Jeff Weltman Open Mike interview

Passout · Post #1 » by **Passout** » Fri Feb 7, 2025 7:09 pm

Here's the link if you're interested in listening to what he had to say today. Apologies if already posted somewhere.

https://969thegame.iheart.com/featured/open-mike/content/2025-02-07-magic-president-jeff-weltman-teams-tried-to-squeeze-us-at-deadline/

thelead · Post #2 » by **thelead** » Fri Feb 7, 2025 7:28 pm

Passout wrote:Here's the link if you're interested in listening to what he had to say today. Apologies if already posted somewhere.

https://969thegame.iheart.com/featured/open-mike/content/2025-02-07-magic-president-jeff-weltman-teams-tried-to-squeeze-us-at-deadline/

Thanks for posting it in a new thread. Things like this get lost in the bigger threads. I will listen to it after work.

three3d · Post #3 » by **three3d** » Fri Feb 7, 2025 7:35 pm

Cringe worthy interview in my opinion

Post #4 » by **eyriq** » Fri Feb 7, 2025 8:26 pm

Read on Twitter

Husky1 · Post #5 » by **Husky1** » Fri Feb 7, 2025 8:49 pm

God he’s cringe. Wish Mike asked him what he seen in Jett to reach for him at pick 11 and if he’s happy with how his pick 6 looks out there? Ask him why none of his FA signing have looked remotely passable as NBA players? Why didn’t he ask him why he hasn’t chosen to replace Mo Wagners scoring off the bench? Why hasn’t he filled our last 2 way spot yet? What has he been doing? What a dog **** interview

three3d · Post #6 » by **three3d** » Fri Feb 7, 2025 8:57 pm

Husky1 wrote:God he’s cringe. Wish Mike asked him what he seen in Jett to reach for him at pick 11 and if he’s happy with how his pick 6 looks out there? Ask him why none of his FA signing have looked remotely passable as NBA players? Why didn’t he ask him why he hasn’t chosen to replace Mo Wagners scoring off the bench? Why hasn’t he filled our last 2 way spot yet? What has he been doing? What a dog **** interview

He sounded so down lol and it’s his fault , yea nobody wants to trade with him or take him serious. I especially enjoyed the part where he talked about the team shooting near 35% from three last season like it was a good thing. That was bottom 5 in the league lol.

Jiwol · Post #7 » by **Jiwol** » Fri Feb 7, 2025 9:17 pm

This dude is so done...

Post #8 » by **Def Swami** » Fri Feb 7, 2025 9:37 pm

I imagine he was trying to explain himself and assuage fan's disappointment. But I personally just came away more angry. It's a damning interview. It's crazy that he's at a loss for why we're last in shooting and players are at all time shooting lows. He acknowledges we need the shooting, and cites a stat that we were 54-17 when we shoot 32% from 3 as if 32% is all we need to get to. He tosses 35% from 3 as a team as if it's some aspirational goal.

Just a lot of excuses. Essentially saying the front office did their best to address their weaknesses and this is was the best they could do. If last in shooting and offense is the best you can do, then it's time for someone with loftier expectations.

three3d · Post #9 » by **three3d** » Fri Feb 7, 2025 10:04 pm

Def Swami wrote:I imagine he was trying to explain himself and assuage fan's disappointment. But I personally just came away more angry. It's a damning interview. It's crazy that he's at a loss for why we're last in shooting and players are at all time shooting lows. He acknowledges we need the shooting, and cites a stat that we were 54-17 when we shoot 32% from 3 as if 32% is all we need to get to. He tosses 35% from 3 as a team as if it's some aspirational goal.

Just a lot of excuses. Essentially saying the front office did their best to address their weaknesses and this is was the best they could do. If last in shooting and offense is the best you can do, then it's time for someone with loftier expectations.

The way he tried to just slide that 35% from three in there last season like it was an accomplishment ( kinda is when compared to this season lol ) is damning when you realize that was bottom 5 in the league last year. What a **** show that guy is.

Ducklett · Post #10 » by **Ducklett** » Fri Feb 7, 2025 10:11 pm

Sounds like a guy that knows he is being replaced in the offseason.

Post #11 » by **Bensational** » Fri Feb 7, 2025 10:32 pm

He keeps talking about Suggs and how the team has tanked since he has been out, then he calls him the 3rd best player. If the team absolutely dies on defense without him he is more than the 3rd best player.

Post #12 » by **eyriq** » Fri Feb 7, 2025 10:36 pm

Bensational wrote:He keeps talking about Suggs and how the team has tanked since he has been out, then he calls him the 3rd best player. If the team absolutely dies on defense without him he is more than the 3rd best player.

It doesn't die without Suggs, just like Fultz didn't save our '23 season.

JF5 · Post #13 » by **JF5** » Fri Feb 7, 2025 10:47 pm

Sounds like they were trying to get a significant piece but they didn't want to overpay. Also, it seems like they're more than likely aiming to get more offensive weapons in the offseason.

Post #14 » by **Bensational** » Fri Feb 7, 2025 10:56 pm

eyriq wrote:
Bensational wrote:He keeps talking about Suggs and how the team has tanked since he has been out, then he calls him the 3rd best player. If the team absolutely dies on defense without him he is more than the 3rd best player.

It doesn't die without Suggs, just like Fultz didn't save our '23 season.

Games with Suggs: drtg 106, ranked 3rd
Games without Suggs: drtg 114, ranked 14th
Last 5 games: drtg 116, ranked 17th

The trend is going the wrong way.

How has the offense improved since getting our two star scorers back?

With Suggs (no Paolo/Franz): ortg 108.9, ranked 5th last
Last 8 games (both Paolo and Franz): ortg 104.3, ranked dead last

Again, trend is going the wrong way.

Suggs impact has strong correlation to defensive improvement. Our franchise players and star scorers are yet to have that same impact on the offense.

Disclaimer: I believe the team’s performance will course correct and improve over the remainder of the season. I’m not calling for anyone’s head. This should be monitored moving forwards but also Suggs probably deserves a lot more respect than he has been given.

WTF does Fultz have to do with anything?

JF5 · Post #15 » by **JF5** » Fri Feb 7, 2025 10:56 pm

eyriq wrote:

Read on Twitter

I talked about this on another thread. This was the same team that people/fans told to trade Donovan Mitchell because they said he was going to leave and go to the Knicks in back-to-back seasons and the Cavs weren't going to get any better.

Look what happened THIS season ironically in year 3 of the Mitchell era, Internal growth happened with Mobley and Garland and now theyre contenders. So putting this on here without providing that context before the Hunter trade is hilarious.

Post #16 » by **eyriq** » Fri Feb 7, 2025 11:05 pm

Bensational wrote:
WTF does Fultz have to do with anything?

Fultz returned from injury after we started 5-16 and our subsequent good play was accredited to Fultz's impact. I think it's a good story to keep in mind when running these types of analysis.

Post #17 » by **Knightro** » Fri Feb 7, 2025 11:06 pm

eyriq wrote:
Bensational wrote:He keeps talking about Suggs and how the team has tanked since he has been out, then he calls him the 3rd best player. If the team absolutely dies on defense without him he is more than the 3rd best player.

It doesn't die without Suggs, just like Fultz didn't save our '23 season.

Magic pre Suggs injury
108.9 ORTG (26th)
106.4 DRTG (3rd)
+2.5 NET (9th)

Magic post Suggs injury
103.2 ORTG (30th)
114.1 DRTG (14th)
-10.9 NET (28th)

The offense is lousy either way, but they could overcome it with an elite defense.

Can't overcome it with a middle of the pack defense.

Post #18 » by **Bensational** » Fri Feb 7, 2025 11:19 pm

eyriq wrote:
Bensational wrote:
WTF does Fultz have to do with anything?

Fultz returned from injury after we started 5-16 and our subsequent good play was accredited to Fultz's impact. I think it's a good story to keep in mind when running these types of analysis.

Sure but the stats from this season are even better to keep in mind than a story from 2 seasons ago of a tanking team overperforming.

Post #19 » by **eyriq** » Fri Feb 7, 2025 11:37 pm

Knightro wrote:
Magic pre Suggs injury
108.9 ORTG (26th)
106.4 DRTG (3rd)
+2.5 NET (9th)

Magic post Suggs injury
103.2 ORTG (30th)
114.1 DRTG (14th)
-10.9 NET (28th)

The offense is lousy either way, but they could overcome it with an elite defense.

Can't overcome it with a middle of the pack defense.

Its not Suggs impact where you should be focusing... Its Paolo's.

Suggs without Paolo and Franz, DRTG 106.88
Franz without Paolo and Suggs, DRTG 101.77
Paolo without Franz and Suggs, DRTG 114.96

Post #20 » by **FFBlitzace** » Fri Feb 7, 2025 11:59 pm

Honestly though, what was wrong with what he said? He wasn't bragging about any kind of number he mentioned, he was just making factual statements. 35% may not be particularly good, but you can't deny that if we were at least hitting that number, we would look a lot better. He never said that 35% would make us a great shooting team. He acknowledged how bad we've been lately. He acknowledged that continuity only counts for something if it's working. I know the pitchforks are out and frustration is at a boiling point amongst us fans,, but I truly don't think he said anything crazy.