2024-2025 Regular Season Game 64: Chicago Bulls (24-38) at Orlando Magic (29-34) - 7pm

[Black and Blue]

I love this post, the future is still very bright. I wish people still understood that.

Imagine how gloomy it must be for fans that think last year was an anomaly, Paolo is a one-dimensional cancer, Mosley is a one-trick cheerleader, and Weltman is a conservative one playbook buffoon.

I generally share your optimism, and am happy to see there are still people who believe this team can build on this foundation.

I have to be honest though, I am very much at red alert in my concern over Weltman. Specifically, I worry he lacks any pull whatsoever with agencies, who ultimately have an extremely large amount of power with which teams acquire players. Our ownership doesn’t understand this, and somehow we all remain shocked Jeff repeatedly says he stood pat in free agencies as if it was his choice.

Something has to give and I think it will ultimately come down to Paolo or Weltman on this team unless some moves are made this season. And moves may mean overpays. This ownership group isn’t going to lose a star for nothing again.

[Fortune Teller]

I love this post, the future is still very bright. I wish people still understood that.

Imagine how gloomy it must be for fans that think last year was an anomaly, Paolo is a one-dimensional cancer, Mosley is a one-trick cheerleader, and Weltman is a conservative one playbook buffoon.

Weltman *is* a conservative one playbook buffoon. He's shown us that for 8 years.

[Knightro]

I think Paolo not having sustained, consistent effort as a rebounder and defender has much less to do with some character/player flaw and far more to do with the fact that he’s being asked to be a 6’10 PG offensive hub AND orchestrator with a game already predicated on physicality who consistently faces double and triple teams making all of it that much harder - and despite asking for something different two trade deadlines ago, he was met with only a *sniff* *sniff*.

You kind of already said it, but I think the causation is less “inherently Paolo” and more “Weltman’s failures”. I’m definitely one of those high on the idea that a true offensive maestro who can shoot is what would unlock Paolo (and probably another level to Franz as well), freeing both of them up to grab more boards and let him focus more on the other side of the floor.

He’s 22. He’s not prime Lebron. I feel like some of us need the reminder (not saying you in particular).

Ehhh maybe.

My push back would be that there were a lot of things like this from NBA.com in Paolo’s various draft scouting reports.

• Possessing the tools to hold his own defending one-on-one and use verticality to chip in as a rim protector, Banchero nonetheless has room to be more physical as a rebounder and consistent all-around defender.

And this one from CBS Sports…

Defensive intensity waxes and wanes within games. Needs to improve his focus on that end to become a serviceable defender.

Which are both basically just nicer ways of saying he’s a lazy rebounder and defender.

The point is that his effort on defense and on the glass has never been a strength even dating back to his Duke days and it seems to be trending in the wrong direction.

Now I can certainly buy into the concept that Paolo is being asked to do so much offensively that it’s harder for him to give effort defensively, but at this point Franz is carrying a very heavy over 30 USG% just like Paolo is and it hasn’t really impacted his ability to defend.

[BadMofoPimp]

Imagine how gloomy it must be for fans that think last year was an anomaly, Paolo is a one-dimensional cancer, Mosley is a one-trick cheerleader, and Weltman is a conservative one playbook buffoon.

But, but, but, what have they done for me lately!!!

Are you suggesting they get a pass because of what, drafting Dwight over Okafor? Or the Penny trade?

but, but, they're falling apart before our eyes and the FO has done nothing to prop them up despite creating two straight years of fantastic opportunity...cap space, picks, etc. I don't know how any knowledgeable fan can feel anything but looking for heads to roll.

I think Management thought that the Magic would right the ship the second half of the season, but it didn't work out that way. I reckon there will be changes in the offseason.

What I see on this board and what I intended is that I have seen nights where a player has a great game while fans are satisfied then the next night has a bad night with fans flipping out that the player should be scrapped asap.

[Skybox]

But, but, but, what have they done for me lately!!!

Are you suggesting they get a pass because of what, drafting Dwight over Okafor? Or the Penny trade?

but, but, they're falling apart before our eyes and the FO has done nothing to prop them up despite creating two straight years of fantastic opportunity...cap space, picks, etc. I don't know how any knowledgeable fan can feel anything but looking for heads to roll.

I think Management thought that the Magic would right the ship the second half of the season, but it didn't work out that way. I reckon there will be changes in the offseason.

What I see on this board and what I intended is that I have seen nights where a player has a great game while fans are satisfied then the next night has a bad night with fans flipping out that the player should be scrapped asap.

Gotcha...from my own perspective, I think my disgust & disappointment has been pretty consistent

[KillMonger]

I think Paolo not having sustained, consistent effort as a rebounder and defender has much less to do with some character/player flaw and far more to do with the fact that he’s being asked to be a 6’10 PG offensive hub AND orchestrator with a game already predicated on physicality who consistently faces double and triple teams making all of it that much harder - and despite asking for something different two trade deadlines ago, he was met with only a *sniff* *sniff*.

You kind of already said it, but I think the causation is less “inherently Paolo” and more “Weltman’s failures”. I’m definitely one of those high on the idea that a true offensive maestro who can shoot is what would unlock Paolo (and probably another level to Franz as well), freeing both of them up to grab more boards and let him focus more on the other side of the floor.

He’s 22. He’s not prime Lebron. I feel like some of us need the reminder (not saying you in particular).

Ehhh maybe.

My push back would be that there were a lot of things like this from NBA.com in Paolo’s various draft scouting reports.

• Possessing the tools to hold his own defending one-on-one and use verticality to chip in as a rim protector, Banchero nonetheless has room to be more physical as a rebounder and consistent all-around defender.

And this one from CBS Sports…

Defensive intensity waxes and wanes within games. Needs to improve his focus on that end to become a serviceable defender.

Which are both basically just nicer ways of saying he’s a lazy rebounder and defender.

The point is that his effort on defense and on the glass has never been a strength even dating back to his Duke days and it seems to be trending in the wrong direction.

Now I can certainly buy into the concept that Paolo is being asked to do so much offensively that it’s harder for him to give effort defensively, but at this point Franz is carrying a very heavy over 30 USG% just like Paolo is and it hasn’t really impacted his ability to defend.

Paolo has never been a two way player but he hadn't been this bad on d before this year....which makes the "trending in the wrong direction" comment a bit hyperbolic.....hes been better before this year but now all of a sudden he's not.... Maybe it's mental and partly physical, maybe he's a bit too heavy... Idk but we've seen better he can be better.

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[Skybox]

hes been better before this year but now all of a sudden he's not

This is pretty much the tagline for this season...forget the "Kingdom on the Rise" BS.

Franz had a few weeks pre-injury where he looked like an MVP candidate...otherwise, you could apply this to just about everybody.