Official 2025-2026 Regular Season Thread

[thelead]

Good Paolo breakdown:

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[VFX]

I'm not even worried about Bane's percentages so much as the process. He needs to be launching 3s. A lot of times he has enough space for one and kind of just bowling balls into the paint and gets blocked or turns it over. He's had some good moments driving too don't get me wrong, but that should be secondary to hitting 3s IMO.

Run more set plays for him as well, but man, just let it fly with no conscience. That is the kind of player we need to complement Paolo and Franz. Even if he shoots 37% (would be career low) instead of his career 41% the positive impact it would have on our offense would be immense I have to imagine. He's at 4.7 3s per game. I want 7+. I know we have less creation than what he had in Memphis, but he's gotten up 7 3s a game at 40% in his games without Ja, so I don't think he isn't capable.

I'm also not too worried about Bane - the player. His skillset was never under question of what he's capable of doing within the context of a system that emphasizes those abilities. That's kind of the point about criticism of the original acquisition that I think is lost on most of this board and Magic fandom in general (not saying you in particular, I think you get it).

Yes, he needs to be shooting. The question isn't volume. Good players don't really think this way when they are on the court within the context of a game. Bane is a smart player. He isn't Cam Thomas or Jordan Poole. He is going to make the best play on the court that makes the most sense at the time.

So, yet again, it really that boils down to the system as a whole. It's just not conducive to anyone outside of Paolo and Franz unless the opposing team has a traffic cone back court. This is just to assume we start seeing more games where Paolo or Franz have 7-8+ assists and not putting up 16-20 fga's each. Wishful thinking. I don't think Mosely is smart enough on that side of the court to reign that in. He's basically given Paolo the green light to do whatever he's wanted to do since he stepped on an NBA floor.

The issue now becomes that for Bane to live up to the gravity of that trade he will need to hit on shots more often at lesser volume. Either that, or Franz and Paolo have to play entirely differently than they have up to this point. Only one of those scenarios seem more likely, which is why taking the ball out of their hands and utilizing them off ball made more sense than acquiring a guy that needs volume and possessions to be efficient up to this point in his career.

It's kinda setting him up for failure unless you expect Paolo and Franz to play differently than absolutely everything we have seen including college. In a 6 game sample size, Suggs leads the team in APG at 4.3 and Paolo isnt far behind at 4. Thats terrible considering how often Paolo has the ball and the amount of touches he gets as a starter averaging 35mpg running a system that implies he's the "Point Forward Wing-Hub" without acquiring a true starting point guard. I'm not sure how people are coping with that up to this point outside of "its early this was expected"... yeah what if it was always the trend that was pointed out years ago? What then?

If we can find positives than Paolo moving the ball vs Hornets shows fan pressure have some sense. He played bad basketball for most of his time here but maybe he can adapt.
Even if he adapts his game we still have same old problems. No players to create advantage and make good decisions after that.
Suggs can create advantage with his strength and speed but he makes too many mental lapses.
Paolo can create advantage with his size but his handle is good only for a forward not for consistent driving to the rim. he also doesnt have good touch and often makes decision what to do before a play.
Wagner is not crazy explosive and also not crazy creative as a passer. Plays safe and efficient. Best option we have but also its hard to drive all game as a 6'10 guy. Same applies to Paolo.
Bane is not explosive, relies on screens which needs time to develop chemistry (that gives us hope) and cant space for himself when he has the ball.
Unless Suggs/Black shoot 40% from 3, Paolo moves the ball and Wagner takes more offensive usage we will have a problem. I am not even starting on WCJ.

It’s a twofold problem if you step back and look at it outside of the individual skillsets being presented here at base level….

On one hand it’s the system. Mosely has had iterations of the same blueprint with a constant revolving door of Gary Harris, KCP, and now Bane. None of those changes displayed a more efficient system at any point. Why? Because those changes don’t impact the actual system being run here. It’s attempting to find a solution to a different problem.

On the other hand it’s the construction of the roster. I say this every 3 months here just to remind people… Wendell Carter and Jonathan Isaac were rostered here well before the Magic selected, played, and handed max contracts to the core of this roster. They have remained here out of a convenience and not because their skillsets are the best possible use of salary next to actual investments.

Also, there has been ample evidence now as to what Franz, Paolo, and Suggs CANT AND CAN do on a basketball court with variability. Their skillsets don’t automatically change based on who is next to them. Paolo and Franz aren’t going to become 10x more efficient and jump from 3-4 assists per game to 7-8 because Desmond Bane can shoot a basketball better than KCP at volume while those two hoard 50-60% of possessions. Jeff Weltman doesn’t understand that.

If you have decided to pay Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner your two + max contracts, then logic would tell you that emphasizing their skillsets to a greater advantage would make sense. Getting those guys more efficient looks at the basket should be your goal. The problem? Neither are otherworldly shooters from outside, are terrific passers, or have shown tendencies to do either of those things consistently game to game.

[Kent]

I may be in the minority and I don't care — I like this team just as much as I did before the season started.

I have zero doubt that it will all work out.

[RookieStar]

I may be in the minority and I don't care — I like this team just as much as I did before the season started.

I have zero doubt that it will all work out.

I think a lot of us also like this team and we are just poking fun and riding the wave if negativity around here.

Any sensible person would realize that this is still "growing pains" or "acclimating" a new team.

[Skybox]

I may be in the minority and I don't care — I like this team just as much as I did before the season started.

I have zero doubt that it will all work out.

I think a lot of us also like this team and we are just poking fun and riding the wave if negativity around here.

Any sensible person would realize that this is still "growing pains" or "acclimating" a new team.

I agree and am in the same boat but with some logical concerns...this is RealGM, not RealCheerleader - we pick, we analyze, we dissect, we debate, but hopefully, we're all optimistic fans at the end of the day.

[Bensational]

I really want to see Paolo commit to being Point-Paolo more than not this season. I’m looking at other big playmakers and the impact they’re having: Jokic, Luka, Giddey, Giannis, Sengun, Jalen Johnson - I think Paolo should be competing with those guys for AST%. That seems to be when the team is firing best and getting the best mismatches. But the last 2 games Paolo has played point the 1st half and then not generated any assists in the 2nd half.

FT baiting is already his top X factor, but being a threat for double digit assists will unlock another level for him. We need Paolo to become a high scoring Ingles.

[Skybox]

I really want to see Paolo commit to being Point-Paolo more than not this season. I’m looking at other big playmakers and the impact they’re having: Jokic, Luka, Giddey, Giannis, Sengun, Jalen Johnson - I think Paolo should be competing with those guys for AST%. That seems to be when the team is firing best and getting the best mismatches. But the last 2 games Paolo has played point the 1st half and then not generated any assists in the 2nd half.

FT baiting is already his top X factor, but being a threat for double digit assists will unlock another level for him. We need Paolo to become a high scoring Ingles.

Triple Double Trouble

[Darth Magic]

Was that ANOTHER Black tunrover?

[Darth Magic]

Is Wendell...