2024-2025 Regular Season Game 3: Orlando Magic (2-0) at Memphis Grizzlies (1-1) - 8pm ET

[Redwood]

Did KCP just get hit with the Magic curse of shooters losing their touch in a MAgic uniform?

It’s 3 games? Over react much?

His last two seasons he was playing with the best big man on the planet. We have WCJ. It's not a stretch to believe his poor shooting, even after only three games, might be related to this. He's going to have to get used to a hand in his face a lot more than he had to deal with in Denver. He's also in his 12th season and turns 32 in a few months. For some guys that's young, for some it's old. He has remained pretty healthy throughout his career, but that means he has played a lot of minutes. I imagine he'll end up averaging somewhere around 10-12 ppg and around 35 percent 3pt %.

[basketballRob]

I'm still not sold on Jett.

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[drsd]

Should we restart a "dunce cap of defeat thread"? As we only cancelled that when Orlando was horrible; and it was too depressing that there weren't vest most games.

As a reminder to the rules: unlike the vest, answers can be more than individual players. For example, in the past, the coach would often "win" (lose).

Here I am 50/50 on Caldwell Pope vs. "the bench". In particular, Orlando's bench defense was atrocious this game.

So: should we restart the dunce cap threads?

[drsd]

Box score thoughts.

Orlando lost the FG% battle and lost the game.

Contrary to expectations, the Magic did not dominate the boards.

A high TO game.

The only positive stats in this game were i) continued high FTAs, and ii) continued high volume 3pt-attempts with above Mendoza percentages of made three-balls. Indeed the Magic has amongst the highest made three pointers in the league. We need to be impressed by that.

In conclusion: the Magic lost a scheduled loss.

[RookieStar]

Did KCP just get hit with the Magic curse of shooters losing their touch in a MAgic uniform?

It’s 3 games? Over react much?

As a magic fan specifically a magic realgm poster, you never underestimate Magic curses. It ranks up there with 3rd quarter collapses and Magic killers.

[Message Boar]

Well, we made the final score look more respectable than it was, at least.

Should we restart a "dunce cap of defeat thread"? As we only cancelled that when Orlando was horrible; and it was too depressing that there weren't vest most games.

As a reminder to the rules: unlike the vest, answers can be more than individual players. For example, in the past, the coach would often "win" (lose).

Here I am 50/50 on Caldwell Pope vs. "the bench". In particular, Orlando's bench defense was atrocious this game.

So: should we restart the dunce cap threads?

I think I'd be ready for that. On the other hand we could wait until we're in 50+wins/fighting for the top seeds territory. We still don't quite know what we have with this young team this year.

[cedric76]

We missed JI and Harris (not sure why he didn't play more tonight) tonight

[KillMonger]

We missed JI and Harris (not sure why he didn't play more tonight) tonight

Yeah JI adds that extra edge we need defensively.... Whenever he's around you can't just drive into the paint

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[Message Boar]

Huh, only just noticed that this was Memphis' home opener. I kinda assumed they opened with a home game on Wednesday. Kinda messed up that we had to play two teams in their home openers, since unless the team is trash, home teams usually win those. At least we took care of the heat.

[Skybox]

Box score thoughts.

Orlando lost the FG% battle and lost the game.

Contrary to expectations, the Magic did not dominate the boards.

A high TO game.

The only positive stats in this game were i) continued high FTAs, and ii) continued high volume 3pt-attempts with above Mendoza percentages of made three-balls. Indeed the Magic has amongst the highest made three pointers in the league. We need to be impressed by that.

In conclusion: the Magic lost a scheduled loss.

I’m not conceding the “scheduled loss” pass just 3 games in…there’s no fatigue excuse this early. They killed us on the offensive glass…I haven’t even looked at stats yet, but it felt like they got 3 tries every possession. The offense either tried to match MEM’s pace (bad idea) and turned it over or got stuck in last year’s offensive mud. Smart did really well on much longer Franz than I expected…at least in first half. They followed script and got Edey in early foul trouble but it didn’t change anything.

I didn’t watch the whole game but KCP didn’t impress. I’m still underwhelmed by that acquisition - upgrade but we could have swung a bit bigger, imo. This is not a 3 game opinion- he’s always been just a good role player. I DO believe the shots Jokic creates are more open than in ORL, but he’ll likely recalibrate. My ultimate hope is that Paolo gets more like Jokic in his gravity & vision as he matures. For now, Paolo still crashes in to crowds and, somehow, often prevails or at least gets to the line…I can’t wait to see him flirt with triple doubles every night if he’s to lead a team to real contention. Isaac’s defensive presence can’t be overestimated…ORL is just different when he’s around.

I’m glad Franz is taking & making a high volume of 3’s. I have to say MEM is a lot tougher than I thought. They seem like they’ve gotten that swagger back. Ja and JJJ are better than their stats. Huff, Pippen, and Wells looked really good too.

[Blue_and_Whte]

Banchero went 54% from the FT line….WTF?

[Knightro]

Memphis is going to have a good year. No shame in losing to them in their building.

You’d like to see a cleaner effort overall, but the Grizzlies are good and certainly created some of the Magic’s mistakes

[Bergmaniac]

For a team with so much depth we are quite poor on back to backs, need to improve at this. It didn't help that the starters were kept too long in the game against Brooklyn. But still, this early in the season they shouldn't struggle so much due to fatigue and we were worse in the first half when they were supposed to be fresher. Too many turnovers and poor transition D were the main problems.

On the positiv sign Black looked good again and Franz's three point shot looked good too.

Did KCP just get hit with the Magic curse of shooters losing their touch in a MAgic uniform?

It’s 3 games? Over react much?

Very small sample size obviously, but so far he has had as many shots that didn't hit the rim at all as makes from 3 and most of his misses have been way off and barely hit the rim, not a good sign. His defence is great but he needs to shoot better.

[zaymon]

Positives first....
Black looks really good, and you can see he is reading the defense. If he continous to improve he will be our starting PG sooner than later.
Franz with 3 pointer is good second option. His form still looks a little robotic and changes from time to time tough.

More negatives unfortunately. Its third game and i saw nothing suggesting Suggs is a point guard all of sudden. Black made more improvement in one season than he in three. We made run when he just stood and shot 3s from standstill. Good that he can make those but its a very limited role. He will be very overpaid first 2-3 years and than propably adequatly paid last 2 years.
Cole makes some good passes but with Black emerging, he is just undersized 2 who is below average shooter. Jett or TDS will take this spot.
Subbing in Moe when Memphis subbed Morant was bad coaching. Jenkins is really smart.

[eyriq]

After this drubbing we are 9th in offense and 6th in defense, per B-R.

[drsd]

Banchero went 54% from the FT line….WTF?

... and 60% for the year. Yuck.

[three3d]

Suggs isn’t wired to being a point guard even if he’s able to do it. He plays with some SERIOUS emotion and I love that about him. I don’t want him to have to slow down and/or have to think about things as much as being the lead guard would require. Suggs is best playing at 100+ mph being a defensive nightmare, ideally, Ideally id want my point guard to be calmer know how to settle Suggs down and control pace of game if and when needed

[ibraheim718]

Suggs isn’t wired to being a point guard even if he’s able to do it. He plays with some SERIOUS emotion and I love that about him. I don’t want him to have to slow down and/or have to think about things as much as being the lead guard would require. Suggs is best playing at 100+ mph being a defensive nightmare, ideally, Ideally id want my point guard to be calmer know how to settle Suggs down and control pace of game if and when needed

You have a point here. Part of the reason why he has struggled playing the position he played so well in college is because he gets so sped up because he's so hyped up and excited. Now he can still make some great passes from the 2 position but I like having Black with his size to see over the defense running the point.

[Knightro]

I'm extremely hard pressed to envision a scenario KCP gets benched any time soon.

We're 3 games in, ya know?

Black/Suggs very well may end up being the backcourt of the future, but the key word there is future.

[zaymon]

Nothing against Suggs and i know he just signed a big deal but his energy and excitement fits more as a 6th man. He can read the game calmly at the start and then come with passion like he always does.