2023-2024 Preseason Season Game 2: Orlando Magic (1-0) at Cleveland Cavaliers (0-1) - 7pm

[SOUL]

Also, aside from JI, we really don't have any bigs that intimidate the slashers of blocks right?

I think Goga is underrated as a rim protector. But Wendell isn't very good at it and Moritz is particularly terrible at it.

I think people confuse rim protectors versus being bad paint defenders though, WCJ definitely is good down there.

[Audi]

Also, aside from JI, we really don't have any bigs that intimidate the slashers of blocks right?

I think Goga is underrated as a rim protector. But Wendell isn't very good at it and Moritz is particularly terrible at it.

I think people confuse rim protectors versus being bad paint defenders though, WCJ definitely is good down there.

Correct. Frustrating, because he’s like a few inches of arm length away from being a pretty good rim defender too.

[RookieStar]

Also, aside from JI, we really don't have any bigs that intimidate the slashers of blocks right?

I think Goga is underrated as a rim protector. But Wendell isn't very good at it and Moritz is particularly terrible at it.

I think people confuse rim protectors versus being bad paint defenders though, WCJ definitely is good down there.

WCJ can body them out of the paint but he doesnt really block shots when opponents let fly in the paint.

Wasn't that our problem last season? When we faced a Kessler , Mitch Rob and etc that just blocks are penetration even by Paolo... we couldnt gwt anything going anymore.

[Bensational]

One thing I’ve noticed is how active our guards are at chasing weak side blocks. WCJ and Paolo will body them and if Suggs or Fultz are within range they’ll go for the block. It’s really stifling scorers in the paint because they don’t know where the defense is coming from.

[fendilim]

Read on Twitter

This is just silly.

Exactly the reason why I wasnt mad with the Jett pick. His quick release is translatable even if he doesnt standout among the most athletic.

[SOUL]

I think Goga is underrated as a rim protector. But Wendell isn't very good at it and Moritz is particularly terrible at it.

I think people confuse rim protectors versus being bad paint defenders though, WCJ definitely is good down there.

WCJ can body them out of the paint but he doesnt really block shots when opponents let fly in the paint.

Wasn't that our problem last season? When we faced a Kessler , Mitch Rob and etc that just blocks are penetration even by Paolo... we couldnt gwt anything going anymore.

That's two very different skills though. He has a solid base so a lot of half court stuff will get negated because he's not getting bullied and allowing easy back to the basket paint buckets. Less straight up deterrence when it comes to slashing and intimidation. Bringing in Isaac doesn't mean there would be less paint points necessarily, especially if he's against centers.

[drsd]

This preseason couldn't be going any better

[drsd]

Hard to see how preseason games translate to the regular season, but Orlando got fouled (and made the freebies), and didn't foul.

That is how to win road games. If this translates, Orlando is gonna win a LOT of games this year.

[RookieStar]

I think people confuse rim protectors versus being bad paint defenders though, WCJ definitely is good down there.

WCJ can body them out of the paint but he doesnt really block shots when opponents let fly in the paint.

Wasn't that our problem last season? When we faced a Kessler , Mitch Rob and etc that just blocks are penetration even by Paolo... we couldnt gwt anything going anymore.

That's two very different skills though. He has a solid base so a lot of half court stuff will get negated because he's not getting bullied and allowing easy back to the basket paint buckets. Less straight up deterrence when it comes to slashing and intimidation. Bringing in Isaac doesn't mean there would be less paint points necessarily, especially if he's against centers.

Oh i knows it different. He prevents the bigs from bullying their way downlow. Also prevents the huge pffensive centers like Embiid Vuc Jokic from scoring at will in the paint.

However, when it comes to the guards and wings slashing to the basket, he cant really meet them up there to intimidate and change their shot.

[Ralof]

I don't want to get myself hyped up but this game showed me just how unreal the defensive potential of this team is. Like if they put it together they could be really damn good on that end.

that starting five could be top 10 D in the league.

and if they keep running like that on transition,also offense will be enough,in RS.
i mean,we are not just able to,young,ecc.,we are good on that end,Banchero and Fultz are just too big and athletic to stop when we run,also all those guys could pass and find the better positioned man.

biggest questions: will the starting five be reasonably healthy?how consistent will be the bench??

[shadrock]

Brandon Williams will have a long NBA career i think. Showed me a lot tonight. Can shoot, quick, tenacious on D. I like him.

[Skybox]

Also, aside from JI, we really don't have any bigs that intimidate the slashers of blocks right?

I think Goga is underrated as a rim protector. But Wendell isn't very good at it and Moritz is particularly terrible at it.

WCJ is a solid versatile player, but I contend we’d be better with a rim runner/ shot blocker starting, with WCJ backing up 4/5 situationally. Even if WCJ is the all around better player and even played more mpg, the fit would be better. Maybe Isaac can do it, maybe Rob Williams or Gafford could be had for pieces. Claxton too good- but similar style.

So many looks with a guy like that…lobs all day from Franz & Paolo, but, as usual, would require floor spacing from the backcourt

[Skybox]

One thing I’ve noticed is how active our guards are at chasing weak side blocks. WCJ and Paolo will body them and if Suggs or Fultz are within range they’ll go for the block. It’s really stifling scorers in the paint because they don’t know where the defense is coming from.

Imagine if our two 6’10” forwards started blocking shots and grabbing rebounds …even just a small expected gain from them would compound our team progress

[JoshuaPotter]

Fultz for pre season 0-0 3pt.

Hoping to catch this on the radio, anywhere this is picked up?

Nba2k brainwashed people about the 3pt ball and floor spreading, it s like people don't watch games anymore.

Bbiq

1-2 3pt, thats some bball iq.

I am actually sadder that you injected a pun about "watching games" as I was asking to tune in on the radio. While not providing the radio station.

Double Dad disappointment face.

[Last Guardian]

A lot of WCJ comments but correct me if I'm wrong wasn't he statistically one of the best rim protectors last season?

[yoyojw17]

A lot of WCJ comments but correct me if I'm wrong wasn't he statistically one of the best rim protectors last season?

If it remember correctly YUP! And he was one of ... If not the best offensive player around the rim.because of his lack of flash.... He can be easily overlooked by a lot.

Doesn't swat shots all that much but makes those shots taken ... Very hard to make.

[jonbob17]

If Mosley really is planning to go with Cole/Harris/Ingles/Isaac/Moritz as his 2nd unit, he's putting an awful lot of faith and confidence in Cole to shoulder a HUGE scoring load with that group.

Maybe he can stagger one of Franz/Paolo in there with that group.

I suspect Franz and Paolo are going to be getting around 35 minutes a game in competitive games. I'd bet Suggs is south of 30 and Fultz around 30. So if Paulo and Franz never share the court when the 2nd unit guards are in, that's 10 minutes to stagger. Personally I'd like them to experiment with Suggs running the 2nd unit while Fultz is on the bench.

They can make this work...

[jonbob17]

Management is going to have a problem when deciding what to do with Fultz and Cole.

I'd keep Cole Anthony without hesitation, if he only he agrees to a 6th man role on this team!

Fultz is so talented but defers to his teammates too much! He's also lethal in transition.

If Franz and Paolo are really taking the leap already I don't see how you let Fultz or Cole go. Switch gears and compete.

Switch gears? we were 29-24 between the 5-20 start and the 4 game tank job at the end to secure our place.
The FO/coaching/players flipped the switch last year...for better or worse.

If we play .500 basketball this season we might be the 6th seed. The entire NBA is deep. Won't be any easy wins for teams out there, which is good for the Magic, because teams like Miami aren't going to be able to pick up as many freebie wins when they rest their old men.

As for keeping Fultz or Cole...i mean everybody in the league is tradeable. They aren't going to give those guys away, but the calculus will now be about how to make the team better, through a sum of parts > whole approach. Hey maybe one or both of those guys end up being part of that solution, i don't know.

[Optimus_Steel]

Wendell is underappreciated by Magic fans.

[Optimus_Steel]

I heard that Giannis and Dame called for canceling the season because they can't deal with the Magic