RealGM

It is about 90% that the Magic will be the 7-8-9 seed. (and about 99% that the Magic will be in at least the playins).

A disappointing season, but not horrendous.

Poll: what will be Orlando's final seed (I am leaving out 6 and 10, given how very unlikely both are).

There are three teams in this. All are fighting to win the South East division, interestingly.
31-34 Atlanta: 17 games left with a opponent record of 0.432
30-36 Orlando: 16 games left with an opponent record of 0.487
29-35 Miami: 18 games left with an opponent record of 0.485

Atlanta is on a win streak, plays horrible opponents, and has a 1 1/2 game lead over Orlando. That said: the magic play the Hawks twice and a sweep puts the Magic as more likely on 7.

Orlando has played consistently poorly since F-Wagner's injury (his return did not improve the team) - see below. But if the Magic find some wins against the bad teams they play, Orlando has some chance to "win" the South East, which by definition has them at 7 over Atlanta and Miami.

Miami is playing poorly, and will now hit a tough run. The wheels might come off soon.


One reflection: it is nearly certain now that the South Eastern "Champion" will finish with a losing record. We gonna put up a banner if win the division on a, for example, 39-43 record?

8th seed.
Heat has tough schedule and very low interest in making playoffs ( due draft pick)

Need "in Jeff Weltman's bellybutton" option.

I feel it will likely be the 8th seed

Probably the 8 seed, but the Magic do have two games against the Hawks and if they win them both they'll almost certainly finish ahead of them because it would be a three game swing given the tiebreaker.

I'm going 7th because I'm stubborn and refuse to accept that a Paolo and Franz led team is so mid

Knightro wrote:Probably the 8 seed, but the Magic do have two games against the Hawks and if they win them both they'll almost certainly finish ahead of them because it would be a three game swing given the tiebreaker.

Atlanta is averaging 122 points a game since middle of February, there's like 5% chance we sweep them and I'd honestly be shocked if we won one of those games. Especially considering we play both those games during the last week of the season, by that time this team will have fully quit

eyriq wrote:I'm going 7th because I'm stubborn and refuse to accept that a Paolo and Franz led team is so mid

it's not those 2 most nights, it's the lack of talent Weltman has assembled to play with them.

pepe1991 wrote:8th seed.
Heat has tough schedule and very low interest in making playoffs ( due draft pick)

Man it would be a shame if they keep their pick this year only to suck next year and give the Thunder a great pick in a loaded draft. Rather just make the playoffs and give OKC 16 and be done with it. I assume the Heat will try to compete next year, but if they went the rebuild route I think they would rather have the 2026 because they could try to stink all year and there looks like right now two elite tier #1 picks. *Unless they get extremely lucky in the lottery this year of course*

But you are probably right, they will probably try to compete next year. But I think given their roster and the potential of a star in the 2026 draft, rebuilding should be an option. But not if they don't have their 2026, which they won't if they don't make the playoffs.

eyriq wrote:I'm going 7th because I'm stubborn and refuse to accept that a Paolo and Franz led team is so mid

The Celtics were 41-41 a few years ago with a much higher payroll. We have the 2nd lowest in the league, and $20m worth of our players are injured.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM Forums mobile app

7 or 8 seems most likely, but if they lose to the Pelicans then 9th or 10th is absolutely on the table. Even the Bulls are only 2.5 back.

Our schedule is not that easy to finish the year, easiest games are the Wizards twice and at Charlotte. Wizards 4-6 in last 10, they haven't been rolling over when Middleton and Smart play. Charlotte has Melo and Williams back and won't be too free. That 2nd to last game against the Celtics will probably be against 3rd stringers I guess.

basketballRob wrote:

eyriq wrote:I'm going 7th because I'm stubborn and refuse to accept that a Paolo and Franz led team is so mid

The Celtics were 41-41 a few years ago with a much higher payroll. We have the 2nd lowest in the league, and $20m worth of our players are injured.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM Forums mobile app

I'm far from dooming about our long-term prospects. When we look back at this season's performance it will be easy to explain away with injuries.

MartinsIzAfraud wrote:

Knightro wrote:Probably the 8 seed, but the Magic do have two games against the Hawks and if they win them both they'll almost certainly finish ahead of them because it would be a three game swing given the tiebreaker.

Atlanta is averaging 122 points a game since middle of February, there's like 5% chance we sweep them and I'd honestly be shocked if we won one of those games. Especially considering we play both those games during the last week of the season, by that time this team will have fully quit

Magic also beat them in Atlanta during that same time frame.

(and lost to them in Orlando)

The starting lineup looks good enough to do their part in earning the 7th seed and making the playoffs. AB has to step up. I love that he's being exposed to such a critical role. Look at his stats across this remaining window, we'll get a good glimpse of his upside I think.

Knightro wrote:

MartinsIzAfraud wrote:

Knightro wrote:Probably the 8 seed, but the Magic do have two games against the Hawks and if they win them both they'll almost certainly finish ahead of them because it would be a three game swing given the tiebreaker.

Atlanta is averaging 122 points a game since middle of February, there's like 5% chance we sweep them and I'd honestly be shocked if we won one of those games. Especially considering we play both those games during the last week of the season, by that time this team will have fully quit

Magic also beat them in Atlanta during that same time frame.

(and lost to them in Orlando)

that's true, just have a feeling that we'll continue to falter and by the end of the season will have completely given up.

Idiosyncratic wrote:

pepe1991 wrote:8th seed.
Heat has tough schedule and very low interest in making playoffs ( due draft pick)

Man it would be a shame if they keep their pick this year only to suck next year and give the Thunder a great pick in a loaded draft. Rather just make the playoffs and give OKC 16 and be done with it. I assume the Heat will try to compete next year, but if they went the rebuild route I think they would rather have the 2026 because they could try to stink all year and there looks like right now two elite tier #1 picks. *Unless they get extremely lucky in the lottery this year of course*

But you are probably right, they will probably try to compete next year. But I think given their roster and the potential of a star in the 2026 draft, rebuilding should be an option. But not if they don't have their 2026, which they won't if they don't make the playoffs.

With Wiggins, Ware, Herro, Adebayo, tanking next year sounds like very hard task, without trades.
Works in their favor that Rozier, Robinson, Anderson all expire after 25-26.

If Dwight was still here, his seed would be landing everywhere.

FFBlitzace wrote:If Dwight was still here, his seed would be landing everywhere.

Drunk

LOL

I Rasharted wrote:Need "in Jeff Weltman's bellybutton" option.

Lol.

Never change FLA.

eyriq wrote:

basketballRob wrote:

eyriq wrote:I'm going 7th because I'm stubborn and refuse to accept that a Paolo and Franz led team is so mid

The Celtics were 41-41 a few years ago with a much higher payroll. We have the 2nd lowest in the league, and $20m worth of our players are injured.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM Forums mobile app

I'm far from dooming about our long-term prospects. When we look back at this season's performance it will be easy to explain away with injuries.

Weltman just breathed a sigh of relief reading this. Now he knows he can just run it back.