Markelle Fultz

[VFX]

Fultz played just fine in the opener. Very well rounded, unselfish PG. He seems to often understand what is needed and who to get the ball to. Wish Mosely would have him finish more plays in the corner 3 since he can make it.

Suggs was a trigger-happy player and I think I called every single make he had from the field, because it was the ones where he wasn’t trying to be Ray Allen anymore. Thank God the dude was legitimately the biggest defensive impact (with like five “hockey deflections”), yes perhaps even over Isaac on the night.

Fultz was fine. His defense was OK. Teams just don’t know how to handle Free Safety Suggs on defense and when they go away from him Fultz cleans up because he’s long and also has some good instincts defensively as well. I liked seeing him clean up on some offensive rebounds and hustle plays in between the lethargy.

I want Suggs to keep shooting. We need someone on the floor other than Franz to realize they can’t just pack the paint on us. Fultz going from 0-0 leaves them no other chance in the starting lineup and personally, I’m not too fond of them taking the impact of Suggs off of players like Donovan Mitchell, Jalen Green, Booker, and Harden if it means he’s not the most efficient shooter on the floor. At least he takes them.

I agree with Pepe on something.. I don’t see how the two can be effective together long term. I know who I’m choosing between the two if it came down to it. I also said before the season started that I have ZERO qualms whatsoever with Cole running the show until Black earns minutes.

[jonbob17]

What if Franz turns into an elite shooter on volume, and Paolo is eventually average (36%) from 3? Is there any reason to think neither of these things could happen? Do we need an elite shooting PG if everybody else on the court is average/good shooter?

"If players 1, 2, 3 and 4 on the court are all awesome, it will supersede the deficiencies of player 5" is not exactly an argument in favor of player 5, right?

It depends on the entire puzzle, including money. If you have Nikola Jokic you don't need Trae Young creating shots for guys, right? you are going to have weaknesses. You don't just want the 5 best players...you want the 5(10) best players that fit together.

If we end up with a bunch of decent/good shooters some of which can also initiate offense...I am not sure we are going to need the equivalent of Dame Lillard at PG, and our resources (cap space and talent) can be directed to other areas, like perimeter defense. I am not saying Fultz is the answer, but I also don't think Franz and Paolo are going to be low volume below average(%) 3 point shooters their entire career.

[swarlesbarkley]

Fultz is overall frustrating and disappointing because he's got the skills and talent but just doesn't do anything with it even though the opportunity is right in front of him. He'll show flashes for a possession or two on what his ceiling once was, but overall he neglects his opportunities.

If he was anything like the Washington/College Fultz, he could take a wide open 3 every possession. Make enough and then he can leverage a fake into an easy drive and/or kick. But instead he'll pass up a wide open 3 to dribble into his defender to take a contested 15ft jumper.

It's time to **** or get off the pot, Markelle. Let it fly from deep like you and your doctors have said you could one day get back to. My fear is he'll continue to play it safe until his next extension.

[AaronB]

As I have said before, health issues aside, I will take what we saw last night with Fultz over what I saw with FVV 6 days a week and twice on Sunday.

FVV was 4 for 6 from 3 and Fultz still outplayed him by a wide margin.

[bigdogdylan5]

I think Fultz is good enough for us to be successful this year. The three might not come but if he can drive and his midrange % is good enough with strong defense. I am starting to think about Fultz as a stabilizer he is good enough and allows us to wait until the next unhappy super star guard wants out. Even if we sign him I doubt it will be a full 4 years I actually could see a 2-3 year deal with a team option to use his salary to match and facilitate trade for that incoming guard

[VFX]

As I have said before, health issues aside, I will take what we saw last night with Fultz over what I saw with FVV 6 days a week and twice on Sunday.

FVV was 4 for 6 from 3 and Fultz still outplayed him by a wide margin.

But why settle for that?

I mean... he wasnt terrible, but why does Orlando need to have a guy that goes 0-0 from 3, 0 from the FT line, and leave with 2 assists as a starting point guard against arguably a terrible team defensively on the perimeter?

It's only one game and he looked good in other asepcts. I just don't know how people are jumping through hoops to justify wanting to resign him especially after what we saw from Cole who looks more well rounded and capable...

Do you think if Orlando didnt have a blowout win that his performance wouldnt be absolutely in question?

[jonbob17]

As I have said before, health issues aside, I will take what we saw last night with Fultz over what I saw with FVV 6 days a week and twice on Sunday.

FVV was 4 for 6 from 3 and Fultz still outplayed him by a wide margin.

But why settle for that?

I mean... he wasnt terrible, but why does Orlando need to have a guy that goes 0-0 from 3, 0 from the FT line, and leave with 2 assists as a starting point guard against arguably a terrible team defensively on the perimeter?

It's only one game and he looked good in other asepcts. I just don't know how people are jumping through hoops to justify wanting to resign him especially after what we saw from Cole who looks more well rounded and capable...

Do you think if Orlando didnt have a blowout win that his performance wouldnt be absolutely in question?

What I want to see from Cole is for him to follow up this 8/12 FG performance with some solid performances. Last year he was a lot more consistent, but even then it felt like we lived and died by whether Cole was feeling it. give us more 6/12, and make the 1/12 the blue moon/exception. Ironically, Cole shot 8/12 his first game last season too.

I think if Cole can just slightly improve on last year's numbers and continue to hustle on Defense...that's a player. Yah I'd prefer our smallest guy out there was Suggs and we were 6'7" or greater at every other position, but Cole was good last year, if he continues to improve, i don't know...maybe he is our PG of the future. Eventually 32 minutes a night from Cole, Suggs, and Black? there are worse ideas out there.

For reference we were 15-8 in games where Cole had 6 or more FGs, while we were 6-16 in games where Cole had 3 or less FGs.

[AaronB]

As I have said before, health issues aside, I will take what we saw last night with Fultz over what I saw with FVV 6 days a week and twice on Sunday.

FVV was 4 for 6 from 3 and Fultz still outplayed him by a wide margin.

But why settle for that?

I mean... he wasnt terrible, but why does Orlando need to have a guy that goes 0-0 from 3, 0 from the FT line, and leave with 2 assists as a starting point guard against arguably a terrible team defensively on the perimeter?

It's only one game and he looked good in other asepcts. I just don't know how people are jumping through hoops to justify wanting to resign him especially after what we saw from Cole who looks more well rounded and capable...

Do you think if Orlando didnt have a blowout win that his performance wouldnt be absolutely in question?

Fultz is an excellent NBA basketball player and if he never improves, I still like as a top 100 player in the league. I am not the only one as some expert publications agree.

I think the Magic have room on the team for top 100 players.

[Rainwater]

What if Franz turns into an elite shooter on volume, and Paolo is eventually average (36%) from 3? Is there any reason to think neither of these things could happen? Do we need an elite shooting PG if everybody else on the court is average/good shooter?

"If players 1, 2, 3 and 4 on the court are all awesome, it will supersede the deficiencies of player 5" is not exactly an argument in favor of player 5, right?

It depends on the entire puzzle, including money. If you have Nikola Jokic you don't need Trae Young creating shots for guys, right? you are going to have weaknesses. You don't just want the 5 best players...you want the 5(10) best players that fit together.

If we end up with a bunch of decent/good shooters some of which can also initiate offense...I am not sure we are going to need the equivalent of Dame Lillard at PG, and our resources (cap space and talent) can be directed to other areas, like perimeter defense. I am not saying Fultz is the answer, but I also don't think Franz and Paolo are going to be low volume below average(%) 3 point shooters their entire career.

Yeah, the argument that if Franz and Paolo improve in areas of need while Fultz doesn’t is more reason to get rid of Fultz. But to answer your question, even if the rest of the team improves their 3 point shooting doesn’t fix the redundancy and fit problem with Fultz. Fultz is a floor commander who is a driver but when you have Franz and Paolo what is his exact purpose? If Fultz was a scoring juggernaut I could see the reason to keep him but he isn’t. Surrounding Franz and Paolo with weapons on the perimeter should be the goal. Again, Fultz is a great role player and is fine for now but in the future I don’t know if he worth resigning as your starting PG.

[Rainwater]

As I have said before, health issues aside, I will take what we saw last night with Fultz over what I saw with FVV 6 days a week and twice on Sunday.

FVV was 4 for 6 from 3 and Fultz still outplayed him by a wide margin.

But why settle for that?

I mean... he wasnt terrible, but why does Orlando need to have a guy that goes 0-0 from 3, 0 from the FT line, and leave with 2 assists as a starting point guard against arguably a terrible team defensively on the perimeter?

It's only one game and he looked good in other asepcts. I just don't know how people are jumping through hoops to justify wanting to resign him especially after what we saw from Cole who looks more well rounded and capable...

Do you think if Orlando didnt have a blowout win that his performance wouldnt be absolutely in question?

Yeah, I think people are settling because they like the guy and he is good player but the magic can definitely improve.

[VFX]

As I have said before, health issues aside, I will take what we saw last night with Fultz over what I saw with FVV 6 days a week and twice on Sunday.

FVV was 4 for 6 from 3 and Fultz still outplayed him by a wide margin.

But why settle for that?

I mean... he wasnt terrible, but why does Orlando need to have a guy that goes 0-0 from 3, 0 from the FT line, and leave with 2 assists as a starting point guard against arguably a terrible team defensively on the perimeter?

It's only one game and he looked good in other asepcts. I just don't know how people are jumping through hoops to justify wanting to resign him especially after what we saw from Cole who looks more well rounded and capable...

Do you think if Orlando didnt have a blowout win that his performance wouldnt be absolutely in question?

Fultz is an excellent NBA basketball player and if he never improves, I still like as a top 100 player in the league. I am not the only one as some expert publications agree.

I think the Magic have room on the team for top 100 players.

That’s not an argument.

[yoyojw17]

As I have said before, health issues aside, I will take what we saw last night with Fultz over what I saw with FVV 6 days a week and twice on Sunday.

FVV was 4 for 6 from 3 and Fultz still outplayed him by a wide margin.

But why settle for that?

I mean... he wasnt terrible, but why does Orlando need to have a guy that goes 0-0 from 3, 0 from the FT line, and leave with 2 assists as a starting point guard against arguably a terrible team defensively on the perimeter?

It's only one game and he looked good in other asepcts. I just don't know how people are jumping through hoops to justify wanting to resign him especially after what we saw from Cole who looks more well rounded and capable...

Do you think if Orlando didnt have a blowout win that his performance wouldnt be absolutely in question?

The team one by 30 points.... and he was part of the teams success. It's not like it's simple to just was swap out fred vanvleet and his 3 pointers... all of a sudden we would have won by 40 points instead. To be honest ... the level that these arguments are being discussed.... i wouldn't be surprised if franz and paolo are sitting there.... "Man.... i wish we had different PG... one that can shoot and play off of me.... it would make my life easier if it was FVV" lol

The best is yet to come. THey are all getting to know one another and will continue to gel and understand how to play with one another. Proud moment... fultz has all eyes on him at the top of the key.... and Paolo made the backcut into the paint.... Fultz hits him with the pass.... score. last year paolo would have stood out at the corner and waiting for the ball....to do a dance from the perimeter.

As you said.... It's one game.... why are decisions being made about his play vs. Cole's.... because for you it's now obvious. haha... and in other cases, people would say "of course he did better he played against bench players"...but i guess that's not possibly factual in this case. Cole also obviously has the green light while out there with the second unit

Fultz was +12 .... right along with paolo's +13 for the starters... sounds as though he was doing something right

[Skybox]

Fultz is a good player and is fine right now. But in the future, if the magic want to progress, they will need a 3 and D player to surround Paolo and Franz rather than the floor commander/driver that Fultz is. With Franz and Paolo it is just unnecessary. Fultz is a good player but it is just not the ideal fit.

What if Franz turns into an elite shooter on volume, and Paolo is eventually average (36%) from 3? Is there any reason to think neither of these things could happen? Do we need an elite shooting PG if everybody else on the court is average/good shooter?

Yes...if you want to be a good team that can really do damage in the playoffs when teams can scheme to stop almost anything for a little while.

[VFX]

As I have said before, health issues aside, I will take what we saw last night with Fultz over what I saw with FVV 6 days a week and twice on Sunday.

FVV was 4 for 6 from 3 and Fultz still outplayed him by a wide margin.

But why settle for that?

I mean... he wasnt terrible, but why does Orlando need to have a guy that goes 0-0 from 3, 0 from the FT line, and leave with 2 assists as a starting point guard against arguably a terrible team defensively on the perimeter?

It's only one game and he looked good in other asepcts. I just don't know how people are jumping through hoops to justify wanting to resign him especially after what we saw from Cole who looks more well rounded and capable...

Do you think if Orlando didnt have a blowout win that his performance wouldnt be absolutely in question?

The team one by 30 points.... and he was part of the teams success. It's not like it's simple to just was swap out fred vanvleet and his 3 pointers... all of a sudden we would have won by 40 points instead. To be honest ... the level that these arguments are being discussed.... i wouldn't be surprised if franz and paolo are sitting there.... "Man.... i wish we had different PG... one that can shoot and play off of me.... it would make my life easier if it was FVV" lol

The best is yet to come. THey are all getting to know one another and will continue to gel and understand how to play with one another. Proud moment... fultz has all eyes on him at the top of the key.... and Paolo made the backcut into the paint.... Fultz hits him with the pass.... score. last year paolo would have stood out at the corner and waiting for the ball....to do a dance from the perimeter.

As you said.... It's one game.... why are decisions being made about his play vs. Cole's.... because for you it's now obvious. haha... and in other cases, people would say "of course he did better he played against bench players"...but i guess that's not possibly factual in this case. Cole also obviously has the green light while out there with the second unit

Fultz was +12 .... right along with paolo's +13 for the starters... sounds as though he was doing something right

Your train of thought is exhausting to read and decipher.

I didn’t say he had a bad game or played poorly. I’m pointing out the obvious inconsistencies with what we’ve been talking about all off-season against a bad team.

Keep this same energy when Orlando loses a few games and Markelle goes:

0-0 from 3
0 FT
> 4 assists for a starting point guard playing 25+ minutes.

Who else in the entire league gets this level of leeway?
Don’t know how to pose the question any differently.

[JoshuaPotter]

Your train of thought is exhausting to read and decipher.

I didn’t say he had a bad game or played poorly. I’m pointing out the obvious inconsistencies with what we’ve been talking about all off-season against a bad team.

Keep this same energy when Orlando loses a few games and Markelle goes:

0-0 from 3
0 FT
> 4 assists for a starting point guard playing 25+ minutes.

Who else in the entire league gets this level of leeway?
Don’t know how to pose the question any differently.

To be fair, its only 1 game and wins cure a lot of problems.

I said it before and ill say it again. If Cole continues to play like he does and is able to feed off of assists from Franz & Paulo expect people on the forum to start posting when Cole should start.

I don't want Cole to start yet...I want Anthony Black to develop and then start. If Fultz becomes interimm QB for a season followed by Cole, then so be it.

Looking at it in totality. Fultz had 1 stupendous hussle play that still didn't draw a foul. Whereas in a few minutes Anthony Black got to the line. Meaningless minutes for AB. Sure I guess. But still not meaningless enough for reffs to swallow their whistle in a Pro sport.

[eyriq]

Fultz is interesting. For all his stylistic issues, and he has many, he's the one I trust the most to get a bucket when we need it the most. Is that crazy talk?

[JoshuaPotter]

Fultz is interesting. For all his stylistic issues, and he has many, he's the one I trust the most to get a bucket when we need it the most. Is that crazy talk?

Hey @eyriq you have gone off your meds again. Might want to call your pharmacy and ask if they do delivery.

Currently I want Paulo or Franz at the top of my list.

[yoyojw17]

But why settle for that?

I mean... he wasnt terrible, but why does Orlando need to have a guy that goes 0-0 from 3, 0 from the FT line, and leave with 2 assists as a starting point guard against arguably a terrible team defensively on the perimeter?

It's only one game and he looked good in other asepcts. I just don't know how people are jumping through hoops to justify wanting to resign him especially after what we saw from Cole who looks more well rounded and capable...

Do you think if Orlando didnt have a blowout win that his performance wouldnt be absolutely in question?

The team one by 30 points.... and he was part of the teams success. It's not like it's simple to just was swap out fred vanvleet and his 3 pointers... all of a sudden we would have won by 40 points instead. To be honest ... the level that these arguments are being discussed.... i wouldn't be surprised if franz and paolo are sitting there.... "Man.... i wish we had different PG... one that can shoot and play off of me.... it would make my life easier if it was FVV" lol

The best is yet to come. THey are all getting to know one another and will continue to gel and understand how to play with one another. Proud moment... fultz has all eyes on him at the top of the key.... and Paolo made the backcut into the paint.... Fultz hits him with the pass.... score. last year paolo would have stood out at the corner and waiting for the ball....to do a dance from the perimeter.

As you said.... It's one game.... why are decisions being made about his play vs. Cole's.... because for you it's now obvious. haha... and in other cases, people would say "of course he did better he played against bench players"...but i guess that's not possibly factual in this case. Cole also obviously has the green light while out there with the second unit

Fultz was +12 .... right along with paolo's +13 for the starters... sounds as though he was doing something right

Your train of thought is exhausting to read and decipher.

I didn’t say he had a bad game or played poorly. I’m pointing out the obvious inconsistencies with what we’ve been talking about all off-season against a bad team.

Keep this same energy when Orlando loses a few games and Markelle goes:

0-0 from 3
0 FT
> 4 assists for a starting point guard playing 25+ minutes.

Who else in the entire league gets this level of leeway?
Don’t know how to pose the question any differently.

And in the same argument you said that it was only one game. Judging someone off of one game because it "proves your point" doesn't make sense. If he came out and had 3 3's and 10 assists .... i'm pretty sure you would say "Oh it's just one game".... don't try to add things like "your train of thought is exhausting" to demean/discredit me because I might think a little more than one-dimensionally as you might and see that there is possibly more to the story. It's like you were happy that these were the stats you were waiting for to continue with... "I told you'll so"

The point is... everything is not black and white. He's not doing the things that you want to see... but if he's helping them win with whatever style of play he is best at.... then let's see how this goes and how he and the team are to develop.

Same way paolo did not have the greatest statistical game... but i loved and respected his play... because he knew he didn't have to shoulder the load, made plays for others, and played pretty solid defense. There are going to be games where he has a clear advantage the players will push for him to keep eating..... at the end of the day... the goal is the "W". We will see if this all works.

I've said it before... this team is built with some high IQ individuals and when they are at their best will be when they play unselfishly... and every night is not going to HAVE to be YOUR night. Just put the team in a position to win. And based on the training camp interviews that sounds exactly like what has been embraced. Except for Suggs... who didn't really see a shot he didn't like last night. hahaha..jk. But some were "i wanna prove myself" type shots.

[VFX]

The team one by 30 points.... and he was part of the teams success. It's not like it's simple to just was swap out fred vanvleet and his 3 pointers... all of a sudden we would have won by 40 points instead. To be honest ... the level that these arguments are being discussed.... i wouldn't be surprised if franz and paolo are sitting there.... "Man.... i wish we had different PG... one that can shoot and play off of me.... it would make my life easier if it was FVV" lol

The best is yet to come. THey are all getting to know one another and will continue to gel and understand how to play with one another. Proud moment... fultz has all eyes on him at the top of the key.... and Paolo made the backcut into the paint.... Fultz hits him with the pass.... score. last year paolo would have stood out at the corner and waiting for the ball....to do a dance from the perimeter.

As you said.... It's one game.... why are decisions being made about his play vs. Cole's.... because for you it's now obvious. haha... and in other cases, people would say "of course he did better he played against bench players"...but i guess that's not possibly factual in this case. Cole also obviously has the green light while out there with the second unit

Fultz was +12 .... right along with paolo's +13 for the starters... sounds as though he was doing something right

Your train of thought is exhausting to read and decipher.

I didn’t say he had a bad game or played poorly. I’m pointing out the obvious inconsistencies with what we’ve been talking about all off-season against a bad team.

Keep this same energy when Orlando loses a few games and Markelle goes:

0-0 from 3
0 FT
> 4 assists for a starting point guard playing 25+ minutes.

Who else in the entire league gets this level of leeway?
Don’t know how to pose the question any differently.

And in the same argument you said that it was only one game. Judging someone off of one game because it "proves your point" doesn't make sense. If he came out and had 3 3's and 10 assists .... i'm pretty sure you would say "Oh it's just one game".... don't try to add things like "your train of thought is exhausting" to demean/discredit me because I might think a little more than one-dimensionally as you might and see that there is possibly more to the story. It's like you were happy that these were the stats you were waiting for to continue with... "I told you'll so"

The point is... everything is not black and white. He's not doing the things that you want to see... but if he's helping them win with whatever style of play he is best at.... then let's see how this goes and how he and the team are to develop.

Same way paolo did not have the greatest statistical game... but i loved and respected his play... because he knew he didn't have to shoulder the load, made plays for others, and played pretty solid defense. There are going to be games where he has a clear advantage the players will push for him to keep eating..... at the end of the day... the goal is the "W". We will see if this all works.

I've said it before... this team is built with some high IQ individuals and when they are at their best will be when they play unselfishly... and every night is not going to HAVE to be YOUR night. Just put the team in a position to win. And based on the training camp interviews that sounds exactly like what has been embraced. Except for Suggs... who didn't really see a shot he didn't like last night. hahaha..jk. But some were "i wanna prove myself" type shots.

I mean..

I don’t really need to “prove” anything after that game based on the information we have and the justifiable criticism.

If Fultz had a game where he hit 3-3 and 10 assists I’d say “Wow! Fultz had an amazing game he’s proving me wrong as Orlando’s lead point guard.” Still waiting for that to happen.

I even said he played well all things considering despite the usual problems I have with his skillset and fit. I don’t think that’s “black or white” thinking. I forgot, is he in his 3rd year in the league?

[Darth Magic]

...adding to my last post...looking at Fultz' stats - ZERO attempts from 3, ZERO FTA's, more rebounds than assists (2!?), 3 steals, 56% from the floor, maybe HE is a better-handling Suggs. Maybe he's the Marcus Smart/Eric Snow-type PG that plays next to the Iverson type 3-level scorer (Simons, Herro, Trae). It's unconventional, but when you've got Paolo and Franz, you can explore unconventional. That also seems like the role Black was born for but isn't likely ready for yet - big, elite defense, get to the rim, move the ball.

I'm trying to see how the pieces can fit. Suggs is already an elite defender who can't handle and (so far) can't really shoot. Fultz is a very good defender over the last couple years, is big and physical, great handles, efficient at the rim...both of them need an explosive scorer next to them to live their best lives. Maybe moving Suggs for that guy is more realistic, value wise

I LOVE Suggs' intensity but ...Markelle's chill TMac demeanor may just be a disguise. If Suggs doesn't pick up the shooting (not just attempts ), they're both in play, IMO. Imagine if they could BOTH make 2.5 threes a game

This is how I see it. I couldn't agree more. Markelle and Fultz are not a good pair because they both bring similar things and have similar weaknesses. They are both best used next to a high level scoring guard. If one or both don't pick up the scoring/shooting then they just can't play together. As to which one you choose, Fultz is my favorite player but Suggs defense is elite.