2024-2025 Regular Season Game 16: Orlando Magic (9-6) at Los Angeles Clippers (8-7) - 10:30pm

[magik9113]

So I was asleep by tipoff...but looks like everyone but AB came out and sucked and we couldn't rebound for the life of us?

[eyriq]

That 21-4 run in the 3rd was brutal.

Suggs/KCP/Franz/TDS/Moe got slaughtered, -8 during the start of that run

AB/KCP/Franz/TDS/Moe, -2

AB/KCP/Franz/JI/Moe, -3

Pulled Goga early in the 3rd and proceeded to GET SLAUGHTERED.

[Bergmaniac]

Tough night for the team, I expected our offense to struggle, Clippers have a lot of good defenders and a very smart coach and we have struggled against offensively for quite a few years IIRC. At the end of the day the rebounding was the big difference between two short-handed offensively challenged team, when you shoot as badly as we do you can't afford to be crushed on the boards. Dunn did a fantastic job on Franz and the Clippers as a whole exploited our offensive limitations very well. Our defense was really good apart from rebounding, but we just had no answer for Zubac.

KCP's shooting struggles are really hurting the team, I love his defence, but it's been 16 games and he keeps bricking, I know he's been streaky historically but it's getting quite worrisome. Suggs after a good start offensively really struggled in the second half. Black had some very good moments, but also 6 turnovers, some of which quite bad. Still, a lot of positives from him, he is special defensively and it's getting to the point where he is one of our most reliable scorers and one of the few who can create for themselves and others. Harris the plus/minus king stroke again, somehow ended +3 with 2 points and three missed 3s, he was really good defensively to be fair, buit it's just funny how this keeps happening.

BTW, it's wild how many games I've watched so far this season both teams have been seriously short-handed. We've obviously been missing Paolo and Wendell for a while and in this stretch we played Pels without most of their stars, Clippers without Kawhi and Powell, the Suns without KD and Beal, the Sixers without Maxey and with Embiid clearly nowhere near 100% and a shadow of himself, etc. And when I've watched other teams there have been a lot of games between seriously shorthanded ones too, the injuries have been a big problem this year.

[basketballRob]

That 21-4 run in the 3rd was brutal.

Suggs/KCP/Franz/TDS/Moe got slaughtered, -8 during the start of that run

AB/KCP/Franz/TDS/Moe, -2

AB/KCP/Franz/JI/Moe, -3

Pulled Goga early in the 3rd and proceeded to GET SLAUGHTERED.

I missed some of it because of technical difficulties, but it looked like as soon as they put Moe in, the Clippers went on a run. Moe took a couple of bad shots, and they went down and scored to turn a 4 pt lead to a 9 pt lead. I think Mosely yanked Goga too soon.

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[basketballRob]

Tough night for the team, I expected our offense to struggle, Clippers have a lot of good defenders and a very smart coach and we have struggled against offensively for quite a few years IIRC. At the end of the day the rebounding was the big difference between two short-handed offensively challenged team, when you shoot as badly as we do you can't afford to be crushed on the boards. Dunn did a fantastic job on Franz and the Clippers as a whole exploited our offensive limitations very well. Our defense was really good apart from rebounding, but we just had no answer for Zubac.

KCP's shooting struggles are really hurting the team, I love his defence, but it's been 16 games and he keeps bricking, I know he's been streaky historically but it's getting quite worrisome. Suggs after a good start offensively really struggled in the second half. Black had some very good moments, but also 6 turnovers, some of which quite bad. Still, a lot of positives from him, he is special defensively and it's getting to the point where he is one of our most reliable scorers and one of the few who can create for themselves and others. Harris the plus/minus king stroke again, somehow ended +3 with 2 points and three missed 3s, he was really good defensively to be fair, buit it's just funny how this keeps happening.

BTW, it's wild how many games I've watched so far this season both teams have been seriously short-handed. We've obviously been missing Paolo and Wendell for a while and in this stretch we played Pels without most of their stars, Clippers without Kawhi and Powell, the Suns without KD and Beal, the Sixers without Maxey and with Embiid clearly nowhere near 100% and a shadow of himself, etc. And when I've watched other teams there have been a lot of games between seriously shorthanded ones too, the injuries have been a big problem this year.

Jett, KCP, and Harris 0-10. All the shots were wide open, but they were air balls and hitting the side of the backboard.

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[eyriq]

That 21-4 run in the 3rd was brutal.

Suggs/KCP/Franz/TDS/Moe got slaughtered, -8 during the start of that run

AB/KCP/Franz/TDS/Moe, -2

AB/KCP/Franz/JI/Moe, -3

Pulled Goga early in the 3rd and proceeded to GET SLAUGHTERED.

I missed some of it because of technical difficulties, but it looked like as soon as they put Moe in, the Clippers went on a run. Moe took a couple of bad shots, and they went down and scored to turn a 4 pt lead to a 9 pt lead. I think Mosely yanked Goga too soon.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

I missed it, too. The only thing worse than our defensive rebounding was the broadcast.

[basketballRob]

That 21-4 run in the 3rd was brutal.

Suggs/KCP/Franz/TDS/Moe got slaughtered, -8 during the start of that run

AB/KCP/Franz/TDS/Moe, -2

AB/KCP/Franz/JI/Moe, -3

Pulled Goga early in the 3rd and proceeded to GET SLAUGHTERED.

I missed some of it because of technical difficulties, but it looked like as soon as they put Moe in, the Clippers went on a run. Moe took a couple of bad shots, and they went down and scored to turn a 4 pt lead to a 9 pt lead. I think Mosely yanked Goga too soon.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

I missed it, too. The only thing worse than our defensive rebounding was the broadcast.

It's been an ongoing problem with the broadcast. Against the Suns, Kendra was going to do a piece on Isaac, but it didn't show because of difficulties. I think they showed it before last night's game.

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[UCFJayBird]

That 21-4 run in the 3rd was brutal.

Suggs/KCP/Franz/TDS/Moe got slaughtered, -8 during the start of that run

AB/KCP/Franz/TDS/Moe, -2

AB/KCP/Franz/JI/Moe, -3

Pulled Goga early in the 3rd and proceeded to GET SLAUGHTERED.

I missed some of it because of technical difficulties, but it looked like as soon as they put Moe in, the Clippers went on a run. Moe took a couple of bad shots, and they went down and scored to turn a 4 pt lead to a 9 pt lead. I think Mosely yanked Goga too soon.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

This was around the time I became too frustrated and had to turn it off and go to bed. I don't know why, but Moe was thinking he was his brother last night and started taking contested three's, trying to drive from the wing and create, just dribbling into tough spots, taking the ball up the court, etc. I like Moe on this team a lot, he's the hustle guy, he can surprise you sometimes offensively, but sometimes he gets overconfident and steps outside his zone.

Franz was having an off night for sure. Early in the game he kept losing control of the ball, dribbling it off his legs or feet, etc. Part of that was the Clippers' pesky defense, similar to ours. But part of it I think he was just a bit off. You could tell that kind of threw off his aggression and he lost his focus and kind of stepped back.

I'm not sure when's the line, but we've gotta be close to where Mosley needs to just take KCP out and bench him for AB in the starting lineup. Let Suggs go back to the SG spot and AB run point, at least until KCP figures out his shooting struggles.

[Max Headrom]

That 21-4 run in the 3rd was brutal.

Suggs/KCP/Franz/TDS/Moe got slaughtered, -8 during the start of that run

AB/KCP/Franz/TDS/Moe, -2

AB/KCP/Franz/JI/Moe, -3

Pulled Goga early in the 3rd and proceeded to GET SLAUGHTERED.

I missed some of it because of technical difficulties, but it looked like as soon as they put Moe in, the Clippers went on a run. Moe took a couple of bad shots, and they went down and scored to turn a 4 pt lead to a 9 pt lead. I think Mosely yanked Goga too soon.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

This was around the time I became too frustrated and had to turn it off and go to bed. I don't know why, but Moe was thinking he was his brother last night and started taking contested three's, trying to drive from the wing and create, just dribbling into tough spots, taking the ball up the court, etc. I like Moe on this team a lot, he's the hustle guy, he can surprise you sometimes offensively, but sometimes he gets overconfident and steps outside his zone.

Franz was having an off night for sure. Early in the game he kept losing control of the ball, dribbling it off his legs or feet, etc. Part of that was the Clippers' pesky defense, similar to ours. But part of it I think he was just a bit off. You could tell that kind of threw off his aggression and he lost his focus and kind of stepped back.

I'm not sure when's the line, but we've gotta be close to where Mosley needs to just take KCP out and bench him for AB in the starting lineup. Let Suggs go back to the SG spot and AB run point, at least until KCP figures out his shooting struggles.

I come in peace! I was at the game and was behind the Magic bench. After Moe got a dunk off of a pass before a Clipper timeout, he got to the bench all hyped and screamed "these mf's can't guard me"

So yeah, I would say overconfident would be an understatement. It was a bit embarrassing because it seemed like the other Magic players weren't hype at all when he ran over, pounding his chest and said it. And us Clippers fans just laughed at it.

Good game though, two really tough defensive teams slugging it out. Good look the rest of the way.

[eyriq]

I missed some of it because of technical difficulties, but it looked like as soon as they put Moe in, the Clippers went on a run. Moe took a couple of bad shots, and they went down and scored to turn a 4 pt lead to a 9 pt lead. I think Mosely yanked Goga too soon.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

This was around the time I became too frustrated and had to turn it off and go to bed. I don't know why, but Moe was thinking he was his brother last night and started taking contested three's, trying to drive from the wing and create, just dribbling into tough spots, taking the ball up the court, etc. I like Moe on this team a lot, he's the hustle guy, he can surprise you sometimes offensively, but sometimes he gets overconfident and steps outside his zone.

Franz was having an off night for sure. Early in the game he kept losing control of the ball, dribbling it off his legs or feet, etc. Part of that was the Clippers' pesky defense, similar to ours. But part of it I think he was just a bit off. You could tell that kind of threw off his aggression and he lost his focus and kind of stepped back.

I'm not sure when's the line, but we've gotta be close to where Mosley needs to just take KCP out and bench him for AB in the starting lineup. Let Suggs go back to the SG spot and AB run point, at least until KCP figures out his shooting struggles.

I come in peace! I was at the game and was behind the Magic bench. After Moe got a dunk off of a pass before a Clipper timeout, he got to the bench all hyped and screamed "these mf's can't guard me"

So yeah, I would say overconfident would be an understatement. It was a bit embarrassing because it seemed like the other Magic players weren't hype at all when he ran over, pounding his chest and said it. And us Clippers fans just laughed at it.

Good game though, two really tough defensive teams slugging it out. Good look the rest of the way.

Moe giveth, Moe taketh

[BlueBalls]

KCP was such a bad idea.

[MartinsIzAfraud]

paying KCP, Cole & Gary Harris 42M sure was a decision...

[VFX]

paying KCP, Cole & Gary Harris 42M sure was a decision...

You can add “reaching for Jett Howard” to that list also. All extremely poor decisions.

[eyriq]

paying KCP, Cole & Gary Harris 42M sure was a decision...

You can add “reaching for Jett Howard” to that list also. All extremely poor decisions.

Yup.

Very frustrating. I have to remind myself that ultimately these decisions are negligible towards impacting the long-term outlook, but dayuum if they aren't frustrating.

[MartinsIzAfraud]

paying KCP, Cole & Gary Harris 42M sure was a decision...

You can add “reaching for Jett Howard” to that list also. All extremely poor decisions.

Jett was the pick because he agreed to spend his 1st year in the G league.. that's my theory and you can't change my mind.

[Last Guardian]

Disappointing game but we can't win them all. Clippers are surprisingly good defensively. Magic cannot score on the road, and already don't have their best player. It was not the best combination.

Defense was meh for 3 quarters, they still ended up barely over 100. Didn't hate it or love it.

At this point I don't care how good KCP is defensively, this shooting performance is not what we signed up for. Gary and KCP are veteran shooters who cannot make a wide open shot. It is beyond frustrating. There can be no excuses. Regardless of what you think of our playmaking, these 3's are wide open.

Positive take...Anthony Black is trending in the right direction, and that is extremely good news for this team.

The Jett stuff is interesting. I don't have as short a leash as others do on the board I guess. His stint was terrible in this game, but I am still bullish. His size, fluidity, speed and quick release all check out for a guard. I'd personally play him over Gary and let him play through mistakes.

[JoshuaPotter]

paying KCP, Cole & Gary Harris 42M sure was a decision...

You can add “reaching for Jett Howard” to that list also. All extremely poor decisions.

Jett was the pick because he agreed to spend his 1st year in the G league.. that's my theory and you can't change my mind.

Going to say that you are very likely correct. Like better then a coin toss correct in terms of %.

So last year, for whatever reason collectively Franz + Paolo pulled our 3 ball % down. This year, the rest of the staff has said "hold my beer" and we are now in the gutter. A respectable average 3 ball % changes the makeup of the entire game. Heck black making all his FTA changes the constitution of the game. (Not to put this on Black though.)

I don't know what to say, everyones 3-ball is down to a point where if we bounce back to projected norms of role players I am going to start expecting 130 points and 40 point blowout games.

[JoshuaPotter]

Disappointing game but we can't win them all. Clippers are surprisingly good defensively. Magic cannot score on the road, and already don't have their best player. It was not the best combination.

Defense was meh for 3 quarters, they still ended up barely over 100. Didn't hate it or love it.

At this point I don't care how good KCP is defensively, this shooting performance is not what we signed up for. Gary and KCP are veteran shooters who cannot make a wide open shot. It is beyond frustrating. There can be no excuses. Regardless of what you think of our playmaking, these 3's are wide open.

Positive take...Anthony Black is trending in the right direction, and that is extremely good news for this team.

The Jett stuff is interesting. I don't have as short a leash as others do on the board I guess. His stint was terrible in this game, but I am still bullish. His size, fluidity, speed and quick release all check out for a guard. I'd personally play him over Gary and let him play through mistakes.

Yeah, while we "could add" Jett to the franchise mistakes. I am only going to allow that if you say "we should have taken Lively" as respectably that was my guy on the board.

To put all this in the hands of a sophmore NBA player when we have career 3 point specialists having an identity crisis at what they are known for in the NBA is a bit of a stretch.

I'm still bullish on Jett. Mose reached for him yesterday and it wasn't his night either. Wow, disappointing, but emotionally it must be really hard to step on the court at 11:30pm and make a 3-ball when you are down.

[JoshuaPotter]

paying KCP, Cole & Gary Harris 42M sure was a decision...

You can add “reaching for Jett Howard” to that list also. All extremely poor decisions.

I @you a few pages back VFX. I don't think a single playmaker from your trade ideas wins us this one, but at least on paper I can say that we needed someone as KCP / Suggs / Harris are struggling to make the 3-ball.

Btw, I am putting Suggs on my list, only because he is struggling. I think 100% once Paolo comes back 3s from him will fall as he feeds off Paolo and Franz super well.

KCP and Harris though. Wow. Just.....wow.

[VFX]

paying KCP, Cole & Gary Harris 42M sure was a decision...

You can add “reaching for Jett Howard” to that list also. All extremely poor decisions.

Jett was the pick because he agreed to spend his 1st year in the G league.. that's my theory and you can't change my mind.

Probably. Still a very dumb short sighted decision when we are talking about developing lottery picks. Like Okeke taking a backseat in his rookie year due to injury exception. Just ridiculous 7-D chess that Weltman tries to pull instead of simply building a roster out of the best talent available.