RealGM Article: The Magic Want To Brew Something BIG

[J the Drafter]

It’s certainly good to see hype for the Magic. Has anyone besides me considered the possibility of playing Vuc at center, Bamba at power forward, and Isaac and Gordon on the wings? My reasoning is threefold: a) we avoid forcing Nikola and Mo to compete with each other for playing time, b) we exploit Isaac and Gordon’s wing defense instead of making one of them bang against a big and c) we give one of Isaac or Gordon a chance to post up a shooting guard. The effectiveness of “c” probably depends on how well JI can post up shooting guards and pass out of double-teams—presumably teams want to avoid giving the more skilled Gordon a go at their sg’s—and I wouldn’t expect Isaac to be real good at that in his second year, even though Summer League shows he has some post-moves. At its worst though, I believe having one of Gordon or Isaac covered by shooting guards would net us a few extra points per game.

[fendilim]

I’m just quoting you to bump this post and make sure people here read it a second time.

I will say (at least speaking for myself) that people are not so much disgruntled by selecting Bamba over “shooters in college”, moreso than selecting back to back bigs (6’11/7’0) with developing offense while retaining AG with a similar developmental need.

It only puts salt in the wound, to compound the glaring need, by punting on 2nd rounders the year prior and going back to length and defense this year with both selections.

Offense will improve, as it should, as the youth develops. However, Orlando will need to make a move, either via trade or draft selection, in order to address the offense.

BIG gives Orlando an identity, but let’s just hope that it’s not all novelty and actually works on the court effectively. Being excited about it on paper is one thing. I’m hoping WeHam can acquire another player to grow next to Isaac and Bamba.

You can’t control the talent available when you pick. You can’t wave a Magic want and ensure a Steph Curry or Kobe Bryant is waiting for you at 6. You take the best (projected) talent available, reguardless of position when drafting that high. This is beyond common sense. If a trade of one of these guys becomes necessary then that is now a luxury for another day.

Im not really worried about the Bamba pick. I think having him and Isaac finally gives the team an identity. The guy close to giving us that offensive firepower may have been Knox. MPJ is too much of a risk for us. I dont think we have the leverage to do that at this point in our franchise’s struggle.

What worries me really is the offense. Steve Clifford’s team have really done well rebounding the ball. His schemes actually adapt to that. The offense is what this team is lacking. Having dry spells, looking lost on offense, are the things to be concerned about. Thats when opposing teams make their scoring runs. And we really have no one reliable to stop the bleeding.

Its not a surprise that our “winningest” year on this rebuild was when we had 4 guys capable of getting their own buckets. Tobias, Ola, Vuc and Evan.

Who do we really have now? Evan and Vuc are only the “best” options on this team. And they wouldnt even be considered as main scoring options on winning teams.

Expecting Bamba to come in and majorly contribute this year is too much to ask. In four years, Gordon has only developed into a shooter but not as a scorer. The key here will be Isaac’s development as an offensive player. Whether he can make a giant leap this year or next will be the key to this team’s success with its current roster.

[fendilim]

It’s certainly good to see hype for the Magic. Has anyone besides me considered the possibility of playing Vuc at center, Bamba at power forward, and Isaac and Gordon on the wings? My reasoning is threefold: a) we avoid forcing Nikola and Mo to compete with each other for playing time, b) we exploit Isaac and Gordon’s wing defense instead of making one of them bang against a big and c) we give one of Isaac or Gordon a chance to post up a shooting guard. The effectiveness of “c” probably depends on how well JI can post up shooting guards and pass out of double-teams—presumably teams want to avoid giving the more skilled Gordon a go at their sg’s—and I wouldn’t expect Isaac to be real good at that in his second year, even though Summer League shows he has some post-moves. At its worst though, I believe having one of Gordon or Isaac covered by shooting guards would net us a few extra points per game.

I think Bamba and Vuc may coexist. But having Isaac and or Gordon at SG may be a bit of a stretch.

[fklt]

love the write-up, though I don't agree with the content. BIG is not a thing, it doesn't make even one lick of sense.