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2024-2025 Regular Season Game 71: Orlando Magic (32-38) Washington Wizards (18-53) - 7pm

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Re: 2024-2025 Regular Season Game 71: Orlando Magic (32-38) Washington Wizards (18-53) - 7pm 

Post#141 » by shadrock » Sat Mar 22, 2025 4:03 am

Just basic competent PG play has taken this teams shooting up a level. Simply incomprehensible how it took this long to realise it.
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Re: 2024-2025 Regular Season Game 71: Orlando Magic (32-38) Washington Wizards (18-53) - 7pm 

Post#142 » by thelead » Sat Mar 22, 2025 4:09 am

shadrock wrote:Just basic competent PG play has taken this teams shooting up a level. Simply incomprehensible how it took this long to realise it.


Now imagine if we had a good PG... GM malpractice after Paolo publicly called for it after the playoff loss.
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Re: 2024-2025 Regular Season Game 71: Orlando Magic (32-38) Washington Wizards (18-53) - 7pm 

Post#143 » by Rainwater » Sat Mar 22, 2025 5:18 am

ibraheim718 wrote:Nice win but off topic Weltman and Parker need to do whatever it takes to draft Jeremiah Fears. Kid is the next one. He's the final piece.


The Magic really don’t need another rookie, hoping they develop. Do like the Rockets and Pistons and surround Paolo and Franz with some vets.
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Re: 2024-2025 Regular Season Game 71: Orlando Magic (32-38) Washington Wizards (18-53) - 7pm 

Post#144 » by pepe1991 » Sat Mar 22, 2025 6:52 am

thelead wrote:
shadrock wrote:Just basic competent PG play has taken this teams shooting up a level. Simply incomprehensible how it took this long to realise it.


Now imagine if we had a good PG... GM malpractice after Paolo publicly called for it after the playoff loss.


Before start of 2023-24 topic of talks was: can Fultz be all star.
Weltman probably opened it himself
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Re: 2024-2025 Regular Season Game 71: Orlando Magic (32-38) Washington Wizards (18-53) - 7pm 

Post#145 » by 3ddman23 » Sat Mar 22, 2025 12:15 pm

thelead wrote:
KillMonger wrote:can someone make any sense of the JI situation?

Mosley being Mosley. I bet he would say that WCJ was playing well and Goga was the bench big he was going to go with because of Washington's lack of size. Mosley is so damn predictable that it's not even funny anymore.


Falls right in line with this whole organization. You know what's gonna happen before it happens with this organization.
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Re: 2024-2025 Regular Season Game 71: Orlando Magic (32-38) Washington Wizards (18-53) - 7pm 

Post#146 » by drsd » Sat Mar 22, 2025 12:42 pm

thelead wrote:
shadrock wrote:Just basic competent PG play has taken this teams shooting up a level. Simply incomprehensible how it took this long to realise it.


Now imagine if we had a good PG... GM malpractice after Paolo publicly called for it after the playoff loss.


And-1

Specifically Banchero noted that the Magic was "one floor general away from contending".

The funny thing is that the Magic did bring in Joseph, and him starting next to Caldwell-Pope, the team has been "better" eye-test wise, but in particular, when Joseph starts, it feels like Caldwell-Pope is more efficient.

Maybe someone can work out the Caldwell-Pope with/without splits to Joseph to see if the stats back that up.

Back to the point, as I don't think Banchero was imagining Suggs as the lead guard, instead of Caldwell-Pope, the what if's are for Tyus Jones-type player.
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Re: 2024-2025 Regular Season Game 71: Orlando Magic (32-38) Washington Wizards (18-53) - 7pm 

Post#147 » by JF5 » Sat Mar 22, 2025 4:08 pm

thelead wrote:
shadrock wrote:Just basic competent PG play has taken this teams shooting up a level. Simply incomprehensible how it took this long to realise it.


Now imagine if we had a good PG... GM malpractice after Paolo publicly called for it after the playoff loss.


I never really liked this specific narrative... They signed Suggs to a big contract so they hoped he could develop into a PG to certain degree without having to sign one that would get in his way.

Also, they wanted Paolo and Franz to develop playmaking skills aswell. And look who was the beneficiary of not having a PG during that time. It was Franz who took a bigger leap than most here probably imagined.

You don't see this version of Franz with a healthy Paolo and a PG who has the ball in their hands a lot. This is why this season was a success to me. You got a definitive second guy or 1b. who can carry your offense when Paolo is struggling or hurt.

This is what we say about this year not being being about this year. This was a crucial developmental year that has essentially set this team up for the next 7-10 years. It was definitely a win.
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Re: 2024-2025 Regular Season Game 71: Orlando Magic (32-38) Washington Wizards (18-53) - 7pm 

Post#148 » by VFX » Sat Mar 22, 2025 4:34 pm

JF5 wrote:
thelead wrote:
shadrock wrote:Just basic competent PG play has taken this teams shooting up a level. Simply incomprehensible how it took this long to realise it.


Now imagine if we had a good PG... GM malpractice after Paolo publicly called for it after the playoff loss.


I never really liked this specific narrative... They signed Suggs to a big contract so they hoped he could develop into a PG to certain degree without having to sign one that would get in his way.

Also, they wanted Paolo and Franz to develop playmaking skills aswell. And look who was the beneficiary of not having a PG during that time. It was Franz who took a bigger leap than most here probably imagined.

You don't see this version of Franz with a healthy Paolo and a PG who has the ball in their hands a lot. This is why this season was a success to me. You got a definitive second guy or 1b. who can carry your offense when Paolo is struggling or hurt.

This is what we say about this year not being being about this year. This was a crucial developmental year that has essentially set this team up for the next 7-10 years. It was definitely a win.


Yeah? And how did that work out for them?

Suggs thrived last season at SG posting his best season and numbers to date. The response to that was to pay him and move him to another position? How much more obvious could it be that he isn’t a point guard. He played his best basketball until he was moved next to Gary Harris pre playoffs.

The problem with your second statement is that Paolo specifically requested one. Who cares if it made 1 total player better. Last I checked we need both of those guys in better positions to score the basketball. More than 2 players need to be able to find rhythm to contribute. Not 3 guys standing around watching 2 guys iso for entire shot clocks worth of possessions.

Weltman agrees with your assessment obviously and that’s primarily why this season has been deemed a failure. Funny that Corey Joseph starting makes the entire team look better but this idea to triple down on 2 6’11 playmakers instead is the narrative. Why? Because you don’t like the idea that Paolo and Franz need to bring the ball up every half court possession? Is that too binary for you? Are less options better?

You are aware that both players can be your 1A and 1B scoring options without needing the ball in their hands 24/7 right? Is that also lost on you?

Crucial development year where the entire team took several steps back due to mismanagement of assets and roster construction. Worse record and playoff opportunities. Or is this statement more about the fact that they learned this game plan is stupid and therefore need to shift gears? I’m guessing that’s NOT what you are getting at with this statement.
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Re: 2024-2025 Regular Season Game 71: Orlando Magic (32-38) Washington Wizards (18-53) - 7pm 

Post#149 » by thelead » Sat Mar 22, 2025 5:10 pm

It’s not about putting the ball in the PG’s hands every time down the court. It’s about having one fully capable of doing it when we need another look outside of Paolo/Franz running a play. We need someone that helps us start the offense way earlier than we typically do, protect the ball, can run a P&R, can break down the defense occasionally, and can hit an open 3. We don’t need prime CP3. What CoJo gave us last night, albeit against the lowly Wizards, is pretty much what we need.
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Re: 2024-2025 Regular Season Game 71: Orlando Magic (32-38) Washington Wizards (18-53) - 7pm 

Post#150 » by KillMonger » Sat Mar 22, 2025 5:15 pm

thelead wrote:
KillMonger wrote:can someone make any sense of the JI situation?

Mosley being Mosley. I bet he would say that WCJ was playing well and Goga was the bench big he was going to go with because of Washington's lack of size. Mosley is so damn predictable that it's not even funny anymore.

not understanding it, then there's the random caleb minutes....where he's been sitting the whole game then boom he's playing in the 3rd quarter like what are we doing? 12 or 11 games left and we're still playing 11 guys?
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Re: 2024-2025 Regular Season Game 71: Orlando Magic (32-38) Washington Wizards (18-53) - 7pm 

Post#151 » by JF5 » Sat Mar 22, 2025 5:56 pm

VFX wrote:Suggs thrived last season at SG posting his best season and numbers to date. The response to that was to pay him and move him to another position? How much more obvious could it be that he isn’t a point guard. He played his best basketball until he was moved next to Gary Harris pre playoffs.


Suggs is still a developing player who is 23 years old. Giving him a boatload of cash and saying "Just be a 3&D" guy makes no sense.

You try to maximize his potential at this point to see if he can do it. This is why I reference the ascension of Franz in this situation (which is actually pretty similar) because there was talk of him not being a real second option and him being overpaid.

These guys getting that sort of investment in them. You try to stretch out their talents and get the maximum out of their potential. Especially when the core is this young. If it doesn't workout you can easily find a good PG during the offseason. That sort of task isn't as hard. I don't even understand how this is even an argument.

VFX wrote:The problem with your second statement is that Paolo specifically requested one. Who cares if it made 1 total player better. Last I checked we need both of those guys in better positions to score the basketball. More than 2 players need to be able to find rhythm to contribute. Not 3 guys standing around watching 2 guys iso for entire shot clocks worth of possessions.


This is just ridiculous... Franz turned into a Superstar Caliber Player while Paolo was out. This means essentially team building becomes a lot less difficult. In this league you need at least 2 guys to carry your team an be Championship Caliber.

If Franz doesn't turn into a Superstar this team gets capped at being a 2nd or 3rd round exit at best. And you're only not looking for a PG, but also looking for a star second option and team building and asset management becomes a lot more difficult.

Getting good role players when you have 2 Superstars becomes less difficult as theyre more willing to join a favorable situation. But if it's one or no Superstar those guys become very hesitant to join and have to overpay or give up more for half decent ones.

Also, what you mention on the backend there is Offensive Scheme which is moot to this conversation. That's more of a coaching staff issue even though roster/talent construction is part of it.


VFX wrote:Weltman agrees with your assessment obviously and that’s primarily why this season has been deemed a failure. Funny that Corey Joseph starting makes the entire team look better but this idea to triple down on 2 6’11 playmakers instead is the narrative. Why? Because you don’t like the idea that Paolo and Franz need to bring the ball up every half court possession? Is that too binary for you? Are less options better?


We'll agree to disagree on this as I've pretty much stated what the team was trying to do and the successful ascension of Franz. If there aren't changes that happen during offseason I think there will be more cause of concern because they team will build accordingly to maximize the talents of their core. Even Weltman has indicated as much in interviews in the last few months.

So if he sees it and said he was trying to make trades during the Trade Deadline for guys like Simons, White, and Quickley. You'll definitely see some movement in the offseason.

VFX wrote:
You are aware that both players can be your 1A and 1B scoring options without needing the ball in their hands 24/7 right? Is that also lost on you?


See this is how I know you don't read any post and have selective reading. I have stated since December and January this team needs a PG. I have pushed for Quickley from Toronto. Even as early as May or June before Franz improved that trading for a Tyrese Haliburton would make the most sense.

I think where you get confused is where I'm fine with having Paolo and Franz do this NOW as they need the reps going forward. This team isn't anything this year, might as well have them get better at it while they still can.

VFX wrote:Crucial development year where the entire team took several steps back due to mismanagement of assets and roster construction. Worse record and playoff opportunities. Or is this statement more about the fact that they learned this game plan is stupid and therefore need to shift gears? I’m guessing that’s NOT what you are getting at with this statement.


Again, I highly disagree with this. The team has dealt with injuries the whole year from their core and other integral role players. It essentially zapped the team of any sort of chemistry or continuity that would've established a squad that had a consistent identity on most nights.

If your best defensive player goes down (Suggs) and your team's identity is based and built off off physical and tyrannical defense from the perimeter. Then you're going to have a hard time figuring out another way to win. Especially when the offense so great.

This also needs to the next point of when your best offensive player (Paolo) goes down after 5 games. Where/How are you going to generate offense? They couldn't... and even though they were winning (as they still had that defensive identity) the offense was the worst offense during that time.

And for Paolo it literally took until after the All-Star break to get his legs under him. Now he looks back to normal after 1 1/2 months of struggling after his return.

You're not wrong about roster construction. But this team without the amount of injuries and the lack of continuity clears 50 wins.
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Re: 2024-2025 Regular Season Game 71: Orlando Magic (32-38) Washington Wizards (18-53) - 7pm 

Post#152 » by VFX » Sat Mar 22, 2025 6:36 pm

JF5 wrote:
VFX wrote:Suggs thrived last season at SG posting his best season and numbers to date. The response to that was to pay him and move him to another position? How much more obvious could it be that he isn’t a point guard. He played his best basketball until he was moved next to Gary Harris pre playoffs.


Suggs is still a developing player who is 23 years old. Giving him a boatload of cash and saying "Just be a 3&D" guy makes no sense.

You try to maximize his potential at this point to see if he can do it. This is why I reference the ascension of Franz in this situation (which is actually pretty similar) because there was talk of him not being a real second option and him being overpaid.

These guys getting that sort of investment in them. You try to stretch out their talents and get the maximum out of their potential. Especially when the core is this young. If it doesn't workout you can easily find a good PG during the offseason. That sort of task isn't as hard. I don't even understand how this is even an argument.

VFX wrote:The problem with your second statement is that Paolo specifically requested one. Who cares if it made 1 total player better. Last I checked we need both of those guys in better positions to score the basketball. More than 2 players need to be able to find rhythm to contribute. Not 3 guys standing around watching 2 guys iso for entire shot clocks worth of possessions.


This is just ridiculous... Franz turned into a Superstar Caliber Player while Paolo was out. This means essentially team building becomes a lot less difficult. In this league you need at least 2 guys to carry your team an be Championship Caliber.

If Franz doesn't turn into a Superstar this team gets capped at being a 2nd or 3rd round exit at best. And you're only not looking for a PG, but also looking for a star second option and team building and asset management becomes a lot more difficult.

Getting good role players when you have 2 Superstars becomes less difficult as theyre more willing to join a favorable situation. But if it's one or no Superstar those guys become very hesitant to join and have to overpay or give up more for half decent ones.

Also, what you mention on the backend there is Offensive Scheme which is moot to this conversation. That's more of a coaching staff issue even though roster/talent construction is part of it.


VFX wrote:Weltman agrees with your assessment obviously and that’s primarily why this season has been deemed a failure. Funny that Corey Joseph starting makes the entire team look better but this idea to triple down on 2 6’11 playmakers instead is the narrative. Why? Because you don’t like the idea that Paolo and Franz need to bring the ball up every half court possession? Is that too binary for you? Are less options better?


We'll agree to disagree on this as I've pretty much stated what the team was trying to do and the successful ascension of Franz. If there aren't changes that happen during offseason I think there will be more cause of concern because they team will build accordingly to maximize the talents of their core. Even Weltman has indicated as much in interviews in the last few months.

So if he sees it and said he was trying to make trades during the Trade Deadline for guys like Simons, White, and Quickley. You'll definitely see some movement in the offseason.

VFX wrote:
You are aware that both players can be your 1A and 1B scoring options without needing the ball in their hands 24/7 right? Is that also lost on you?


See this is how I know you don't read any post and have selective reading. I have stated since December and January this team needs a PG. I have pushed for Quickley from Toronto. Even as early as May or June before Franz improved that trading for a Tyrese Haliburton would make the most sense.

I think where you get confused is where I'm fine with having Paolo and Franz do this NOW as they need the reps going forward. This team isn't anything this year, might as well have them get better at it while they still can.

VFX wrote:Crucial development year where the entire team took several steps back due to mismanagement of assets and roster construction. Worse record and playoff opportunities. Or is this statement more about the fact that they learned this game plan is stupid and therefore need to shift gears? I’m guessing that’s NOT what you are getting at with this statement.


Again, I highly disagree with this. The team has dealt with injuries the whole year from their core and other integral role players. It essentially zapped the team of any sort of chemistry or continuity that would've established a squad that had a consistent identity on most nights.

If your best defensive player goes down (Suggs) and your team's identity is based and built off off physical and tyrannical defense from the perimeter. Then you're going to have a hard time figuring out another way to win. Especially when the offense so great.

This also needs to the next point of when your best offensive player (Paolo) goes down after 5 games. Where/How are you going to generate offense? They couldn't... and even though they were winning (as they still had that defensive identity) the offense was the worst offense during that time.

And for Paolo it literally took until after the All-Star break to get his legs under him. Now he looks back to normal after 1 1/2 months of struggling after his return.

You're not wrong about roster construction. But this team without the amount of injuries and the lack of continuity clears 50 wins.



Point 1-

Suggs is not and has not shown the ability to orchestrate a pick and roll offense with either Franz or Paolo. I love what Suggs brings at either guard spot defensively. It is IDEAL that he IS that guy. It is just extremely unlikely given the information we have with him multiple seasons in. Would I like him to be the starting point guard? Sure. Is he? Probably NO. As of now he’s an outlet on offense that can shoot and create sometimes for others.

Point 2 -

Franz can be whatever you want to label him. I consider him to be the best player on this team and it isn’t close. HOWEVER, Paolo Banchero, for whatever you think of him, is absolutely going to be paid a maximum salary. It’s my estimation that neither Franz nor anyone else on the roster currently has been able to unlock Paolo’s ability on offense when he isn’t pounding air out of the ball. That’s an issue and it can’t go overlooked no matter how good 1/2 of those guys look offensively.

If you believe Weltman finds those answers this offseason, then fine. But if Paolo says this himself, the eye test affirms this, all while you tell me it’s nonsense, then I’m going to politely say you don’t know what you’re talking about.

Point 3 -

I don’t remember every comment you’ve ever made on the forum. I don’t bookmark every post you’ve made. There are maybe 5 posters on this forum that make points worth remembering and you aren’t one of them.

The issue with them “working it out” is that it’s encouraging bad habits during development. Neither of these guys should be “point forward” isoing every possession. They need to be able to catch and shoot the basketball outside of the paint. And personally, I believe they were both injured similarly due to this style of play for lack of options this season. You can disagree with that if you want. Don’t really care.

Lastly -

These are right out of Weltmans talking points this offseason.

“We were injured in November so we weren’t healthy all season”

“Suggs went down and despite signing a million bench player backups the production still fell off a cliff”

“The trade deadline was hard. Teams squeezed us for assets even though I never picked up the phone”

The point is that the entire system shouldn’t be 2 players total on offense plus Moe off the bench. I know you agree with the roster construction, but let’s not pretend that this experiment they attempted was productive and worth pushing further. Franz looks good without Paolo and a point guard, cool. That’s not how the team is constructed unfortunately.
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Re: 2024-2025 Regular Season Game 71: Orlando Magic (32-38) Washington Wizards (18-53) - 7pm 

Post#153 » by Optimus_Steel » Sat Mar 22, 2025 7:17 pm

Isn’t it obvious that the Magic are trading for Poole in the offseason lol
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Re: 2024-2025 Regular Season Game 71: Orlando Magic (32-38) Washington Wizards (18-53) - 7pm 

Post#154 » by meatwad4343 » Sat Mar 22, 2025 7:24 pm

shadrock wrote:Just basic competent PG play has taken this teams shooting up a level. Simply incomprehensible how it took this long to realise it.


Honestly I feel like this team would be like 5-10 wins better right now if we had just signed tyus Jones off the street when nobody wanted him
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Re: 2024-2025 Regular Season Game 71: Orlando Magic (32-38) Washington Wizards (18-53) - 7pm 

Post#155 » by JF5 » Sat Mar 22, 2025 7:58 pm

VFX wrote:Point 1-

Suggs is not and has not shown the ability to orchestrate a pick and roll offense with either Franz or Paolo. I love what Suggs brings at either guard spot defensively. It is IDEAL that he IS that guy. It is just extremely unlikely given the information we have with him multiple seasons in. Would I like him to be the starting point guard? Sure. Is he? Probably NO. As of now he’s an outlet on offense that can shoot and create sometimes for others.


I think you're having a hard time understanding this.

The team purposely did this to see if Suggs can develop into a PG or improve his playmaking skills. I'm not arguing that it hasn't worked out or what he currently is.

I'm saying because of the contract they gave him they wanted to see if he could essentially outplay his contract, and if he did they'd be able to improve the roster elsewhere if he did potentially turn to a star at the PG position.

Since it hasn't worked out now they have to find/get more resources/funds to get a starting level PG whilst having to find complimentary pieces.

If Suggs turned into a Star you wouldn't have to get more resources to assuage or make better the Guard position.

VFX wrote:Point 2 -

Franz can be whatever you want to label him. I consider him to be the best player on this team and it isn’t close. HOWEVER, Paolo Banchero, for whatever you think of him, is absolutely going to be paid a maximum salary. It’s my estimation that neither Franz nor anyone else on the roster currently has been able to unlock Paolo’s ability on offense when he isn’t pounding air out of the ball. That’s an issue and it can’t go overlooked no matter how good 1/2 of those guys look offensively.

If you believe Weltman finds those answers this offseason, then fine. But if Paolo says this himself, the eye test affirms this, all while you tell me it’s nonsense, then I’m going to politely say you don’t know what you’re talking about.


Poor reading comprehension, again... I don't know what you're arguing about here. Nobody is saying this team doesn't need a PG.

It's that they went the internal development path first with Black and Suggs and it didn't work out. Now theyre likely to try to find one in the offseason. That's clearly what they tried to do during this season.

VFX wrote:Point 3 -

I don’t remember every comment you’ve ever made on the forum. I don’t bookmark every post you’ve made. There are maybe 5 posters on this forum that make points worth remembering and you aren’t one of them.


This is part of the problem when I have conversations with you. You typically try to go back to points that had 5-6 months previously and you think you "gotten me" when my points slide with how the team is performing or looks.

It looks ridiculous and looks personal when you start arguing and taking digs about someone's points that have changed months ago. Like, when you tried to bring up Wendell Carter. Even though he's a player that makes sense the most out of all the bigs they have currently. I'm not opposed to move off on him if they find a replacement that fits along side the other players.

VFX wrote:The issue with them “working it out” is that it’s encouraging bad habits during development. Neither of these guys should be “point forward” isoing every possession. They need to be able to catch and shoot the basketball outside of the paint. And personally, I believe they were both injured similarly due to this style of play for lack of options this season. You can disagree with that if you want. Don’t really care.


This is very debatable for many reasons. The Best Players in the league are iso guys. If you don't have 1-2 of these guys in the modern NBA you're not going anywhere. It's essential to have a guy or guys get you a bucket or make you a tough play when the offensive system is in dire straits and your system fails. This team needs a system but simultaneously Franz and Paolo need to be better iso/playmakers in those situations.

If they don't do that they won't get far into the playoffs without elite iso games.

VFX wrote:Lastly -

These are right out of Weltmans talking points this offseason.

“We were injured in November so we weren’t healthy all season”

“Suggs went down and despite signing a million bench player backups the production still fell off a cliff”

“The trade deadline was hard. Teams squeezed us for assets even though I never picked up the phone”

The point is that the entire system shouldn’t be 2 players total on offense plus Moe off the bench. I know you agree with the roster construction, but let’s not pretend that this experiment they attempted was productive and worth pushing further. Franz looks good without Paolo and a point guard, cool. That’s not how the team is constructed unfortunately.


This is even more ridiculous... So you're saying significant injuries to all 3 of your young core players at various points of the season won't hurt the team when it comes to winning?

Also, "Teams squeezed us hard during trade negotiations" but apparently Weltman "never picked up the phone". How do you reconcile those 2 quotes as they contradict each other? Ether he was taking calls or he wasn't, lmao.

And if he wasn't, then it's absolutely strange to hear reports from NBA sources that the front office was in talks with Chicago, Portland, and Toronto. Which Weltman corroborated himself in that post deadline interview in February, to which those teams "ironically" have PGs theyre trying to move off of.

Things that you're saying here with this point don't align and make no sense.
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Re: 2024-2025 Regular Season Game 71: Orlando Magic (32-38) Washington Wizards (18-53) - 7pm 

Post#156 » by drsd » Sat Mar 22, 2025 8:01 pm

pepe1991 wrote:Before start of 2023-24 topic of talks was: can Fultz be all star.


And-1

I was one of the Homers who had dreams of Fultz as a 5-way scorer. Sad to see the injuries pile up, but they did. And that is that.
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Re: 2024-2025 Regular Season Game 71: Orlando Magic (32-38) Washington Wizards (18-53) - 7pm 

Post#157 » by VFX » Sat Mar 22, 2025 9:23 pm

JF5 wrote:I think you're having a hard time understanding this.


No, you are just willfully dense.

Suggs as a SG played spectacularly well. The issue with this team is solved with a competent point guard, which he would have shown at this point as being capable.

Signing KCP with this in mind is what added salt to the wound. That’s not a “minor” decision to “test things out”. That’s directly a major decision with further reaching implications rather than just acquiring a point guard.

JF5 wrote:Poor reading comprehension, again... I don't know what you're arguing about here. Nobody is saying this team doesn't need a PG.


”they wanted Paolo and Franz to develop playmaking skills aswell. And look who was the beneficiary of not having a PG during that time.”

Wrong. That’s your quote two posts ago. Regardless of what was “intended” doesn’t matter. Your initial gripe was saying you “didn’t like” the narrative that Paolo wanted a point guard and gave me a Weltman rationale as to why.

So you are either playing dumb or buy into this idea that Weltmans intentions outweigh the outcomes. I don’t care about the intentions whether that emotionally matters to you or not.

VFX wrote:Point 3 -

I don’t remember every comment you’ve ever made on the forum. I don’t bookmark every post you’ve made. There are maybe 5 posters on this forum that make points worth remembering and you aren’t one of them.


JF5 wrote: This is part of the problem when I have conversations with you. You typically try to go back to points that had 5-6 months previously and you think you "gotten me" when my points slide with how the team is performing or looks.

It looks ridiculous and looks personal when you start arguing and taking digs about someone's points that have changed months ago.


I haven’t brought up any of your previous posts in this exchange. You make it seem like you’ve earned some level of respect discussing things here with me. You haven’t. It’s not personal. Your takes vary from Front Office apologist to player contrarian. Can’t say I respect either of those opinions whether it comes from you or not. You let nothing go if someone calls you out. Saying stupid crap like “reading comprehension” in responses doesn’t help your case. It makes your arguments look weak, so I WILL be talking down to you when you respond that way.

VFX wrote:The issue with them “working it out” is that it’s encouraging bad habits during development. Neither of these guys should be “point forward” isoing every possession. They need to be able to catch and shoot the basketball outside of the paint. And personally, I believe they were both injured similarly due to this style of play for lack of options this season. You can disagree with that if you want. Don’t really care.


JF5 wrote:This is very debatable for many reasons. The Best Players in the league are iso guys. If you don't have 1-2 of these guys in the modern NBA you're not going anywhere. It's essential to have a guy or guys get you a bucket or make you a tough play when the offensive system is in dire straits and your system fails. This team needs a system but simultaneously Franz and Paolo need to be better iso/playmakers in those situations.

If they don't do that they won't get far into the playoffs without elite iso games.


This is semantics. Is Jokic an “iso” guy? Luka objectively is, but he takes shots at a high clip from outside. Same with Tatum and Curry. I agree the team needs a system and they will become better playmakers. They both need to become better at catching and shooting the ball everywhere on the court. Paolo dribbling into Carmelo-esque fadeaway paint mid range jumpers isn’t the iso ball im in favor of due to no point guards getting him into easier looks. His game isn’t efficient and he’s considered a hub on offense. Telling media he doesn’t want to be the initial playmaker justifies the eye test.

VFX wrote:Lastly -

These are right out of Weltmans talking points this offseason.

“We were injured in November so we weren’t healthy all season”

“Suggs went down and despite signing a million bench player backups the production still fell off a cliff”

“The trade deadline was hard. Teams squeezed us for assets even though I never picked up the phone”

The point is that the entire system shouldn’t be 2 players total on offense plus Moe off the bench. I know you agree with the roster construction, but let’s not pretend that this experiment they attempted was productive and worth pushing further. Franz looks good without Paolo and a point guard, cool. That’s not how the team is constructed unfortunately.


JF5 wrote:This is even more ridiculous... So you're saying significant injuries to all 3 of your young core players at various points of the season won't hurt the team when it comes to winning?

Also, "Teams squeezed us hard during trade negotiations" but apparently Weltman "never picked up the phone". How do you reconcile those 2 quotes as they contradict each other? Ether he was taking calls or he wasn't, lmao.

And if he wasn't, then it's absolutely strange to hear reports from NBA sources that the front office was in talks with Chicago, Portland, and Toronto. Which Weltman corroborated himself in that post deadline interview in February, to which those teams "ironically" have PGs theyre trying to move off of.

Things that you're saying here with this point don't align and make no sense.


What is it that you don’t understand?

Are you saying that the roster, that you agree needs an overhaul, isn’t a contribution to poor performances even if injured at various stages? The point guard experiment failed but that has nothing to do with the way the system is run? OK bud.

You say they need a system then think it’s “ridiculous” not having one isn’t a factor. OK.

You have a hard time differentiating what Weltman says and what the rest of the league says. I understand that from someone that buys everything the FO tells them. Windhorst said “nobody hears from Orlando about trades” point blank. Weltman hasn’t made a trade since March 2021. Then WELTMAN SAYS “teams wanted to squeeze us for assets because of our current position”. A position he created himself despite probably lying anyway. We have his track record on trades. It doesn’t matter what he claims. Was Mike Miller caught discussing the weather with him in a heated exchange? :lol:

Get it?
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Re: 2024-2025 Regular Season Game 71: Orlando Magic (32-38) Washington Wizards (18-53) - 7pm 

Post#158 » by eyriq » Sat Mar 22, 2025 9:38 pm

Optimus_Steel wrote:Isn’t it obvious that the Magic are trading for Poole in the offseason lol
I could see it
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Re: 2024-2025 Regular Season Game 71: Orlando Magic (32-38) Washington Wizards (18-53) - 7pm 

Post#159 » by eyriq » Sat Mar 22, 2025 10:09 pm

VFX wrote:Get it?


Bad roster construction and a "broken system", OR a young team hit with injuries to their best players that is still developing.

You are investing so much energy and angst into a critique of a rebuilding team that hasn't even started their playoff contention phase of the build. Talk to me in 2027 when Paolo is in the first year of his max deal.
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Re: 2024-2025 Regular Season Game 71: Orlando Magic (32-38) Washington Wizards (18-53) - 7pm 

Post#160 » by Driguez » Sat Mar 22, 2025 10:10 pm

Weltman a going for Poole? Right
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