2024-2025 NBA Playoffs Round 1, Game 2: (7) Orlando Magic at (2) Boston Celtics - 7pm ET

[eyriq]

Schroeder would be starting for us

[JF5]

8 YEARS
0 PLAYOFF SERIES WON


Yes, we are underdogs against Boston, but maybe if some kind of replacement was forund for Moe and Suggs we wouldnt end up in the playin spot.

And btw TDS is turning into another wasted pick, if at 24 he is not trusted to play any minutes whatsoever, he probably should have been traded at the deadline, when he looked like player that can contribute something.

The fans are somewhat delusional about this... The Magic were always going to be a play in team, regardless. There wasn't one quick fix trade that was going to change that. Reason being?

1. The team chemistry didn't really click until March. A time where Paolo was back to his Elite play whilst finding a combination of lineups that worked to pick up victories.

2. Any sort of substantial trade would've had key 2-3 role players involved in any trade. My belief was always Black/Wendell were being floated around for guys like White/Simons/Quickley. And that would've made the depth even worse and compromised the chemistry more that the team didn't really have until later in the season.

There was just too many injuries this season to key guys in order for this team to be competitive enough this year when it matter. I'm just happy they made the playoffs for experience purposes.

1 The team started 2025 with 20-15 record wtf are you talking about?
2 Guys like Bogdan Bogdanovic were traded for 2nd round picks. Players that can fill clear holes in the roster could be had for reasonable price. Dont tell me that 4-5 more wins was some type of dream scenario in order to avoid the play in and boston.

1. Paolo came back (Which took him 2 months to shake off the rust in late February/early March). Franz was out... Suggs was in and out of the lineup until he completely ruled out. Goga was out for a concussion for an extended period of time and the team looked shaky for 2 months between January and February given the inconsistencies and the lack of chemistry. You're acting like this wasn't a major issue during that time?

2. I wanted Bogs on this team... but he's looked somewhat washed this season. There is a reason why he was given up for a second round pick. If this team wanted to add a significant piece, decent/good rotation players would've been moved. And given Suggs and M.Wagner are out for the season. There was no way this team would've made up for more lack of depth/talent this season. All this can only be remedied during the offseason realistically.

[ORLMagicGirl15]

Schroeder would be starting for us

If I recall, a ton of people was saying he wasn’t the point guard for this team. I would have traded for him but that’s just me.

[eyriq]

Schroeder would be starting for us

If I recall, a ton of people was saying he wasn’t the point guard for this team. I would have traded for him but that’s just me.

Not a ton, but he does have some weaknesses

[Blue_and_Whte]

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Wearing them down baby, wonder which one of our “dirty” players is responsible for Jrue’s hamstring?

Like I said earlier. I want Boston limping into round 2.

[pepe1991]

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Wearing them down baby, wonder which one of our “dirty” players is responsible for Jrue’s hamstring?

Like I said earlier. I want Boston limping into round 2.

They will face Knicks next. There is nobody to challenge them until Cavs. Maybe.

Silver is still hoping for that Lakers- Celtics clash. Money x5000 over anything else.

[cedric76]

LOL me and Kravitz fighting the good fight

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You r mariostro?

[zaymon]

I am quite pleased with how we played those 2 games. Our weaknesses are easy to point out.
Most dissapointing is defense. We really lack a rim protector with Paolo and Franz out there. Sometimes it looks like our old Vucevic rim protection.
Paolo is playing much better than in regular season still he shouldnt run offense. Our offense will be hard to fix without a trade involving one of our big three. At least Paolo and Franz improve their value every game.

Our front office (or, hopefully, the new front office) needs to consider trading Suggs and filler if it brings in a legit point guard. PB and Franz are much better than he is, and they aren't injury prone like he is. It would be foolish to include him as a core piece when he rarely sees the court. Next season, if Suggs misses significant time yet again with injuries, his trade value is going to plummet. I believe it already isn't very high (or at least not as high as some around here believe) because he already has an extensive injury history and GM's no doubt look at him as a gamble. It's the obvious move that should be made if the return is right.

I see no reason why we shouldnt give this front office a chance. They positioned us nicely. Not many remember in how bad place we were when they took over. I am also eager to see more Anthony Parker influence in our moves.
Suggs is the more obvious candidate for a trade but he is also the heart and soul of the team. His injuries happen becouse he does too much not becouse he is glass. He is a winner and culture setter.
For me Franz is only unmovable player on the team. He just processes the game on different level. I believe his shot will get better becouse he shoots at high volume even when its not going in.
That leaves me with Banchero. I agree his play lately is impressive but the impact on winning is lower than you would think. Cant manipulate opposing defense, cant anchor our defense, relies on midrange game too much.
If we didnt had Franz it would be a different scenario, but i just dont see a good team building strategy with both of them. Still Paolo plays on really good level against Celtics.

[drsd]

Silver is still hoping for that Lakers- Celtics clash. Money x5000 over anything else.

And then he gets Cleveland - OKC. Can you imagine how much hair Silver would lose? Too late.

[RookieStar]

This PO series makes every team in the East leery of facing us of they have championship aspirations. They know they can or might win. Heck they know they can probably sweep us. But they sure will know they will be through the grinder after meeting us and be vulnerable the next round

[RichCollab]

This PO series makes every team in the East leery of facing us of they have championship aspirations. They know they can or might win. Heck they know they can probably sweep us. But they sure will know they will be through the grinder after meeting us and be vulnerable the next round

The NBA is so soft. We aren’t a grinder. Sure we play physical and use 80% of our energy on defense but I still don’t think we impose any kind of will.

[RichCollab]

LOL me and Kravitz fighting the good fight

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You r mariostro?

He must not talk to real Magic fans. Firing the GM has been a theme since last year’s trade deadline.

The star players are ready and we are catching up adding the right role players. How can this continue?

[yoyojw17]

LOL me and Kravitz fighting the good fight

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You r mariostro?

He must not talk to real Magic fans. Firing the GM has been a theme since last year’s trade deadline.

The star players are ready and we are catching up adding the right role players. How can this continue?

See... I don't think the stars have been ready. There is still a looooooot of growth for Paolo and Franz to go through. But the best part about it is .... That they have already been amazing in the positions they have been in. The best of both of them is still a couple years away.... And I can't wait to see what that looks like.

Definitely a harder task when you have a lot of other young players that are also going at their own pace and trying to find themselves as well.... And the vets have not fully filled the void with things that bolster up the floor. We'll see what management does this off-season. If there are players that have answered the question of "do you fit" and have failed.... For sure swap em out for more fitting players.

[RookieStar]

This PO series makes every team in the East leery of facing us of they have championship aspirations. They know they can or might win. Heck they know they can probably sweep us. But they sure will know they will be through the grinder after meeting us and be vulnerable the next round

The NBA is so soft. We aren’t a grinder. Sure we play physical and use 80% of our energy on defense but I still don’t think we impose any kind of will.

In todays modern NBA... we are the grinder

[Skybox]

Schroeder SHOULD be starting for us

FIXED

[JoshuaPotter]

We are definitely one of the more taller, physical, imposing teams in the league. I have no idea why Paolo isn't shooting 30 FTA a game against them, and they are out FT shooting us. The fact that BOTH of these things are true is very unerving for me and tells me its a game plan reaction.

For those who says fouls aren't called as often. Sure. But Paolo can and does take that level of punishment with whistles swallowed often enough it should lead to at least his season average. This is woeful.

Also, either play Cole actual backup minutes or please don't play him at all. I get Moe was throwing poop against the wall to see what sticks, but when that happens and there is no viable game plan it doesn't put anyone in a place of success hence no surprise we lost.

[basketballRob]

We are definitely one of the more taller, physical, imposing teams in the league. I have no idea why Paolo isn't shooting 30 FTA a game against them, and they are out FT shooting us. The fact that BOTH of these things are true is very unerving for me and tells me its a game plan reaction.

For those who says fouls aren't called as often. Sure. But Paolo can and does take that level of punishment with whistles swallowed often enough it should lead to at least his season average. This is woeful.

Also, either play Cole actual backup minutes or please don't play him at all. I get Moe was throwing poop against the wall to see what sticks, but when that happens and there is no viable game plan it doesn't put anyone in a place of success hence no surprise we lost.

We've been playing 5 guards in the 10-man rotation. The Celtics are playing two 7' players and Horford.

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[JF5]

I am quite pleased with how we played those 2 games. Our weaknesses are easy to point out.
Most dissapointing is defense. We really lack a rim protector with Paolo and Franz out there. Sometimes it looks like our old Vucevic rim protection.
Paolo is playing much better than in regular season still he shouldnt run offense. Our offense will be hard to fix without a trade involving one of our big three. At least Paolo and Franz improve their value every game.

Our front office (or, hopefully, the new front office) needs to consider trading Suggs and filler if it brings in a legit point guard. PB and Franz are much better than he is, and they aren't injury prone like he is. It would be foolish to include him as a core piece when he rarely sees the court. Next season, if Suggs misses significant time yet again with injuries, his trade value is going to plummet. I believe it already isn't very high (or at least not as high as some around here believe) because he already has an extensive injury history and GM's no doubt look at him as a gamble. It's the obvious move that should be made if the return is right.

I see no reason why we shouldnt give this front office a chance. They positioned us nicely. Not many remember in how bad place we were when they took over. I am also eager to see more Anthony Parker influence in our moves.
Suggs is the more obvious candidate for a trade but he is also the heart and soul of the team. His injuries happen becouse he does too much not becouse he is glass. He is a winner and culture setter.
For me Franz is only unmovable player on the team. He just processes the game on different level. I believe his shot will get better becouse he shoots at high volume even when its not going in.
That leaves me with Banchero. I agree his play lately is impressive but the impact on winning is lower than you would think. Cant manipulate opposing defense, cant anchor our defense, relies on midrange game too much.
If we didnt had Franz it would be a different scenario, but i just dont see a good team building strategy with both of them. Still Paolo plays on really good level against Celtics.

I'm struggling to understand how the Magic have played terrible defense when the Celtics scored 103 in game one when they were at full health, and 109 in game 2.

Mind you the Magic are playing on the road and playing against a team that would light teams up over 120 points per game and one of the best offenses in the league. What more do you want to put yourself in a winning situation?

Also, Paolo is averaging 34 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assist a game against an elite Celtics defense on the road in the playoffs off 50 percent shooting from the floor and 46 percent shooting from 3. Literally he's on the elite level with Giannis, Jokic, Leonard and Luka right now. And you're saying he's not good enough/can't anchor an offense? The offense is so bad right now that he's the only constant.

[basketballRob]

The TNT crew has been calling us a garbage team that's going to be swept. They even said our defense isn't real.

Edit: garbage

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[eyriq]

Our front office (or, hopefully, the new front office) needs to consider trading Suggs and filler if it brings in a legit point guard. PB and Franz are much better than he is, and they aren't injury prone like he is. It would be foolish to include him as a core piece when he rarely sees the court. Next season, if Suggs misses significant time yet again with injuries, his trade value is going to plummet. I believe it already isn't very high (or at least not as high as some around here believe) because he already has an extensive injury history and GM's no doubt look at him as a gamble. It's the obvious move that should be made if the return is right.

I see no reason why we shouldnt give this front office a chance. They positioned us nicely. Not many remember in how bad place we were when they took over. I am also eager to see more Anthony Parker influence in our moves.
Suggs is the more obvious candidate for a trade but he is also the heart and soul of the team. His injuries happen becouse he does too much not becouse he is glass. He is a winner and culture setter.
For me Franz is only unmovable player on the team. He just processes the game on different level. I believe his shot will get better becouse he shoots at high volume even when its not going in.
That leaves me with Banchero. I agree his play lately is impressive but the impact on winning is lower than you would think. Cant manipulate opposing defense, cant anchor our defense, relies on midrange game too much.
If we didnt had Franz it would be a different scenario, but i just dont see a good team building strategy with both of them. Still Paolo plays on really good level against Celtics.

I'm struggling to understand how the Magic have played terrible defense when the Celtics scored 103 in game one when they were at full health, and 109 in game 2.

Slow pace = fewer possessions

Boston is killing us in eFG%, offensive rebounds, and free throw rate