft at that stage is ridiculous and makes absolutely NO sense.

Yeah? What about the offseason? After the draft?

You know… the time where everyone made arguments about why the actual **** nothing was done aside from bringing in Ingles?

Why is that timeframe absent from the original remark from you laughing about how dumb the notion that making a move at this deadline would have changed anything remotely whatsoever?

Is that time for making roster decisions absent from your mind because it doesn’t support your argument? Couldn’t be.

So who were the Magic going to add who (realistically) wanted to come here without getting in the way of the development of Franz and Paolo and could have pushed this team further into where they are now?

The only realistic option out there was FVV and that man is an overpaid role player. And there have been complaints of him intentionally or unintentionally holding young players back according to the Raptors fanbase, and now the Rockets fanbase. Him on the squad the added wins would be 2-3 wins. But not enough to move the needle.

Saying the front office is trash when they drafted the current core within a 3 year time span is absolutely laughable. Especially when most front offices wiff on multiple picks within a 4-5 year period. They deserve their credit regardless of how you feel about them.

[D12VCMagic]

Shaq calling for nearly every Magic legend except Dwight to have a retired jersey is hilarious.

[thelead]

Shaq calling for nearly every Magic legend except Dwight to have a retired jersey is hilarious.

[Optimus_Steel]

Cope? The things that you write are sometimes unhinged, hypocritical, or outright make no sense...

I'm critical of your previous post because the Magic by Mid-Decenber last year were 5-22 and were very much in the running to get a top pick (Hyped and to believed franchise altering players at the time were Wemby and Henderson).

The logic that by game 40-41 that the Magic front office should've started adding surrounding pieces/veterans around Paolo/Franz that wouldve heped them win more, when they had a very real shot at getting a perceived franchise altering player in the 2023 draft at that stage is ridiculous and makes absolutely NO sense.

Yeah? What about the offseason? After the draft?

You know… the time where everyone made arguments about why the actual **** nothing was done aside from bringing in Ingles?

Why is that timeframe absent from the original remark from you laughing about how dumb the notion that making a move at this deadline would have changed anything remotely whatsoever?

Is that time for making roster decisions absent from your mind because it doesn’t support your argument? Couldn’t be.

So who were the Magic going to add who (realistically) wanted to come here without getting in the way of the development of Franz and Paolo and could have pushed this team further into where they are now?

The only realistic option out there was FVV and that man is an overpaid role player. And there have been complaints of him intentionally or unintentionally holding young players back according to the Raptors fanbase, and now the Rockets fanbase. Him on the squad the added wins would be 2-3 wins. But not enough to move the needle.

Saying the front office is trash when they drafted the current core within a 3 year time span is absolutely laughable. Especially when most front offices wiff on multiple picks. They deserve their credit regardless of hoe you feel about them.

They are not trash but they are extremely passive, that’s extremely obvious and a very fair criticism.

[thelead]

They messed up the font on the Shaq jersey. What a fumble.

100% I cannot understand why they would go with that font. WTF were they thinking???

[Knightro]

Hope people understand this team is still quite young

Yes but so is OKC. Obviously, the big difference is 1) They have an MVP caliber player in his prime 2) They chose/developed shooter while we chose/developed #family

OKC are a better team because they have a better front office. They constructed a roster that makes sense and didn’t waste 4-5 seasons doing nothing drafting busts.

While I do think Presti is much better than Weltman, I think we need to also be fair about how much easier OKC's rebuild was compared to basically any other team because of how much more they had had to trade away.

OKC went 49-33 in 2018-2019, then that offseason they blew up and...

Traded Paul George who at the time was a 28-year-old, 6x all-star for SGA, five first round picks and 2 pick swaps - one of those firsts became Jalen Williams

Traded Russell Westbrook who at the time was a 30-year-old, 8x all-star for Chris Paul for two 1st round picks and two pick swaps - they later flipped Paul himself for a 1st round pick the following offseason

Traded Jeremi Grant who at the time was a 24-year-old high end role player and whose next two contracts were 3/60 and 5/160 for a 1st round pick.

So in basically one shot the Thunder acquired a future all-NBA guard, eight first round picks and four pick swaps.

The Magic blew up a team that was 15-29 and 33-40 the year before.

Vucevic, Gordon and Fournier ultimately netted the Magic Wendell Carter Jr. and 3 first round picks.

[Knightro]

I also don't love this whole "OKC is just as young as Orlando!" argument when their best player is a 25-year-old all-NBA MVP candidate and the Magic's best player is a 21-year-old in his 2nd year (who is having a better second year than SGA had).

Like that is a huge massive glaring difference, ya know?

[Optimus_Steel]

Paul Porter still got it

[eyriq]

Yes but so is OKC. Obviously, the big difference is 1) They have an MVP caliber player in his prime 2) They chose/developed shooter while we chose/developed #family

OKC are a better team because they have a better front office. They constructed a roster that makes sense and didn’t waste 4-5 seasons doing nothing drafting busts.

While I do think Presti is much better than Weltman, I think we need to also be fair about how much easier OKC's rebuild was compared to basically any other team because of how much more they had had to trade away.

OKC went 49-33 in 2018-2019, then that offseason they blew up and...

Traded Paul George who at the time was a 28-year-old, 6x all-star for SGA, five first round picks and 2 pick swaps - one of those firsts became Jalen Williams

Traded Russell Westbrook who at the time was a 30-year-old, 8x all-star for Chris Paul for two 1st round picks and two pick swaps - they later flipped Paul himself for a 1st round pick the following offseason

Traded Jeremi Grant who at the time was a 24-year-old high end role player and whose next two contracts were 3/60 and 5/160 for a 1st round pick.

So in basically one shot the Thunder acquired a future all-NBA guard, eight first round picks and four pick swaps.

The Magic blew up a team that was 15-29 and 33-40 the year before.

Vucevic, Gordon and Fournier ultimately netted the Magic Wendell Carter Jr. and 3 first round picks.

Yeah, that's what we call a "tough comp" LMAO

[thelead]

Paul Porter still got it

The best to do it

[Howard Mass]

I don't think they should have done it but Shaq had a lot of class during that Ceremony.

It brought back a lot of memories of the best time in Orlando Magic History.

[ORLMagicGirl15]

They messed up the font on the Shaq jersey. What a fumble.

I'm getting a feeling that they probably can't use the font.

[Optimus_Steel]

I also don't love this whole "OKC is just as young as Orlando!" argument when their best player is a 25-year-old all-NBA MVP candidate and the Magic's best player is a 21-year-old in his 2nd year (who is having a better second year than SGA had).

Like that is a huge massive glaring difference, ya know?

That’s fair however the frustration is that it’s been a decade of horrible shooting and the front office has done minimal work in attempting to fix such a glaring issue. Even this latest trade deadline they took no shots at making upgrades and they could have made fairly minor moves to improve a glaring weakness, really worst in the league situation, as they attempt to make the playoffs. They just said nah, how can that not be frustrating?

[Optimus_Steel]

Shaq said hey Devos family time to let me run things lol

[MagicMatic]

Yes but so is OKC. Obviously, the big difference is 1) They have an MVP caliber player in his prime 2) They chose/developed shooter while we chose/developed #family

OKC are a better team because they have a better front office. They constructed a roster that makes sense and didn’t waste 4-5 seasons doing nothing drafting busts.

While I do think Presti is much better than Weltman, I think we need to also be fair about how much easier OKC's rebuild was compared to basically any other team because of how much more they had had to trade away.

OKC went 49-33 in 2018-2019, then that offseason they blew up and...

Traded Paul George who at the time was a 28-year-old, 6x all-star for SGA, five first round picks and 2 pick swaps - one of those firsts became Jalen Williams

Traded Russell Westbrook who at the time was a 30-year-old, 8x all-star for Chris Paul for two 1st round picks and two pick swaps - they later flipped Paul himself for a 1st round pick the following offseason

Traded Jeremi Grant who at the time was a 24-year-old high end role player and whose next two contracts were 3/60 and 5/160 for a 1st round pick.

So in basically one shot the Thunder acquired a future all-NBA guard, eight first round picks and four pick swaps.

The Magic blew up a team that was 15-29 and 33-40 the year before.

Vucevic, Gordon and Fournier ultimately netted the Magic Wendell Carter Jr. and 3 first round picks.

Yeah, this post shows that their front office is willing to take risks and make deals. It depends on how far you want to go back.

Weltman had made one move of consequence albeit good with an “all star”. AG move was **** and Fournier was nothing.

The bottom line is that those evaluation years and everything leading up to landing Franz/Suggs/Paolo have resulted in basically nothing whether anyone likes it or not. The only other constant has been JI who has played a fraction of games and minutes.

So when people make excuses about “being young” and “what else were they supposed to do” they make it seem like no other decision prior to Paolo factors into anything. Then I’m told we need to be patient when still no moves are made like it hasn’t been a pattern for 7 seasons.

[JF5]

Yeah? What about the offseason? After the draft?

You know… the time where everyone made arguments about why the actual **** nothing was done aside from bringing in Ingles?

Why is that timeframe absent from the original remark from you laughing about how dumb the notion that making a move at this deadline would have changed anything remotely whatsoever?

Is that time for making roster decisions absent from your mind because it doesn’t support your argument? Couldn’t be.

So who were the Magic going to add who (realistically) wanted to come here without getting in the way of the development of Franz and Paolo and could have pushed this team further into where they are now?

The only realistic option out there was FVV and that man is an overpaid role player. And there have been complaints of him intentionally or unintentionally holding young players back according to the Raptors fanbase, and now the Rockets fanbase. Him on the squad the added wins would be 2-3 wins. But not enough to move the needle.

Saying the front office is trash when they drafted the current core within a 3 year time span is absolutely laughable. Especially when most front offices wiff on multiple picks. They deserve their credit regardless of hoe you feel about them.

They are not trash but they are extremely passive, that’s extremely obvious and a very fair criticism.

I agree that their methods might be a little tedious. But I have to remind myself of what the previous administration did by trading Oladipo/Sabonis (who were/are both allstar caliber players) for a disgruntled role player who didn't even want to be here and pretty much said he was going to leave when he got here.

And trading a young Tobias Harris for expiring contracts in hopes to sign a star caliber who ended being Bismack Biyombo who didn't last long here.

People like the allure of the trade until it actually plays out. For most trade transactions you'll be left unimpressed or disappointed thinking said player would turn into the idealized version the fans made up in their head for them. There really a few times where a player blows you aways once they are moved to a new squad.

[MagicMatic]

So who were the Magic going to add who (realistically) wanted to come here without getting in the way of the development of Franz and Paolo and could have pushed this team further into where they are now?

The only realistic option out there was FVV and that man is an overpaid role player. And there have been complaints of him intentionally or unintentionally holding young players back according to the Raptors fanbase, and now the Rockets fanbase. Him on the squad the added wins would be 2-3 wins. But not enough to move the needle.

Saying the front office is trash when they drafted the current core within a 3 year time span is absolutely laughable. Especially when most front offices wiff on multiple picks. They deserve their credit regardless of hoe you feel about them.

They are not trash but they are extremely passive, that’s extremely obvious and a very fair criticism.

I agree that their methods might be a little tedious. But I have to remind myself of what the previous administration did by trading Oladipo/Sabonis (who were/are both allstar caliber players) for a disgruntled role player who didn't even want to be here and pretty much said he was going to leave when he got here.

And trading a young Tobias Harris for expiring contracts in hopes to sign a star caliber who ended being Bismack Biyombo who didn't last long here.

People like the allure of the trade until it actually plays out. For most trade transactions you'll be left unimpressed or disappointed thinking said player would turn into the idealized version the fans made up in their head for them. There really a few times where a player blows you aways once they are moved to a new squad.

How do you propose Orlando get exponentially better outside of development?

Late draft picks?
When did Orlando make a huge free agent signing?
You’re attempting to make the case that trades aren’t worthwhile.

So development and only development is the way then in your opinion. Like skill sets don’t matter and players can will themselves to become completely different through the power of friendship and coaching. Talent is the only thing that matters and some players you invest in don’t have it. Welcome to reality.

[eyriq]

They are not trash but they are extremely passive, that’s extremely obvious and a very fair criticism.

I agree that their methods might be a little tedious. But I have to remind myself of what the previous administration did by trading Oladipo/Sabonis (who were/are both allstar caliber players) for a disgruntled role player who didn't even want to be here and pretty much said he was going to leave when he got here.

And trading a young Tobias Harris for expiring contracts in hopes to sign a star caliber who ended being Bismack Biyombo who didn't last long here.

People like the allure of the trade until it actually plays out. For most trade transactions you'll be left unimpressed or disappointed thinking said player would turn into the idealized version the fans made up in their head for them. There really a few times where a player blows you aways once they are moved to a new squad.

How do you propose Orlando get exponentially better outside of development?

Late draft picks?
When did Orlando make a huge free agent signing?
You’re attempting to make the case that trades aren’t worthwhile.

So development and only development is the way then in your opinion. Like skill sets don’t matter and players can will themselves to become completely different through the power of friendship and coaching. Talent is the only thing that matters and some players you invest in don’t have it. Welcome to reality.

I read it as a case against making win-now moves when you have a young core. Hennigan torpedoed his build because he tried to consolidate and accelerate.

[Knightro]

I also don't love this whole "OKC is just as young as Orlando!" argument when their best player is a 25-year-old all-NBA MVP candidate and the Magic's best player is a 21-year-old in his 2nd year (who is having a better second year than SGA had).

Like that is a huge massive glaring difference, ya know?

That’s fair however the frustration is that it’s been a decade of horrible shooting and the front office has done minimal work in attempting to fix such a glaring issue. Even this latest trade deadline they took no shots at making upgrades and they could have made fairly minor moves to improve a glaring weakness, really worst in the league situation, as they attempt to make the playoffs. They just said nah, how can that not be frustrating?

Think about it like this...

If you flipped Fultz and SGA, what do you think OKC's record would be and what do you think Orlando's record would be?

Because that is basically the difference in the two teams.

Paolo/Franz/Suggs is equivalent to Williams/Chet/Giddey basically.