Orlando Summer League Thread (July 4th - 10th)

[Bensational]

Haha, I would've loved 2 picks in the top 6 too. Landing Hezonja AND WCS would've made me crown Henny as the best GM in the history of the NBA. lol.

But still ... Payton, Oladipo, AG, WCS and Vuc would've had me pumped and confident for this season. Now, as is... I'm just kinda hopeful.

the thing is, that at some point we're going to have 2-3 guys on the bench who are capable, if not quality, starters. between Tobias/AG, and Oladipo/Fournier/Hezonja, we're gonna have a couple guys who either don't fit a position perfectly to be a full time answer, or they're stuck behind depth. at which point, we'll likely be able to turn 1 or 2 of them into WCS or maybe even a Noel - once we know who the truly best players are.

Yeah, that is the situation that we are looking at now. That was a big reason why I wanted WCS. I felt like depth could've been addressed without having to spend the 5th pick to do it. If Hezonja is so good that he makes Oladipo, Tobias or AG a bench player, then yeah, we should try to work a trade. ... but then your last sentence is so ironic... We trade one of them for WCS or Noel? Doh. We passed on them in the draft. That would indicate a misstep in the rebuilding process. ... then again... that is what I think happened, imo.

nah, i don't think it's a misstep. i think we're still not convinced we've got a bonafide star to build around, which is why we're looking for BPA over fit in the draft. once the franchise feels confident it has that player, then i think they'll look to turn the excess into the best fitting pieces.

[Bensational]

you see that play where WCS chased the guard down from half court on a fast break and blocked him from behind? imagine that instead of Frye's clear path fouls, and that's the first immediate difference it would make.

Solution: play AG instead of Frye...

exactly...plus add Dedmon to the equation

i guess i'm still just being greedy and wanting to see WCS and AG on the court together.

Dedmon doesn't have WCS all around defensive versatility. he's great for swatting shots and crashing boards, but that's about it really. WCS is the kind of guy that would keep an entire defense running, with his ability to make switches, his recovery speed, and his fast break potential. i reckon if you gave WCS and AG to Thibs or Ron Adams they'd probably give you the best defense in the country.

[Skin]

the thing is, that at some point we're going to have 2-3 guys on the bench who are capable, if not quality, starters. between Tobias/AG, and Oladipo/Fournier/Hezonja, we're gonna have a couple guys who either don't fit a position perfectly to be a full time answer, or they're stuck behind depth. at which point, we'll likely be able to turn 1 or 2 of them into WCS or maybe even a Noel - once we know who the truly best players are.

Yeah, that is the situation that we are looking at now. That was a big reason why I wanted WCS. I felt like depth could've been addressed without having to spend the 5th pick to do it. If Hezonja is so good that he makes Oladipo, Tobias or AG a bench player, then yeah, we should try to work a trade. ... but then your last sentence is so ironic... We trade one of them for WCS or Noel? Doh. We passed on them in the draft. That would indicate a misstep in the rebuilding process. ... then again... that is what I think happened, imo.

Having quality depth is not a problem, it is what contenders have. If Hezonja ends up the better two way player that sends Harris or Oladipo to the bench, that is a good thing. GSW had Iggy off the bench, SAS had Manu, LAL had Odom, etc...

When you are in the lottery stage you pick the best player available, no matter what. Hennigan took who he and his staff thought had the highest ceiling...and that was Hezonja not WCS.

Not arguing against having quality depth. Arguing the options we had to address it. ie. I wonder what would have happened if we went after Kris Middleton or Demare Carroll in FA instead of Millsap and had drafted WCS.

[Skin]

the thing is, that at some point we're going to have 2-3 guys on the bench who are capable, if not quality, starters. between Tobias/AG, and Oladipo/Fournier/Hezonja, we're gonna have a couple guys who either don't fit a position perfectly to be a full time answer, or they're stuck behind depth. at which point, we'll likely be able to turn 1 or 2 of them into WCS or maybe even a Noel - once we know who the truly best players are.

Yeah, that is the situation that we are looking at now. That was a big reason why I wanted WCS. I felt like depth could've been addressed without having to spend the 5th pick to do it. If Hezonja is so good that he makes Oladipo, Tobias or AG a bench player, then yeah, we should try to work a trade. ... but then your last sentence is so ironic... We trade one of them for WCS or Noel? Doh. We passed on them in the draft. That would indicate a misstep in the rebuilding process. ... then again... that is what I think happened, imo.

nah, i don't think it's a misstep. i think we're still not convinced we've got a bonafide star to build around, which is why we're looking for BPA over fit in the draft. once the franchise feels confident it has that player, then i think they'll look to turn the excess into the best fitting pieces.

If Hezonja turns into that bonafide star then his pick will be more than justified. That's what I'm hoping for at this point. The search for a PF will have to wait... I've already started studying up on the 2016 PF class.

[ezzzp]

Yeah, that is the situation that we are looking at now. That was a big reason why I wanted WCS. I felt like depth could've been addressed without having to spend the 5th pick to do it. If Hezonja is so good that he makes Oladipo, Tobias or AG a bench player, then yeah, we should try to work a trade. ... but then your last sentence is so ironic... We trade one of them for WCS or Noel? Doh. We passed on them in the draft. That would indicate a misstep in the rebuilding process. ... then again... that is what I think happened, imo.

nah, i don't think it's a misstep. i think we're still not convinced we've got a bonafide star to build around, which is why we're looking for BPA over fit in the draft. once the franchise feels confident it has that player, then i think they'll look to turn the excess into the best fitting pieces.

If Hezonja turns into that bonafide star then his pick will be more than justified. That's what I'm hoping for at this point. The search for a PF will have to wait... I've already started studying up on the 2016 PF class.

Aaron Gordon might be that PF. I had been skeptical about him at the 4, but after seeing his rebounding and defense vs 4's in summer league I think he can do it at least at a decent level. Skiles and AG's comments and confidence that he can play the 4 also reinforced that. Dedmon was also doing great next to Vuc on the defensive end and improving offensively before he got hurt. Between AG and Dedmon, the PF spot not such a worry, especially if AG can hit the 3 like he did in summer league.

[Jiwol]

I agree. To just draw the Bargs-PorZingis parallel so quickly seems like an ethnic stereotype.

Like Latvians and Italians are the same? Stupid. And you dare to accuse me of using stereotypes. Let's wait and see how he performs. I'm sticking with my opinion that he won't make it big in the league.

[msmoore66]

WCS averaging 13.4 ppg and 4.7 reb, yeah would much rather have him than Mario when we have AG Guy had one rebound a couple days ago, how is that possible?

And AG is still 2 years younger than WCS

We've got a dynamic forward trio now with a great blend of offense and defense. No need for Trill.

You can't put a price on a 7'1" center that can fly like a guard up and down the Court man. Willie is going to be solid. People on our board drool over Gobert and yet Trill has a much higher floor.

What is a Trill?

[Blue_and_Whte]

Oh hey you know what? WCS is in Sacramento and we have a damn good rookie in Henzonja.

[OrlDave]

WCS averaging 13.4 ppg and 4.7 reb, yeah would much rather have him than Mario when we have AG Guy had one rebound a couple days ago, how is that possible?

And AG is still 2 years younger than WCS

We've got a dynamic forward trio now with a great blend of offense and defense. No need for Trill.

You can't put a price on a 7'1" center that can fly like a guard up and down the Court man. Willie is going to be solid. People on our board drool over Gobert and yet Trill has a much higher floor.

What is a Trill?

WCS changed his middle name to Trill. Apparently it was a nickname given him in grade school.

[OrlDave]

Poordingus may end up proving me all wrong!

Was there ever a doubt???

BMP has been 100% with the Magic not drafting the guy he trolls for that year. Noel, then Exum and finally KP. I think we are all better off for it

[OrlandO]

Seth Curry is scoring a lot in summer league, but I just noticed how bad he's been from three... 5/27 (18.5%).

[RookieStar]

Poordingus may end up proving me all wrong!

Was there ever a doubt???

BMP has been 100% with the Magic not drafting the guy he trolls for that year. Noel, then Exum and finally KP. I think we are all better off for it

Wow.. I can't believe BMP was right in regarding draft picks. I mean we all thought he was a little irrational especially his man0love with BBD but.... kudos BMP you got it right so far