2022-2023 Regular Season Game 29: Atlanta Hawks (14-14) at Orlando Magic (8-20) - 7pm

[MagicManMike]

One observation. For all of you saying Bol looks lost on defense, here is what I am seeing. Mosley has his guarding the perimeter which is Bol matching up against the SG on defense. Then he collapses tj the lane of the drive and runs back out of they throw it out for a 3. It looks like Coach is betting on his length which makes him look lost at times but in essence he is trying to be a disruptor in the paint and out at the perimeter at the same time. He is the only player the Magic have and possibly the only one in the league that can do just that.

It means that he will get burnt some times but also make blocks and steals no one else could even get to.

[Skybox]

One observation. For all of you saying Bol looks lost on defense, here is what I am seeing. Mosley has his guarding the perimeter which is Bol matching up against the SG on defense. Then he collapses tj the lane of the drive and runs back out of they throw it out for a 3. It looks like Coach is betting on his length which makes him look lost at times but in essence he is trying to be a disruptor in the paint and out at the perimeter at the same time. He is the only player the Magic have and possibly the only one in the league that can do just that.

It means that he will get burnt some times but also make blocks and steals no one else could even get to.

I think that could also easily be interpreted as trying to hide his defensive flaws by giving him his best chance to have some sort of defensive impact. His least damaging spot...His effort is awesome, he contests everything and gets those highlight perimeter and chase down blocks, but I'm not confusing that with a 'solid' defender. Bol's good outweighs his bad by a lot, so Mose is putting in position to succeed...hopefully, he's learning and improving his sound, more practical & sustainable defensive play.

I've kind of given up on Bamba getting there, in the same way, but I also feel Bamba has value when put in the right place to maximize his value on both ends. In both cases, they just don't seem to know how to play good D or have those defensive instincts (yet?).

[tooler]

I didn't think Bol looked lost, it just seemed like he was strangely hesitant to close out on shooters this game. Maybe it was part of the game plan? Who knows. Either way, it feels like he still has a lot of potential to unlock there.

[basketballRob]

Delete

[UCFJayBird]

So yesterday our whole neighborhood's internet went down at 8am. It's still out. And in my house I get like 1 bar. So I'm desperately trying to check scores. When I learned the Magic had scored 50 in the first quarter I nearly died. 4 game win streak? Feels good.

[MagicManMike]

I didn't think Bol looked lost, it just seemed like he was strangely hesitant to close out on shooters this game. Maybe it was part of the game plan? Who knows. Either way, it feels like he still has a lot of potential to unlock there.

He needs to shoot more volume of 3’s to start to see more and more of his offense potential. Crazy he is actually our deaf to shooting guard..

But damn it last nights game is a glimpse on the potential this team has. We had crazy upside, especially after this years draft.

I hope the FO can maximize our assets as it’s starting to feel like we are going to have too much talent and not enough minutes.

[zaymon]

This season i wanted a win against Bulls Raptors and Hawks so i am more than happy. My predictions regarding our best games were spot on.

Fultz played his best game of the season. I am still not convinced he is good fit next to Paolo and Franz. His 3 point shot disapeared once again and he is much better in transition than in halfcourt offense. Not every team is as bad defensively as Hawks and even them gave us problems after 1st quarter. Having two point guards is better than having zero point guards but Fultz impact was nowhere near Young at creating easy offense. Trae was creating open dunks and Markelle contested 3s so it was not as great as some make it out to be. We wont shoot 44% from 3 rest of the way.
Ps. Watching Ross is a torture, either he shoots or he turns the ball over. Worse basketball iq than Bamba and thats very impressive.

[NavalAviator94]

I am waiting for Pepe's reaction to this game.

Well, I'm the guy who called Fultz out for being trash in the previous game.

He was much much better yesterday. Snappier decisions, better execution more composure.

But, as encouraging as it was and as helpful to his young teammates, one swallow doesn't make a summer. Especially given the nature of the game, which was right in Fultz' wheelhouse. Optional defence by both teams, high pace, tons of transition points, teammates shooting it well from 3. Perfect for Markelle to do his thing (and kudos to him for doing it).

But I'll be more convinced when he wins us games in the halfcourt, where it's a defensive grind, where his playmaking reads are advanced, where he shoots tolerably from three on more than just wide open makes, where he manipulates defences to get guys open.

He's very crafty off the dribble, gets defenders on his back, snakes through the paint and either finishes well from midrange or plays inside-out for the assist.

But there's a lot more to being the quarterback of the team than that and Fultz needs to be that guy or move aside for someone else to be. Yesterday was a move in the right direction.

I think Fultz is capable of that. I think what we're seeing is a guy playing team first basketball. IF HE CAN STAY HEALTHY, I think we'll begin to see significant growth offensively for Fultz but it may not fully come until next year. He needs reps. He needs to shoot the ball and get comfortable with his mechanics. Watching him now he can easily create space for himself, pull up and hit a beautifully balanced jumper anytime he wants! He did that last night when nothing was falling for our key guys.

I'm a believer that with more reps, Fultz has another level he can get to. I just hope he can stay healthy.

[Optimus_Steel]

One play earlier in the game, Bol did a cross over on the PG then kicked out to Franz for the open 3. This team can create so many mismatches.

[tooler]

I noticed Franz almost relished how he could give the ball up and go sit in a corner for a bit. Haha. I’m sure he could use a mental break from trying to create every possession.

[RookieStar]

I haven't seen quite a few posters the last 4 games. Odd..

Pepe's been around though, mostly celebrating Croatia's win (too bad they lost yesterday )

World Cup hangover?

I'm on Christmas vacation so i can't watch.
Go Magic! #Streaking

And waiting for game for 3rd place for Croatia in capital city to be there when players arive back in Croatia for a welcomeback party

I don't mean just you. I mean the general population who are somewhat interested in sports are watching the WC instead of NBA games.

[MagicStarwipe]

The bar is clearly very low for Fultz here, but I'm glad he played a good game.

[JTG_92940618]

I didn't think Bol looked lost, it just seemed like he was strangely hesitant to close out on shooters this game. Maybe it was part of the game plan? Who knows. Either way, it feels like he still has a lot of potential to unlock there.

I don't think it was just him. I think most of the team was thinking "If I leave this guy open, he can shoot it and we can go back to playing offence". A 50 point quarter will do that to you.

[NavalAviator94]

The bar is clearly very low for Fultz here, but I'm glad he played a good game.

We have the #1 offensive rating in the NBA during our win streak. I credit a lot of that to Fultz.


Sent from my iPad using RealGM Forums