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With more than a month for us to dream ...

... lot's of debate about the roster changes and the impact on the W/L. But in the end, I believe there is a major, outstanding question that needs an answer:
Is Orlando going to make this season's playoffs?

..

Wanna make a bet?

Thanks for the Picnic candy bar, by the way!!!

I have no doubt in my mind. 6th or 7th seed.

YES

Dont think so

:/

I don't think so, but I have a feeling that they squeek in at the #8 spot to challenge Cleveland for the Ship.

Haven't voted. It's really tough to decide. There are thirteen fan bases that probably feel confident that they will make the eastern conference playoffs. Optimism is usually pretty high around this time of year.

God I hope so

No. But it will come down to the wire and the season will be far more enjoyable.

I definitely believe so.

If not, Rob Hennigan will be fired.

I think we're a playoff caliber team, but so is every eastern team except for Philly and BK. It will come down to health

I'm not a homer, but I say yes.

I have no freakin' clue. Too many 'if's' floating around this team to make a confident prediction. IF Payton shoots at a decent clip, IF Mario develops into a gunner, IF AG becomes the monster we hope, IF Vuc plays defense like he did last December (but for the whole year), IF Ibaka proves his decline was due to a limited role, etc...

I don't like the fit of the roster at all so I'll say no.

Gordon at pf and ibaka at center is your best pairing imo. Let ibaka space the floor and put Gordon in the pnr. Gives him space to attack the basket.

Time to give up on Payton imo if he doesn't show vast improvement within the first 15 games. Plug in Augustin he was dynamite offensively in denver. Sucks on D but Gordon and ibaka can cover some of that up.

Up Fournier usage ratio and play vuc against 2nd units. Definitely not out of the question this team could go .500 if ibaka bounces back from a rough year.

But you start trotting lineups with payton, gordon, biyombo out there simultaneously you might not break 80 points

Everyone thinks they'll make the playoffs. I hope we do too but it's tough to predict this year.

It's funny because the East is relatively stronger than in the past but every team but Cleveland, Toronto, and Detroit has made some risk or major free agent acquisition with their roster so we are in the mix. To put us through we need are young guys to pull through and prove themselves in the league.

Johnstarks wrote:I don't like the fit of the roster at all so I'll say no.

Gordon at pf and ibaka at center is your best pairing imo. Let ibaka space the floor and put Gordon in the pnr. Gives him space to attack the basket.

Time to give up on Payton imo if he doesn't show vast improvement within the first 15 games. Plug in Augustin he was dynamite offensively in denver. Sucks on D but Gordon and ibaka can cover some of that up.

Up Fournier usage ratio and play vuc against 2nd units. Definitely not out of the question this team could go .500 if ibaka bounces back from a rough year.

But you start trotting lineups with payton, gordon, biyombo out there simultaneously you might not break 80 points

Gotta admit. Haven't seen too many people suggest putting BOTH Nik and Biz on the bench.

I vote yes, though I may change my mind once preseason is over. Honestly it rides a lot on how much Gordon and Payton's shots have advanced. I think Gordon will surprise people this year, but I have no clue on Payton. I think there's a chance he comes in with a much better shot, but there's a better chance he still can't shoot consistently from range. Maybe we can get by if one of them is able to shoot well, but if both come in without much improvement? Going to have to shakeup the lineup to put more shooting on the floor.

But i'm optimistic, so I say yes.

too many teams want it this year...
there will be many disapointed ones
as a homer Id say yes... but minus homerism Im not so confident

Too many variables with our youngsters development and new pieces fitting together. I would hope we do tho.

I voted no. I think we will be very competitive this season but the east as a whole got better (except for maybe brooklyn). I have said it before if everything works out and our team gels and meshes then will be 6-8th seed.. but I think we fall just short of that and be the 9-10 seed. With the east getting better it's going to be a dog fight for those last 3 or 4 playoff spots. The magic can do it but the youngsters and vogel need to have a big impact for that to happen.