2023-2024 Regular Season Game 47: Orlando Magic (24-22) at Dallas Mavericks (25-21) - 8:30pm

[Optimus_Steel]

What was the point of starting Issac if he played great and didn't get hurt but they limited him to 8 minutes? I feel like another 10-15 minutes of his and we win especially in that horrible 3rd.

He played two minutes in the 2nd quarter. I'm pretty sure he had landed awkwardly after some contact in that second stretch. I wonder if they just decided to play it safe if he mentioned tweaking something, even if it was minor. It doesn't make any sense to plan to play him 6 minutes in the 1st and 2 minutes in the 2nd.

Probably when he fell on the floor on the Moe Wagner slam

We need to move from him. He is a distraction that can’t be counted on. Cut bait and move on. I’m tired of the yo yo.

[Knightro]

I keep looking back to the Cavs in the 20-21 season.

They weren't a contender and only went 22-50 that year, but when the opportunity arose they swung a deal and got Jarrett Allen who they then resigned 5 years, 100M that offseason. Then with Allen in place to go with Garland, they draft Mobley and acquire Markkanen that offseason via trade. Then that following trade deadline they get LeVert. Then the following offseason they flip Markkanen and Sexton and picks for Mitchell.

Every opportunity the Cavs had to upgrade their roster, in-season in 20-21, the summer of 2021, in-season 21-22 and the summer of 2022, they jumped at them all and built a team around their high lotto picks Garland and Mobley (and Okoro).

There isn't a trade that the Magic can make right now with the players who are rumored to be available that will dramatically alter the Magic's fortunes THIS season (although the right trade could solidify them as the 7 seed which would mean two chances at home to win one game), but that isn't the point.

The point is acquiring someone either under contract for the next few years, or someone you're absolutely willing to resign this summer if they're heading into free agency that will positively impact your situation next year and beyond.

Free agency is pretty dead. If the Magic want to improve the talent level of the team for next season and beyond, it's going to very likely going to come via trades and right now they're loaded with easy to move contracts, several of which they won't have six months from now.

[thelead]

no shot blocking, isaac or goga needed to be in there

Somewhat related... wish we could trade for Walker Kessler

[SHAQ32]

How was the officiating

[dsg2021]

- We were so dominant with that JI lineup. It even had WCJ at the 4. Keep praying and making safe decisions for JI to only inch up minutes and show up in both halves for about 12 MPG each (55-60 Games Played per season, Healthy for Playoffs). I echo the wish that he played at least the first few minutes of the 3rd. I always want to keep JI, but I'm starting to wonder if there is a similar enough player out there to mimic JI's impact (no one could do it quite as well, but still), and just be relentless with both on the team.

- In a similar theme, I'm curious why Goga didn't play against Lively almost at all. Poor decision imho. We needed to stop the lobs to Lively, and give our defenders more confidence on the perimeter with Goga lurking down low. This was a game for Mo to go 14 minutes instead of 25. Especially when you go from showing DAL a terrifying massive lineup in the 1st quarter to a tiny one for most of the 3rd and 4th..

- I still think we blind Paolo and Franz with a flashlight sometimes. In the sense that you got players like AB, Cole, and Joe on both sides of Paolo, gesturing for the ball. But to do what? Pass it back to Paolo near the end of the clock is one. Other times, it's to push in for a play less effectively than Paolo and Franz would. There needs to be a switch or a recognition of who's driving the offensive play that possession. Maybe it's as simple as who comes to the top of the key, which means give Paolo/Franz some extra space and stop freakin gesturing for a pass constantly.

[dsg2021]

I keep looking back to the Cavs in the 20-21 season.

They weren't a contender and only went 22-50 that year, but when the opportunity they swung a deal and got Jarrett Allen who they then resigned 5 years, 100M that offseason.

There isn't a trade that the Magic can make right now with the players who are rumored to be available that will dramatically alter the Magic's fortunes THIS season (although the right trade could solidify them as the 7 seed which would mean two chances at home to win one game), but that isn't the point.

The point is acquiring someone either under contract for the next few years, or someone you're absolutely willing to resign this summer if they're heading into free agency that will positively impact your situation next year and beyond.

Free agency is pretty dead. If the Magic want to improve the talent level of the team for next season and beyond, it's going to very likely going to come via trades and right now they're loaded with easy to move contracts, several of which they won't have six months from now.

Put this in the trade thread as food for thought!

[jayrehme]

-
- I still think we blind Paolo and Franz with a flashlight sometimes. In the sense that you got players like AB, Cole, and Joe on both sides of Paolo, gesturing for the ball. But to do what? Pass it back to Paolo near the end of the clock is one. Other times, it's to push in for a play less effectively than Paolo and Franz would. There needs to be a switch or a recognition of who's driving the offensive play that possession. Maybe it's as simple as who comes to the top of the key, which means give Paolo/Franz some extra space and stop freakin gesturing for a pass constantly.

Houstan needs to be in there more, he compliments Paolo and Franz well. His spacing and movement has been great, don't know why he got buried on the bench.. along with goga, makes no sense.

[MasterGMer]

He played two minutes in the 2nd quarter. I'm pretty sure he had landed awkwardly after some contact in that second stretch. I wonder if they just decided to play it safe if he mentioned tweaking something, even if it was minor. It doesn't make any sense to plan to play him 6 minutes in the 1st and 2 minutes in the 2nd.

Probably when he fell on the floor on the Moe Wagner slam

We need to move from him. He is a distraction that can’t be counted on. Cut bait and move on. I’m tired of the yo yo.

Are you serious? Magic is playing the long game. But I was confused with him playing 8 minutes today also. If he played 3rd Q today, it could be a much different result. Isaac is an asset for us with his defense. I think we are holding him for our playoff run this year. It is going to be fun

[SOUL]

I realize that stewing after losses, I really shouldn't care at the end of the day. It's a bunch of dudes 10-13 years younger than me figuring out how to win and sucking sometimes. I'm resigned to the fact that we will most likely be a play-in team, which was what I wanted before this season before the hot start. If we are somehow worse than that, well that forces our FO's hand to actually attempt to get better. I'm okay with the top end talent on the team, I like Mose, now is the important part of getting the right people around our keepers.

[MasterGMer]

I keep looking back to the Cavs in the 20-21 season.

They weren't a contender and only went 22-50 that year, but when the opportunity arose they swung a deal and got Jarrett Allen who they then resigned 5 years, 100M that offseason. Then with Allen in place to go with Garland, they draft Mobley and acquire Markkanen that offseason via trade. Then that following trade deadline they get LeVert. Then the following offseason they flip Markkanen and Sexton and picks for Mitchell.

Every opportunity the Cavs had to upgrade their roster, in-season in 20-21, the summer of 2021, in-season 21-22 and the summer of 2022, they jumped at them all and built a team around their high lotto picks Garland and Mobley (and Okoro).

There isn't a trade that the Magic can make right now with the players who are rumored to be available that will dramatically alter the Magic's fortunes THIS season (although the right trade could solidify them as the 7 seed which would mean two chances at home to win one game), but that isn't the point.

The point is acquiring someone either under contract for the next few years, or someone you're absolutely willing to resign this summer if they're heading into free agency that will positively impact your situation next year and beyond.

Free agency is pretty dead. If the Magic want to improve the talent level of the team for next season and beyond, it's going to very likely going to come via trades and right now they're loaded with easy to move contracts, several of which they won't have six months from now.

What if Donovan Mitchell leaves in two years? Are you still going to call Cavs player movement a success?

[SHAQ32]

-
- I still think we blind Paolo and Franz with a flashlight sometimes. In the sense that you got players like AB, Cole, and Joe on both sides of Paolo, gesturing for the ball. But to do what? Pass it back to Paolo near the end of the clock is one. Other times, it's to push in for a play less effectively than Paolo and Franz would. There needs to be a switch or a recognition of who's driving the offensive play that possession. Maybe it's as simple as who comes to the top of the key, which means give Paolo/Franz some extra space and stop freakin gesturing for a pass constantly.

Houstan needs to be in there more, he compliments Paolo and Franz well. His spacing and movement has been great, don't know why he got buried on the bench.. along with goga, makes no sense.

Not making shots.

[ChosenSavior]

I realize that stewing after losses, I really shouldn't care at the end of the day. It's a bunch of dudes 10-13 years younger than me figuring out how to win and sucking sometimes. I'm resigned to the fact that we will most likely be a play-in team, which was what I wanted before this season before the hot start. If we are somehow worse than that, well that forces our FO's hand to actually attempt to get better. I'm okay with the top end talent on the team, I like Mose, now is the important part of getting the right people around our keepers.

Good perspective to always remember despite the frustration. I swear we take these losses harder than the players especially me these past couple of games (Wendell laughing on the bench still irks me lol).

Well said SOUL.

[ibraheim718]

The franchise and Mosley need to stop playing games.

Last year I didn't agree with Knightro about making a move but this year is different.. this team NEEDS to make the playoffs this year. They're getting beat by veteran teams and most of the league is full of these guys. They need to consolidate the roster and stop half-assing it with a few of these guys.. deem them unreliable or players that don't know what to do to win games and ship them tf outta here.

Isaac is never going to be healthy enough or play enough minutes to really affect the w-l column.. cut bait.
WCJ is a dumb dumb player who doesn't have any composure and also gets hurt a lot.. cut bait.
Harris.. always Effing hurt.. disappears in games.. cut bait.
Fultz.. do I even have to explain this one?

Go back to the line up that looked the best so far this year AB/Sugg/Franz/P5/Goga and run that until the deadline and do whatever it takes to trade for Murray or Jones.

The realistic core of players that are unlikely to get moved are Suggs,P5,Wagner brothers,Black,Cole... I think they like Goga so he's probably staying. Build around that.

[Knightro]

What if Donovan Mitchell leaves in two years? Are you still going to call Cavs player movement a success?

Of course it will be a success because they'll have had Mitchell for at least three years which means three playoff runs. If the alternative was not making the playoffs at all, or barely getting into the play in, then of course it was worth doing.

People get too lost in the sauce of having a core group of guys locked up for 5-7 years and that basically never happens with any team. Players are too empowered and player movement is too fluid to be concerned with keeping a group together for more than half a decade.

If Mitchell is willing to ride it out all the way to free agency and then walk to the Knicks or Nets or Heat, more power to him.

In the meantime the Cavs are going to keep winning lots of games while he's there and one of their younger guys like Garland and Mobley might be better positioned to take over and be the man if Mitchell walks anyway if they've gotten to experience several years of the playoffs.

[ibraheim718]

I keep looking back to the Cavs in the 20-21 season.

They weren't a contender and only went 22-50 that year, but when the opportunity arose they swung a deal and got Jarrett Allen who they then resigned 5 years, 100M that offseason. Then with Allen in place to go with Garland, they draft Mobley and acquire Markkanen that offseason via trade. Then that following trade deadline they get LeVert. Then the following offseason they flip Markkanen and Sexton and picks for Mitchell.

Every opportunity the Cavs had to upgrade their roster, in-season in 20-21, the summer of 2021, in-season 21-22 and the summer of 2022, they jumped at them all and built a team around their high lotto picks Garland and Mobley (and Okoro).

There isn't a trade that the Magic can make right now with the players who are rumored to be available that will dramatically alter the Magic's fortunes THIS season (although the right trade could solidify them as the 7 seed which would mean two chances at home to win one game), but that isn't the point.

The point is acquiring someone either under contract for the next few years, or someone you're absolutely willing to resign this summer if they're heading into free agency that will positively impact your situation next year and beyond.

Free agency is pretty dead. If the Magic want to improve the talent level of the team for next season and beyond, it's going to very likely going to come via trades and right now they're loaded with easy to move contracts, several of which they won't have six months from now.

What if Donovan Mitchell leaves in two years? Are you still going to call Cavs player movement a success?

You have to call it a success because of the opportunities.. they're making the playoffs year in and year out so far with Mitchell.

[ibraheim718]

Wendell Carter has so much Julius Randle in him it's scary. Wait until there are playoff games and he's getting T'd up in a 2 point game in the 4th quarter. TV's will be broken. Guy needs to get dealt.

[SOUL]

Go back to the line up that looked the best so far this year AB/Sugg/Franz/P5/Goga and run that until the deadline and do whatever it takes to trade for Murray or Jones.

That lineup was running out of gas, especially offensively. The spacing isn't reliable enough on a game to game basis to run that.

Ideally I'd be okay with it with a lead guard instead of AB, while AB gets a lot of minutes off of the bench.

[KillMonger]

How was the officiating

Azz..... but it's Luka.... You know he can't be defended.....our entire team attempted 28 free throws.... Luka by himself attempted 21

Sent from the phone in my hands

[MasterGMer]

I keep looking back to the Cavs in the 20-21 season.

They weren't a contender and only went 22-50 that year, but when the opportunity arose they swung a deal and got Jarrett Allen who they then resigned 5 years, 100M that offseason. Then with Allen in place to go with Garland, they draft Mobley and acquire Markkanen that offseason via trade. Then that following trade deadline they get LeVert. Then the following offseason they flip Markkanen and Sexton and picks for Mitchell.

Every opportunity the Cavs had to upgrade their roster, in-season in 20-21, the summer of 2021, in-season 21-22 and the summer of 2022, they jumped at them all and built a team around their high lotto picks Garland and Mobley (and Okoro).

There isn't a trade that the Magic can make right now with the players who are rumored to be available that will dramatically alter the Magic's fortunes THIS season (although the right trade could solidify them as the 7 seed which would mean two chances at home to win one game), but that isn't the point.

The point is acquiring someone either under contract for the next few years, or someone you're absolutely willing to resign this summer if they're heading into free agency that will positively impact your situation next year and beyond.

Free agency is pretty dead. If the Magic want to improve the talent level of the team for next season and beyond, it's going to very likely going to come via trades and right now they're loaded with easy to move contracts, several of which they won't have six months from now.

What if Donovan Mitchell leaves in two years? Are you still going to call Cavs player movement a success?

You have to call it a success because of the opportunities.. they're making the playoffs year in and year out so far with Mitchell.

And not winning it all?

[ibraheim718]

Go back to the line up that looked the best so far this year AB/Sugg/Franz/P5/Goga and run that until the deadline and do whatever it takes to trade for Murray or Jones.

That lineup was running out of gas, especially offensively. The spacing isn't reliable enough on a game to game basis to run that.

Ideally I'd be okay with it with a lead guard instead of AB, while AB gets a lot of minutes off of the bench.

They were only running out of gas because of winning so many in a row.. it would've leveled out a little.

Playing that line up was a better investment for the future.