Paolo's ts% is down to. 526 from .590 at the start of the year

[eyriq]

his rhythm way off....his legs not all the way back...it seems like an unbelievable amount of rust.....there also could be some mental stuff going on as well it seems to me like he's trying to force his game back

I'm genuinely unfazed for exactly the reasons you mention. I think fans that expected us to be contenders this season are the ones having these "blow it up" style takes. That's why I keep saying to focus on the timeline and set your expectations accordingly.

[JF5]

his rhythm way off....his legs not all the way back...it seems like an unbelievable amount of rust.....there also could be some mental stuff going on as well it seems to me like he's trying to force his game back

I'm genuinely unfazed for exactly the reasons you mention. I think fans that expected us to be contenders this season are the ones having these "blow it up" style takes. That's why I keep saying to focus on the timeline and set your expectations accordingly.

TBH, I think Paolo’s injury was a blessing in disguise for the future of the organization.

I don't think you get this Superstar version of Franz with a healthy Banchero being in and taking the touches away from him. Now this team knows how they can build the team going forward.

If this team remain healthy next season with the appropriate vet additions and internal growth they'll probably win 55-60 games next season.

[eyriq]

his rhythm way off....his legs not all the way back...it seems like an unbelievable amount of rust.....there also could be some mental stuff going on as well it seems to me like he's trying to force his game back

I'm genuinely unfazed for exactly the reasons you mention. I think fans that expected us to be contenders this season are the ones having these "blow it up" style takes. That's why I keep saying to focus on the timeline and set your expectations accordingly.

TBH, I think Paolo’s injury was a blessing in disguise for the future of the organization.

I don't think you get this Superstar version of Franz with a healthy Banchero being in and taking the touches away from him. Now this team knows how they can build the team going forward.

If this team remain healthy next season with the appropriate vet additions and internal growth they'll probably win 55-60 games next season.

Exactly. It was shocking to see Franz carrying the team at 30% usage

[KillMonger]

his rhythm way off....his legs not all the way back...it seems like an unbelievable amount of rust.....there also could be some mental stuff going on as well it seems to me like he's trying to force his game back

I'm genuinely unfazed for exactly the reasons you mention. I think fans that expected us to be contenders this season are the ones having these "blow it up" style takes. That's why I keep saying to focus on the timeline and set your expectations accordingly.

TBH, I think Paolo’s injury was a blessing in disguise for the future of the organization.

I don't think you get this Superstar version of Franz with a healthy Banchero being in and taking the touches away from him. Now this team knows how they can build the team going forward.

If this team remain healthy next season with the appropriate vet additions and internal growth they'll probably win 55-60 games next season.

so how do they build the team going forward in your eyes just curious.....

[anothermagicfan]

Insanity around here per usual.

Paolo was out longer than Franz so his conditioning should take a bit longer.

We lost Suggs almost as soon as Paolo came back. Not saying he does a ton with the ball in his hands in the half court offense to help Paolo get better shots but he is the head of the snake when it comes to the defensive end and getting stops and playing more in transition helps create mismatches to get better shots.

Paolo is getting way more double teams. He's not done the best job at handling those situations but that's all part of learning to be a star. The turnovers and bad plays will mess with the confidence of a young player especially when nothing is going right for the whole team.

These are a lot of growing pains the team is going through. Not just Paolo. Do I think his ts% will ever be off the charts? Probably not with his style of play but he will continue to learn and get better. Paolo, Franz, and Suggs are all far from finished products.

[JF5]

I'm genuinely unfazed for exactly the reasons you mention. I think fans that expected us to be contenders this season are the ones having these "blow it up" style takes. That's why I keep saying to focus on the timeline and set your expectations accordingly.

TBH, I think Paolo’s injury was a blessing in disguise for the future of the organization.

I don't think you get this Superstar version of Franz with a healthy Banchero being in and taking the touches away from him. Now this team knows how they can build the team going forward.

If this team remain healthy next season with the appropriate vet additions and internal growth they'll probably win 55-60 games next season.

so how do they build the team going forward in your eyes just curious.....

They need a facilitating guard/wing that can create his own shot for himself off the bench, and another guard wing that can shoot/score off the bench.

They probably need a switchable stretch big who can knock down 3s too. This was/is supposed to be Carter Jr. But he's unreliable and his confidence/gets shaky offensively. Plus, these types of bigs are hard hard to find/add so he's likely to be here until this team doesn't have issues with shooting.

I can see the Magic probably drafting a Center in that mold in the next few years if Carter Jr. doesn't get it together.

[ogmagicfan]

Realistically, Paolo isnt going to be 100% this season.

Which is going to lead to even more asinine takes on this board than we've seen recently leading into the offseason and into next season. It will be 10x worse than the Franz takes last offseason.

He tore his oblique, and continued to play for 1 & 1/2 more quarters, which I cant imagine helps. He cares that badly though. However anyone saying they cant see the difference in his athleticism, balance, or lift on his shot or overall energy/effort after the injury is tripping.

He's also 30 lbs heavier than Franz, and has had conditioning issues due to his heavy sweating, which I can only imagine makes recovery harder on him.

I gotta say, its really funny how some of the same posters declaring we should be patient when it comes to Franz and his shooting woes, are the same ones who are giving Paolo no grace

We should makes moves thinking for next season and onwards, specfically getting an actual PG

[Rainwater]

He also hasn't been the best passing out of double teams, often hitting the guy in knees rather than shooting pocket.

Man I feel like he has been great out of the double teams. His skip passes have been good. When starts passing off the dribble is when he starts having issues.

[Rainwater]

Get rid of him.

Yesssssssss

[ogmagicfan]

TBH, I think Paolo’s injury was a blessing in disguise for the future of the organization.

I don't think you get this Superstar version of Franz with a healthy Banchero being in and taking the touches away from him. Now this team knows how they can build the team going forward.

If this team remain healthy next season with the appropriate vet additions and internal growth they'll probably win 55-60 games next season.

so how do they build the team going forward in your eyes just curious.....

They need a facilitating guard/wing that can create his own shot for himself off the bench, and another guard wing that can shoot/score off the bench.

They probably need a switchable stretch big who can knock down 3s too. This was/is supposed to be Carter Jr. But he's unreliable and his confidence/gets shaky offensively. Plus, these types of bigs are hard hard to find/add so he's likely to be here until this team doesn't have issues with shooting.

I can see the Magic probably drafting a Center in that mold in the next few years if Carter Jr. doesn't get it together.

I wish we could get clarity on the WCJ situation. It might just be the laundry list of injuries sapping away his abilities

There are some interesting bigs who have potential 3 pt shooting ability down the road in this draft

We missed out on Lively (who will add a 3 pt shot as his career progresses, he shot them in HS) and Ware (no brainer pick but the motor concerns gave me Bamba vibes) the past 2 seasons. There will probably be an equivilent big man in this draft.

If I had to take a guess, it'd be Maluach, Broome, or Sorber that fits the archtype. We need a switchable big man that can shoot 3's though, thats no question

[Rainwater]

First it was “Why can't Banchero uplift this team like Franz could?” and now this. Just create a trade Paolo thread already and post everything there, lol. Many want to do it now anyway.

[KillMonger]

First it was “Why can't Banchero uplift this team like Franz could?” and now this. Just create a trade Paolo thread already and post everything there, lol. Many want to do it now anyway.

and they're not too bright if they really think so.....and i say that respectfully

[The-Stallion70]

First it was “Why can't Banchero uplift this team like Franz could?” and now this. Just create a trade Paolo thread already and post everything there, lol. Many want to do it now anyway.

If you don't like reading this board you dont have to. You spend more time complaining about what others post than discussing the game lol

[dsg2021]

First it was “Why can't Banchero uplift this team like Franz could?” and now this. Just create a trade Paolo thread already and post everything there, lol. Many want to do it now anyway.

If you don't like reading this board you dont have to. You spend more time complaining about what others post than discussing the game lol

He still has a point though. You can probably clarify some of your final conclusions on Paolo by now. Just stand up and say it along with the others. I don't know which it is for you, but it's probably some of the following;
a) We should trade Paolo
b) Franz is the best player on the team, and Paolo isn't even a top 3 player on the team
c) I don't like Paolo
d) We will never pass the 1st and 2nd round with Paolo
e) Other reasons

I'm just curious because you found a way to critique him constantly, and we're curious if we have to guess which of the above, or if you might clarify it. Along with the other Paolo haters. Hey, I've learned to enjoy the players and the team on my own terms. I learned not to support any Magic player too much in these forums a long time ago. I'm honestly more curious what's your constructive solution at this point. Make the Trade Paolo thread. And heck, maybe you are even right, and one of Paolo or Franz is gone within 2 seasons, and it's probably Paolo. I completely disagree/hope not, but I like to see all sides and ideas.

[ORLMagicGirl15]

I really hope during all star break that Paolo take the time to get back into shape.

[The-Stallion70]

First it was “Why can't Banchero uplift this team like Franz could?” and now this. Just create a trade Paolo thread already and post everything there, lol. Many want to do it now anyway.

If you don't like reading this board you dont have to. You spend more time complaining about what others post than discussing the game lol

He still has a point though. You can probably clarify some of your final conclusions on Paolo by now. Just stand up and say it along with the others. I don't know which it is for you, but it's probably some of the following;
a) We should trade Paolo
b) Franz is the best player on the team, and Paolo isn't even a top 3 player on the team
c) I don't like Paolo
d) We will never pass the 1st and 2nd round with Paolo
e) Other reasons

I'm just curious because you found a way to critique him constantly, and we're curious if we have to guess which of the above, or if you might clarify it. Along with the other Paolo haters. Hey, I've learned to enjoy the players and the team on my own terms. I learned not to support any Magic player too much in these forums a long time ago. I'm honestly more curious what's your constructive solution at this point. Make the Trade Paolo thread. And heck, maybe you are even right, and one of Paolo or Franz is gone within 2 seasons, and it's probably Paolo. I completely disagree/hope not, but I like to see all sides and ideas.

How about I post what I want and you all can deal lol

There is more news to be learned after each game and Paolo is probably the most important player on the team so if you cant handle ongoing discussion based on new evidence then not sure what to say lol

On Paolo, if he doesn't turn into a superstar player then this Magic team probably has a ceiling that is below being a contender. I figured that but was obvious. His development is something to keep a close eye on abd so far im not convinced that he's really a superstar talent.

What do you want to talk about? Do you have anything to say other than crying about someone else's post?

[Rainwater]

First it was “Why can't Banchero uplift this team like Franz could?” and now this. Just create a trade Paolo thread already and post everything there, lol. Many want to do it now anyway.

If you don't like reading this board you dont have to. You spend more time complaining about what others post than discussing the game lol

He still has a point though. You can probably clarify some of your final conclusions on Paolo by now. Just stand up and say it along with the others. I don't know which it is for you, but it's probably some of the following;
a) We should trade Paolo
b) Franz is the best player on the team, and Paolo isn't even a top 3 player on the team
c) I don't like Paolo
d) We will never pass the 1st and 2nd round with Paolo
e) Other reasons

I'm just curious because you found a way to critique him constantly, and we're curious if we have to guess which of the above, or if you might clarify it. Along with the other Paolo haters. Hey, I've learned to enjoy the players and the team on my own terms. I learned not to support any Magic player too much in these forums a long time ago. I'm honestly more curious what's your constructive solution at this point. Make the Trade Paolo thread. And heck, maybe you are even right, and one of Paolo or Franz is gone within 2 seasons, and it's probably Paolo. I completely disagree/hope not, but I like to see all sides and ideas.

Pretty much. I am guilty of doing the same though. I was all abroad trading Vuc, Evan, and especially AG but at least I could admit it. I just feel Paolo (and Franz) is different, he actually has Superstar potential.

[RichCollab]

I get the meltdown. I’m here too.

But this is Paolo’s 1st big injury and I’m sure it creates a lot of new mental challenges when you get back. Franz and Suggs going through what they have. Things are just way out whack.

I’m still confident in our core 3. It’s time to add fit pieces around the 3.

[The-Stallion70]

If you don't like reading this board you dont have to. You spend more time complaining about what others post than discussing the game lol

He still has a point though. You can probably clarify some of your final conclusions on Paolo by now. Just stand up and say it along with the others. I don't know which it is for you, but it's probably some of the following;
a) We should trade Paolo
b) Franz is the best player on the team, and Paolo isn't even a top 3 player on the team
c) I don't like Paolo
d) We will never pass the 1st and 2nd round with Paolo
e) Other reasons

I'm just curious because you found a way to critique him constantly, and we're curious if we have to guess which of the above, or if you might clarify it. Along with the other Paolo haters. Hey, I've learned to enjoy the players and the team on my own terms. I learned not to support any Magic player too much in these forums a long time ago. I'm honestly more curious what's your constructive solution at this point. Make the Trade Paolo thread. And heck, maybe you are even right, and one of Paolo or Franz is gone within 2 seasons, and it's probably Paolo. I completely disagree/hope not, but I like to see all sides and ideas.

Pretty much. I am guilty of doing the same though. I was all abroad trading Vuc, Evan, and especially AG but at least I could admit it. I just feel Paolo (and Franz) is different, he actually has Superstar potential.

I don't want to trade Paolo but nice try there chief but if you wanted to trade Vuc and Fournier before nobody would blame you lol

Banchero and Franz are the best two players the team has had in about 15 years, are we allowed to make threads about them?

[GelbeWand09]

He also hasn't been the best passing out of double teams, often hitting the guy in knees rather than shooting pocket.

That 5 game sample size was never meaningful and I don't know why some people here thought that's how he is now. It was completely screwed by a 50 point game. It included 14 fta per game and almost 70% ftr. We played the pacers, Wizards and Co. Against Memphis playoff defense he looked already like now and last year.

That 60% TS player never really exisisted.
But he is not nearly as bad as he is now and should be ending up better than last year at the end of the season but we need much better improvement by him shootingwise. He is just not athletic enough to play like young Lebron, Giannis and Zion and pretty much live on drives. He is not in the same universe as a finisher compared to them. He needs to be a much better shooter than them. As long as both our stars can't hit at least mid volume 3s at good %, our offense always gonna have trouble because they eat up 30%+ usage and the supporting cast doesn't have enough volume even if we had better shooters around them to cancel the bad shooting of those 2 out. Even more if we prefer low volume 3p shooters like KCP, AB and Co around them.
But the shooting won't improve overnight so we have to help him and Franz getting them easier shots and finally getting a real PG + better shooters.