Official Speculation Thread ‘17-18’: XVIII: The Long Wait Continues

[KillMonger]

"build around Vuc" something I've never heard any magic executive utter and yet the phrase is like a motto around here. Vuc was always just a piece, that's it end of story. Selected 17th overall and was riding the pine on a Doug Collins Philly team before Rob poached him. Considering where he was drafted he turned out aright, in Orlando he got the most touches because he was arguably our best offensive option. Where's the disconnect?

Sent from my [Trap Phone] using RealGM mobile app also its about to be evaluation year part 2

[fendilim]

"build around Vuc" something I've never heard any magic executive utter and yet the phrase is like a motto around here. Vuc was always just a piece, that's it end of story. Selected 17th overall and was riding the pine on a Doug Collins Philly team before Rob poached him. Considering where he was drafted he turned out aright, in Orlando he got the most touches because he was arguably our best offensive option. Where's the disconnect?

Sent from my [Trap Phone] using RealGM mobile app also its about to be evaluation year part 2

We never built around Vuc. In fact, if you look at Hennigan's regime we even tried getting more stretch 4 and 5 (Jason Smith and Frye) or our bigs (Vuc and Nicholson) had to learn to stretch the floor, because we had non-shooters on the team.

Its obvious Weltman and Hammond are just tanking. and faking it as an evaluation year, because the NBA is allergic to that word "tank".

[SOUL]

"build around Vuc" something I've never heard any magic executive utter and yet the phrase is like a motto around here. Vuc was always just a piece, that's it end of story. Selected 17th overall and was riding the pine on a Doug Collins Philly team before Rob poached him. Considering where he was drafted he turned out aright, in Orlando he got the most touches because he was arguably our best offensive option. Where's the disconnect?

Sent from my [Trap Phone] using RealGM mobile app also its about to be evaluation year part 2

Okay, "Build around nobody, but give Vuc the most attempts as a mostly mid-range shooter"

more accurate?

[SOUL]

The disconnect is we've done this for 5-6 years now and we need to see if other options work. We aren't a winning team going to the playoffs year after year, or else there would be no discussion or qualms with it.

[Xatticus]

"build around Vuc" something I've never heard any magic executive utter and yet the phrase is like a motto around here. Vuc was always just a piece, that's it end of story. Selected 17th overall and was riding the pine on a Doug Collins Philly team before Rob poached him. Considering where he was drafted he turned out aright, in Orlando he got the most touches because he was arguably our best offensive option. Where's the disconnect?

Sent from my [Trap Phone] using RealGM mobile app also its about to be evaluation year part 2

We never built around Vuc. In fact, if you look at Hennigan's regime we even tried getting more stretch 4 and 5 (Jason Smith and Frye) or our bigs (Vuc and Nicholson) had to learn to stretch the floor, because we had non-shooters on the team.

Its obvious Weltman and Hammond are just tanking. and faking it as an evaluation year, because the NBA is allergic to that word "tank".

Sure we did. We traded Oladipo and a lottery pick to snag the player that everyone thought was the perfect frontcourt complement to Vucevic.

[fendilim]

"build around Vuc" something I've never heard any magic executive utter and yet the phrase is like a motto around here. Vuc was always just a piece, that's it end of story. Selected 17th overall and was riding the pine on a Doug Collins Philly team before Rob poached him. Considering where he was drafted he turned out aright, in Orlando he got the most touches because he was arguably our best offensive option. Where's the disconnect?

Sent from my [Trap Phone] using RealGM mobile app also its about to be evaluation year part 2

We never built around Vuc. In fact, if you look at Hennigan's regime we even tried getting more stretch 4 and 5 (Jason Smith and Frye) or our bigs (Vuc and Nicholson) had to learn to stretch the floor, because we had non-shooters on the team.

Its obvious Weltman and Hammond are just tanking. and faking it as an evaluation year, because the NBA is allergic to that word "tank".

Sure we did. We traded Oladipo and a lottery pick to snag the player that everyone thought was the perfect frontcourt complement to Vucevic.

You mean a stretch four to open up the lane for Elfrid?

[MagicStarwipe]

lol

[basketballRob]

"build around Vuc" something I've never heard any magic executive utter and yet the phrase is like a motto around here. Vuc was always just a piece, that's it end of story. Selected 17th overall and was riding the pine on a Doug Collins Philly team before Rob poached him. Considering where he was drafted he turned out aright, in Orlando he got the most touches because he was arguably our best offensive option. Where's the disconnect?

Sent from my [Trap Phone] using RealGM mobile app also its about to be evaluation year part 2

The disconnect is that people think Vuc is something special when you could give 50 other guys the same opportunity and they would've produced comparable stats. You don't think an Alex Len getting the same minutes wouldn't have the same impact as Vuc? Len was recently cut. Vuc doesn't produce wins, just empty stats.

[fklt]

"build around Vuc" something I've never heard any magic executive utter and yet the phrase is like a motto around here. Vuc was always just a piece, that's it end of story. Selected 17th overall and was riding the pine on a Doug Collins Philly team before Rob poached him. Considering where he was drafted he turned out aright, in Orlando he got the most touches because he was arguably our best offensive option. Where's the disconnect?

Sent from my [Trap Phone] using RealGM mobile app also its about to be evaluation year part 2

We never built around Vuc. In fact, if you look at Hennigan's regime we even tried getting more stretch 4 and 5 (Jason Smith and Frye) or our bigs (Vuc and Nicholson) had to learn to stretch the floor, because we had non-shooters on the team.

Its obvious Weltman and Hammond are just tanking. and faking it as an evaluation year, because the NBA is allergic to that word "tank".

Sure we did. We traded Oladipo and a lottery pick to snag the player that everyone thought was the perfect frontcourt complement to Vucevic.

I thought we were creating the congo line that season. you know, the smash-mouth basketball that Vogel's going to make us play with the new 16 million dollar center that we signed that got everybody so excited that vuc ship has finally sailed. weird way to build around vuc if you ask me.

[j-ragg]

My favorite argument is/was that we wouldn't be able to score without Vuc so that's why we need him.

[RickB-Orlando]

"build around Vuc" something I've never heard any magic executive utter and yet the phrase is like a motto around here. Vuc was always just a piece, that's it end of story. Selected 17th overall and was riding the pine on a Doug Collins Philly team before Rob poached him. Considering where he was drafted he turned out aright, in Orlando he got the most touches because he was arguably our best offensive option. Where's the disconnect?

Sent from my [Trap Phone] using RealGM mobile app also its about to be evaluation year part 2

The disconnect is that people think Vuc is something special when you could give 50 other guys the same opportunity and they would've produced comparable stats. You don't think an Alex Len getting the same minutes wouldn't have the same impact as Vuc? Len was recently cut. Vuc doesn't produce wins, just empty stats.

Well, actually no. See: https://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pcm_finder.fcgi?request=1&sum=1&player_id1_hint=Alex+Len&player_id1_select=Alex+Len&player_id1=lenal01&player_id2_hint=Nikola+Vucevic&player_id2_select=Nikola+Vucevic&player_id2=vucevni01&idx=players#stats-per_minute::none

[basketballRob]

"build around Vuc" something I've never heard any magic executive utter and yet the phrase is like a motto around here. Vuc was always just a piece, that's it end of story. Selected 17th overall and was riding the pine on a Doug Collins Philly team before Rob poached him. Considering where he was drafted he turned out aright, in Orlando he got the most touches because he was arguably our best offensive option. Where's the disconnect?

Sent from my [Trap Phone] using RealGM mobile app also its about to be evaluation year part 2

The disconnect is that people think Vuc is something special when you could give 50 other guys the same opportunity and they would've produced comparable stats. You don't think an Alex Len getting the same minutes wouldn't have the same impact as Vuc? Len was recently cut. Vuc doesn't produce wins, just empty stats.

Well, actually no. See: https://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pcm_finder.fcgi?request=1&sum=1&player_id1_hint=Alex+Len&player_id1_select=Alex+Len&player_id1=lenal01&player_id2_hint=Nikola+Vucevic&player_id2_select=Nikola+Vucevic&player_id2=vucevni01&idx=players#stats-per_minute::none

Look at the per 36 mpg. Vuc shoots more.

[Knightro]

This idea that the Magic are “building around Vucevic” in 2018 is silly.

The fact is, Jeff Weltman and John Hammond decided when they fired Frank Vogel that they were not going to tank this year. They were going to try to win as many games as they possibly could and the moves that they’ve made - hiring Clifford and not getting rid of Augustin, Fournier, Ross, Simmons and Vucevic - were clears signs of that.

You might not like the plan, you might not think it has a great chance of success. Both of which are totally fine and valid criticisms. But this is the plan.

Vucevic is one of the Magic's five best players right now and he’s going to play a lot accordingly.

[j-ragg]

This idea that the Magic are “building around Vucevic” in 2018 is silly.

Don't think anyone is arguing that (I could be wrong). Just using him as a go-to guy is dumb to do again when every year he isn't anything special offensively, and we stink as a team. But you're right, it is what it is and we just gotta watch it for another year.

[PennytoShaq]

There is a chance AG may have turned the corner for us. Forget about 30 points against a patsy opponent. What I noticed is he has been much better on defense and more efficient on offense. Additionally he finds open players when he attacks the basket. The only thing he still does is the over dribbling nonsense when he faces up with the ball, but besides that I am liking what I see when it comes to his improvement to the core stuff that really wins games.

[pepe1991]

There is a chance AG may have turned the corner for us. Forget about 30 points against a patsy opponent. What I noticed is he has been much better on defense and more efficient on offense. Additionally he finds open players when he attacks the basket. The only thing he still does is the over dribbling nonsense when he faces up with the ball, but besides that I am liking what I see when it comes to his improvement to the core stuff that really wins games.

Gordon's game,development and ceiling are all under one question- can he be more effective.
If he can he will be really good player. If he can't be is basically Rudy Gay.
It's nice to see him taking and making good shots last 2 games. Hope he will keep it up.
My biggest problem with him last year was his dribble pullup chucking and forcing iso plays that he could not convert.

He is 23, has long contract, there is no need to play like Wiggins any more. Hoping for big things this year.

[pepe1991]

Oh Big Baby Davis signed for by rivaly team.
On his first landing in Zadar, local fans made a fireworks party and took him straight to - McDonalds

Can't wait to see him live

Here's a video from the McDonalds. This story is pretty funny.

https://streamable.com/jjyht

Hide your keyboards....

He got cut today because he was nowhere near playing shape

But hey, at least he got free meal in McDonalds

[VFX]

This idea that the Magic are “building around Vucevic” in 2018 is silly.

The fact is, Jeff Weltman and John Hammond decided when they fired Frank Vogel that they were not going to tank this year. They were going to try to win as many games as they possibly could and the moves that they’ve made - hiring Clifford and not getting rid of Augustin, Fournier, Ross, Simmons and Vucevic - were clears signs of that.

You might not like the plan, you might not think it has a great chance of success. Both of which are totally fine and valid criticisms. But this is the plan.

Vucevic is one of the Magic's five best players right now and he’s going to play a lot accordingly.

Then they are as inept as they appear to be.
Nobody believes Orlando is actually competing with this roster.

[VFX]

This idea that the Magic are “building around Vucevic” in 2018 is silly.

Don't think anyone is arguing that (I could be wrong). Just using him as a go-to guy is dumb to do again when every year he isn't anything special offensively, and we stink as a team. But you're right, it is what it is and we just gotta watch it for another year.

I don’t remember anyone actually stating “We are building around Vuc”. However, using him as the go-to offensive option for 6 years straight isn’t smart either.

[fendilim]

This idea that the Magic are “building around Vucevic” in 2018 is silly.

Don't think anyone is arguing that (I could be wrong). Just using him as a go-to guy is dumb to do again when every year he isn't anything special offensively, and we stink as a team. But you're right, it is what it is and we just gotta watch it for another year.

I don’t remember anyone actually stating “We are building around Vuc”. However, using him as the go-to offensive option for 6 years straight isn’t smart either.

Its not but who is the better option we have?