What is the biggest reason the magic are 12-5?

golfreak · Post #21 » by **golfreak** » Mon Nov 27, 2023 9:05 pm

TheChaser wrote:And also, we are up to number 7 in the nba.com power rankings! This is almost surreal. I was gonna make a thread but decided this was a proper place to add that. I believe we jumped 10 spots this week.

Haha, Clutchpoints has the Magic #1 in their power ranking.

Skin · Post #22 » by **Skin** » Mon Nov 27, 2023 9:28 pm

Jiwol wrote:Why is "A lack of Fultz" is not an option?

Because it's not like we're winning more because our PGs are raining 3s.

Last Guardian · Post #23 » by **Last Guardian** » Mon Nov 27, 2023 9:36 pm

The Magic were decent/mediocre for most of last season. The horrid start where guys were injured was only reason they ended up being "bad" team.

I still will say defense is the main reason. Despite improvements to key players, statistically the Magic are still not one of the best offensive teams. They are one of the best defensive teams. Therefore we can deduce our defense makes us a great team, not the offense.

Skin · Post #24 » by **Skin** » Mon Nov 27, 2023 9:43 pm

The reason is the bench players are not sulking about being bench players. Whether it's MoWags, Isaac, Goga, Chuma, Cole... These guys actually cheer for each other and there are no ego trips like you normally see. This has allowed Paolo and Franz to step into the primary scoring roles without needing to look over their shoulders when mistakes are made. Roles are being established comfortably.

When they are all cheering for each other, it becomes infectious. The defense has become a culture mindset. Defense first, offense second. This is ok because it plays to their strengths and weaknesses. They do what they are good at. Defense and passing. Scoring, while not a natural strength for all, becomes one based off turnovers created by their defense and quick, smart, passing.

We're bottom in the league among 3 pt making teams, and still winning, which throws people off. Which is why I never got bothered about Fultz's 3pt shooting as long as he was making the shots that he does take, and gets others involved. What I am curiuos in is how dangerous we're gonna be once Jett Howard is unleashed.

The Effect · Post #25 » by **The Effect** » Mon Nov 27, 2023 9:52 pm

another option, hungry team that believes it can beat anyone

RookieStar · Post #26 » by **RookieStar** » Mon Nov 27, 2023 10:18 pm

Biggest surprise is why so many are surprised. Lol

After that 5-20 start last season, everything just clicked. We are building off that momentum.

ibraheim718 · Post #27 » by **ibraheim718** » Mon Nov 27, 2023 10:19 pm

The defensive mindset and then the bench.

Post #28 » by **Bensational** » Mon Nov 27, 2023 10:23 pm

Defense, depth, growth and coaching. We’ve got a young and deep team who have bought in to doing what’s needed to win and that’s huge.

RichCollab · Post #29 » by **RichCollab** » Mon Nov 27, 2023 10:50 pm

How about improved 3pt shooting?

Bergmaniac · Post #30 » by **Bergmaniac** » Mon Nov 27, 2023 10:58 pm

RichCollab wrote:How about improved 3pt shooting?

It hasn't happened yet.

basketballRob · Post #31 » by **basketballRob** » Mon Nov 27, 2023 11:24 pm

Isaac. We're 1-2 without him, and our defense has been bad.

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RichCollab · Post #32 » by **RichCollab** » Mon Nov 27, 2023 11:47 pm

Bergmaniac wrote:
RichCollab wrote:How about improved 3pt shooting?

It hasn't happened yet.

Paolo and Suggs for sure have improved.

Skybox · Post #33 » by **Skybox** » Mon Nov 27, 2023 11:57 pm

Skin wrote:
Jiwol wrote:Why is "A lack of Fultz" is not an option?

Because it's not like we're winning more because our PGs are raining 3s.

HOU is at #6 to our #7.

Similar cast of young draftees..I think our cast is stronger...but they have a proven PG leader who can also "rain 3's" when needed.

ORL is doing really well, but that remains the next step to becoming a serious contender.

Bergmaniac · Post #34 » by **Bergmaniac** » Mon Nov 27, 2023 11:58 pm

RichCollab wrote:
Bergmaniac wrote:
RichCollab wrote:How about improved 3pt shooting?

It hasn't happened yet.

Paolo and Suggs for sure have improved.

But the team as a whole has not. Last year the Magic made 10.8 threes per game (which was 25th in the league) and shot them at a 34.6% from 3 (24th in the league). This year the numbers are 10.2 threes per game (28th in the league) and 34.0% from 3 (28th in the league). Paolo and Suggs have improved, sure, but on the other hand Franz's percentage is significantly lower than last year and he's taken the most 3s so far by some margin, Isaac is shooting only 23.5% from 3, etc.

JF5 · Post #35 » by **JF5** » Tue Nov 28, 2023 12:03 am

RichCollab wrote:How about improved 3pt shooting?

We're the 3rd worst 3 point shooting team in the league right now in all statistical categories. They've hit timely 3s when needed. But they're more of an inside the paint, and FT shooting team.

This goes to my point that just shooting 3s doesn't make a successful team.

anothermagicfan · Post #36 » by **anothermagicfan** » Tue Nov 28, 2023 12:14 am

Why isn't Weltman and Hammond an option? I mean they are the guys that drafted and signed and traded for almost every player/coach on this team? In essence they are the driving force behind every option to vote for.

tooler · Post #37 » by **tooler** » Tue Nov 28, 2023 12:21 am

I was wondering today what made this 7 game win streak feel different than the 6 game win streak we had last season. I think that one started when Fultz got back, this one when he left.

RookieStar · Post #38 » by **RookieStar** » Tue Nov 28, 2023 12:35 am

tooler wrote:I was wondering today what made this 7 game win streak feel different than the 6 game win streak we had last season. I think that one started when Fultz got back, this one when he left.

Because this time we are doing it with gritty defense? And probably because this 7game win streak is when we have a chance to be in the top4 PO spots while at that time we were already eliminated?

JF5 · Post #39 » by **JF5** » Tue Nov 28, 2023 3:28 am

anothermagicfan wrote:Why isn't Weltman and Hammond an option? I mean they are the guys that drafted and signed and traded for almost every player/coach on this team? In essence they are the driving force behind every option to vote for.

They're a polarizing tandem here. But to me they deserve all the credit because a lot of these moves outside of Jalen Suggs and the package for the Vucevic trade when he was initially traded they were getting killed.

1. Paolo Banchero was not the consensus pick here but Jabari Smith.

2. F. Wagner, people were really upset they didn't get Kuminga.

3. Wendell Carter Jr. alot of people wanted Bamba to be the gut over him

4. Jonathan Issac everyone (including myself at a certain point) thought it would be for best for then to cut him. Now he's balling out like he never left.

5. Cole Anthony was thought to be negative until he was put in the 6th man role and they built the bench around him.

You do have misfires like Chuma, Bamba, and the Fournier trade. But to be this successful after 2 1/2 years into their first official rebuild with a squad that has their core of the future and a strong supporting cast on nice contracts and flexible cap situation to add guys that compliment that you have is easily the best job anyone has done in the league outside of OKC.

This team since these guys have come in has always had a direction and purpose. And seeing a well run organization with those guys at the helm.

MasterGMer · Post #40 » by **MasterGMer** » Tue Nov 28, 2023 3:34 am

I will say it is the bond and chemistry the team had this year. We have high character guys and there is no ego in the locker room. When guys are unselfish and sacrifice for others, we win! That is the difference I see from Magic team and others

Why are the Magic 12-5?