RealGM

I apologize if this question/thread has been created already.....but I'm curious how people feel.

There's no doubt we're a better team this year...it just seems we're missing "something" to beat the better teams.

Is it a lack of experience, a lack of a defensive PF, a lack of a close-out shooter?

Can everyone chime in and please keep your answer simple and short...avoid a lengthy answer. (maybe one sentence)

Thanks!

I'm reserving this space for whatever sarcastic answer I can't think of right now.

It's much more than just one thing.

We're better this year, because it's another year of our core guys being together. Skiles has brought structure while Vaughn brought inspirational quotes. So that's a big thing too. But with that, Skiles is also bringing the slow road to development.

We'll become a team that can compete once Payton develops some outside shooting, once Hezonja becomes Klay Thompson, once Aaron Gordon is coached up to fulfill his star potential, and once we get some bad ass interior defense.

All of this winning on the coattails of Fournier, Harris and Frye as starters is just a mirage.

Consistent shooting and more intensity on defense.

Been arguing this forever, but it could be something as simple as inserting AG in the starting lineup. He can play individual and team defense, plus he doesn't need the ball to score on offense. The main thing is he is active and his athleticism and motor allow him to actually make a difference on both ends. Now that the team is more familiar with Skiles' system, it might be time to try it and see if we can still play well offensively. We didn't draft him 4th to come off the bench... at some point we have to plug him in there even if it's just to test the waters. If we had a really good PF it would probably make sense to bring AG along more slowly but we don't. We have Frye, and we can't even rely on him to play starters minutes. Just try it!

Two things are missing IMO, and they aren't easy to find...

1. A go to scorer.

2. A rim protector/defensive anchor.

Durant

This is an easy one.

- Anthony Davis

Magic_Johnny12 wrote:This is an easy one.

- Anthony Davis

Payton
Hezonja
AG
Davis
Vooch

It's not the one and only thing, but someone who can get to the free throw line consistently, night in and night out, would be nice. Our team free throw rate is .213, which is comfortably the worst in the league (the league average is .275) and we aren't good enough in other areas to overcome that.

Vuc has a free throw rate of .098, which is utterly pathetic for a guy as heavily featured in the offense as he is. Feel free to look at the link below (but beware it may induce vomiting) - it shows players who have played 20+ games in a season with 20+mpg and a usage rate over 20%, while having a free throw rate of .1 or less. Be warned that the list is short and unimpressive.

http://bkref.com/tiny/Sa8M4

Victor's FTR is only .214, and Fournier's .218. Only Tobias of our main offensive options has an ok FTR of .283. Somehow, someway we have to find a way to get to the line more.

MitchellUK wrote:It's not the one and only thing, but someone who can get to the free throw line consistently, night in and night out, would be nice. Our team free throw rate is .213, which is comfortably the worst in the league (the league average is .275) and we aren't good enough in other areas to overcome that.

Vuc has a free throw rate of .098, which is utterly pathetic for a guy as heavily featured in the offense as he is. Feel free to look at the link below (but beware it may induce vomiting) - it shows players who have played 20+ games in a season with 20+mpg and a usage rate over 20%, while having a free throw rate of .1 or less. Be warned that the list is short and unimpressive.

http://bkref.com/tiny/Sa8M4

Victor's FTR is only .214, and Fournier's .218. Only Tobias of our main offensive options has an ok FTR of .283. Somehow, someway we have to find a way to get to the line more.

I agree, we need someone who can get to the line. I don't really want to say it, but Danilo? He averages 7.4 FT a game, although he's pretty injury prone, and a bad defender - I can't think of any other option to be honest. But - what would we have to give up to get him? I wouldn't be willing to trade Tobias for him, and I don't think they'd take Andrew, and Evan for him but that's all i'd be willing to offer unless they give Danilo + someone for Tobias. If Danilo wasn't as injury prone as he's been i'd trade Tobias for him. Then again, ask me tomorrow and I may be willing to trade Tobias for him.

Rim protection. Balls. Athletes (in the starting lineup).

Cammo101 wrote:Two things are missing IMO, and they aren't easy to find...

1. A go to scorer.

2. A rim protector/defensive anchor.

1. Was made to believe that Hezonja was going to be our Go to scorer of the future. The words, "Superstar" and "Kobe-esque" were thrown around post draft. Now "time" and "patience" are more common. So we shall see...

2. Yuuup... but not with Vuc. As long as we have him, adding a rim protector/defensive anchor would still not be enough. We either have to replace him or go ALL OFFENSE, and screw the defense... As long as we have Vuc, our model has to be "the best defense is great offense". Which means.. our wings better be damn good scorers... which they are not... which is our problem.

Stephen Curry

Less rude players so that we don't have any more bad karma on our team.

Experience. The Magic are the second youngest team in the NBA.


This season, the top six players for the Magic, in total minutes played, have an average age of 22.5 years old.



...to add some familiar context; in 2005-06 season when the last Magic rebuild turned the corner to a 40-42 record and nabbed the 8th seed - the team average age was 25.6

A healthy Elfrid.

A star/go to scorer who gets calls.

A second thing would be championship experience (and not the Glen Davis kind)

IQ

Experience and a Go-to Perimeter Scorer...