2024-2025 Regular Season Game 19: Orlando Magic (11-7) at Charlotte Hornets (6-10) - 7pm

[JF5]

I truly wouldn't take LaMelo for free.

He's super talented, but he just doesn't get it and I don't know if he ever will.

It’s hard for me to understand how someone could watch that game and blame LaMelo other than if you just straight up refused to even observe another player on our team because LaMelo is so captivating, which in that case I don’t blame you. He’s cooking up on a great defensive team that doesn’t have to do anything but try and stop him lol. What do you want him to do, score 100? Feed Taj Gibson post ups?

He reminds me a lot of the Gilbert Arenas/Ricky Davis type player except he's wayyyy more naturally talented than those guys.

LaMelo plays like he's still back in Chino Hills/AAU circuit. He does a lot of flashy moves but he makes a lot of boneheaded decisions. He's the last Ball brother and if you've seen how he is through the myriad of content BBB has had over the last decade and the stories that surround him in the Charlotte area from reports over the last few years he's the quintessential douche who plays by his own rules (which what he was enabled to do since he was a kid).

He's not the type of guy to bring his teammates together for a common goal or make them better, that is Lonzo's role being the big brother having to be the first to go through everything.

Unless his attitude changes and his method of play/actions have more purpose to it he'll be a 2nd/3rd option in a winning situation. Though he has top 5 player in the world talent potential.

[SOUL]

Jett had an opportunity to show something tonight. He is still pretty far off. I have hope as he has shown improvement but still a long way off.

May have to wait for his 3rd season for a break out game.

I think he did show something. Mose certainly trusted him because he worked on defense and got some timely boards.

Doing that WITH hitting his shots is nice, but we know he can hit threes decently.

[KembaWalker]

I truly wouldn't take LaMelo for free.

He's super talented, but he just doesn't get it and I don't know if he ever will.

It’s hard for me to understand how someone could watch that game and blame LaMelo other than if you just straight up refused to even observe another player on our team because LaMelo is so captivating, which in that case I don’t blame you. He’s cooking up on a great defensive team that doesn’t have to do anything but try and stop him lol. What do you want him to do, score 100? Feed Taj Gibson post ups?

He reminds me a lot of the Gilbert Arenas/Ricky Davis type player except he's wayyyy more naturally talented than those guys.

LaMelo plays like he's still back in Chino Hills/AAU circuit. He does a lot of flashy moves but he makes a lot of boneheaded decisions. He's the last Ball brother and if you've seen how he is through the myriad of content BBB has had over the last decade and the stories that surround him in the Charlotte area from reports over the last few years he's the quintessential douche who plays by his own rules (which what he was enabled to do since he was a kid).

He's not the type of guy to bring his teammates together for a common goal or make them better, that is Lonzo's role being the big brother having to be the first to go through everything.

Unless his attitude changes and his method of play/actions have more purpose to it he'll be a 2nd/3rd option in a winning situation. Though he has top 5 player in the world talent potential.

I don’t really know what to say to something written both so confidently and simultaneously incorrectly about the guy both on and off the floor and his reputation in Charlotte so I’ll just say, good luck to you guys and I hope we get him some NBA level help so we can start building a rivalry here. I certainly have a lot of respect for Banchero and the slander he gets from guys trying to fluff Chet and it’s disappointing to see similar stuff here about other players but hey, that’s realm. Gl guys

[Ducklett]

It’s hard for me to understand how someone could watch that game and blame LaMelo other than if you just straight up refused to even observe another player on our team because LaMelo is so captivating, which in that case I don’t blame you. He’s cooking up on a great defensive team that doesn’t have to do anything but try and stop him lol. What do you want him to do, score 100? Feed Taj Gibson post ups?

He reminds me a lot of the Gilbert Arenas/Ricky Davis type player except he's wayyyy more naturally talented than those guys.

LaMelo plays like he's still back in Chino Hills/AAU circuit. He does a lot of flashy moves but he makes a lot of boneheaded decisions. He's the last Ball brother and if you've seen how he is through the myriad of content BBB has had over the last decade and the stories that surround him in the Charlotte area from reports over the last few years he's the quintessential douche who plays by his own rules (which what he was enabled to do since he was a kid).

He's not the type of guy to bring his teammates together for a common goal or make them better, that is Lonzo's role being the big brother having to be the first to go through everything.

Unless his attitude changes and his method of play/actions have more purpose to it he'll be a 2nd/3rd option in a winning situation. Though he has top 5 player in the world talent potential.

I don’t really know what to say to something written both so confidently and simultaneously incorrectly about the guy both on and off the floor and his reputation in Charlotte so I’ll just say, good luck to you guys and I hope we get him some NBA level help so we can start building a rivalry here. I certainly have a lot of respect for Banchero and the slander he gets from guys trying to fluff Chet and it’s disappointing to see similar stuff here about other players but hey, that’s realm. Gl guys

I certainly wouldn't blame the loss on Melo's play. I just wonder about some of his decision making at times. And you could equally say that about everyone on the Magic roster at times. I think it is just a lot more profound when it comes to asking that about Melo compared to a Cole Anthony or a Mo Wagner, you know what I mean?

[eyriq]

Some positives for Jett.

His energy is improving, seems he's keeping that motor running. He's also rebounding? The handle looks nice as well.

[RookieStar]

After this game... Silver or whoever decided to put us back on national TV is probably regretting that decision lol

[eyriq]

Read on Twitter

?t=qwbsyWQv192QGkzWvp8Iqw&s=19

[Optimus_Steel]

I truly wouldn't take LaMelo for free.

He's super talented, but he just doesn't get it and I don't know if he ever will.

It’s hard for me to understand how someone could watch that game and blame LaMelo other than if you just straight up refused to even observe another player on our team because LaMelo is so captivating, which in that case I don’t blame you. He’s cooking up on a great defensive team that doesn’t have to do anything but try and stop him lol. What do you want him to do, score 100? Feed Taj Gibson post ups?

He reminds me a lot of the Gilbert Arenas/Ricky Davis type player except he's wayyyy more naturally talented than those guys.

LaMelo plays like he's still back in Chino Hills/AAU circuit. He does a lot of flashy moves but he makes a lot of boneheaded decisions. He's the last Ball brother and if you've seen how he is through the myriad of content BBB has had over the last decade and the stories that surround him in the Charlotte area from reports over the last few years he's the quintessential douche who plays by his own rules (which what he was enabled to do since he was a kid).

He's not the type of guy to bring his teammates together for a common goal or make them better, that is Lonzo's role being the big brother having to be the first to go through everything.

Unless his attitude changes and his method of play/actions have more purpose to it he'll be a 2nd/3rd option in a winning situation. Though he has top 5 player in the world talent potential.

There is a complete and utter carelessness in his attitude that is not conductive to winning basketball when he is the main guy. He has absolutely no leadership qualities.

[eyriq]

Read on Twitter

?t=bAs8qs4yGYz_dY5pgRVMXA&s=19

[RichCollab]

Some positives for Jett.

His energy is improving, seems he's keeping that motor running. He's also rebounding? The handle looks nice as well.

+16 too

[KembaWalker]

It’s hard for me to understand how someone could watch that game and blame LaMelo other than if you just straight up refused to even observe another player on our team because LaMelo is so captivating, which in that case I don’t blame you. He’s cooking up on a great defensive team that doesn’t have to do anything but try and stop him lol. What do you want him to do, score 100? Feed Taj Gibson post ups?

He reminds me a lot of the Gilbert Arenas/Ricky Davis type player except he's wayyyy more naturally talented than those guys.

LaMelo plays like he's still back in Chino Hills/AAU circuit. He does a lot of flashy moves but he makes a lot of boneheaded decisions. He's the last Ball brother and if you've seen how he is through the myriad of content BBB has had over the last decade and the stories that surround him in the Charlotte area from reports over the last few years he's the quintessential douche who plays by his own rules (which what he was enabled to do since he was a kid).

He's not the type of guy to bring his teammates together for a common goal or make them better, that is Lonzo's role being the big brother having to be the first to go through everything.

Unless his attitude changes and his method of play/actions have more purpose to it he'll be a 2nd/3rd option in a winning situation. Though he has top 5 player in the world talent potential.

There is a complete and utter carelessness in his attitude that is not conductive to winning basketball when he is the main guy. He has absolutely no leadership qualities.

You’re writing more confidently about the guy at a personal level than I ever would and I’ve seen every single professional game of basketball he’s ever played. I truly have no idea what you are basing it on. Comparing him to a guy that brings guns to the locker room over gambling debts because you don’t like his shot selection is just so over the top

[RookieStar]

Also.. lets be real guys.

Lamelo is good. Like probably top 5 PG in the league if you twist my arm. He is probably feeling and doing what Tmac was in the same sotuation with us. He is surrounded by plumbers and salesmen and if there is someone good, they probably spend most of their time in the injured list. ( OG magic fans would undwrstand this )

[Knightro]

The one play that stuck in my head tonight in regards to LaMelo...

With about 3 minutes left Ball got the switch he wanted and cooked Cole with this really nice stepback 3 and then he stopped and posed for the crowd and did his little "ice in my veins" thing that he does.

But the problem was that the Hornets, who had basically led the entire game, had blown the lead and the Magic had just taken their largest lead of the night the previous possession.

And that stepback only cut the Hornets deficit from 9 to 6. It wasn't like it was a shot to take the lead or even really get them *that* close. And all LaMelo seemingly wanted to do was get his oohs and ahhs for the stepback, pose for the crowd, and then hit his signature taunt like a WWE wrestler or something.

And like yeah, it was an awesome move and a nice shot, but like where's the sense of situation? It felt like a defensive back celebrating breaking up a pass while his team is down 2 touchdowns in the 4th quarter.

I'm not even some old boomer **** either. I like celebrating and think it's generally good for the game, I just was taken aback by how little Ball seemed to care that his team had just blown the lead and was also in the process of getting run off the floor in the 4th quarter.

Ice in his veins was more important ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[Orlando Dawg]

Cole Anthony > Anthony Black

[VFX]

The one play that stuck in my head tonight in regards to LaMelo...

With about 3 minutes left Ball got the switch he wanted and cooked Cole with this really nice stepback 3 and then he stopped and posed for the crowd and did his little "ice in my veins" thing that he does.

But the problem was that the Hornets, who had basically led the entire game, had blown the lead and the Magic had just taken their largest lead of the night the previous possession.

And that stepback only cut the Hornets deficit from 9 to 6. It wasn't like it was a shot to take the lead or even really get them *that* close. And all LaMelo seemingly wanted to do was get his oohs and ahhs for the stepback, pose for the crowd, and then hit his signature taunt like a WWE wrestler or something.

And like yeah, it was an awesome move and a nice shot, but like where's the sense of situation? It felt like a defensive back celebrating breaking up a pass while his team is down 2 touchdowns in the 4th quarter.

I'm not even some old boomer **** either. I like celebrating and think it's generally good for the game, I just was taken aback by how little Ball seemed to care that his team had just blown the lead and was also in the process of getting run off the floor in the 4th quarter.

Ice in his veins was more important ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Also the step back brick at a crucial possession in the game with like 21 seconds left on the shot clock from the logo. Just a wildly bad play/ shot. Dude would get roasted here if he took that in a Magic jersey.

Hes an entertaining player and can score the basketball. Not sure if he’s winning anything as a “leader” on a team.

[thelead]

I wish we could get this version of Cole most nights. Would be a HUGE boost to our offense… and he wasn’t even spectacular. He just did what his pay indicates he should be able to do if given a good amount of minutes against a bad team.

[ORLMagicGirl15]

Watch on YouTube

[thelead]

My take on LaMelo: He has the talent to be an MVP-level player. He does not have the smarts, nor maturity, to get there.

Frustrating because he really does have ELITE talent.

[eyriq]

Franz with 4 steals, AB with 3. 7/12 total steals from two players is wild.

[KembaWalker]

The one play that stuck in my head tonight in regards to LaMelo...

With about 3 minutes left Ball got the switch he wanted and cooked Cole with this really nice stepback 3 and then he stopped and posed for the crowd and did his little "ice in my veins" thing that he does.

But the problem was that the Hornets, who had basically led the entire game, had blown the lead and the Magic had just taken their largest lead of the night the previous possession.

And that stepback only cut the Hornets deficit from 9 to 6. It wasn't like it was a shot to take the lead or even really get them *that* close. And all LaMelo seemingly wanted to do was get his oohs and ahhs for the stepback, pose for the crowd, and then hit his signature taunt like a WWE wrestler or something.

And like yeah, it was an awesome move and a nice shot, but like where's the sense of situation? It felt like a defensive back celebrating breaking up a pass while his team is down 2 touchdowns in the 4th quarter.

I'm not even some old boomer **** either. I like celebrating and think it's generally good for the game, I just was taken aback by how little Ball seemed to care that his team had just blown the lead and was also in the process of getting run off the floor in the 4th quarter.

Ice in his veins was more important ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I find it hard to believe someone can sit there and watch the Wagner bros every single game and get upset about a dude rubbing his forearm for 2 seconds after a shot. Cmon man, you cannot be serious