Raptors @ Hawks | Friday Nov 7th 730 EST | TSN

[YogurtProducer]

I dont think the Hawks are better without Trae lol they barely beat Brooklyn the game he went down, barely beat the 0-5 Pacers (missing a million guys), and impressively beat the Magic. But the Magic look like an absolute mess and Bane got himself thrown out in a semi close game for no reason.

I think we blow them out again lol

Magic being mediocre so far has me feeling so validated lol

They'll definitely be better than a 3-5 team, but people marking them in as a top 3 team in the east lock never felt right to me

Thats because the East looked horrible to begin the year. Who do you have as being better than Orlando and you obviously get the benefit of some hindsight now too.

All I said pre-season was they were not worthy of being a top 3 lock alongside CLE and NYK. I tried to find whatever I said this summer. All I found was:

Philly could easily be in the top 3, and I am not ready to crown Orlando as a top 3 team. They won 41 games last year and Bane is not some huge difference maker IMO.

and

Like I said - not ready to write them into a top 3 seed yet. Not convinced they will be better than Detroit.

and the hottest of the takes:

I honestly wouldn't be surprised if we out-paced them next season. I don't expect it, but it really wouldn't shock me either. I think we are a much better fitting and similarly talented squad.

[tsherkin]

Magic being mediocre so far has me feeling so validated lol

They'll definitely be better than a 3-5 team, but people marking them in as a top 3 team in the east lock never felt right to me

Thats because the East looked horrible to begin the year. Who do you have as being better than Orlando and you obviously get the benefit of some hindsight now too.

All I said pre-season was they were not worthy of being a top 3 lock alongside CLE and NYK. I tried to find whatever I said this summer. All I found was:

Philly could easily be in the top 3, and I am not ready to crown Orlando as a top 3 team. They won 41 games last year and Bane is not some huge difference maker IMO.

and

Like I said - not ready to write them into a top 3 seed yet. Not convinced they will be better than Detroit.

and the hottest of the takes:

I honestly wouldn't be surprised if we out-paced them next season. I don't expect it, but it really wouldn't shock me either. I think we are a much better fitting and similarly talented squad.

Orlando continues to have issues offensively. Wagner has been scoring well to start but hasn't been quite the playmaker he was last year. And Banchero has not. He continues to struggle with making shots, and his efficiency is well-below average. And of course, Bane hasn't been hitting threes, which was to be his main contribution. Suggs has missed some games.

We'll see what happens when a few things settle out, but they have need of some stronger offense from their backcourt and their perimeter shooting needs to come along. And Banchero really needs to develop into a good primary scoring option, or they will remain in a fairly unpleasant position.

[Madvillainy2004]

Thats because the East looked horrible to begin the year. Who do you have as being better than Orlando and you obviously get the benefit of some hindsight now too.

All I said pre-season was they were not worthy of being a top 3 lock alongside CLE and NYK. I tried to find whatever I said this summer. All I found was:

Philly could easily be in the top 3, and I am not ready to crown Orlando as a top 3 team. They won 41 games last year and Bane is not some huge difference maker IMO.

and

Like I said - not ready to write them into a top 3 seed yet. Not convinced they will be better than Detroit.

and the hottest of the takes:

I honestly wouldn't be surprised if we out-paced them next season. I don't expect it, but it really wouldn't shock me either. I think we are a much better fitting and similarly talented squad.

Orlando continues to have issues offensively. Wagner has been scoring well to start but hasn't been quite the playmaker he was last year. And Banchero has not. He continues to struggle with making shots, and his efficiency is well-below average. And of course, Bane hasn't been hitting threes, which was to be his main contribution. Suggs has missed some games.

We'll see what happens when a few things settle out, but they have need of some stronger offense from their backcourt and their perimeter shooting needs to come along. And Banchero really needs to develop into a good primary scoring option, or they will remain in a fairly unpleasant position.

Them going all in on Bane reminded me of when the Hawks traded like 4 picks for Dejounte.

[C_Money]

The Magic are likely screwed. They’re so boring to watch and they’ve traded all their picks away too.

[Tor_Raps]

Magic being mediocre so far has me feeling so validated lol

They'll definitely be better than a 3-5 team, but people marking them in as a top 3 team in the east lock never felt right to me

Thats because the East looked horrible to begin the year. Who do you have as being better than Orlando and you obviously get the benefit of some hindsight now too.

All I said pre-season was they were not worthy of being a top 3 lock alongside CLE and NYK. I tried to find whatever I said this summer. All I found was:

Philly could easily be in the top 3, and I am not ready to crown Orlando as a top 3 team. They won 41 games last year and Bane is not some huge difference maker IMO.

and

Like I said - not ready to write them into a top 3 seed yet. Not convinced they will be better than Detroit.

and the hottest of the takes:

I honestly wouldn't be surprised if we out-paced them next season. I don't expect it, but it really wouldn't shock me either. I think we are a much better fitting and similarly talented squad.

Damn... u didnt need to dig anything up, I would have taken your word lol.

I thought Bane was a great addition for them but also agreed that it was a big overpay for someone who's not even an allstar. Reminded me of the Knicks getting Bridges.

I think theres a gap between Cleveland/Knicks and Orlando BUT I do still think theyre the 3rd best team in the East. I will not overreact yet, too early.

[mihaic]

The Magic are likely screwed. They’re so boring to watch and they’ve traded all their picks away too.

Is suggs running the point for them? They let little Cole Anthony walk.

[Godaddycurse]

The Magic are likely screwed. They’re so boring to watch and they’ve traded all their picks away too.

Is suggs running the point for them? They let little Cole Anthony walk.

They traded anthony and kcp for bane

[YogurtProducer]

Thats because the East looked horrible to begin the year. Who do you have as being better than Orlando and you obviously get the benefit of some hindsight now too.

All I said pre-season was they were not worthy of being a top 3 lock alongside CLE and NYK. I tried to find whatever I said this summer. All I found was:

Philly could easily be in the top 3, and I am not ready to crown Orlando as a top 3 team. They won 41 games last year and Bane is not some huge difference maker IMO.

and

Like I said - not ready to write them into a top 3 seed yet. Not convinced they will be better than Detroit.

and the hottest of the takes:

I honestly wouldn't be surprised if we out-paced them next season. I don't expect it, but it really wouldn't shock me either. I think we are a much better fitting and similarly talented squad.

Damn... u didnt need to dig anything up, I would have taken your word lol.

I thought Bane was a great addition for them but also agreed that it was a big overpay for someone who's not even an allstar. Reminded me of the Knicks getting Bridges.

I think theres a gap between Cleveland/Knicks and Orlando BUT I do still think theyre the 3rd best team in the East. I will not overreact yet, too early.

LOL I wanted to dig it up. I wanted to know exactly who I thought pre-season would be good

I think at some point I said to not count out MIL as well.

That being said, thought CHI would be horrible, thought MIA without Herro would fall off a bit, thought maybe BOS would be better than they are.

but its been less than 10 games. CHI could finish 36-46 and it wouldn't shock me

[everdiso]

Issue with the magic imo is Banchero isn't near as good as he or the media wants to think he is.

[YogurtProducer]

Issue with the magic imo is Banchero isn't near as good as he or the media wants to think he is.

HE is a fine player - more of a Siakam than a true #1, however.

[HumbleRen]

I think Orlando will be fine over the course of the season. Coach might be gone but I don’t have any doubts at them finishing above 45 wins.

[MoneyBall]

I think Orlando will be fine over the course of the season. Coach might be gone but I don’t have any doubts at them finishing above 45 wins.

Yeah... they have too much talent and high expectations to just fizzle away. Plus, the players do seem to compliment eachother well, at least on paper.

[Shakril]

I dont think the Hawks are better without Trae lol they barely beat Brooklyn the game he went down, barely beat the 0-5 Pacers (missing a million guys), and impressively beat the Magic. But the Magic look like an absolute mess and Bane got himself thrown out in a semi close game for no reason.

I think we blow them out again lol

Magic being mediocre so far has me feeling so validated lol

They'll definitely be better than a 3-5 team, but people marking them in as a top 3 team in the east lock never felt right to me

That is the media. They are chasing big names, so when Bane went to Orlando they automaticly think they will be good. The same with porzingis to Hawks. And in both cases it is not a matter of getting used to, they just arent better.

Only with the Raptors (BI coming), they dont do that and undervalue us in turn.

[TheGeneral99]

Gotta win this one.

[YogurtProducer]

I think Orlando will be fine over the course of the season. Coach might be gone but I don’t have any doubts at them finishing above 45 wins.

Yeah... they have too much talent and high expectations to just fizzle away. Plus, the players do seem to compliment eachother well, at least on paper.

The player absolutely DO NOT compliment each other well at all which is the big problem for them. WE are worried about shooting ability on the Raptors, and we look like snipers compared to them. Look at their team:

Suggs - career 33% shooter
Bane - career 41% shooter
Franz - career 32% shooter
Paolo - career 32% shooter
WCJ - career 32% shooter

Black - career 34% shooter (low volume)
Silva - career 35% shooter
Goga - career 23% shooter
Jones - career 38% shooter

They have two main guys in Franz/Paolo who want to play the same way. They have pretty pathetic center play. They are a team of solid talents and zero fit whatsoever.

How to defend the Magic? Pack the paint, and tell Paolo he is worse than Franz so he tries to prove otherwise.

[JB7]

I think Orlando will be fine over the course of the season. Coach might be gone but I don’t have any doubts at them finishing above 45 wins.

Yeah... they have too much talent and high expectations to just fizzle away. Plus, the players do seem to compliment eachother well, at least on paper.

The player absolutely DO NOT compliment each other well at all which is the big problem for them. WE are worried about shooting ability on the Raptors, and we look like snipers compared to them. Look at their team:

Suggs - career 33% shooter
Bane - career 41% shooter
Franz - career 32% shooter
Paolo - career 32% shooter
WCJ - career 32% shooter

Black - career 34% shooter (low volume)
Silva - career 35% shooter
Goga - career 23% shooter
Jones - career 38% shooter

They have two main guys in Franz/Paolo who want to play the same way. They have pretty pathetic center play. They are a team of solid talents and zero fit whatsoever.

How to defend the Magic? Pack the paint, and tell Paolo he is worse than Franz so he tries to prove otherwise.

It is not only pack the paint. There is just one guy they need to guard out on the perimeter. So teams probably put their best on ball defender on Bane, and just have them follow Bane around, eliminating the Magic's one outside threat. And then force the rest of the team to shoot. Same issue they had when they brought KCP in last year. One shooter is not solving the Magic's offensive spacing issues.

[tsherkin]

Issue with the magic imo is Banchero isn't near as good as he or the media wants to think he is.

HE is a fine player - more of a Siakam than a true #1, however.

Right at the moment, he's worse than Siakam at his best, but he certainly has the potential. If he ever figures out how to actually hit shots, he's going to be very dangerous. And if he doesn't, he'll make a capable second option once they dial back his volume.

[YogurtProducer]

Yeah... they have too much talent and high expectations to just fizzle away. Plus, the players do seem to compliment eachother well, at least on paper.

The player absolutely DO NOT compliment each other well at all which is the big problem for them. WE are worried about shooting ability on the Raptors, and we look like snipers compared to them. Look at their team:

Suggs - career 33% shooter
Bane - career 41% shooter
Franz - career 32% shooter
Paolo - career 32% shooter
WCJ - career 32% shooter

Black - career 34% shooter (low volume)
Silva - career 35% shooter
Goga - career 23% shooter
Jones - career 38% shooter

They have two main guys in Franz/Paolo who want to play the same way. They have pretty pathetic center play. They are a team of solid talents and zero fit whatsoever.

How to defend the Magic? Pack the paint, and tell Paolo he is worse than Franz so he tries to prove otherwise.

It is not only pack the paint. There is just one guy they need to guard out on the perimeter. So teams probably put their best on ball defender on Bane, and just have them follow Bane around, eliminating the Magic's one outside threat. And then force the rest of the team to shoot. Same issue they had when they brought KCP in last year. One shooter is not solving the Magic's offensive spacing issues.

Yeah like if Orlando does end up as the 3 seed like people projected, I would feel decently confident as a 6th seed to knock them off.

[Los_29]

To think some were claiming it was better to give up 5 FRPs for Bane than it is to give up 1 FRP for BI.

I still like the Magic in this weak conference. They are a great team on paper. I think they’ll finish in the top 3.

[PushDaRock]

To think some were claiming it was better to give up 5 FRPs for Bane than it is to give up 1 FRP for BI.

I still like the Magic in this weak conference. They are a great team on paper. I think they’ll finish in the top 3.

Bane is only 1 year younger too lol

I think the actual trade was closer to 3 FRP's. They had to probably send a FRP the other way to dump KCP's contract. It was also 4 FRP's + a pick swap, so not quite 5 FRP's.