Official 2023-2024 Magic General Season Thread II

[GelbeWand09]

Someone in that lineup needs to put the ball in the hole too....

The question was, "is this our best defensive line up?". And the answer is no.

Why do you think Franz is a bad defender? Basically no metric says that anywhere. 21st ranked EPM on defense as well, which is leagues above Gary and Black and they are guards.

Franz is a much better defender than both.

Only advanced stat Drsd knows is per, the by far worst one. There is a reason Hollinger is clueless.

[drsd]

Only advanced stat Drsd knows is per, the by far worst one.

Totally untrue. I also know plus/minus.

In all seriousness, I love the starter's defense.

Suggs/Caldwell-Pope/F-Wagner/Banchero/Carter.
Not only are they individually focused on team defense, their skills nicely complement.

But as to the bench: Anthony/Black/Harris/Isaac/M-Wagner, boy does Anthony stand out as a void. I still cannot understand how/why he is on the roster. Orlando needs a backup SF, and loads of teams need backup PGs. THe trade makes itself. AND: then Black shifts to PG with Harris shifting to SG, where Mr. newby-SF has a key role.

Please management, trade Anthony for the defensive identity of this team.

[Skybox]

Only advanced stat Drsd knows is per, the by far worst one.

Totally untrue. I also know plus/minus.

In all seriousness, I love the starter's defense.

Suggs/Caldwell-Pope/F-Wagner/Banchero/Carter.
Not only are they individually focused on team defense, their skills nicely complement.

But as to the bench: Anthony/Black/Harris/Isaac/M-Wagner, boy does Anthony stand out as a void. I still cannot understand how/why he is on the roster. Orlando needs a backup SF, and loads of teams need backup PGs. THe trade makes itself. AND: then Black shifts to PG with Harris shifting to SG, where Mr. newby-SF has a key role.

Please management, trade Anthony for the defensive identity of this team.

I feel like da Silva, rookie or not, is going to get minutes THIS season…Isaac also gets a lot of minutes at the 3. If Howard is still incapable of playing backup minutes (I think he will ), then bust pick and bust G-League philosophy.

Harris is no SF, he was re-signed (along with a few others) as good-enough depth and trade filler. We’re still very deep with okay guys under team control. Good financial management but (for the 3rd year in a row) “set up for a trade”… keeping their powder dry way beyond its expiration date has been their MO.

When will I learn? It seems clear that the FO is betting heavy on Suggs going beyond the excellent role player he is and, most likely, AB emerging from the pack as a viable offensive player.

[drsd]

I feel like da Silva, rookie or not, is going to get minutes THIS season…Isaac also gets a lot of minutes at the 3. If Howard is still incapable of playing backup minutes (I think he will ), then bust pick and bust G-League philosophy.

Harris is no SF, he was re-signed (along with a few others) as good-enough depth and trade filler. We’re still very deep with okay guys under team control. Good financial management but (for the 3rd year in a row) “set up for a trade”… keeping their powder dry way beyond its expiration date has been their MO.

When will I learn? It seems clear that the FO is betting heavy on Suggs going beyond the excellent role player he is and, most likely, AB emerging from the pack as a viable offensive player.

da Silva will get minutes, it's just they might be like Black's rookie minutes. Let' say F-Wagner misses 5 games this season, in those games da Silva will need to log 20-30 minutes played. And might start if coach is happy with the bench rotation.

I agree with you that on offense Harris is no SF. Indeed we might be in a situation where major backup minutes at SF go to Black, of all people.

I think this is great for da Silva and his development, but it is very frustrating as a fan of the Magic. If Orlando was to trade Anthony for a competent backup SF, this roster would be far more balanced!

It would be:
Suggs/Black/Joseph
Caldwell-Pope/Harris/Howard
F-Wagner/some-dude/Houstan
Banchero/Isaac/da Silva
Carter/M-Wagner/Bitadze

That makes 10,000x more sense than carrying 4 PGs, in my opinion.


..

[SOUL]

da Silva literally slots in as a backup SF. Perfect size and skillset for it. Will he be ready for it right away? Who knows, but other guys can chip in there too, like Black at times, Houstan, KCP.

[Skybox]

da Silva literally slots in as a backup SF. Perfect size and skillset for it. Will he be ready for it right away? Who knows, but other guys can chip in there too, like Black at times, Houstan, KCP.

Right…every comp I’ve seen for TdS is Franz- and that’ll be who he backs up. I also think their versatility has them on the court together at times. I’m not seeing the concerns about frontcourt depth some are saying we have…

Goga 5
Mo 4/5
WCJ 4/5
Isaac 3/4/5
Paolo 3/4…Kerr says 5
Franz 1/2/3/4
TdS 3/4
Jett 2/3
Black 1/2/3
Houstan 2/3/4

I’m still more concerned about QUALITY ballhandling & offensive creation in the backcourt. Plenty of bodies, but some missing skillsets

[MasterGMer]

I feel like da Silva, rookie or not, is going to get minutes THIS season…Isaac also gets a lot of minutes at the 3. If Howard is still incapable of playing backup minutes (I think he will ), then bust pick and bust G-League philosophy.

Harris is no SF, he was re-signed (along with a few others) as good-enough depth and trade filler. We’re still very deep with okay guys under team control. Good financial management but (for the 3rd year in a row) “set up for a trade”… keeping their powder dry way beyond its expiration date has been their MO.

When will I learn? It seems clear that the FO is betting heavy on Suggs going beyond the excellent role player he is and, most likely, AB emerging from the pack as a viable offensive player.

da Silva will get minutes, it's just they might be like Black's rookie minutes. Let' say F-Wagner misses 5 games this season, in those games da Silva will need to log 20-30 minutes played. And might start if coach is happy with the bench rotation.

I agree with you that on offense Harris is no SF. Indeed we might be in a situation where major backup minutes at SF go to Black, of all people.

I think this is great for da Silva and his development, but it is very frustrating as a fan of the Magic. If Orlando was to trade Anthony for a competent backup SF, this roster would be far more balanced!

It would be:
Suggs/Black/Joseph
Caldwell-Pope/Harris/Howard
F-Wagner/some-dude/Houstan
Banchero/Isaac/da Silva
Carter/M-Wagner/Bitadze

That makes 10,000x more sense than carrying 4 PGs, in my opinion.


..

Where is Cole?

[Skybox]

I feel like da Silva, rookie or not, is going to get minutes THIS season…Isaac also gets a lot of minutes at the 3. If Howard is still incapable of playing backup minutes (I think he will ), then bust pick and bust G-League philosophy.

Harris is no SF, he was re-signed (along with a few others) as good-enough depth and trade filler. We’re still very deep with okay guys under team control. Good financial management but (for the 3rd year in a row) “set up for a trade”… keeping their powder dry way beyond its expiration date has been their MO.

When will I learn? It seems clear that the FO is betting heavy on Suggs going beyond the excellent role player he is and, most likely, AB emerging from the pack as a viable offensive player.

da Silva will get minutes, it's just they might be like Black's rookie minutes. Let' say F-Wagner misses 5 games this season, in those games da Silva will need to log 20-30 minutes played. And might start if coach is happy with the bench rotation.

I agree with you that on offense Harris is no SF. Indeed we might be in a situation where major backup minutes at SF go to Black, of all people.

I think this is great for da Silva and his development, but it is very frustrating as a fan of the Magic. If Orlando was to trade Anthony for a competent backup SF, this roster would be far more balanced!

It would be:
Suggs/Black/Joseph
Caldwell-Pope/Harris/Howard
F-Wagner/some-dude/Houstan
Banchero/Isaac/da Silva
Carter/M-Wagner/Bitadze

That makes 10,000x more sense than carrying 4 PGs, in my opinion.


..

The guy we drafted is 23 and already better than “some dude”

We don’t have 4 PGs…we actually don’t have ANY PGs…it’s either revolutionary or just another inefficient offensive mess (like last year). Let non-PGs do ALL of the PG things and then criticize their efficiency I LOVE the concept of Paolo & Franz as the primary initiators, but its extremely optimistic to once again go forward without a viable Plan B when, on occasion, that inevitably stalls. AB will need to take a serious leap to fill that role. I think AB could be brought along and take that Plan B PG role in another year or two…and that’s why some of us wanted a Tyus-type…not to start or run the team, but to calm it down or organize it when the Paolo/Franz + shooters thing gets stuck in the mud.

We may actually see more of Cory Joseph than many would expect…might also work out pretty well

[drsd]

I feel like da Silva, rookie or not, is going to get minutes THIS season…Isaac also gets a lot of minutes at the 3. If Howard is still incapable of playing backup minutes (I think he will ), then bust pick and bust G-League philosophy.

Harris is no SF, he was re-signed (along with a few others) as good-enough depth and trade filler. We’re still very deep with okay guys under team control. Good financial management but (for the 3rd year in a row) “set up for a trade”… keeping their powder dry way beyond its expiration date has been their MO.

When will I learn? It seems clear that the FO is betting heavy on Suggs going beyond the excellent role player he is and, most likely, AB emerging from the pack as a viable offensive player.

da Silva will get minutes, it's just they might be like Black's rookie minutes. Let' say F-Wagner misses 5 games this season, in those games da Silva will need to log 20-30 minutes played. And might start if coach is happy with the bench rotation.

I agree with you that on offense Harris is no SF. Indeed we might be in a situation where major backup minutes at SF go to Black, of all people.

I think this is great for da Silva and his development, but it is very frustrating as a fan of the Magic. If Orlando was to trade Anthony for a competent backup SF, this roster would be far more balanced!

It would be:
Suggs/Black/Joseph
Caldwell-Pope/Harris/Howard
F-Wagner/some-dude/Houstan
Banchero/Isaac/da Silva
Carter/M-Wagner/Bitadze

That makes 10,000x more sense than carrying 4 PGs, in my opinion.


..

Where is Cole?

The whole thought line was, "what would the depth chart look like if Anthony was traded for a backup SF." So: Anthony would be not-here, is the answer.

[drsd]

We may actually see more of Cory Joseph than many would expect…might also work out pretty well

I like all the bench players. This team will be resilient to injuries.

[eyriq]

Cole and Harris are flies in the ointment. I expect AB, Jett, and TDS will be in the rotation, but they are blocked by Cole and Harris.

[davey_wavy]

We may actually see more of Cory Joseph than many would expect…might also work out pretty well

I like all the bench players. This team will be resilient to injuries.

Please go find some wood and knock on it.

[BadMofoPimp]

We may actually see more of Cory Joseph than many would expect…might also work out pretty well

I like all the bench players. This team will be resilient to injuries.

Cojo wasn't that good last season. He comes alive once every 5 games. May get lucky with a hot streak hear and there. Doubt he plays much.

[Skybox]

We may actually see more of Cory Joseph than many would expect…might also work out pretty well

I like all the bench players. This team will be resilient to injuries.

Cojo wasn't that good last season. He comes alive once every 5 games. May get lucky with a hot streak hear and there. Doubt he plays much.

Yeah…my point was just that…sometimes you really need a true PG to get things in order (even just a reset, like calling a timeout). Sadly, he’s the closest thing we have on the roster at the moment.

[BadMofoPimp]

I like all the bench players. This team will be resilient to injuries.

Cojo wasn't that good last season. He comes alive once every 5 games. May get lucky with a hot streak hear and there. Doubt he plays much.

Yeah…my point was just that…sometimes you really need a true PG to get things in order (even just a reset, like calling a timeout). Sadly, he’s the closest thing we have on the roster at the moment.

Maybe playing with good talent around him finally may push him to help out.

[fendilim]

da Silva literally slots in as a backup SF. Perfect size and skillset for it. Will he be ready for it right away? Who knows, but other guys can chip in there too, like Black at times, Houstan, KCP.

Right…every comp I’ve seen for TdS is Franz- and that’ll be who he backs up. I also think their versatility has them on the court together at times. I’m not seeing the concerns about frontcourt depth some are saying we have…

Goga 5
Mo 4/5
WCJ 4/5
Isaac 3/4/5
Paolo 3/4…Kerr says 5
Franz 1/2/3/4
TdS 3/4
Jett 2/3
Black 1/2/3
Houstan 2/3/4

I’m still more concerned about QUALITY ballhandling & offensive creation in the backcourt. Plenty of bodies, but some missing skillsets

Honestly I think shotmaking is really the problem.

We have so many high IQ guys here, but Paolo is the only guy capable of breaking down the defense consistently.

[RichCollab]

da Silva literally slots in as a backup SF. Perfect size and skillset for it. Will he be ready for it right away? Who knows, but other guys can chip in there too, like Black at times, Houstan, KCP.

Right…every comp I’ve seen for TdS is Franz- and that’ll be who he backs up. I also think their versatility has them on the court together at times. I’m not seeing the concerns about frontcourt depth some are saying we have…

Goga 5
Mo 4/5
WCJ 4/5
Isaac 3/4/5
Paolo 3/4…Kerr says 5
Franz 1/2/3/4
TdS 3/4
Jett 2/3
Black 1/2/3
Houstan 2/3/4

I’m still more concerned about QUALITY ballhandling & offensive creation in the backcourt. Plenty of bodies, but some missing skillsets

Honestly I think shotmaking is really the problem.

We have so many high IQ guys here, but Paolo is the only guy capable of breaking down the defense consistently.

Franz and Cole can.

Cole plays because of him being top 2/3 in this category on the team.

[fendilim]

Right…every comp I’ve seen for TdS is Franz- and that’ll be who he backs up. I also think their versatility has them on the court together at times. I’m not seeing the concerns about frontcourt depth some are saying we have…

Goga 5
Mo 4/5
WCJ 4/5
Isaac 3/4/5
Paolo 3/4…Kerr says 5
Franz 1/2/3/4
TdS 3/4
Jett 2/3
Black 1/2/3
Houstan 2/3/4

I’m still more concerned about QUALITY ballhandling & offensive creation in the backcourt. Plenty of bodies, but some missing skillsets

Honestly I think shotmaking is really the problem.

We have so many high IQ guys here, but Paolo is the only guy capable of breaking down the defense consistently.

Franz and Cole can.

Cole plays because of him being top 2/3 in this category on the team.

cole is erratic at that and Franz is just ok.

[Knightro]

da Silva literally slots in as a backup SF. Perfect size and skillset for it. Will he be ready for it right away? Who knows, but other guys can chip in there too, like Black at times, Houstan, KCP.

I'm concerned with his lateral quickness defensively.

[Blue_and_Whte]

Only advanced stat Drsd knows is per, the by far worst one.

Totally untrue. I also know plus/minus.

In all seriousness, I love the starter's defense.

Suggs/Caldwell-Pope/F-Wagner/Banchero/Carter.
Not only are they individually focused on team defense, their skills nicely complement.

But as to the bench: Anthony/Black/Harris/Isaac/M-Wagner, boy does Anthony stand out as a void. I still cannot understand how/why he is on the roster. Orlando needs a backup SF, and loads of teams need backup PGs. THe trade makes itself. AND: then Black shifts to PG with Harris shifting to SG, where Mr. newby-SF has a key role.

Please management, trade Anthony for the defensive identity of this team.

Did I miss a trade idea? Who did you have in mind?