Gamethread: Magic vs Wizards 02/03

[pepe1991]

Tomas Satoransky scores career-high 19 points in 115-98 win over Orlando

Dark days to be a Magic fan.

Seriously: had any of us ever heard of Satoransky before ?????


..

He was teammate of Hezonja in Barcelona.
He is solid third string PG

[Audi]

So I think I'm throwing in the towel for being one of the Elf defenders

This whole team is a mess but really disappointed in contract year Elf. Satoransky or whatever his name is looked much better. That's kind of sad, another career high for a back-up PG.

If it's disappointing, it can only be because he hasn't reached your expectations (which is fair). But the reality is, he's improved in nearly every facet of his game this season.

He had a bad game and got outplayed by a backup PG, who, if given the same opportunities more often would/will likely do the same to other teams. It happens often in the NBA and yes, it happens a lot to us, regardless of the position the rookie or the bench player plays.

Anyways, I'm not really sure what you are throwing the towel in on. What about Elf do you think you've been defending all this time? Until he is gone, I will always defend Elf against those wanting to trade him for aging vets with weaker or equal game. Or against dumb statements like "he's not a good NBA player" or when stats are manipulated to fit false narratives about him. But I wouldn't ever defend him over acquiring a better PG. I mean...isn't this what we should all do for every player on the team?

[Audi]

It's a valid question

Just because you might not be able to answer it doesn't mean you need to get upset

.

Lol I’m not upset, just saying players have bad games and good games - no reason for the “benched for DJ or Mack = just not a good NBA player” nonsense. I mean - the last time we played the Wizards Elfrid went 27/5/8/1. Match up before that? 30/5/10/4.

I'm merely just trying to point out that elfrid does nothing at an above average level to warrant him saying as our starting PG. Would I keep him as a backup on a cheap contract playing 15-17 a night? Most likely but I think the new FO has moved on. He has looked pretty bad this whole year. Vogel calling him out on his effort. He just looks checked out and ready to move on.

What he does to warrant staying as our starting PG is that he's better than the other two alternatives. It's always been this way. That doesn't mean I don't want us to get a better PG, just that Elf is, on most nights, the best one we currently have.

[Furinkazan]

we are developing Mario for his new team

[OrlandoDream]

.

Lol I’m not upset, just saying players have bad games and good games - no reason for the “benched for DJ or Mack = just not a good NBA player” nonsense. I mean - the last time we played the Wizards Elfrid went 27/5/8/1. Match up before that? 30/5/10/4.

I'm merely just trying to point out that elfrid does nothing at an above average level to warrant him saying as our starting PG. Would I keep him as a backup on a cheap contract playing 15-17 a night? Most likely but I think the new FO has moved on. He has looked pretty bad this whole year. Vogel calling him out on his effort. He just looks checked out and ready to move on.

What he does to warrant staying as our starting PG is that he's better than the other two alternatives. It's always been this way. That doesn't mean I don't want us to get a better PG, just that Elf is, on most nights, the best one we currently have.

Which continues to lead me to say that we have one of the worse PG rotation in the NBA. Our PG are nothing more then 3rd string or backups on a quality playoff team. We are not going to win much games with this EP, DJ, Mack rotation. Yes Elfrid is better then both but it doesnt take much to be better then Mack and DJ.

I'll give you bad defense (this year) and at times not able to hit shots (which, again, has slowly improved but not great), but definitely don't get "black hole" or being really turnover prone.. he's always been a lower turnover PG.

Tell me something Elfrid Payton does at an above average level that helps this team win and warrants him.getting ab extension with us. When you get pulled for DJ Augustine or Mack, you are just not a good nba player.

when you lose a guy like Vuc, Ag, or Fournier there’s an obvious negative impact on the team. I don’t see that same negative impact when Payton’s out. I think he’s done here, or should be.


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Our best stretch of the season came when everybody was healthy and payton was injured and the regins went to DJ and Mack. No Im not saying we are better off with those as our starters but that the impact Payton has on this team is minimal and easily replaceable. Four years of this is enough. Time for an entirely new Pg rotation.

[CajunBall]

7-15 14 pts, 4 reb's, 4 asts, 2 stls, 2 blocks in 24 mins. For a number three option those numbers don't look so bad. However. 3-12 11 pts, 0 reb's, 1 ast, 1stl, 0 blocks in 29 mins for a number one option.... It's quite amazing how everything is put on the former while the latter gets constantly excused.

[Tayswagzzz]

I feel like I'd be ok with Payton starting if he still played excellent defense as he did in former years...but he's near the bottom of the league now, no?

[J the Drafter]

Payton seems to be struggling as of the past month or two. At the start of the season his athleticism allowed him to push the ball and get the team transition baskets. His first game back he scored 12 points and 12 assists. Presumably whatever injury or mental problem holding him back will heal up/resolve itself sooner or later, and he’ll get back to playing well.

I have to imagine that at some point a coach is going to help Payton learn how to defend the pnr. Vaughn, while perhaps dealt a bad hand, did a poor job of implementing an effective defense. Skiles checked out on the team (and apparently disliked Payton?). SVG could probably do it.

Besides, if we want to improve our point guard rotation, shouldn’t we be getting rid Augustin? At worst, Payton could be a high-powered backup.

[Statlanta]

I don't hate Elf but it is damning knowing he got the most developing time than the other guys knowing he probably fits the least in this era

[MartinsIzAfraud]

I don't hate Elf but it is damning knowing he got the most developing time than the other guys knowing he probably fits the least in this era

Imagine if Mario was given starter minutes day 1 with no real backup to fight for his spot.