poll: LWOS - Never Be the Same Between Wagner and Banchero

[drsd]

When Paolo Banchero tore his oblique in October, the Orlando Magic’s future seemed grim. A four-game losing streak without him reinforced those fears. The Magic looked lost without their young star, and fans braced for another disappointing season. That is, until Franz Wagner stepped up in Paolo Banchero’s absence to turn the team’s fortunes around.

Things Can Never Be the Same Between Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero

The 23-year-old forward has completely rewritten the narrative, leading the Magic to a remarkable turnaround. With Wagner at the helm, Orlando has won 11 of its last 12 games...

LWOS link: What happens when Banchero returns?

That question, what next, determines if Orlando is an early contender - right now.

Poll question: obviously the first two "better" answers will be pooled in seeing the "winner".

[tiderulz]

not understanding the statement. He hasnt "completely rewritten the narrative." Wagner was a very good player before Paolo got hurt. He elevated his game while Paolo was out. with Paolo back, he should be able to shoulder more of a load than before, but now not have every game solely rely on him. This team was always going to go as far as the 2 of them take it. Nothing has changed regarding that.

[basketballRob]

I remember a few years ago, Tatum and Brown's teammates weren't happy with the lack of shots they were getting. I think it was mostly Smart calling them out. It seems like Weltman has very carefully put low usage connector type players around Franz and Paolo. Franz and Paolo seem like they are much more willing passers, too.

Paolo and Franz are better ballhandlers and passers than Tatum and Brown. Tatum and Brown have been better shooters

Does Wagner fill the Tatum role and Paolo the Brown role? Analytics say yes.

We also need to remember that Paolo has only played 5 games into his 3rd season and hasn't played since he turned 22 He's likely to still improve, like Franz did this season. Brown and Tatum both improved a lot since they were 21.



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[Last Guardian]

As well as Franz is playing, does anyone honestly believe this version of the team could win it all at any point in the future? We need them both to dominate, it really is a non discussion.

[GelbeWand09]

Sure we gonna be better. Our offense completely collapses most of the times Franz sits. When Paolo's back there shoudnt be non blow out minutes without one them on the floor. Especially Franz with the bench unit.
Wonder how the bigs rotation minutes play out with Paolo back. They cant put Goga at the end of the bench again.

[Bergmaniac]

Would a bad offensive team be better when their best offensive player comes back? It's quite a mystery...

[fendilim]

Yeap, things will never be the same. There will be factions of pro Wagner as Alpha and another faction of Banchero as alpha.

Truth be told, they both work together very well.

[Skybox]

Yeap, things will never be the same. There will be factions of pro Wagner as Alpha and another faction of Banchero as alpha.

Truth be told, they both work together very well.

They really could be much better together and they've still got plenty of time to figure it out...I think Franz IS the PG for this starting unit and we should just lean into it. I could easily imagine his assists jumping up towards 7 or 8 per game and Paolo could still push for 6 or 7, just based on kicking it out from a crowded lane (which I presume is the whole offensive "system" for now)...I'd love to see them both flirting with triple doubles regularly and I don't see why that's not a realistic possibility, with this roster. I'm cautiously optimistic that they can both play at a true All-Star level at the same time...but we've rarely seen it yet.

Hopefully, this stretch somehow changes the dynamic...Franz has been great from the day he arrived but I'm afraid that sometimes the sum of Paolo + Franz hasn't been equal to the two parts...what we really want to see is the chemistry go to another, more efficient, compounded, synergistic level...One + One = Three or more.

[fendilim]

Yeap, things will never be the same. There will be factions of pro Wagner as Alpha and another faction of Banchero as alpha.

Truth be told, they both work together very well.

They really could be much better together and they've still got plenty of time to figure it out...I think Franz IS the PG for this starting unit and we should just lean into it. I could easily imagine his assists jumping up towards 7 or 8 per game and Paolo could still push for 6 or 7, just based on kicking it out from a crowded lane (which I presume is the whole offensive "system" for now)...I'd love to see them both flirting with triple doubles regularly and I don't see why that's not a realistic possibility, with this roster. I'm cautiously optimistic that they can both play at a true All-Star level at the same time...but we've rarely seen it yet.

Hopefully, this stretch somehow changes the dynamic...Franz has been great from the day he arrived but I'm afraid that sometimes the sum of Paolo + Franz hasn't been equal to the two parts...what we really want to see is the chemistry go to another, more efficient, compounded, synergistic level...One + One = Three or more.

franz is obviously the unicorn of this team, and it will take him to produce like this on a consistent level for us to be at least in the contenders category.

They indeed do have time to figure things out. I think once Paolo comes back, we will see him function more of a hub and Franz do more of the dribbling.

[basketballRob]

Yeap, things will never be the same. There will be factions of pro Wagner as Alpha and another faction of Banchero as alpha.

Truth be told, they both work together very well.

https://youtu.be/fXAlfh6QKQs?feature=shared

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[tooler]

I don't think much will change. Franz increased his usage and kept his efficiency the same. When Paolo returns, he will take over some of those possessions. The offense won't be affected much.

The only thing that's relevant this season is whether the shooters start knocking down shots. If we can hit league average rate but vastly increase our number of attempts, then that should boost the offense significantly.

The fit with Franz and Paolo is probably the least interesting storyline of the season. It's not even on the radar. I'll never forget Celtics fans anxious and complaining about Tatum/Brown... all last season where they eventually won the championship. Fanbase anxiety is a never-ending treadmill. No hope --> tank for picks --> not sure it's enough, maybe tank more --> one All-Star --> two All-Stars --> conference finals --> etc. It never ends.

[RookieStar]

Is there gonna be a civil war in this board?

Team Wagner vs Team Banchero??

Then there me, Team popcorn

[drsd]

Yeap, things will never be the same. There will be factions of pro Wagner as Alpha and another faction of Banchero as alpha.

Truth be told, they both work together very well.

This is were my 12 year old son would say "SIGMA". Not sure in the UK the kids are using this to mean what it says.

But in this context, the Magic could really use to SIGMAs (as I understand the word's meaning).


..

[msmoore66]

The only sane thing to do is trade them both, right now.

[RookieStar]

The only sane thing to do is trade them both, right now.

Yes... make sure to different teams though so they wont clash again.

Time to build around Cole and Jett

[basketballRob]

Franz probably can't wait to be reunited with Paolo.

https://youtu.be/aMh3utpqfaY?feature=shared

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[golfreak]

Orlando can follow Boston footprint for a championship team.
No need for the big 3.
The big 2 1/2 is the new winning recipe.

[RichCollab]

No one is concerned about Harris’s return and his impact? I’m team Alpha Mac Dog Harris the Gary Harris!

[MasterGMer]

Paolo's return will elevate the team to another level and I am sure.

Everyone saw Franz's struggle tonight? In a game like this, that is when Paolo could step up. We have a 1-2 punch. When 1 is in a slump, the 2 can step up. When 2 is in trouble scoring, 1 can step up. It creates more confusion for the defense to focus on.

Defensively, the team is more in sync with our alpha guy.

Can't wait for Paolo to come back. And when he comes back, it will probably be the toughest stretch of our season. Let's go win some games, boys!

[SHAQ32]

Remember when we picked Evan Fournier (and Elfrid Payton) over Victor Oladipo