2024-2025 Regular Season Game 15: Orlando Magic (8-6) at Phoenix Suns (9-5) - 9pm

[3ddman23]

Wagner's first step, his stride, how quick he gets shots on the backboard, his competitive nature, his length.. guy is a tremendous tremendous player.

Absolutely we been saying it for years. To many people were dwelling so much on one bad season of shooting (from 3) and kept bringing his play down because of it. Most of us felt like he would always come back to his normal shooting around 35%.

[KillMonger]

Gotta give the front office credit for those 4 draft picks. Rare to hit to hit on 4.

Would love to see what we have in jett but mose rather see Gary get cardio

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[OrlandoDream]

Franz is headed to the all star game. He is playing amazing basketball right now.

I think its time to call it quits on this Suggs at PG experiment. I love Suggs but we are playing him out of position at PG. He doesn't have the handles or shooting ability to be starting PG. AB has clearly taken a leap and is ready to take on a more advanced role. AB needs to start next to Suggs and bring KCP of the bench. KCP is washed. He is better suited for bench role at this point in his career.

Starting lineup has enough play making. 2nd unit needs Black.

Not really? Franz is the only one that is a reliable half court playmaker. Paolo when he comes back, yes that will change the entire dynamic of the lineup. However, not bc Paolo is such a great playmaker himself but more bc he draws so much attention and is learning to recognize the double teams.

We can't ignore AB's growth. The only thing holding him back is his ability to hit that 3 consistently. Once that drops, he has to be in the SL and let Suggs slide back to his natural SG position.

The bench will figure out the playmaking and offense itself. We will stagger one of Franz, Paolo, or AB with bench players anyway.

Its just tough to watch Suggs continue to try to figure out the PG role. Again he's part of the core 3 but he has way too many flaws to be a PG in this league.

[Ducklett]

Franz is headed to the all star game. He is playing amazing basketball right now.

I think its time to call it quits on this Suggs at PG experiment. I love Suggs but we are playing him out of position at PG. He doesn't have the handles or shooting ability to be starting PG. AB has clearly taken a leap and is ready to take on a more advanced role. AB needs to start next to Suggs and bring KCP of the bench. KCP is washed. He is better suited for bench role at this point in his career.

KCP is legit the highest rated on LEBRON for D and the only player even close is Franz

[pepe1991]

There should be whole bunch of new names at All star game on East. Franz might even put himself on map for starter ? Giannis, Tatum Towns, Mitchell... competition for 5th spot is stiff, but not impossible.

Other potential first time all stars on east are:
Mobley - another no brainer to me
Tyler Herro - Heat will eventually start winning and he leads them in APG, PPG, BPM, TS%, VORP etc
Cade / or somebody from Bulls (White, Lavine or Vuc) , depending who will suck the least given how poor East looks.
Jalen Johnson- has been amazing for Hawks


Towns - not first time all star, but first time all star on East ( lock for starter). 26 -12-3 -1-1 65% TS, leads Knicks in pretty much every single advanced category. I said he will be top 5-ish player on East, he has been top 5 player on East.


Or coaches will go in another direction and award people like Derrick White, Jrue, Allen for contribution for winning ( Cavs and Celtics will probably end up with 3 all stars anyway ). Who knows.
Anyway, Franz is headed to allstar game even if he plays bit worst than he has been playing since Banchero got hurt.

Fun fact in past 5 games, Franz has 32 assists on 4 turnovers

[Shaqdaz]

Long time lurker, first time poster here.

Franz is a fantastic decision maker out of the pick and roll. Although it doesn't show up on the boxscore a lot of the time, his ability ability to see over the defenders and either give the ball up early on the short roll or drag the big defender on the double was invaluable tonight. Although Orlando hasn't been able to convert the 3 at a good clip, it still leaves the defense in a 3 on 4 situation. With Paolo out of the lineup, I'd really like to see some action away from the ball that'll result in someone like TDS coming up and being the screener; the defense won't be able to switch due to the mismatch, and although we haven't seen TDS's decision making on the short roll, if its anything like his decision making on closeouts, I think it would be really positive (his ability to attack on a hard closeout has been really good; once the shot starts falling, I think it will really open up this aspect of his game).

I really like the dynamic a more traditional centre gives this team, particularly one that isn't considered an offensive threat in Goga. Orlando run some action with the big on the elbow - ironically, someone like Goga creates more space, as the defensive big is generally in drop, giving Franz more room to operate in the mid range with a live dribble, where he is generally a great finisher.

I'm really loving the development I'm seeing from Black. Although his creation off the dribble needs improvement, his change of pace has been really good, and we saw that on a couple takes tonight.

[RookieStar]

Look... somebody better make a Suggs-elephant thread. Thats the only way he can break out of whatever funk he is in just like Franz did

[pepe1991]

Look... somebody better make a Suggs-elephant thread. Thats the only way he can break out of whatever funk he is in just like Franz did

When i opened Okeke thread he played 8 best games of his life right after, i might open for Suggs, will probably make him allstar

But if i do somebody will dig it up in 2027 and call me hater

[drsd]

There should be whole bunch of new names at All star game on East. Franz might even put himself on map for starter ? Giannis, Tatum Towns, Mitchell... competition for 5th spot is stiff, but not impossible.

Anyway, Franz is headed to allstar game even if he plays bit worst than he has been playing since Banchero got hurt.

Fun fact in past 5 games, Franz has 32 assists on 4 turnovers

Holy frack!

[drsd]

Box score thoughts:

Orlando won (dominated) the FG% battle and won the game.

The Magic had a above 35% 3PM rate!!!!
and the differential with Phoenix was a huge 8.6%.

The Magic took less shots (76 to 83), but made more (39-35)

Stellar FT shooting by Orlando.

Orlando lost the rebounding-differential battle, but won the TO differentials.

In the end, this win is simple to explain: the Magic's defense limited Phoenix.

[DiplomaticMagic]

I havent read the thread, Im sure this has been probably said but Ima say it.

THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO WAY YOU CAN TAKE GOGA OUT OF STARTING LINE-UP!!!

He is playing too good and fits our identity more. I really have no idea why we extended Wendell, he would be a pretty nice trade chip to have right now. And Im not trading Goga!! Wendell is okay but hes still undersized and unreliable healthwise.

I also wouldnt play Wendell over Mo because I like what Moe brings off the bench. The charges, the pumping up the crowd, the antics lol. That stuff matters, plus he can get buckets. Hes the perfect back-up imo.

Wendell just doesnt fit, hes a good defender especially on switches, but hes not tall enough to be a rim protecter.

[The-Stallion70]

Why Franz so good my God

He just drive in and make layup he too big for these other little guys.

[basketballRob]

Long time lurker, first time poster here.

Franz is a fantastic decision maker out of the pick and roll. Although it doesn't show up on the boxscore a lot of the time, his ability ability to see over the defenders and either give the ball up early on the short roll or drag the big defender on the double was invaluable tonight. Although Orlando hasn't been able to convert the 3 at a good clip, it still leaves the defense in a 3 on 4 situation. With Paolo out of the lineup, I'd really like to see some action away from the ball that'll result in someone like TDS coming up and being the screener; the defense won't be able to switch due to the mismatch, and although we haven't seen TDS's decision making on the short roll, if its anything like his decision making on closeouts, I think it would be really positive (his ability to attack on a hard closeout has been really good; once the shot starts falling, I think it will really open up this aspect of his game).

I really like the dynamic a more traditional centre gives this team, particularly one that isn't considered an offensive threat in Goga. Orlando run some action with the big on the elbow - ironically, someone like Goga creates more space, as the defensive big is generally in drop, giving Franz more room to operate in the mid range with a live dribble, where he is generally a great finisher.

I'm really loving the development I'm seeing from Black. Although his creation off the dribble needs improvement, his change of pace has been really good, and we saw that on a couple takes tonight.

Franz' defense doesn't show up in the boxscores, but it does show up in advanced stats.

What Goga does is more consistent than what we get from Wendell. I don't ever recall Wendell being a part of a 6 game win streak. Goga started last year during our 9 game win streak.

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[Skybox]

Franz is headed to the all star game. He is playing amazing basketball right now.

I think its time to call it quits on this Suggs at PG experiment. I love Suggs but we are playing him out of position at PG. He doesn't have the handles or shooting ability to be starting PG. AB has clearly taken a leap and is ready to take on a more advanced role. AB needs to start next to Suggs and bring KCP of the bench. KCP is washed. He is better suited for bench role at this point in his career.

Starting lineup has enough play making. 2nd unit needs Black.

Or…a player not yet acquired. That would be a stronger first and second unit, imo.

[Skybox]

Why Franz so good my God

He just drive in and make layup he too big for these other little guys.

He’s so good about using all of his length at the rim…always fully extended

[zaymon]

Black taking more and more playmaking responsibilities. Its not likely he will start to attack defenses without a screen, but his development is encouraging.
On the other hand Suggs struggles a lot, especially without Paolo and with more of a burden. He is just not wired to run offense.
If chemistry was not a problem i would think about starting Black/KCP with Suggs bringing energy of the bench.

[basketballRob]

Franz is tied for 9th in EPM now at 4.9.

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[drsd]

This was a great win!

[RichCollab]

Franz is headed to the all star game. He is playing amazing basketball right now.

I think its time to call it quits on this Suggs at PG experiment. I love Suggs but we are playing him out of position at PG. He doesn't have the handles or shooting ability to be starting PG. AB has clearly taken a leap and is ready to take on a more advanced role. AB needs to start next to Suggs and bring KCP of the bench. KCP is washed. He is better suited for bench role at this point in his career.

Starting lineup has enough play making. 2nd unit needs Black.

Or…a player not yet acquired. That would be a stronger first and second unit, imo.

Development has paid big dividends. I’m not against the right deal and player.

Black’s role seems to be the right responsibility and role. Leading the 2nd unit this will continue to build his confidence. He will continue to get crunch time minutes.

Jett’s potential as s SG seems legit and a skill gap we have. I don’t think we need to make a move that would block him.

I do see this year focusing on Black and TDS development. It’s going to be hard to add Jett into the mix. Next year, will be Jett’s big playing time increase.

I’m fine if the following 4 don’t get any minutes.
Harris
Cole
Caleb
Corey

I’m also ok if KCP averages closer to 25 minutes a game.

[Skybox]

Starting lineup has enough play making. 2nd unit needs Black.

Or…a player not yet acquired. That would be a stronger first and second unit, imo.

Development has paid big dividends. I’m not against the right deal and player.

Black’s role seems to be the right responsibility and role. Leading the 2nd unit this will continue to build his confidence. He will continue to get crunch time minutes.

Jett’s potential as s SG seems legit and a skill gap we have. I don’t think we need to make a move that would block him.

I do see this year focusing on Black and TDS development. It’s going to be hard to add Jett into the mix. Next year, will be Jett’s big playing time increase.

I’m fine if the following 4 don’t get any minutes.
Harris
Cole
Caleb
Corey

I’m also ok if KCP averages closer to 25 minutes a game.

Acquiring Schroder for Cole and a frp would meet your requirements. AB moves into the starting lineup for KCP and the D doesn't miss a beat. Playing in the SL actually requires less pressure for AB to playmate and score, so he can continue developing with Mose's support and his own increased confidence. Paolo is NOT going to complain about getting better shots. Second unit takes a leap with Schroder's ability to put up 20 when needed, but also ring up easy shots for KCP and, particularly, for Mo. Goga stays in the SL, so WCJ can be worked in slowly and without so much dependence on him. AB is ready for a solid offensive player to enter the guard rotation...his defense alone will keep him solidly in the starting lineup - once he tastes it. He's just better than KCP.