2022-2023 Preseason Game 4: Memphis Grizzlies (2-1) at Orlando Magic (2-1) - 7pm

[akhan786]

I really like the Gary Trent Jr idea, especially if Fultz gels with our front court.

I wanted us to trade AG for Gary Trent Jr in the first place.

This is the first I’ve heard of the idea and I like it too. He’s not as big of a star as say Lavine, Poole, or Booker so I feel like he fits our group and trajectory like a glove (and is more realistic). He locks in on defense too and knows how to play in a system with other good players. I would think we present a really attractive option for him cause there is a hole at SG and I think he’d like playing with Paolo/Wendell and I think everyone in the league would love to play with Franz.

[VFX]

Just rewatched due to working late.

Carter - Paolo - Franz 3 man game is amazing when it’s all working right. Just think when they all get more comfortable out there how deadly that will be with shooters.

Paolo is who Aaron Gordon wishes he was.

Point Franz is channeling prime Hedo in year 2.

Carter is the perfect modern C. He does everything you want him to and nothing you don’t. His contract looks like an absolute steal at this point.

[tooler]

I’m puzzled why the pundits keep predicting WCJ as a “low end starter” at center. I know he’s not Jokic but what exactly are they looking for in a mid-high end starter? I guess it’s the high flying lockdown defense?

[Skybox]

I’m puzzled why the pundits keep predicting WCJ as a “low end starter” at center. I know he’s not Jokic but what exactly are they looking for in a mid-high end starter? I guess it’s the high flying lockdown defense?

I'm sure I've said it...He's a great 4th option on a good team. He does everything pretty well. He appears to be a beautiful fit with Franz & Paolo. He's not a shot blocker, you don't run your offense through him, he's not (yet?) a knockdown threat from deep. He's just right with what we seem to have going - if we can just find some solid scoring/shooting for our backcourt. I always liked WCJ and his contract might be the highest value/cost ratio in the NBA, but I guess he's not Embiid or Jokic...which is fine.

If we get some real quality play from Isaac at various frontcourt spots off the bench...we would definitely have an argument for best young frontcourt in the NBA, IMO. Getting that shooter in the backcourt will only get us there sooner by making some space for our forwards to work. Very promising show last night.

[PrimeThyme]

I’m puzzled why the pundits keep predicting WCJ as a “low end starter” at center. I know he’s not Jokic but what exactly are they looking for in a mid-high end starter? I guess it’s the high flying lockdown defense?

I think a lot of people have just been wrong on him his entire career and continue to dig their feet in.

The tape and talent was there from the start. From the day we made the Vuc trade I heralded it on this board because in my eyes it wasn’t just the firsts, it was the fact that we were getting a 22 year old top 6 draft pick in return who had a legitimate modern NBA skillset that was held back by subpar coaching and injuries in Chicago.

Now that he’s been able to string some healthier seasons together and find his role on this team, he’s blossoming. I really think he has an Al Horford ceiling in this league and that’s far from low-end starting center. He may never crack the top 5, but Horford has changed the identity of plenty of teams and made serious impacts in many of playoff series.

I want that player on my team. Perfect player for Franz and Paolo.

[drsd]

Look at what happens when Franz-Paolo-WCJ all touch the ball on a possession at 0:35, 1:03, 2:07, 2:32…that really has to be our go-to “play”.

Start with Paolo with the ball. Make a move to destabilize the defense cause of how much attention he attracts and then kick out to Franz. Franz draws 2 and hits Wendell for a finish either at the basket, midrange, or 3. Wendell is a versatile af finisher and reminds me of a bigger more athletic Al Horford. Drill that ish like CLOCKWORK. Franz clearly is operating at a bball IQ where if you send 2….he immediately knows that means someone is open. That is one of the most deadly skills in all of basketball especially if it’s immediate.

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That 1st quarter offensive rebound were Banchero did a pump fake to earn the And-1, b-e-a-utiful!

[Ducklett]

People finally excited about our front court makes me happy to see.

[j_n]

That was fun to watch, Franz, Paolo and Wendel are just so intelligent, we're going to have some fun games this year, and Markelle hasn't even played yet.

[NavalAviator94]

That was fun to watch, Franz, Paolo and Wendel are just so intelligent, we're going to have some fun games this year, and Markelle hasn't even played yet.

That really was so much fun to watch and stress reducing after seeing how horrible the team played in their first game. That might have been the ugliest game I've watched in decades.

The two things I'm really looking forward to seeing are Markelle with this group along with JI/Banchero playing the 4/5

[Magic#1]

So, if Bol shows he can be healthy, he looks like a potential better backup than Bamba. I'm glad we resigned Bamba because he is still an asset, but I'm good with him going to the highest bidder.

[Bigmagicfan82]

If JI can come back healthy and show he is the same player. I know that is a big "IF". I think Orlando should try a deal for SGA. I think he will want out by the trade deadline. We would have to give a kings ransom for him but I think it can work. I am thinking something like

JI, Suggs, Mo Bamba, Ross, Chicago's 1st, and Denver's first to OKC for SGA and filler

Flutz/ Cole
SGA/Hampton/ Harris
Wagner/ Huston/ Okeke
Paolo/ Bol Bol/ Filler
WCJ/ Mo Wagner/ Filler

[Hogified05]

If JI can come back healthy and show he is the same player. I know that is a big "IF". I think Orlando should try a deal for SGA. I think he will want out by the trade deadline. We would have to give a kings ransom for him but I think it can work. I am thinking something like

JI, Suggs, Mo Bamba, Ross, Chicago's 1st, and Denver's first to OKC for SGA and filler

Flutz/ Cole
SGA/Hampton/ Harris
Wagner/ Huston/ Okeke
Paolo/ Bol Bol/ Filler
WCJ/ Mo Wagner/ Filler

Listen I am rooting for all these kids, they all seem like good kids. I just think the Suggs injury might be a blessing in disguise. I just don't think he maximizes us as a team. TRoss fits sublimely in the starting 5 with Franz, Paolo, Carter and eventually Fultz. I suppose it really comes down to who you prefer running the PG for this team Suggs or Fultz. I prefer Fultz he is just more skillful to me, Suggs seems like he has used his athleticism more then anything to get to this point and in the NBA they catch up. I just fear they think they have to start Suggs because he is a top 5 pick. Bring him off the bench, Ross just fits the starters like a glove. Just an off guard who can shoot surrounded by guys who can create.

As far as Bamba I've been off for awhile. Good kid, I just don't see it. He has limited awareness on the court. I just see him jog up and down the court in lala land too many times. I am still a believer in JI, unless he gets hurt again this year or doesn't play half the year. But if his injuries are behind him dude is a generational defensive talent. I mean this I've never seen someone disrupt so many plays on the perimeter and in the paint. Usually it's just one or the other. Plus he was really starting to shoot it well in the bubble.

Heres the thing. All these young guys can't all play together forever. For a good basketball team you need guys to swallow their pride and carve out define roles. I think it's becoming apparent pretty fast we are going go as far as Paolo and Franz take us when they reach their prime. Carter is definitely a keeper as well. I think Cole and Hampton are already down to play their roles off the bench. I'd like to keep Moe Wagner to just to keep Franz happy. It basically comes down to me who do you like Fultz or Suggs and Isaac and Bamba. I prefer Isaac and Fultz. To me I use this year to scope out a 2 guard to match with Franz and Paolo and I use Bamba-Suggs to hopefully score that off guard.

Also completely unrelated but I think Dallas is screwing up surrounded Luka with talent. He will be in his prime when his contract is up in 2027. Cuban will do everything to keep him, but if they keep screwing up....If we still have Mosley (super tight with Luka) and Franz and Paolo are entering their prime...I think we are going look mighty attractive to Luka...Just saying.

[drsd]

Just rewatched due to working late.

Carter - Paolo - Franz 3 man game is amazing when it’s all working right. Just think when they all get more comfortable out there how deadly that will be with shooters.

Paolo is who Aaron Gordon wishes he was.

Point Franz is channeling prime Hedo in year 2.

Carter is the perfect modern C. He does everything you want him to and nothing you don’t. His contract looks like an absolute steal at this point.

And-1

Fultz/Anthony/Suggs/Hampton, there is a starting PG in that.

Orlando is a 40% 3-D SG away from having a complete roster. I am VERY curious to see if Ross can be the "3" in that (he isn't the "D" after all). Ross as a starter should really free up the Carter - Paolo - Franz 3 man game.


..

[drsd]

TRoss fits sublimely in the starting 5 with Franz, Paolo, Carter and eventually Fultz.

I am also coming to the conclusion that Suggs/Harris co-injuries could be a real blessing to get Ross excited, and that is as a starter.


Perhaps this is the healthy rotation now:


Fultz/Anthony/Cannady
Ross/Suggs/Harris/Hampton
F-Wagner/Okeke
Banchero/Isaac/Bol
Carter/Bamba/M-Wagner

What is very clear from the above is that either Harris or Ross needs to be shipped as soon as the depth chart is cemented.

..

[drsd]

People finally excited about our front court makes me happy to see.

All the talk that it is a guards' league: rubbish!

Zig when teams are zagging!

Spoiler:

..

[Blue_and_Whte]

So, if Bol shows he can be healthy, he looks like a potential better backup than Bamba. I'm glad we resigned Bamba because he is still an asset, but I'm good with him going to the highest bidder.

Bol played 10 more minutes than Bamba on a night where they were trying to win and played their main guys heavy minutes.

Is this anything?

[jezzerinho]

So, if Bol shows he can be healthy, he looks like a potential better backup than Bamba. I'm glad we resigned Bamba because he is still an asset, but I'm good with him going to the highest bidder.

Bol played 10 more minutes than Bamba on a night where they were trying to win and played their main guys heavy minutes.

Is this anything?

I only got to watch the 10 min highlights and even on those you could see Bamba clearly dragging his feet in defensive transition and in general. I really hope Mose sat him on purpose for the latter part of the game, because that can't be the product you put out on the court if you want a career.

Separately, despite there still being a a ton of people on here who "can't stand watching Cole" play, he's building off late last season in terms of showing increased self-awareness and deference to the team. The assist numbers mightn't have been there vs the Grizz but he's moving the ball and playing economically, as well as being a scoring threat. The on-ball defense is always a bit of a trainwreck with CA, but the rest is visibly trending up.

[Petre1978]

As sad as it seems the Magic are better without Suggs.

Not a top 5 pick for me.
His shooting and ball-handling are horrible.

[Furinkazan]

Euro Magic?

this all thanks to good ol...
EURO TRAINING

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