How bout that AB!

[Idiosyncratic]

AB did fine tonight. But he still needs to grow his confidence and be more assertive with the ball especially if it is his turn to attack. Be nasty and mean. He hasn't shown that yet.

I am a fan of AB. But I also think it might be Jalen Suggs' time to return.

Thought he was really really good on defense tonight too. I know some think we have too much defense and don't care, but it still matters to me. The problem tonight is a couple of wide-open 3s he passed up to give teammates bad shots late in shotclock. He's also just missing on a couple of finishes at the rim these last couple of games. One more year of getting stronger could make a world of difference.

He just turned 21, who knows what will happen. To those who think we should be winning a title in 3rd and 4th year Paolo/Franz I'm sure he is frustrating, but I'm relatively pleased with the growth he is showing.

[SHAQ32]

AB did fine tonight. But he still needs to grow his confidence and be more assertive with the ball especially if it is his turn to attack. Be nasty and mean. He hasn't shown that yet.

I am a fan of AB. But I also think it might be Jalen Suggs' time to return.

Thought he was really really good on defense tonight too. I know some think we have too much defense and don't care, but it still matters to me. The problem tonight is a couple of wide-open 3s he passed up to give teammates bad shots late in shotclock. He's also just missing on a couple of finishes at the rim these last couple of games. One more year of getting stronger could make a world of difference.

He just turned 21, who knows what will happen. To those who think we should be winning a title in 3rd and 4th year Paolo/Franz I'm sure he is frustrating, but I'm relatively pleased with the growth he is showing.

Y'all keep saying "one more year, one more year." But what happens if it doesn't pan out? Start living in the present. You guys are way too content with throwing away seasons and focusing on a future that most likely won't materialize.

[OrlandoDream]

If POR or some other team wants AB as piece to upgrade our backcourt you send him out ASAP. He is sh*tting the bed at this starter prove yourself opportunity. Dude has Fultz level effect out there next to Paolo. Just not a good fit.

[SHAQ32]

If POR or some other team wants AB as piece to upgrade our backcourt you send him out ASAP. He is sh*tting the bed at this starter prove yourself opportunity. Dude has Fultz level effect out there next to Paolo. Just not a good fit.

There's really no place for players like Black in today's NBA. So it's not even a matter of fit next to whoever. If you can't space the floor and make defenses at least respect you enough to not dare you to shoot.

[eyriq]

AB did fine tonight. But he still needs to grow his confidence and be more assertive with the ball especially if it is his turn to attack. Be nasty and mean. He hasn't shown that yet.

I am a fan of AB. But I also think it might be Jalen Suggs' time to return.

Thought he was really really good on defense tonight too. I know some think we have too much defense and don't care, but it still matters to me. The problem tonight is a couple of wide-open 3s he passed up to give teammates bad shots late in shotclock. He's also just missing on a couple of finishes at the rim these last couple of games. One more year of getting stronger could make a world of difference.

He just turned 21, who knows what will happen. To those who think we should be winning a title in 3rd and 4th year Paolo/Franz I'm sure he is frustrating, but I'm relatively pleased with the growth he is showing.

Y'all keep saying "one more year, one more year." But what happens if it doesn't pan out? Start living in the present. You guys are way too content with throwing away seasons and focusing on a future that most likely won't materialize.

What exactly do you want to see from him? He's already "panning out" as an elite defender. His offense is a work in progress but he unlocked his playmaking and is working on being more aggressive. Do you expect him to be better than Suggs already? That'll take another season or so.

[OrlandoDream]

If POR or some other team wants AB as piece to upgrade our backcourt you send him out ASAP. He is sh*tting the bed at this starter prove yourself opportunity. Dude has Fultz level effect out there next to Paolo. Just not a good fit.

There's really no place for players like Black in today's NBA. So it's not even a matter of fit next to whoever. If you can't space the floor and make defenses at least respect you enough to not dare you to shoot.

Players like him only work today if you play alongside the 15-16 Warriors. Otherwise you are a liability on the entire team. Do fans not see how teams just leave him open from 3? Its fultz all over again where the team is just worse with him out there bc of the effect is has on the way other teams defend us. Him and Jett were big misses by weltman.

[Bergmaniac]

I like Black and I am still bullish on his future, but he needs a lot more improvement on offense to get there than just "be more agressive". Sure, there are times he is a bit too passive, but he is reluctant to shoot or attack mostly because he knows his limitations as an offensive player.

[Skybox]

If POR or some other team wants AB as piece to upgrade our backcourt you send him out ASAP. He is sh*tting the bed at this starter prove yourself opportunity. Dude has Fultz level effect out there next to Paolo. Just not a good fit.

Fultz is a much better ballhandler…the difference between them is that there were injury reasons to give up on Fultz’ further development and people will excuse AB’s weaknesses right through his overpay extension (at the end of his 3rd “really like his rookie” season of less than mediocre offensive play and “development” that must be viewed through rose-colored microscope lenses).

*which is not to say we didn’t hang on and keep paying Fultz too much for too long

[The-Stallion70]

AB is not very good at basketball.

I thought that maybe he was a rotational player for a playoff team but not unless his usage is very low and he focuses on defense like last year.

The Magic are a less talented team than last year with no Mo or Fultz. Fultz still found ways to be effective despite his lack of shooting range and if you cant see that you're **** blind.

[Bergmaniac]

You got to be trolling at this point, last year's Fultz was horrendous on both ends all season. There is a reason he hasn't been signed by any team this season.

[Idiosyncratic]

AB did fine tonight. But he still needs to grow his confidence and be more assertive with the ball especially if it is his turn to attack. Be nasty and mean. He hasn't shown that yet.

I am a fan of AB. But I also think it might be Jalen Suggs' time to return.

Thought he was really really good on defense tonight too. I know some think we have too much defense and don't care, but it still matters to me. The problem tonight is a couple of wide-open 3s he passed up to give teammates bad shots late in shotclock. He's also just missing on a couple of finishes at the rim these last couple of games. One more year of getting stronger could make a world of difference.

He just turned 21, who knows what will happen. To those who think we should be winning a title in 3rd and 4th year Paolo/Franz I'm sure he is frustrating, but I'm relatively pleased with the growth he is showing.

Y'all keep saying "one more year, one more year." But what happens if it doesn't pan out? Start living in the present. You guys are way too content with throwing away seasons and focusing on a future that most likely won't materialize.

When Paolo, Franz and Suggs start playing like they are championship ready I will be right there with everyone else who wants immediate help at the expense of the future ( you still don't want to trade all of the future even in that scenario though). I just don't see win-now moves as more beneficial than development and picks YET. Could change very quickly. That doesn't mean there aren't scenarios where I wouldn't pay for help now though. There are several suggested trades I am OK with, just depends on price and the player, but obviously none involving AB.

Also on the topic of AB alone, if he doesn't take a pretty big step forward next year I will start being concerned.

[Idiosyncratic]

If POR or some other team wants AB as piece to upgrade our backcourt you send him out ASAP. He is sh*tting the bed at this starter prove yourself opportunity. Dude has Fultz level effect out there next to Paolo. Just not a good fit.

AB for 1.5 years of Simons at 27 million per

[Skybox]

You got to be trolling at this point, last year's Fultz was horrendous on both ends all season. There is a reason he hasn't been signed by any team this season.

nobody's more critical of Fultz than me...I just said he's got much better handles than AB. Which he does - to Fultz' credit, his ability to dribble and protect the ball in traffic was exceptional - just couldn't do anything else.

[Skybox]

Thought he was really really good on defense tonight too. I know some think we have too much defense and don't care, but it still matters to me. The problem tonight is a couple of wide-open 3s he passed up to give teammates bad shots late in shotclock. He's also just missing on a couple of finishes at the rim these last couple of games. One more year of getting stronger could make a world of difference.

He just turned 21, who knows what will happen. To those who think we should be winning a title in 3rd and 4th year Paolo/Franz I'm sure he is frustrating, but I'm relatively pleased with the growth he is showing.

Y'all keep saying "one more year, one more year." But what happens if it doesn't pan out? Start living in the present. You guys are way too content with throwing away seasons and focusing on a future that most likely won't materialize.

When Paolo, Franz and Suggs start playing like they are championship ready I will be right there with everyone else who wants immediate help at the expense of the future ( you still don't want to trade all of the future even in that scenario though). I just don't see win-now moves as more beneficial than development and picks YET. Could change very quickly. That doesn't mean there aren't scenarios where I wouldn't pay for help now though. There are several suggested trades I am OK with, just depends on price and the player, but obviously none involving AB.

Also on the topic of AB alone, if he doesn't take a pretty big step forward next year I will start being concerned.

You're the same guy that just posted how this current injury cluster**k might be beneficial to Paolo, Franz, and Suggs...if you want them to develop, you put complementary pieces around them, not hurdles...giving guys reps playing 1 on 5 doesn't help them develop skills towards "playing the right way"...maybe the opposite. Not to mention the mental trauma of constantly questioning if you're actually not that good.

[JF5]

You got to be trolling at this point, last year's Fultz was horrendous on both ends all season. There is a reason he hasn't been signed by any team this season.

nobody's more critical of Fultz than me...I just said he's got much better handles than AB. Which he does - to Fultz' credit, his ability to dribble and protect the ball in traffic was exceptional - just couldn't do anything else.

Fultz has better ball handling/driving ability and offensive instincts. Black doesn't have anything that you can hang your hat on offensively...

The last few games with him starting just made it painfully obvious that he's a bench player that can play 15-20 minutes per game with this particular roster. He should be the secondary ball handler max with the second unit, and the bench unit needs 2 offensive oriented guards to cover up for his horrible offense.

Sadly, Eyriq was championing the fact that he was the second leading scorer, on a night where the team got blown out at home against a bottom 5 team in the league and where the Magic didn't even score 80 points against them. Like that's extremely out of touch.

[Idiosyncratic]

Y'all keep saying "one more year, one more year." But what happens if it doesn't pan out? Start living in the present. You guys are way too content with throwing away seasons and focusing on a future that most likely won't materialize.

When Paolo, Franz and Suggs start playing like they are championship ready I will be right there with everyone else who wants immediate help at the expense of the future ( you still don't want to trade all of the future even in that scenario though). I just don't see win-now moves as more beneficial than development and picks YET. Could change very quickly. That doesn't mean there aren't scenarios where I wouldn't pay for help now though. There are several suggested trades I am OK with, just depends on price and the player, but obviously none involving AB.

Also on the topic of AB alone, if he doesn't take a pretty big step forward next year I will start being concerned.

You're the same guy that just posted how this current injury cluster**k might be beneficial to Paolo, Franz, and Suggs...if you want them to develop, you put complementary pieces around them, not hurdles...giving guys reps playing 1 on 5 doesn't help them develop skills towards "playing the right way"...maybe the opposite. Not to mention the mental trauma of constantly questioning if you're actually not that good.

No I said having them play on ball more. That was by design even before the injuries. You don't think Franz got any skills from being forced to bring the ball up the court in his developmental years? How about Giannis when he played with garbage teams and point guards his 1st several years. And on the injury front, D Rose being constantly injured forced Jimmy Butler to handle it more and become a player that could carry a team to the finals.

I want to put complimentary pieces around them that will be here longer than a year and can win them a title. I do not have the need to trade good assets for a run in Paolo's 3rd year. Again it does not mean I wouldn't selectively look to buy.

[eyriq]

You got to be trolling at this point, last year's Fultz was horrendous on both ends all season. There is a reason he hasn't been signed by any team this season.

nobody's more critical of Fultz than me...I just said he's got much better handles than AB. Which he does - to Fultz' credit, his ability to dribble and protect the ball in traffic was exceptional - just couldn't do anything else.

Fultz has better ball handling/driving ability and offensive instincts. Black doesn't have anything that you can hang your hat on offensively...

The last few games with him starting just made it painfully obvious that he's a bench player that can play 15-20 minutes per game with this particular roster. He should be the secondary ball handler max with the second unit, and the bench unit needs 2 offensive oriented guards to cover up for his horrible offense.

Sadly, Eyriq was championing the fact that he was the second leading scorer, on a night where the team got blown out at home against a bottom 5 team in the league and where the Magic didn't even score 80 points against them. Like that's extremely out of touch.

This season has been all about unlocking playmaking and aggressiveness. Last game was a nice indication that he's progressing.

[Skybox]

When Paolo, Franz and Suggs start playing like they are championship ready I will be right there with everyone else who wants immediate help at the expense of the future ( you still don't want to trade all of the future even in that scenario though). I just don't see win-now moves as more beneficial than development and picks YET. Could change very quickly. That doesn't mean there aren't scenarios where I wouldn't pay for help now though. There are several suggested trades I am OK with, just depends on price and the player, but obviously none involving AB.

Also on the topic of AB alone, if he doesn't take a pretty big step forward next year I will start being concerned.

You're the same guy that just posted how this current injury cluster**k might be beneficial to Paolo, Franz, and Suggs...if you want them to develop, you put complementary pieces around them, not hurdles...giving guys reps playing 1 on 5 doesn't help them develop skills towards "playing the right way"...maybe the opposite. Not to mention the mental trauma of constantly questioning if you're actually not that good.

No I said having them play on ball more. That was by design even before the injuries. You don't think Franz got any skills from being forced to bring the ball up the court in his developmental years? How about Giannis when he played with garbage teams and point guards his 1st several years. And on the injury front, D Rose being constantly injured forced Jimmy Butler to handle it more and become a player that could carry a team to the finals.

I want to put complimentary pieces around them that will be here longer than a year and can win them a title. I do not have the need to trade good assets for a run in Paolo's 3rd year. Again it does not mean I wouldn't selectively look to buy.

Franz was the best PG on this team from the minute he got here. He didn't learn to ball handle while being pressed in an NBA game, while out of position. They are both on-ball studs...but it's not enough. It's hard to be a great playmaker when you're also the best guy to pass it to.

Once again this completely misguided idea that trading hypothetical "assets" for a young player who happens to already be good is somehow giving up on the future. It's the complete opposite. Simons is 25, Suggs & Franz are 23, Paolo is 22. We're not trading for a 31yo maybe washed out guy that doesn't fit the lineup or the timeline...we did that LAST summer.

[MartinsIzAfraud]

You're the same guy that just posted how this current injury cluster**k might be beneficial to Paolo, Franz, and Suggs...if you want them to develop, you put complementary pieces around them, not hurdles...giving guys reps playing 1 on 5 doesn't help them develop skills towards "playing the right way"...maybe the opposite. Not to mention the mental trauma of constantly questioning if you're actually not that good.

No I said having them play on ball more. That was by design even before the injuries. You don't think Franz got any skills from being forced to bring the ball up the court in his developmental years? How about Giannis when he played with garbage teams and point guards his 1st several years. And on the injury front, D Rose being constantly injured forced Jimmy Butler to handle it more and become a player that could carry a team to the finals.

I want to put complimentary pieces around them that will be here longer than a year and can win them a title. I do not have the need to trade good assets for a run in Paolo's 3rd year. Again it does not mean I wouldn't selectively look to buy.

Franz was the best PG on this team from the minute he got here. He didn't learn to ball handle while being pressed in an NBA game, while out of position. They are both on-ball studs...but it's not enough. It's hard to be a great playmaker when you're also the best guy to pass it to.

Once again this completely misguided idea that trading hypothetical "assets" for a young player who happens to already be good is somehow giving up on the future. It's the complete opposite. Simons is 25, Suggs & Franz are 23, Paolo is 22. We're not trading for a 31yo maybe washed out guy that doesn't fit the lineup or the timeline...we did that LAST summer.

not to mention Cole & Gary aren't assets, so the only asset we'd be trading is our pick or Denver's and we already don't have room on the roster for 2 rookies.

[Idiosyncratic]

You're the same guy that just posted how this current injury cluster**k might be beneficial to Paolo, Franz, and Suggs...if you want them to develop, you put complementary pieces around them, not hurdles...giving guys reps playing 1 on 5 doesn't help them develop skills towards "playing the right way"...maybe the opposite. Not to mention the mental trauma of constantly questioning if you're actually not that good.

No I said having them play on ball more. That was by design even before the injuries. You don't think Franz got any skills from being forced to bring the ball up the court in his developmental years? How about Giannis when he played with garbage teams and point guards his 1st several years. And on the injury front, D Rose being constantly injured forced Jimmy Butler to handle it more and become a player that could carry a team to the finals.

I want to put complimentary pieces around them that will be here longer than a year and can win them a title. I do not have the need to trade good assets for a run in Paolo's 3rd year. Again it does not mean I wouldn't selectively look to buy.

Franz was the best PG on this team from the minute he got here. He didn't learn to ball handle while being pressed in an NBA game, while out of position. They are both on-ball studs...but it's not enough. It's hard to be a great playmaker when you're also the best guy to pass it to.

Once again this completely misguided idea that trading hypothetical "assets" for a young player who happens to already be good is somehow giving up on the future. It's the complete opposite. Simons is 25, Suggs & Franz are 23, Paolo is 22. We're not trading for a 31yo maybe washed out guy that doesn't fit the lineup or the timeline...we did that LAST summer.

Man if you don't develop skills from actually playing that is news to me. Franz has taken a massive playmaking leap this year. He was looking borderline all-nba playing as our primarily ball-handler.

Simons also makes 27 million and could walk. He also isn't that good. You should see from this trade deadline and last that 1st round picks have a lot of value. Player, price, contract, multiple factors at play. Even if you think you don't need rookies you should still want to get good value for your picks.

Now I don't think Simons or Sexton for the Denver pick would be terrible value, I have already said a million times I don't think those would be awful moves. I'm at the point where I don't think I would do either deal, but I don't think it's terrible.