Markelle Fultz, Cole Anthony and Terrence Ross all PROBABLE for Wednesday

[Knightro]

I mean, Luka could tear his ACL at any moment. Anyone can. So you're predicting another major injury for Fultz this year?

The wear and tear of the NBA effects every player differently. Fultz has has had two major injuries. Luka has has had none, so I don’t really see the correlation.

He also just missed 20 games to a toe injury, so we’re also working with that too.

Fultz could certainly be one of the unluckiest players in the history of the NBA, but at this point I’m not sure. If you ask me to bet on whether he’s going to play over 50% of games the rest of the season, which he has only done 1/5 years, im betting on what the odds say of him doing that and that’s that he won’t.

But think about it. He only needs to play 30 of a total 82 games this season for the over the other poster laid out to hit.

That’s only a shade over 35% of the total games

He can remain “injury prone” and still hit the over in this scenario.

I expect him to hit the over pretty easily. In fact, i would be more willing to bet he does it than Suggs or Anthony.

[Magic_Kingdom]

Fultz arived to Orlando in February of 2019.
He didn't even suit up once for 2018-19 for Orlando. 0 out of 26 games played that year.

2019-20: 72 out 82 games played
2020-21: 8 out of 72 games played
2021-22: 18 out of 82 games played

For Orlando he played 98 out of 262 possible game. In percentages, it means he misses 62% of games. ( plays 38% , however you want it ).


Btw he is NOT pass first PG nor he was drafted 1st overall because of it. He was always scoring guard. He averaged 23ppg at college, that's what got him 1st, not on 6 apg ( Lonzo was only guard in that class that was actually definition of pass first guard).

By nba standards, not Cole, Hampton, Fultz, Suggs, Elfrid Payton's clones - standards, Fultz is definition of backup PG. He can't shoot, his efficiency is poor, he doesn't draw fouls, his passing is average, his playmaking is robotic, simplistic & not very imaginative. He is creative driver, but again, draws no fouls. And ofc, taking ball away from him makes him worthless as he is as bad shooter as you can get. Now you already have situation where Banchero is pounding ball without purpose without much off ball action, where Franz is pounding ball without purpose and others are waiting for ball and watching him, where Suggs pounding ball without purpose and now you are adding yet another player who wants also- pound ball without purpose.

Maybe by some "poor fit but better talent over guys who couldn't play in school halls in Europe ( Kevon Harris) " he makes you slightly better , but i think people are setting themselfs to roode awakening once they figured injuried players who returned still don't contribute to wins, they just downgrade counting stats of Bol/Banchero/Franz and final outcom stays the same.

You forgot 2022-23: 0 out of 21 games played.

So he has actually missed 65% of games since arriving in Orlando.

[Magic_Kingdom]

I mean, Luka could tear his ACL at any moment. Anyone can. So you're predicting another major injury for Fultz this year?

The wear and tear of the NBA effects every player differently. Fultz has has had two major injuries. Luka has has had none, so I don’t really see the correlation.

He also just missed 20 games to a toe injury, so we’re also working with that too.

Fultz could certainly be one of the unluckiest players in the history of the NBA, but at this point I’m not sure. If you ask me to bet on whether he’s going to play over 50% of games the rest of the season, which he has only done 1/5 years, im betting on what the odds say of him doing that and that’s that he won’t.

But think about it. He only needs to play 30 of a total 82 games this season for the over the other poster laid out to hit.

That’s only a shade over 35% of the total games

He can remain “injury prone” and still hit the over in this scenario.

I expect him to hit the over pretty easily. In fact, i would be more willing to bet he does it than Suggs or Anthony.

If you prefer to look at percentage of total games, rather than those remaining, think of it this way:

If the over/under was 30 before the season, and you took the over, and then he missed the first 21 games -- you would be starting to sweat right now. What seemed like an easily achievable goal has suddenly become 50/50. Then look at his percentage of games played since arriving in Orlando -- 35%. To hit 30 games played this season he's going to have to exceed his availability percentage for the remainder of the year. Now consider Magic injury management protocols. He won't play back-to-backs, and a torn cuticle or heartburn will keep him out at least 20 games.

I'll double-down on the under.

[Knightro]

If you prefer to look at percentage of total games, rather than those remaining, think of it this way:

If the over/under was 30 before the season, and you took the over, and then he missed the first 21 games -- you would be starting to sweat right now. What seemed like an easily achievable goal has suddenly become 50/50. Then look at his percentage of games played since arriving in Orlando -- 35%. To hit 30 games played this season he's going to have to exceed his availability percentage for the remainder of the year. Now consider Magic injury management protocols. He won't play back-to-backs, and a torn cuticle or heartburn will keep him out at least 20 games.

I'll double-down on the under.

Friendly wager?

[penny_nz]

I'm genuinely intrigued to see Paolo and Franz with an actual guard rotation. I've been watching them point forward for long I feel like I'm conditioned to anything else being "dissapointing" lol

[Black and Blue]

While Fultz is far from perfect, I'm genuinely excited to see him with the team tonight. He should help with floor spacing, which has been abysmal this season (mostly because not one team respects our outside shooting). If we can get some open looks from 3 we can hopefully stop this whole "we go for layups and the other team nails threes all game" thing we have going on.

[Bergmaniac]

How would Fultz of all people help with spacing? He is our worst 3 point shooter.

[MagicHolland]

I’m excited, I’m a fan of Markelle. While I most definitely see his shortcomings, he also brings some excitement and flair.

One other thing I’m not sure is being mentioned here is that Fultz has been mentioned as a/the vocal leader of this team. I would think him being out there adds to his position/voice as a leader.

Welcome back, here’s hoping he’s going to show the doubters wrong.

[tleikheen]

I want to see how Fultz can change the dynamics on the court. Can he create more ball movement and get Orlando out of the 2 against 5 that we see with Banchero and Wagner play.
Ive always seen the ball finds you when you have a mismatch ,if your hot,or open . The taking turns of one on one play causes alot of standing around and not shooting the 3's in rythem.
I like Suggs at PG but we'll see if Fultz can get the Magic to play more team ball than Suggs does.
Whoever claims the PG spot I've always liked the lineup of PG) Suggs/Fultz SG) Wagner SF) BolBol PF) Banchero,C) Carter. Imposing your game on the other team and not reacting to what the other team is doing is what the top teams do . The loser coaches keep trying to matchup what the other coaches are doing and in doing so pile up losses .

[swarlesbarkley]

Fultz has a new hype video out on IG. I know we've been here like 13 times, but his shot is looking smooth. Maybe it's a HS or college 3 point line in the video, though. Either way - nice to see more bball content from Fultz on social compared to JI who hasn't posted anything about basketball in 121 weeks.

[KillMonger]

We got markelle back finally..... Now is he back back or is this going to be like ross said and he's only going to be playing every other game lol

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[Skybox]

Markelle CAN help with spacing by being the one who penetrates and kicks. Paolo, Franz and Bol should be taking more open 3's than they've enjoyed so far. All look like good shooters and a legit offense doesn't consist of guys taking turns crashing to the basket against two defenders. All 3 have shown a tremendous ability to finish and, in Paolo's case especially, draw free throws (which are GOLD) but a sustainable offense (and maybe some W's ) will come from a more balanced attack...which will open more driving room, which will open more 3's, which will...

A PG who can shoot would obviously be the best option, but getting our guys who CAN shoot in position to shoot is a good step in the right direction.

[PrimeThyme]

We got markelle back finally..... Now is he back back or is this going to be like ross said and he's only going to be playing every other game lol

I just feel like I live in bizarro land with this franchise. I'm not sure if I've ever seen a player with the type of injury that Fultz had, who was given extensive time to heal from it, come back and be on a 15 limit minutes restriction.

He's not coming off a **** ACL or Achilles tear. If he's healthy, he's healthy.

I will say that people betting that he plays in over 50% of the rest of the games this year have the be feeling good about that prediction if their going to continue to handle him with these type of kid-gloves.

[Audi]

We got markelle back finally..... Now is he back back or is this going to be like ross said and he's only going to be playing every other game lol

I just feel like I live in bizarro land with this franchise. I'm not sure if I've ever seen a player with the type of injury that Fultz had, who was given extensive time to heal from it, come back and be on a 15 limit minutes restriction.

He's not coming off a **** ACL or Achilles tear. If he's healthy, he's healthy.

I will say that people betting that he plays in over 50% of the rest of the games this year have the be feeling good about that prediction if their going to continue to handle him with these type of kid-gloves.

The minutes restriction is easily chalked up to just easing him into the lineup and getting him mentally and physically acclimated to the pace of the game, not necessarily having anything directly to do with the injury.

[msmoore66]

We got markelle back finally..... Now is he back back or is this going to be like ross said and he's only going to be playing every other game lol

I just feel like I live in bizarro land with this franchise. I'm not sure if I've ever seen a player with the type of injury that Fultz had, who was given extensive time to heal from it, come back and be on a 15 limit minutes restriction.

He's not coming off a **** ACL or Achilles tear. If he's healthy, he's healthy.

I will say that people betting that he plays in over 50% of the rest of the games this year have the be feeling good about that prediction if their going to continue to handle him with these type of kid-gloves.

The minutes restriction is easily chalked up to just easing him into the lineup and getting him mentally and physically acclimated to the pace of the game, not necessarily having anything directly to do with the injury.

Precisely.

[PrimeThyme]

The minutes restriction is easily chalked up to just easing him into the lineup and getting him mentally and physically acclimated to the pace of the game, not necessarily having anything directly to do with the injury.

Yeah, I’m not buying it. In a game where Harris got hurt, Suggs didn’t play, Cole was in foul trouble, and his only competition at guard was RJ, a player we have been happy to give DNP’s to all year, there was a clear pathway to 25 minutes.

The physical and mental acclimation was supposed to be the reason we took so long to bring him back. They’re doing the same with Isaac, but I’m sure he will be on a 20mpg cap the rest of the season.

It’s just time to let these guys play. No organization has been more patient with two individual players then we have been with Isaac and Fultz. We need to see what we have and if they can be longterm pieces for us. I do hope you’re right though, as I’d be very disappointed to see Fultz minutes capped the rest of the season. Even if it’s 25.

[SOUL]

It’s just time to let these guys play. No organization has been more patient with two individual players then we have been with Isaac and Fultz. We need to see what we have and if they can be longterm pieces for us. I do hope you’re right though, as I’d be very disappointed to see Fultz minutes capped the rest of the season. Even if it’s 25.

I think that was their ideal limits set by medical staff (or the front office), but even they had to play more since we are so banged up. I think the reality is we just don't really know what goes on with injuries. Several contending teams have so many guys out and it's not like they're tanking. TJ Warren has been out almost as long as Isaac and is coming back today, Collins sprained his ankle for two weeks and is immediately ruled out 2 weeks for the Hawks while people were pissed Banchero missed even 1 or 2 games. So while I know we have a lot of conspiracy stuff here with players, injuries, etc - it's mostly due to a lack of information by our FO. Is it by design because we're tanking or just how they would act regardless?

[j_n]

It’s just time to let these guys play. No organization has been more patient with two individual players then we have been with Isaac and Fultz. We need to see what we have and if they can be longterm pieces for us. I do hope you’re right though, as I’d be very disappointed to see Fultz minutes capped the rest of the season. Even if it’s 25.

I think that was their ideal limits set by medical staff (or the front office), but even they had to play more since we are so banged up. I think the reality is we just don't really know what goes on with injuries. Several contending teams have so many guys out and it's not like they're tanking. TJ Warren has been out almost as long as Isaac and is coming back today, Collins sprained his ankle for two weeks and is immediately ruled out 2 weeks for the Hawks while people were pissed Banchero missed even 1 or 2 games. So while I know we have a lot of conspiracy stuff here with players, injuries, etc - it's mostly due to a lack of information by our FO. Is it by design because we're tanking or just how they would act regardless?

I think a certain poster is in the midst of an 8 paragraph post refuting the above statement.