2020-2021 Regular Season Game 2: Orlando Magic (1-0) at Washington Wizards (0-1)

[Skybox]

AG definitely looks more mature and poised out there. I don't know what his future is with us but I wish he was part of it for sure.

Yes. He’s pretty much playing to his strengths now. Watched the last two games, and he only tried creating his own shot once each game. Other than that, his playing according to his strengths has really helped him become an efficient player.

We can live with 1-2 of that a game. Gordon propably needs it for his end of season highlight reel.

Right...too many years of watching AG or Evan or Oladipo or Tobias...taking their turn and dribbling into a crowd. Bad habits die hard but I'm encouraged by the look of this offense.

[basketballRob]

In regards to Vuc shooting 3s... anyone have leaks on what Bamba is doing? Heck even shooting 3s in an empty gym is fine

They show him shooting on Instagram before every game.

Sent from my SM-G950U using RealGM mobile app

[fendilim]

Yes. He’s pretty much playing to his strengths now. Watched the last two games, and he only tried creating his own shot once each game. Other than that, his playing according to his strengths has really helped him become an efficient player.

We can live with 1-2 of that a game. Gordon propably needs it for his end of season highlight reel.

Right...too many years of watching AG or Evan or Oladipo or Tobias...taking their turn and dribbling into a crowd. Bad habits die hard but I'm encouraged by the look of this offense.

True. But dipo and tobias were already a lot better scorer, as a rookie, compared to ag last year. Lol

[PrimeThyme]

I just have no clue why you would pick up Bamba's option if you weren't even going to be comfortable enough to play him over Khem Birch. Birch is arguably the worst rotational center in the league and everything that second unit has done so far has been in spite of Khem's awful play.

We get absolutely demolished on the boards when he is on the court and he provides nothing outside of screens offensively.

Bamba needs to get minutes for this team. I think Cliff just fears what a rotation of Cole/Okeke/Bamba would look like defensively but I think he's failing to realize how bad Birch has been dating all the way back to last year. This isn't the hungry high effort defender that played well for him in year one.

[basketballRob]

Evan plays much better off the ball and the offense looks much better. Maybe this is why we had that great offensive stretch when he as injured last year. Having him hold the ball for 10 seconds each possession lowers our team FG percentage.

Sent from my SM-G950U using RealGM mobile app

[PrimeThyme]

I think I've watched the Fultz pass to Vuc at least 40 times today already.

[doct3r dr3]

am i the only one who kinda likes what Birch has shown so far? sets some killer screens for cole anthony and t-ross, has good hands finishing off p&r's, extended his range a little bit... for a back-up big, why all the hate?

[DiplomaticMagic]

am i the only one who kinda likes what Birch has shown so far? sets some killer screens for cole anthony and t-ross, has good hands finishing off p&r's, extended his range a little bit... for a back-up big, why all the hate?

I also thought hes been playing well. Of course id still rather see Bamba out there

[yoyojw17]

am i the only one who kinda likes what Birch has shown so far? sets some killer screens for cole anthony and t-ross, has good hands finishing off p&r's, extended his range a little bit... for a back-up big, why all the hate?

Yeah... He's definitely played well! Still hope for a "superior swole bamba" to take the spot... But definitely happy with his play. And in this season of Covid and acceleration... The more playable bodies... The better!

[RookieStar]

In regards to Vuc shooting 3s... anyone have leaks on what Bamba is doing? Heck even shooting 3s in an empty gym is fine

They show him shooting on Instagram before every game.

Sent from my SM-G950U using RealGM mobile app

That's it and that's all? Wow... we might never know when Mo will be played in the game lol

[basketballRob]

I kind of feel like this connection to Cole will help Bamba. Greg Anthony said in that interview, that Cole and Bamba have been friends since the third game. I think they'll help him get a trainer and make sure he puts in the work even during his off times.

Sent from my SM-G950U using RealGM mobile app

[MaKiaVeLi7]

I want to see how we play against a contender. I don't think Miami is all that good. They're okay but not contenders. I'm not saying that we need to beat the contenders, we just can't consistently get wrecked.

Wait... the defending eastern conference champs aren't considered contenders? :-/ They beat the celtics and the bucks...a dn took the lakers to 6 games.

but yeah.... was only one game... but let's not take too much credit away from that win.

Shoot... many on this board already labeled the wizards as being superior to us from the starting line especially with their two stars... one of which many were already down to pawn half our talent for. but.... that was only 1 game too. We'll see how well this team plays as the season continues!

How much money are you willing to bet that the Heat will win a championship this year? I'm guessing zero. They are not a contender. However, we did play them well which is a good sign.

That's why I previously shared my opinion that the Heat are top 6 team this season and might slide to top 8 depending on the other teams in the West, but definitely one of the better teams. Not the best, not a prime contender probably, but when healthy and the planets align in the right order they are totally capable of making some noise in the playoffs for a 2nd straight year. They were kicking a$$ in the bubble while having main guys sidelined with injuries all the time, remember?

[thelead]

Wait... the defending eastern conference champs aren't considered contenders? :-/ They beat the celtics and the bucks...a dn took the lakers to 6 games.

but yeah.... was only one game... but let's not take too much credit away from that win.

Shoot... many on this board already labeled the wizards as being superior to us from the starting line especially with their two stars... one of which many were already down to pawn half our talent for. but.... that was only 1 game too. We'll see how well this team plays as the season continues!

How much money are you willing to bet that the Heat will win a championship this year? I'm guessing zero. They are not a contender. However, we did play them well which is a good sign.

That's why I previously shared my opinion that the Heat are top 6 team this season and might slide to top 8 depending on the other teams in the West, but definitely one of the better teams. Not the best, not a prime contender probably, but when healthy and the planets align in the right order they are totally capable of making some noise in the playoffs for a 2nd straight year. They were kicking a$$ in the bubble while having main guys sidelined with injuries all the time, remember?

I do but contender means that they have a good chance at winning a championship. I don’t believe they do. They are not beating a healthy Nets team. I don’t think they’re a bad or even average team. I think they’re good but not a contender. That’s all.

[MaKiaVeLi7]

How much money are you willing to bet that the Heat will win a championship this year? I'm guessing zero. They are not a contender. However, we did play them well which is a good sign.

That's why I previously shared my opinion that the Heat are top 6 team this season and might slide to top 8 depending on the other teams in the West, but definitely one of the better teams. Not the best, not a prime contender probably, but when healthy and the planets align in the right order they are totally capable of making some noise in the playoffs for a 2nd straight year. They were kicking a$$ in the bubble while having main guys sidelined with injuries all the time, remember?

I do but contender means that they have a good chance at winning a championship. I don’t believe they do. They are not beating a healthy Nets team. I don’t think they’re a bad or even average team. I think they’re good but not a contender. That’s all.

I've never said Miami is a contender, just top 6 or top 8 team.
In reality there 4-5 teams that might contend for the title - Lakers, Clips, Bucks, Nets, Nuggets.

[tiderulz]

I kind of feel like this connection to Cole will help Bamba. Greg Anthony said in that interview, that Cole and Bamba have been friends since the third game. I think they'll help him get a trainer and make sure he puts in the work even during his off times.

Sent from my SM-G950U using RealGM mobile app

Cole and Bamba met during Bamba's senior year in hs and have remained friends. good connection, but overall not that long a time

[Blue_and_Whte]

am i the only one who kinda likes what Birch has shown so far? sets some killer screens for cole anthony and t-ross, has good hands finishing off p&r's, extended his range a little bit... for a back-up big, why all the hate?

No you aren't the only one. I brought it up in another thread, or maybe in this one. I think it boils down to the lack of hustle and energy shown by Mo and I think it frustrates Cliff. I honestly don't know why he's hated so much. This fan base usually likes the underdogs coming in hustling on the court. idk.

[Blue_and_Whte]

am i the only one who kinda likes what Birch has shown so far? sets some killer screens for cole anthony and t-ross, has good hands finishing off p&r's, extended his range a little bit... for a back-up big, why all the hate?

I also thought hes been playing well. Of course id still rather see Bamba out there

I'd rather see Bamba if he's playing with the same intensity and effort the whole game.