2023-2024 Regular Season Game 40: Orlando Magic (21-18) at New York Knicks (23-16) - 3pm

[JoshuaPotter]

Black went from starting to DNPCD

Technically he went from DNPCD to starting to DNPCD.

A lot of this year, with this current crop of guys, is going to be by committee. Pretty much how Mose has to handle it where certain games, Moe won't play much, or Isaac, or Goga, or WCJ. May not make them all happy but then that's up to the front office to consolidate.. or.. if they're all fine with it, keep a lot of big men since we have so many injuries.

Same with the youngsters.

Last game there was a conversation regarding a sickness running its course through the team. Wonder if that also contributes to who played today and in past games.

[ChosenSavior]

There are no consistent players on this team outside of Paolo, Franz, and Suggs/Isaac defense and Ingles playmaking. A lot of y'all live and die with every play and change your opinions massively within 3-4 plays. The line between "bench/cut Cole" and "leave him in the rest of the game" is like within 3 plays.

We still need spacing like a mf via trade. Houstan can catch fire but he's still too young too depend on like that, and we obviously have spacing problems with the other guys.

That's that game thread sway of emotions homie lol!

[Optimus_Steel]

This was a huge win given our injuries and recent struggles.

[thelead]

Black went from starting to DNPCD

I don’t mind when I think about the big picture. I would have played him but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with him watching Fultz masterfully run some offense with a broken jumper.

I’m very interested to see how this trade deadline/summer plays out and how patient they want to be.

I have no doubt that players like Cole and Houstan will improve their consistency one day but will the FO (and Paolo/Franz) be patient rather than start making win now moves.

[MartinsIzAfraud]

Big W and don’t care they didn’t have Brunson.

[VFX]

Black went from starting to DNPCD

Technically he went from DNPCD to starting to DNPCD.

A lot of this year, with this current crop of guys, is going to be by committee. Pretty much how Mose has to handle it where certain games, Moe won't play much, or Isaac, or Goga, or WCJ. May not make them all happy but then that's up to the front office to consolidate.. or.. if they're all fine with it, keep a lot of big men since we have so many injuries.

Same with the youngsters.

Last game there was a conversation regarding a sickness running its course through the team. Wonder if that also contributes to who played today and in past games.

This is what annoys me about the two tiered path they’ve landed on.

Sure, these wins are great but at some point you are sacrificing development with players that are not going to be here. You want to have sustained winning while developing? Get guys that can do it while also playing your youth. Not guys one foot out the door or into the grave.

[SOUL]

Sure, these wins are great but at some point you are sacrificing development with players that are not going to be here. You want to have sustained winning while developing? Get guys that can do it while also playing your youth. Not guys one foot out the door or into the grave.

This is easier said than done, tbf. But yeah, at least there are rumors that we may be looking to improve this season. Knowing our team, they all magically get healthy in the next few weeks, we get a bunch of wins, and we're reluctant to make big moves again.

[richi_v25]

Everyone wants to bench Cole or trade him until he saves your ass like he did today

The Cole hate is annoying considering all he has done for this team this year. He will have his off nights but he is perfect in his role.

It's not that he has off nights bc everyone does, it's that when he's off he only looks for his own shot no matter what's going on then on the other end they hunt him down for an easy 2 points.

[KillMonger]

There are no consistent players on this team outside of Paolo, Franz, and Suggs/Isaac defense and Ingles playmaking. A lot of y'all live and die with every play and change your opinions massively within 3-4 plays. The line between "bench/cut Cole" and "leave him in the rest of the game" is like within 3 plays.

We still need spacing like a mf via trade. Houstan can catch fire but he's still too young too depend on like that, and we obviously have spacing problems with the other guys.

were people here seriously talking about trading cole? talk about bipolar....i have my issues with cole but when he's on he's valuable

[SOUL]

were people here seriously talking about trading cole? talk about bipolar....i have my issues with cole but when he's on he's valuable

100% lol

I mean, I don't really mind trading anyone other than Paolo, Franz, Suggs, but I'm not vocal about it.. it just matters what the trade package would be.

[richi_v25]

Big W and don’t care they didn’t have Brunson.

We don't have Franz so it's even Stevens.

[GameOver25]

I've always considered the game thread like a Las Vegas trip, what happens there stays there.

[davey_wavy]

These game threads need to be medicated.

[drsd]

Box score thoughts:

Orlando won the FG% battle and won the game.
Indeed the Magic was 30-56 (54%) with the 2-ball.

The Magic's 6th straight game shooting sub-70% with FTs.

Orlando had more rebounds, less TOs, and more assists. The game was actually not all that close in most stats, except in scoring. (As if that matter).

In the end Olrnalso had a better 2-ball percentage than the New York had an eFG% three ball percentage. That was basically the difference maker.

[richi_v25]

Truth be told we all love our Orlando Magic and we're really rooting for every player to be great, we gripe about players but we really its all love until they swap jerseys.

[drsd]

Big W and don’t care they didn’t have Brunson.

And-1

I would call this "the most important win of the season", so far.

Look: all road wins are good wins. Orlando won by being a better defensive team, and never giving up on the game plan.

I am happy.

[drsd]

This was the 8th win in the whole of the NBA this season were the victor had less than 100 points.

[IllMagic04]

We def needed that win. It was good to see Fultz and WCjr play well. Paolo is a true 4th quarter scorer. Those were huge shots he hit. Cole def kept us aflot early in the 4th. Hopefully that gets him back on track

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[KillMonger]

why can't we take care of the ball like this more often

[dsg2021]

Big W and don’t care they didn’t have Brunson.

And-1

I would call this "the most important win of the season", so far.

Look: all road wins are good wins. Orlando won by being a better defensive team, and never giving up on the game plan.

I am happy.

Def, this was a very good win. This was a very strong team but a team kind of within our tier. It wasn't the streaking on top of the league teams like OKC, BOS, etc. so this was the real test at this point in time.