2023-2024 Regular Season Game 77: Orlando Magic (45-31) at Charlotte Hornets (18-58) - 7pm

[CocoaFan]

Like for all the stuff we say about the Magic lacking shooters and all that, that's all true, but the biggest issue offensively by a wide margin is the fact that Paolo is just wildly inefficient offensively.

Until he upticks that, they just won't be good offensively.

He's taking way too many isolation hero ball shots. The offense works better (kind of) when they really move the ball around and take open shots. Not getting down on Paolo because he will learn and he's going to be a stud.

[Knightro]

This.

It’s painfully obvious too. It’s not like we are watching the game and thinking “man this is great offense, but the numbers don’t back it up”. It also looks like ass.

Sorry, this isn’t the 90’s where a guy just does a Carmelo Anthony impression for most of the shot clock while everyone stands around and watches him back down a guy 30 feet from the basket as our #1 pay in the half courts against a zone.

Then the bench comes in, the ball starts moving, and Orlando cuts the deficit to single digits… it’s happened all season.

I’m not arguing something ridiculous like trading him. I’m saying that he shouldn’t be bringing the ball up the court 95% of the time. He needs to be put in better spots and in action to score downhill.

Here are the questions I have...

Do the Magic play offense like this because it's simply what Paolo is most comfortable with and Mosley is either too scared or not skilled enough to force him to play in a way where he likely be more efficient?

Or do they play offense like this because Mosley (or the front office) ultimately thinks force feeding Paolo this amount of isolation reps will ultimately be to his and the team's benefit in the long run?

[VFX]

The main point is that I need to see what this team does with a starting point guard first.

If that doesn’t alleviate the offense, then you can start side eyeing Mosely.

[eyriq]

We are the 4th youngest team with a top 3 defense. We were always going to be bottom 20 in offense unless you legitimately thought we'd be a contender. This is by design.

[KillMonger]

The players got to come out and play but the coaching staff is supposed to have these guys prepared to play no matter who the opps are.... I've always thought that playing down or up to opps is a coaching issue, it's a mindset.... Don't just get up for the good teams, you have to be ready to go for everybody.... That played a part in this loss

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[eyriq]

The players got to come out and play but the coaching staff is supposed to have these guys prepared to play no matter who the opps are.... I've always thought that playing down or up to opps is a coaching issue, it's a mindset.... Don't just get up for the good teams, you have to be ready to go for everybody.... That played a part in this loss

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I agree with him.

[RookieStar]

And just like that.. the 15pt lead of the Bulls against NYK is almost gone.. this would have veen the silver lining.

[SOUL]

It's still coach speak though lol.. I just wanna see him rip the players once. Udoka last game was straight up calling Jabari Smith soft, kinda funny

[Message Boar]

The mentality makeup of this team needs to change. Not only do we need shooters but it seems like we need an extremely solid vet that can get this team out of funks. I know he'll probably never come here, but Chris Paul would actually be good for this team next season. He's old, he's injury prone but I seriously think he could help the team.

We are literally crushing expectations, and have one of the best records against sub .500 teams, but we need to change our mental makeup? Good lord people bottle up bad takes and uncork them at the slightest glimmer of opportunity.

Yeah some fans are losing their perspective just because of one really **** night.

Of course that's just kinda where your thoughts go as a fan now, I do get it.

[VFX]

This.

It’s painfully obvious too. It’s not like we are watching the game and thinking “man this is great offense, but the numbers don’t back it up”. It also looks like ass.

Sorry, this isn’t the 90’s where a guy just does a Carmelo Anthony impression for most of the shot clock while everyone stands around and watches him back down a guy 30 feet from the basket as our #1 pay in the half courts against a zone.

Then the bench comes in, the ball starts moving, and Orlando cuts the deficit to single digits… it’s happened all season.

I’m not arguing something ridiculous like trading him. I’m saying that he shouldn’t be bringing the ball up the court 95% of the time. He needs to be put in better spots and in action to score downhill.

Here are the questions I have...

Do the Magic play offense like this because it's simply what Paolo is most comfortable with and Mosley is either too scared or not skilled enough to force him to play in a way where he likely be more efficient?

Or do they play offense like this because Mosley (or the front office) ultimately thinks force feeding Paolo this amount of isolation reps will ultimately be to his and the team's benefit in the long run?

It’s a bad situation either way, which is why you and I talked this past offseason ad nauseam concerning the point guard situation.

Why is it a bad situation? Because it’s about developing habits. I don’t care what Paolo “feels comfortable” doing at age 21 if it makes the entire offense look bad.

If he wants touches he should be put in better spots on the floor to get them OR be willing to run actions. He isn’t Lebron James. He’s 6’10 265lbs… he should play like it.

If Mosely can’t figure out how to run an offense with a Conley, Paul, etc. type character , then it’s on him. We are just guys sitting on a couch after a day of work and we can plainly see it doesn’t look good and isn’t efficient basketball.

[thelead]

Paolo scored 32 points on 26 shots. Miller scored 32 points on 13 shots.

[Knightro]

We are the 4th youngest team with a top 3 defense. We were always going to be bottom 20 in offense unless you legitimately thought we'd be a contender. This is by design.

There is no scenario where a 23rd ranked offense is "by design" man. That is just silliness.

[eyriq]

It's still coach speak though lol.. I just wanna see him rip the players once. Udoka last game was straight up calling Jabari Smith soft, kinda funny

Coaches either have a significant effect on the outcome or they don't. If they do, they can have the most significant effect on an outcome. Tonight, IMO, Mosley had the largest negative effect on the game.

[Message Boar]

We are the 4th youngest team with a top 3 defense. We were always going to be bottom 20 in offense unless you legitimately thought we'd be a contender. This is by design.

There is no scenario where a 23rd ranked offense is "by design" man. That is just silliness.

I think his point is more that with this roster, the offense was almost always gonna be bottom half of the league, no matter what.

[ORLMagicGirl15]

The mentality makeup of this team needs to change. Not only do we need shooters but it seems like we need an extremely solid vet that can get this team out of funks. I know he'll probably never come here, but Chris Paul would actually be good for this team next season. He's old, he's injury prone but I seriously think he could help the team.

We are literally crushing expectations, and have one of the best records against sub .500 teams, but we need to change our mental makeup? Good lord people bottle up bad takes and uncork them at the slightest glimmer of opportunity.

Yep, that's my take and I'm sticking to it. We needed a win for seeding and we played like that, yep, we need someone to take this team to the next level.

[SOUL]

It's still coach speak though lol.. I just wanna see him rip the players once. Udoka last game was straight up calling Jabari Smith soft, kinda funny

Coaches either have a significant effect on the outcome or they don't. If they do, they can have the most significant effect on an outcome. Tonight, IMO, Mosley had the largest negative effect on the game.

The funny thing is that coaches are not allowed for sweater vests (I petition to allow it!!), so they're technically never viable for a reason we won but always heavily accountable for a loss.

[basketballRob]

If y'all are turning on Paolo now you're going to crucify him in the playoffs

Its the Magic way. Good thing is.. i remember it only happens when we are good/winning record.

Remember D12 era where we have 55+ wins yet when we lose qe were ready to trade the entire roster and bringing up nicknames like BUMeer Nelson, Turkoflu, Ra$$$ard, wannabe-French Jordan etc etc

I always wanted to trade Hedo and Jameer.

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[eyriq]

If y'all are turning on Paolo now you're going to crucify him in the playoffs

Its the Magic way. Good thing is.. i remember it only happens when we are good/winning record.

Remember D12 era where we have 55+ wins yet when we lose qe were ready to trade the entire roster and bringing up nicknames like BUMeer Nelson, Turkoflu, Ra$$$ard, wannabe-French Jordan etc etc

I always wanted to trade Hedo and Jameer.

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I will never agree with you again

[eyriq]

We are the 4th youngest team with a top 3 defense. We were always going to be bottom 20 in offense unless you legitimately thought we'd be a contender. This is by design.

There is no scenario where a 23rd ranked offense is "by design" man. That is just silliness.

I think his point is more that with this roster, the offense was almost always gonna be bottom half of the league, no matter what.

EXACTLY

[RookieStar]

It's still coach speak though lol.. I just wanna see him rip the players once. Udoka last game was straight up calling Jabari Smith soft, kinda funny

Coaches either have a significant effect on the outcome or they don't. If they do, they can have the most significant effect on an outcome. Tonight, IMO, Mosley had the largest negative effect on the game.

The funny thing is that coaches are not allowed for sweater vests (I petition to allow it!!), so they're technically never viable for a reason we won but always heavily accountable for a loss.

Who was that all time great with the all time quote of

" Players win games, Coaches loses them " or something like that