Official Speculation Thread 2016 Volume VII - Defense Wins Championships

[OrlandoDream]

If we get a top 5 pick this year and try to make a playoff push next year then that likely means our rookie won't be getting big minutes and people will lose their minds. But if we do the job properly and give that rookie big minutes and focus on youth development, that likely means another season of missing the playoffs and people losing their minds still.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

A top 5 pick this year guarantees you Fultz, Ball, Smith Jr, Jackson or Isaac. Any of those players would be the most skilled and NBA ready draft pick in Robs tenure compared to EP/AG/Mario. I would be jumping off the roof if we can land any of those guys. By the end of their rookie season, any one of those would,be our most coveted player. And I still believe AG will have his breakout season next year.

[OrlandO]

Losing has very little to do with why I'm unimpressed with Vogel in his first year. Good coaching and decision-making can shine even on a lottery team. A good coach would give us something positive to hang our hats on in a down year. We are not getting that out of Vogel. He hasn't had a positive impact on this team, and that should be considered a failure for a coach with a reputation as a top tier coach. If you can only mention his resume when defending him that just means you haven't been impressed with what he's done here either.

If only we hired brad Stevens... or Brett brown.

Lol do you know how many Sixers fans were complaining about Brett Brown?

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Sixers fans on reddit/realgm raised $1,000 to send him a fruit basket, alcohol, chocolate truffles and a spa treatment gift card to show support last year when the team was 0-18... they love him.

[Jameerthefear]

If only we hired brad Stevens... or Brett brown.

Lol do you know how many Sixers fans were complaining about Brett Brown?

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Sixers fans on reddit/realgm raised $1,000 to send him a fruit basket, alcohol, chocolate truffles and a spa treatment gift card to show support last year when the team was 0-18... they love him.

You can find just as many complaints on him though. Go check out posts on the Sixers board from a while ago.

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[OrlandO]

Lol do you know how many Sixers fans were complaining about Brett Brown?

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Sixers fans on reddit/realgm raised $1,000 to send him a fruit basket, alcohol, chocolate truffles and a spa treatment gift card to show support last year when the team was 0-18... they love him.

You can find just as many complaints on him though. Go check out posts on the Sixers board from a while ago.

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It's philly... they boo their own players. If sixers canned brown those people you're talking about would be pissed. They had a poll last month with wishes for the new year and the fire brown option got zero votes.

[OrlandO]

Josh Robbins
The Magic's next five games will be against Bos., Tor., Minn., Ind. & Tor. The Magic are 0-5 against them this season. Avg. margin: 21.2.

[PrimeThyme]

http://969thegame.iheart.com/onair/open-mike-40566/icymi-rob-hennigan-15507355/

Not sure how many people caught this interview with Bianchi and Rob but some things that made me feel uneasy were said. After talking about extending Ibaka, Bianchi straight up asked Rob if he saw Ibaka in the the long term future of the team and he said "yeah we see him as such, absolutely". This worries me. I really feel that Rob might let Ibaka walk this summer for nothing thinking he's going to resign or resign him to 30+ mill this summer. Both would be huge mistakes.

Though he acknowledged it's an uphill climb as he has in other interviews, he said that he and franks staff still think the playoffs are definitely in reach with all the parity in the east and says he needs to improve things at the trade deadline which he "absolutely will". I'm still not sure how to take that. How is this roster going to improve for a playoff run without giving up assets for a proven vet? Really worried that Rob is going to overpay for a Dragic or a player like that at the deadline giving up our pick and one of our young guys.

Let's just keep hoping for a big losing streak leading up the the deadline. The further away we are from the playoffs when Feb 23. rolls around the more likely it will be that Ibaka is traded and a panic trade is avoided. We can only hope.

[OrlandO]

http://969thegame.iheart.com/onair/open-mike-40566/icymi-rob-hennigan-15507355/

Not sure how many people caught this interview with Bianchi and Rob but some things that made me feel uneasy were said. After talking about extending Ibaka, Bianchi straight up asked Rob if he saw Ibaka in the the long term future of the team and he said "yeah we see him as such, absolutely". This worries me. I really feel that Rob might let Ibaka walk this summer for nothing thinking he's going to resign or resign him to 30+ mill this summer. Both would be huge mistakes.

Though he acknowledged it's an uphill climb as he has in other interviews, he said that he and franks staff still think the playoffs are definitely in reach with all the parity in the east and says he needs to improve things at the trade deadline which he "absolutely will". I'm still not sure how to take that. How is this roster going to improve for a playoff run without giving up assets for a proven vet? Really worried that Rob is going to overpay for a Dragic or a player like that at the deadline giving up our pick and one of our young guys.

Let's just keep hoping for a big losing streak leading up the the deadline. The further away we are from the playoffs when Feb 23. rolls around the more likely it will be that Ibaka is traded and a panic trade is avoided. We can only hope.

I wouldn't put too much faith in what rob says in interviews. He has to talk up ibaka either way. Luckily things are about to get brutal, so if we end up in the bottom five soon you would think that would cool off any desperation moves.

[Furinkazan]

This is the real list of people who trusted the process

[npiper17]

http://969thegame.iheart.com/onair/open-mike-40566/icymi-rob-hennigan-15507355/

Not sure how many people caught this interview with Bianchi and Rob but some things that made me feel uneasy were said. After talking about extending Ibaka, Bianchi straight up asked Rob if he saw Ibaka in the the long term future of the team and he said "yeah we see him as such, absolutely". This worries me. I really feel that Rob might let Ibaka walk this summer for nothing thinking he's going to resign or resign him to 30+ mill this summer. Both would be huge mistakes.

Though he acknowledged it's an uphill climb as he has in other interviews, he said that he and franks staff still think the playoffs are definitely in reach with all the parity in the east and says he needs to improve things at the trade deadline which he "absolutely will". I'm still not sure how to take that. How is this roster going to improve for a playoff run without giving up assets for a proven vet? Really worried that Rob is going to overpay for a Dragic or a player like that at the deadline giving up our pick and one of our young guys.

Let's just keep hoping for a big losing streak leading up the the deadline. The further away we are from the playoffs when Feb 23. rolls around the more likely it will be that Ibaka is traded and a panic trade is avoided. We can only hope.

I wouldn't put too much faith in what rob says in interviews. He has to talk up ibaka either way. Luckily things are about to get brutal, so if we end up in the bottom five soon you would think that would cool off any desperation moves.

True - you're never going to get a completely honest interview from any GM. If he said no we're going to let Ibaka walk, he risks reducing his alresdy dwindling trade value. If he said no the playoffs are gone, he's pretty much saying the season is over with 3 months to go (I know it is and many others do but you can't say this publicly).

The 'upgrade the team at the deadline' is a little worrying unless he includes upgrading for the mid to long term rather than the short term.

[Blue_and_Whte]

Josh Robbins
The Magic's next five games will be against Bos., Tor., Minn., Ind. & Tor. The Magic are 0-5 against them this season. Avg. margin: 21.2.

That's both hilarious and cool.

[Blue_and_Whte]

This is the real list of people who trust the process

#VoterFraud

http://969thegame.iheart.com/onair/open-mike-40566/icymi-rob-hennigan-15507355/

Not sure how many people caught this interview with Bianchi and Rob but some things that made me feel uneasy were said. After talking about extending Ibaka, Bianchi straight up asked Rob if he saw Ibaka in the the long term future of the team and he said "yeah we see him as such, absolutely". This worries me. I really feel that Rob might let Ibaka walk this summer for nothing thinking he's going to resign or resign him to 30+ mill this summer. Both would be huge mistakes.

Though he acknowledged it's an uphill climb as he has in other interviews, he said that he and franks staff still think the playoffs are definitely in reach with all the parity in the east and says he needs to improve things at the trade deadline which he "absolutely will". I'm still not sure how to take that. How is this roster going to improve for a playoff run without giving up assets for a proven vet? Really worried that Rob is going to overpay for a Dragic or a player like that at the deadline giving up our pick and one of our young guys.

Let's just keep hoping for a big losing streak leading up the the deadline. The further away we are from the playoffs when Feb 23. rolls around the more likely it will be that Ibaka is traded and a panic trade is avoided. We can only hope.

I have a very bad feeling that this is going to happen.

Vogel promising the Playoffs, Management on his back about making progress..... Everyone needs to prepare themselves for 31 year old Goran Dragic. Hennigan is going to panic just like he did when he signed Biyombo.

[Gomagic44]

The only thing I care about still this season is what we do at the deadline and our lotto chances. I hope I never see Jeff green in a magic uni again and I hope we trade Vuc and serge and end up with some good youth or picks.

I am not excited really, hennigan has ripped from my soul excitement about this magic team. I am unsure how I can continue to be passionate about this dumpster fire. Poor old devos is gonna kick it with this squad of goonies as his last team. Sad.


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[fendilim]

The only thing I care about still this season is what we do at the deadline and our lotto chances. I hope I never see Jeff green in a magic uni again and I hope we trade Vuc and serge and end up with some good youth or picks.

I am not excited really, hennigan has ripped from my soul excitement about this magic team. I am unsure how I can continue to be passionate about this dumpster fire. Poor old devos is gonna kick it with this squad of goonies as his last team. Sad.


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

I wouldn't trade Vuc, he's a bargain with his contract and has shown improvement with his defense.

[BadMofoPimp]

The only thing I care about still this season is what we do at the deadline and our lotto chances. I hope I never see Jeff green in a magic uni again and I hope we trade Vuc and serge and end up with some good youth or picks.

I am not excited really, hennigan has ripped from my soul excitement about this magic team. I am unsure how I can continue to be passionate about this dumpster fire. Poor old devos is gonna kick it with this squad of goonies as his last team. Sad.


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I wouldn't trade Vuc, he's a bargain with his contract and has shown improvement with his defense.

Plus, I would rather have a decent BBIQ player than a low BBIQ player as my starting Center.

[PrimeThyme]

http://969thegame.iheart.com/onair/open-mike-40566/icymi-rob-hennigan-15507355/

Not sure how many people caught this interview with Bianchi and Rob but some things that made me feel uneasy were said. After talking about extending Ibaka, Bianchi straight up asked Rob if he saw Ibaka in the the long term future of the team and he said "yeah we see him as such, absolutely". This worries me. I really feel that Rob might let Ibaka walk this summer for nothing thinking he's going to resign or resign him to 30+ mill this summer. Both would be huge mistakes.

Though he acknowledged it's an uphill climb as he has in other interviews, he said that he and franks staff still think the playoffs are definitely in reach with all the parity in the east and says he needs to improve things at the trade deadline which he "absolutely will". I'm still not sure how to take that. How is this roster going to improve for a playoff run without giving up assets for a proven vet? Really worried that Rob is going to overpay for a Dragic or a player like that at the deadline giving up our pick and one of our young guys.

Let's just keep hoping for a big losing streak leading up the the deadline. The further away we are from the playoffs when Feb 23. rolls around the more likely it will be that Ibaka is traded and a panic trade is avoided. We can only hope.

I wouldn't put too much faith in what rob says in interviews. He has to talk up ibaka either way. Luckily things are about to get brutal, so if we end up in the bottom five soon you would think that would cool off any desperation moves.

Yeah I haven't really put too much weight into most of the interviews he's done this week but this one really left me feeling uneasy especially compared to the others. If this team puts any type of winning streak together I really believe Rob goes all in on one of these Vets and gives up assets. He's already shown this last year he's more than willing to overpay and give up assets for a vet.

I fear Robs going to make another short sighted move and then sign Ibaka to a huge contract this summer. Which would put us in NBA purgatory the next 5 years. It all depends how the next 3 weeks play out. Luckily the brutal schedule is working in our favor.

[PrimeThyme]

This is the real list of people who trust the process

#VoterFraud

http://969thegame.iheart.com/onair/open-mike-40566/icymi-rob-hennigan-15507355/

Not sure how many people caught this interview with Bianchi and Rob but some things that made me feel uneasy were said. After talking about extending Ibaka, Bianchi straight up asked Rob if he saw Ibaka in the the long term future of the team and he said "yeah we see him as such, absolutely". This worries me. I really feel that Rob might let Ibaka walk this summer for nothing thinking he's going to resign or resign him to 30+ mill this summer. Both would be huge mistakes.

Though he acknowledged it's an uphill climb as he has in other interviews, he said that he and franks staff still think the playoffs are definitely in reach with all the parity in the east and says he needs to improve things at the trade deadline which he "absolutely will". I'm still not sure how to take that. How is this roster going to improve for a playoff run without giving up assets for a proven vet? Really worried that Rob is going to overpay for a Dragic or a player like that at the deadline giving up our pick and one of our young guys.

Let's just keep hoping for a big losing streak leading up the the deadline. The further away we are from the playoffs when Feb 23. rolls around the more likely it will be that Ibaka is traded and a panic trade is avoided. We can only hope.

I have a very bad feeling that this is going to happen.

Vogel promising the Playoffs, Management on his back about making progress..... Everyone needs to prepare themselves for 31 year old Goran Dragic. Hennigan is going to panic just like he did when he signed Biyombo.

Yeah I can see it now. Rob gives up our draft pick this year to Miami than Miami gets two top ten picks in this years loaded draft and builds around them. Which would put them miles ahead of us while we fight for the eight seed the next five years.

[j-ragg]

The only thing I care about still this season is what we do at the deadline and our lotto chances. I hope I never see Jeff green in a magic uni again and I hope we trade Vuc and serge and end up with some good youth or picks.

I am not excited really, hennigan has ripped from my soul excitement about this magic team. I am unsure how I can continue to be passionate about this dumpster fire. Poor old devos is gonna kick it with this squad of goonies as his last team. Sad.


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I wouldn't trade Vuc, he's a bargain with his contract and has shown improvement with his defense.

Plus, I would rather have a decent BBIQ player than a low BBIQ player as my starting Center.

If he can get us more assets or youth/picks then you absolutely do it. It's not like he has brought winning/a winning culture to the team. We've given him the ball for four years with crap results.

I agree he's played better this year on the defensive end. Still probably shouldn't be a starting center, though I don't think we have any real starting centers on the team.

[PennytoShaq]

Just listened to the Rob interview.

I think he is saying what he needs to say. You can not say that your team will not make the playoffs. It's a terrible thing to do, because it shortchanges the players out there. It's not even the all-star break yet.

He does already acknowledge that it is an uphill climb and that it's not going to be easy. I did not hear this and think "panic trade". I think he is playing things pretty close to the vest to be quite honest.

[Blue_and_Whte]

Panic trade in 5,...4....3

[VFX]

This is the real list of people who trust the process

#VoterFraud

http://969thegame.iheart.com/onair/open-mike-40566/icymi-rob-hennigan-15507355/

Not sure how many people caught this interview with Bianchi and Rob but some things that made me feel uneasy were said. After talking about extending Ibaka, Bianchi straight up asked Rob if he saw Ibaka in the the long term future of the team and he said "yeah we see him as such, absolutely". This worries me. I really feel that Rob might let Ibaka walk this summer for nothing thinking he's going to resign or resign him to 30+ mill this summer. Both would be huge mistakes.

Though he acknowledged it's an uphill climb as he has in other interviews, he said that he and franks staff still think the playoffs are definitely in reach with all the parity in the east and says he needs to improve things at the trade deadline which he "absolutely will". I'm still not sure how to take that. How is this roster going to improve for a playoff run without giving up assets for a proven vet? Really worried that Rob is going to overpay for a Dragic or a player like that at the deadline giving up our pick and one of our young guys.

Let's just keep hoping for a big losing streak leading up the the deadline. The further away we are from the playoffs when Feb 23. rolls around the more likely it will be that Ibaka is traded and a panic trade is avoided. We can only hope.

I have a very bad feeling that this is going to happen.

Vogel promising the Playoffs, Management on his back about making progress..... Everyone needs to prepare themselves for 31 year old Goran Dragic. Hennigan is going to panic just like he did when he signed Biyombo.

Yeah I can see it now. Rob gives up our draft pick this year to Miami than Miami gets two top ten picks in this years loaded draft and builds around them. Which would put them miles ahead of us while we fight for the eight seed the next five years.

Worst case scenario. If this happens, it will be very difficult to watch Magic games knowing we traded a top 5 pick for future mediocre playoff appearances.