Magic to the ECF

[CoachD]

So here's my belief, and this is how I've placed my wagers in Vegas. If the winners turn out correctly (not necessarily in the same number of games) I'm looking at 20 Gs.

The season ends like this.

1. Milwaukee - they push hard cuz they still think 1st matters
2. Toronto - Siakam plays at an all star level, and with their awesome defense they are able to still get 53 wins
3. Boston - Improved harmony allows this team to be better, despite less talent
4. Philly - lack of a closer and lack of shooting REALLY hurts
5. Orlando - Great defense and lead the league in fewest turnovers. I have a weird feeling ORL is going to trade for an all star to bolster their chances.
6. Brooklyn - Keep on keepin on
7. Miami - Butler helps them push from the 9th spot late in the year
8. Detroit - Edges out the Bulls at the end of the year

Playoffs

Round 1

Milwaukee sweeps Detroit (Side note - Casey fire in the off season)
Toronto beats exhausted Heat in 5
Boston slaps Kyrie and win in 5
Orlando shocks the world and beats Philly in 7. Lack of shooting, and way too many turnovers kill the Sixers, and the high variance Magic adavance

Round 2

Magic beat Milwaukee in 7. Magic play great D, and their young length works to cripple Giannis in the paint.
Toronto beat Boston in 6

ECF

Toronto beats Orlando in 6. The Magic are the NBA's best Cinderella story of the decade, but are exhausted after 2 7 game series, and despite going up 2 games to 1.

[swarlesbarkley]

Sounds good to me! Though, I don't think Toronto will be in the finals again.

[dsg2021]

Three things stand out;

- Your 20G payout probably was made with little money, hah
- TOR is going to make noise again, but it all starts with a top 2 seed or favorable matchups along the way
- I like the way you think in regards to ORL

[Blue_and_Whte]

The East is unpredictable this season it could shake out like this, although I've got Orlando over Toronto especially if your prediction that we trade for an All Star comes true.
Philly doesnt really scare me, they never have.

[VFX]

Who is traded for said all star? To me, that is the ingredient that makes this prediction possible.

[MagicFan101]

Orlando shocking one of Philly / Bucks isn’t beyond the realm of possibility but I can’t see this team being ready for back-2-back 7 game series wins over more talented rosters.

Also, no way in hell is Toronto heading back to the ECF.

[drsd]

... but I can’t see this team being ready for back-2-back 7 game series wins over more talented rosters.

Orlando is a) young and b) much deeper than last year. Both will help with fatigue.



..

[Skybox]

Not at all impossible...The teams at the top of the East (especially) are a twisted ankle from meh...how good are the Bucks without Giannis? TOR and ORL have great depth and great defense- that always gives a team a fighting chance against anyone. Both also have a lack of obvious star power...but a trade or the emergence of a young surprise or two (Siakam, AG, Isaac, Fultz?) can make a big difference. BOS, IMO, looks really good but definitely susceptible to meltdown (again). BRK, DET, MIA, PHI are all highly combustible chemistry sets. MIL (last year) may have been another Budenholzer perfect storm that blows away quickly...I'm definitely not saying we're the favorites, but I like where we potentially sit and the principles we're built on...I could see our team getting on a fairy tale "hey these guys are for real" run before falling apart in a smackdown in the ECF or even Finals, based on youth and inexperience...kind of a larger version of the TOR series last year.

[MagicFan101]

... but I can’t see this team being ready for back-2-back 7 game series wins over more talented rosters.

Orlando is a) young and b) much deeper than last year. Both will help with fatigue.



..

Fatigue isn’t my concern.

The mental fortitude required to “step up” and earn the upset is significant. How many times can they push through that?

Doing it in the NCAA tournament is one thing as each is a one game series. Doing it twice in a 7 game series is more than I expect them to be ready for.

[pepe1991]

Magic will be in good shape to make a trade for star.
Now who that star will be?

Beal looks like prime candidate to be moved.

Others are : Kevin Love, Chris Paul and maybe D'angelo

[CoachD]

I could see Orlando making a push for a guy like Kevin Love.
If the wheels come off in either situation, i think Derozan, Aldridge or Blake would all be a big help.

I know everyone doubts Toronto this year, but here is my thinking...
They have enough weapons and depth and defense to fiddle around and still be a top 2 or 3 seed

In this scenario, their return to the finals is dependent on favorable matchups...

If Siakam evolves into a 22 PPG, and has improved his pull up and 3ball from places other than the corner (as Nick Nurse says) he's a massive centerpiece.

A full year of Gasol helps improve their ball movement tremendously.

I expect Powell, Van Vleet and Anunoby to all have increased scoring loads.

I think they will just come in waves at teams and wear them down in a playoff series.

A lot of the reasons I'm still high on Toronto, are why I'm also high on Orlando

[NotACat]

I could see Orlando making a push for a guy like Kevin Love.
If the wheels come off in either situation, i think Derozan, Aldridge or Blake would all be a big help.

I know everyone doubts Toronto this year, but here is my thinking...
They have enough weapons and depth and defense to fiddle around and still be a top 2 or 3 seed

In this scenario, their return to the finals is dependent on favorable matchups...

If Siakam evolves into a 22 PPG, and has improved his pull up and 3ball from places other than the corner (as Nick Nurse says) he's a massive centerpiece.

A full year of Gasol helps improve their ball movement tremendously.

I expect Powell, Van Vleet and Anunoby to all have increased scoring loads.

I think they will just come in waves at teams and wear them down in a playoff series.

A lot of the reasons I'm still high on Toronto, are why I'm also high on Orlando

I don't see Orlando making a win now move, their focus is being competitive until the young core can take over. Young core being Fultz, Isaac, AG, Bamba.

[NavalAviator94]

I could see Orlando making a push for a guy like Kevin Love.
If the wheels come off in either situation, i think Derozan, Aldridge or Blake would all be a big help.

I know everyone doubts Toronto this year, but here is my thinking...
They have enough weapons and depth and defense to fiddle around and still be a top 2 or 3 seed

In this scenario, their return to the finals is dependent on favorable matchups...

If Siakam evolves into a 22 PPG, and has improved his pull up and 3ball from places other than the corner (as Nick Nurse says) he's a massive centerpiece.

A full year of Gasol helps improve their ball movement tremendously.

I expect Powell, Van Vleet and Anunoby to all have increased scoring loads.

I think they will just come in waves at teams and wear them down in a playoff series.

A lot of the reasons I'm still high on Toronto, are why I'm also high on Orlando

I don't see Orlando making a win now move, their focus is being competitive until the young core can take over. Young core being Fultz, Isaac, AG, Bamba.

Same. The only reason they would is if somehow Beal became an option and that’s a stretch.


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[MagicFrenchie]

Beal in replacment of Fournier and it's ecf for sure

[CoachD]

Beal in replacment of Fournier and it's ecf for sure

I assume that would cost AG and more....
I think the loss of assets in exchange for Beal would net out the same or worse.

[j-ragg]

Beal would make the most sense. Unfortunately it'd have to be a 3 teamer, all of Washington's young talent is in their front court, not unlike us. I'd be shocked if this management even tried to make this type of deal anyway.

[Tarheel]

Beal in replacment of Fournier and it's ecf for sure

I assume that would cost AG and more....
I think the loss of assets in exchange for Beal would net out the same or worse.

Agreed. The typical construct for a Beal trade on this forum is Fournier, Bamba and a first, which is not getting it done.

AG is too steep a price for me.

[Indomitable]

I could see Orlando making a push for a guy like Kevin Love.
If the wheels come off in either situation, i think Derozan, Aldridge or Blake would all be a big help.

I know everyone doubts Toronto this year, but here is my thinking...
They have enough weapons and depth and defense to fiddle around and still be a top 2 or 3 seed

In this scenario, their return to the finals is dependent on favorable matchups...

If Siakam evolves into a 22 PPG, and has improved his pull up and 3ball from places other than the corner (as Nick Nurse says) he's a massive centerpiece.

A full year of Gasol helps improve their ball movement tremendously.

I expect Powell, Van Vleet and Anunoby to all have increased scoring loads.

I think they will just come in waves at teams and wear them down in a playoff series.

A lot of the reasons I'm still high on Toronto, are why I'm also high on Orlando

Toronto will be the 4 or 5th seed.

[CoachD]

I could see Orlando making a push for a guy like Kevin Love.
If the wheels come off in either situation, i think Derozan, Aldridge or Blake would all be a big help.

I know everyone doubts Toronto this year, but here is my thinking...
They have enough weapons and depth and defense to fiddle around and still be a top 2 or 3 seed

In this scenario, their return to the finals is dependent on favorable matchups...

If Siakam evolves into a 22 PPG, and has improved his pull up and 3ball from places other than the corner (as Nick Nurse says) he's a massive centerpiece.

A full year of Gasol helps improve their ball movement tremendously.

I expect Powell, Van Vleet and Anunoby to all have increased scoring loads.

I think they will just come in waves at teams and wear them down in a playoff series.

A lot of the reasons I'm still high on Toronto, are why I'm also high on Orlando

Toronto will be the 4 or 5th seed.

Oh, I'll lay juice on that.

[Magic_Johnny12]

This entire thread in confusing.

How convenient a Toronto fan to post in Orlando forums that we'll get to the conference finals to just get beat again by Toronto.

Classic stuff right here.