2024-2025 Regular Season Game 9: Orlando Magic (3-5) at Indiana Pacers (3-4) - 7pm

[KillMonger]

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It was a great wrinkle.. it helped them stay close to the shooters and keep their ball handlers from penetrating.

The zone was great but why go man at that point? We were locking them up with the zone

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[pepe1991]

People live in the moment a bit too much

I agree. This overreaction about single play is best example of living in moment.

Context for everything matters.

Why such plays weren't possible vs OKC; Dallas, even Bulls? Because even average defensive teams know to not go over screens against people who can't shoot off the dribble.

I had been disappointed that AB wasn’t trying to get into the paint and put pressure on the rim since Paolo went down. I’ll take it as a big win in his progression to see AB doing that not only when we needed points but to also give us the lead on one of those plays.

Every defense won’t play like Indy but hopefully AB is able to gain confidence from these moments and start doing these things more consistently. The kid is still such a work in progress, but this is how we can appreciate his progress when he makes it rather than measuring him to the standards of finished prospects.

Maybe it would be easier for him if any of Magic 3 bigs has ability to play actual pick&pop.

Goga can't shoot. Carter is spot up shooter and average at best at it and Mortiz never shoots from mid range ( iterally never ) and his 3 point shot isn't worth guarding (despite fact some teams do ).

This is for example how OKC defended pick&roll on Black




Caruso goes deep under, big steps up to prevent over a head pass. Possession stops.

Btw by rewatching Dallas/Cavs/OKC long segments ( i went through full game replay ), it becomes jarring how much Black defers to Suggs and Franz. Whenever he plays with Suggs, he hardly ever touches the ball, let alone plays on ball

[Bensational]

Maybe it would be easier for him if any of Magic 3 bigs has ability to play actual pick&pop.

Goga can't shoot. Carter is spot up shooter and average at best at it and Mortiz never shoots from mid range ( iterally never ) and his 3 point shot isn't worth guarding (despite fact some teams do ).

This is for example how OKC defended pick&roll on Black




Caruso goes deep under, big steps up to prevent over a head pass. Possession stops.

Btw by rewatching Dallas/Cavs/OKC long segments ( i went through full game replay ), it becomes jarring how much Black defers to Suggs and Franz. Whenever he plays with Suggs, he hardly ever touches the ball, let alone plays on ball

I think AB considers a lot of his role right now to be “setting the table” by getting guys in position before he hands off to Paolo/Franz/Suggs, then he goes to the corner. Which I understand if he’s playing alongside two or three of them, but if it’s just one he should be splitting playmaking a lot more, especially currently.

I’ve noticed they haven’t been running the 77’s with double screens for him as often lately - I wonder if defenses have prepared for that?

Definitely feels like the scouting report on Black is to pressure him on ball because he’s easy to speed up still. With some better pick rapport with the bigs and more intent to get into the paint I think Black can start exploiting it if they want to play him tight.