2023-2024 Regular Season Game 26: Miami Heat (15-12) at Orlando Magic (16-9) - 7pm

[Rainwater]

The disrespect to Goga tonight is absolutely mind boggling. He should be the starter until someone EARNS it from him. He was a huge part of out team getting out to a great start this season and brings a defensive toughness to the starting 5. What message does this send to the team? WCJ should have needed to earn his spot back as the starter. Terrible decision and will ruin the defensive mindset of this team.

I think we make it a bigger deal than then the players do. You can spin it as one won’t lose their job just because you are injured. But it was pretty obvious that WCW was going to start whenever he got healthy and same will likely occur with Fultz. Starting Fultz is a no brainer but Goga is a dilemma because his defense is amazing but the magic can use WCW’s offense.

Anyway that is not the reason the Magic lost tonight, the Magic stars playing like trash and the Magic’s inability to make 3s is way the Magic lost.

[eyriq]

Miami win the three point battle and the free throw battle. That shouldn't happen

[eyriq]

The story really is how bad Paolo and Franz played

[SOUL]

The story really is how bad Paolo and Franz played

Simple!

[basketballRob]

Giannis is questionable tomorrow. He obviously fears Black.

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[ChosenSavior]

The story really is how bad Paolo and Franz played

We aren't winning a damn thing if those two aren't giving us their best on both ends.

[ChosenSavior]

Had that barrage in the 2nd quarter not happen, Magic could've taken this one. Crazy how momentum can dictate a game both good and bad.

[SOUL]

Giannis is questionable tomorrow. He obviously fears Black.

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After what happened with Butler, them going with a team that plays outside in will destroy us

[OrlChamps2030]

WCJ. I like him but I’m good with Goga and JI (and whoever else we bring in over the years).

Goga is a UFA. Pretty risky move for a generally risk averse Weltman.

If Goga was locked up I would agree that WCJ is our most liquid asset.

While agree conceptually, I’m less worried about finding a mobile big that plays defense and rim-runs than I am finding a guard that can truly run an offense and/or shoot the lights out.

Yeah I think everyone wants to find a guard that can truly run an offense and/or shoot the lights out.

Everyone except for Weltman, unfortunately

Such an obvious glaring hole on this team coming into the season.. If only Weltman read one of my 10 hypothetical trade proposals of Salary + 11 for Simons this past offseason

[thelead]

Was this a rafer Alston situation? Chemistry looked off

Sent from the phone in my hands

Doubtful. We were trending in the wrong direction lately anyway but the 11-man rotation was a TERRIBLE coaching decision (I won’t count Chuma since he only came in at the end)

[Optimus_Steel]

Tonight started with the KIA Center name change and it ends with the damn Miami Heat Fans chanting at the end of the game.

This sucks!

There is no sugarcoating it, this was absolutely embarrassing. And in perspective maybe the worst performance of the past decade given the start of the year.

Maybe not decade but definitely of season.

Yes it was of the past decade. They unveil the new arena name and then bend over like that. Yup worst of the decade.

[thelead]

The story really is how bad Paolo and Franz played

We aren't winning a damn thing if those two aren't giving us their best on both ends.

Yup. I’ll throw in Suggs too but he actually has a reason for not being as good as usual.

[SOUL]

Was this a rafer Alston situation? Chemistry looked off

Sent from the phone in my hands

Doubtful. We were trending in the wrong direction lately anyway but the 11-man rotation was a TERRIBLE coaching decision (I won’t count Chuma since he only came in at the end)

I mean, let's not overreact. It can be horrible if it continues - one of Isaac/Moe/Goga will need to sit depending on the game and matchups, and Harris may need to be benched completely. Black might get less minutes when Fultz (?) is back too.

In a game like tonight, if your guys aren't getting it done.. find people who are.

[Optimus_Steel]

Weak press conference too. Weak night all around lol. Got keyed at the Kia.

[jonbob17]

Just finished up watching and that was just pathetic. Everyone, on both ends. Gross. Wash the stink off of this one and move on, but that looked like a lottery team out there tonight.

[Rainwater]

Goga is a UFA. Pretty risky move for a generally risk averse Weltman.

If Goga was locked up I would agree that WCJ is our most liquid asset.

While agree conceptually, I’m less worried about finding a mobile big that plays defense and rim-runs than I am finding a guard that can truly run an offense and/or shoot the lights out.

Yeah I think everyone wants to find a guard that can truly run an offense and/or shoot the lights out.

Everyone except for Weltman, unfortunately

Such an obvious glaring hole on this team coming into the season.. If only Weltman read one of my 10 hypothetical trade proposals of Salary + 11 for Simons this past offseason

lol, but seriously though I think we can see a move for a PG at the deadline or in the offseason. Can’t see how Fultz is not moved at this point. He can’t stay on the floor, he can’t shoot, and he doesn’t fit.

[ChosenSavior]

I'm already over this loss. Need the team, coaching staff, social media admin, equipment manager, etc to show more urgency and desperation in these games.

We don't have the top end talent yet to not play with energy and go through the motions in the regular season. Have to out work teams on both ends. That starts with our two best players... Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero. Go do the "impossible" and get a W in Milwaukee.

[ChosenSavior]

Weak press conference too. Weak night all around lol. Got keyed at the Kia.

It cut off on my feed. What was said if you don't mind sharing? Just typical coach/player speak?

[eyriq]

I'm already over this loss. Need the team, coaching staff, social media admin, equipment manager, etc to show more urgency and desperation in these games.

We don't have the top end talent yet to not play with energy and go through the motions in the regular season. Have to out work teams on both ends. That starts with our two best players... Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero. Go do the "impossible" and get a W in Milwaukee.

Losing 3 in a row happens. Don't want it to grow past that, though.

[thelead]

Was this a rafer Alston situation? Chemistry looked off

Sent from the phone in my hands

Doubtful. We were trending in the wrong direction lately anyway but the 11-man rotation was a TERRIBLE coaching decision (I won’t count Chuma since he only came in at the end)

I mean, let's not overreact. It can be horrible if it continues - one of Isaac/Moe/Goga will need to sit depending on the game and matchups, and Harris may need to be benched completely. Black might get less minutes when Fultz (?) is back too.

In a game like tonight, if your guys aren't getting it done.. find people who are.

Purposely playing 4 centers in a half isn’t going to win you any games. And yes, JI is a 5. ESPECIALLY against Miami.