2024-2025 Regular Season Game 73: Orlando Magic (34-38) at Charlotte Hornets (18-53) - 7pm

[drsd]

A historic game for Harris. This is the first time he has two made FGs since 21 Feb.

[cedric76]

If Cole comes back and starts immediately, i swear to fking god...

no call equal win

[Jiwol]

i don't even know how to feel about late Ws. Like, if you have to choose, playing Cavs is way easier first round match up than Celtics. Celtics will just steamroll through you with elite defense and 3 point barrage that we can't match.

And they tend to be bit shaky at home, at least in regular season, but they are best road team in nba. Needless to say they are defending champions and at least to me, and betting houses, still runaway favorite to wuin again.

I thought the seeding is being decided in the play-in. The winner of 7-8 gets 7th seed and the winner of the elimination game gets the 8th.

[drsd]

Boxscore thoughts:

Orlando won the FG% battle and won the game.

Even though the Hornets dominated 3ptFG%, Orlando also won the eFG% (52.78 to 50.00) battle becasue of fantastic 2ptFG% (58.33) and horrific Hornets 2ptFG% (42.59).

Orlando dominated rebounding differential (+12) and TO differential (-3), meaning 15 extra possessions. Weirdly that only led to 2 extra FGAs in total.

[drsd]

i don't even know how to feel about late Ws. Like, if you have to choose, playing Cavs is way easier first round match up than Celtics. Celtics will just steamroll through you with elite defense and 3 point barrage that we can't match.

And they tend to be bit shaky at home, at least in regular season, but they are best road team in nba. Needless to say they are defending champions and at least to me, and betting houses, still runaway favorite to wuin again.

I thought the seeding is being decided in the play-in. The winner of 7-8 gets 7th seed and the winner of the elimination game gets the 8th.

That is correct. The implication is that no matter what, the 7-seed has played one play-in game and that the 8-seed has played two play-in games. (freshness)

[pepe1991]

i don't even know how to feel about late Ws. Like, if you have to choose, playing Cavs is way easier first round match up than Celtics. Celtics will just steamroll through you with elite defense and 3 point barrage that we can't match.

And they tend to be bit shaky at home, at least in regular season, but they are best road team in nba. Needless to say they are defending champions and at least to me, and betting houses, still runaway favorite to wuin again.

I thought the seeding is being decided in the play-in. The winner of 7-8 gets 7th seed and the winner of the elimination game gets the 8th.

It is, but we will probably catch Atlanta and play them at home for 7th seed. Than loser will play for 8th seed against winner of Heat- Bulls game.

Just went to see schedule, we play Atlanta twice in next 9 games, i guess direct match up will decide who has home court in first game of playin.

[drsd]

Winning this trap-game is huge for the Magic. Orlando will be the favored team over the next 6 games. Then: Boston, who might sit the whole roster, @Indiana a team likely fighting for playoff seed (?scheduled loss?), and @Atlanta perhaps to determine the South East champion.

I am confident Orlando will win more games than they will lose over the next. A 6-3 run to get to 41-41 doesn't see that far fetched. Right?

[basketballRob]

How do you play 30 minutes as a "point guard" and log 0 assists?

And y'all say Cole is a ballhog

AB brings the ball up and hands it off to Paolo or Franz. That's the way the offense is designed. I've noticed Franz and Paolo have been looking for AB to pass it back more lately.

Cojo is averaging less than 3 apg in his last 7 games as a starter. The offense runs through Franz and Paolo.

Cojo and AB finished with 25/8/3 in 48 minutes.

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[basketballRob]

We're 12th in offense and 9th in defense, the last 6 games.

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[JoshuaPotter]

How do you play 30 minutes as a "point guard" and log 0 assists?

And y'all say Cole is a ballhog

AB brings the ball up and hands it off to Paolo or Franz. That's the way the offense is designed. I've noticed Franz and Paolo have been looking for AB to pass it back more lately.

Cojo is averaging less than 3 apg in his last 7 games as a starter. The offense runs through Franz and Paolo.

Cojo and AB finished with 25/8/3 in 48 minutes.

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In regards to CoJo and why I like him.

He makes 3s at a decent clip and he runs offensive plays. Plays do not neccessarily need to lead to assists as a PG when your usage rate is Paolo + Franz. What we really need is the fact that there is a set offense.

For example, I watched the highlight reel and Paolo + Franz actually did a pick n roll or screen and got an open shot. I have heard this over several games. Why this isn't run 100x a game when there isn't a mismatch is baffling, but here we are.

[Bergmaniac]

The second game of a home and away B2B is always tough, so I'd take the win even if we didn't play all that well against a bad team. Paolo continues to score efficiently, Black with another high scoring game and Harris had his best game in a while, great D, 5 assists, key rebounds, made 2 threes and his two misses were on a end of a half heave and when he was given the ball at the end of the shot clock and had to chuck a deep 3. Good decision by Mosley to keep AB and Harris on the court late when they were doing well and KCP and Cory Joseph looked tired and ineffective in their minutes.

[Skybox]

Harris gets a lot of crap and largely deserved. In my case, it always bugs me to see him yukking it up with the other injured guys while there is a serious game going on. When I see Paolo simmering on the bench, pissed off that the other team even showed up - I love it. That's what Giannis would feel - and Bird and Jordan and most of the greats. Steph will smile and laugh while he's cutting your throat. The contrast with Gary's (and often Wendell's) "having a good ole time, cashing checks while we play short-handed" demeanor is distressing to me. I'm fine with cutting him loose.

The acceptable alternative is to NOT exercise his $7.5m option and re-sign him for the $3m he deserves as a deep bench 3&D guy (who doesn't take a lot of 3's). You could do a lot worse among vet min reserves. He rarely makes a significant statistical impact, but he doesn't make stupid mistakes or take bad shots. He doesn't lose games for you - and that's probably sufficient for a guy on the end of the bench collecting an appropriate salary.

[JoshuaPotter]

Harris gets a lot of crap and largely deserved. In my case, it always bugs me to see him yukking it up with the other injured guys while there is a serious game going on. When I see Paolo simmering on the bench, pissed off that the other team even showed up - I love it. That's what Giannis would feel - and Bird and Jordan and most of the greats. Steph will smile and laugh while he's cutting your throat. The contrast with Gary's (and often Wendell's) "having a good ole time, cashing checks while we play short-handed" demeanor is distressing to me. I'm fine with cutting him loose.

The acceptable alternative is to NOT exercise his $7.5m option and re-sign him for the $3m he deserves as a deep bench 3&D guy (who doesn't take a lot of 3's). You could do a lot worse among vet min reserves. He rarely makes a significant statistical impact, but he doesn't make stupid mistakes or take bad shots. He doesn't lose games for you - and that's probably sufficient for a guy on the end of the bench collecting an appropriate salary.

Once again I agree. It's OK that some of these players are buddy buddy. But the day Paolo comes in and 100% act like he doesn't care when we are down 20 unless he sees a new light or picture I feel like we lost some innocents from him. I also feel that despite their demeanor, Suggs, Franz, Mo have a similar mindset to the game as Paolo then not.

Black is the gray area from me, I have seen him hang his head far too often when going through his "sophmore pit of despair". It is why I give credit to the idea that Paolo has been complimenting him in post game interviews. IE feeding his ego. I can't remember if it was last night or the night before but Paolo specifically mentioned that he tells Black to take no crap from anyone.

I simply just don't question Paolo commitment to winning. This to me is an "X" factor that can propel him beyond the poor mans Carmelo Anthony trope he is compared too.

[Rainwater]

i don't even know how to feel about late Ws. Like, if you have to choose, playing Cavs is way easier first round match up than Celtics. Celtics will just steamroll through you with elite defense and 3 point barrage that we can't match.

And they tend to be bit shaky at home, at least in regular season, but they are best road team in nba. Needless to say they are defending champions and at least to me, and betting houses, still runaway favorite to win again.

I would much rather play the Cavs as well.

[Ducklett]

Harris gets a lot of crap and largely deserved. In my case, it always bugs me to see him yukking it up with the other injured guys while there is a serious game going on. When I see Paolo simmering on the bench, pissed off that the other team even showed up - I love it. That's what Giannis would feel - and Bird and Jordan and most of the greats. Steph will smile and laugh while he's cutting your throat. The contrast with Gary's (and often Wendell's) "having a good ole time, cashing checks while we play short-handed" demeanor is distressing to me. I'm fine with cutting him loose.

The acceptable alternative is to NOT exercise his $7.5m option and re-sign him for the $3m he deserves as a deep bench 3&D guy (who doesn't take a lot of 3's). You could do a lot worse among vet min reserves. He rarely makes a significant statistical impact, but he doesn't make stupid mistakes or take bad shots. He doesn't lose games for you - and that's probably sufficient for a guy on the end of the bench collecting an appropriate salary.

Once again I agree. It's OK that some of these players are buddy buddy. But the day Paolo comes in and 100% act like he doesn't care when we are down 20 unless he sees a new light or picture I feel like we lost some innocents from him. I also feel that despite their demeanor, Suggs, Franz, Mo have a similar mindset to the game as Paolo then not.

Black is the gray area from me, I have seen him hang his head far too often when going through his "sophmore pit of despair". It is why I give credit to the idea that Paolo has been complimenting him in post game interviews. IE feeding his ego. I can't remember if it was last night or the night before but Paolo specifically mentioned that he tells Black to take no crap from anyone.

I simply just don't question Paolo commitment to winning. This to me is an "X" factor that can propel him beyond the poor mans Carmelo Anthony trope he is compared too.

I believe Paolo has said a few times that he is close with AB and it stems from that game last year when AB picked up the T and stuff was getting crazy and Paolo and Suggs went over to help him from losing it.

[drsd]

All road wins are good wins. Why aren't we talking more about the close-out victory. What a finale!

The tiebreaker criteria are as follows: Head-to-head record; better record in games with the tied teams. Division record; better record in games against teams in its own division (Only if the teams are in the same division). Conference record; better record in games against teams in its own conference.

Also: This was a very, very important win in tie-breakers with Atlanta.

[Skybox]

Harris gets a lot of crap and largely deserved. In my case, it always bugs me to see him yukking it up with the other injured guys while there is a serious game going on. When I see Paolo simmering on the bench, pissed off that the other team even showed up - I love it. That's what Giannis would feel - and Bird and Jordan and most of the greats. Steph will smile and laugh while he's cutting your throat. The contrast with Gary's (and often Wendell's) "having a good ole time, cashing checks while we play short-handed" demeanor is distressing to me. I'm fine with cutting him loose.

The acceptable alternative is to NOT exercise his $7.5m option and re-sign him for the $3m he deserves as a deep bench 3&D guy (who doesn't take a lot of 3's). You could do a lot worse among vet min reserves. He rarely makes a significant statistical impact, but he doesn't make stupid mistakes or take bad shots. He doesn't lose games for you - and that's probably sufficient for a guy on the end of the bench collecting an appropriate salary.

Once again I agree. It's OK that some of these players are buddy buddy. But the day Paolo comes in and 100% act like he doesn't care when we are down 20 unless he sees a new light or picture I feel like we lost some innocents from him. I also feel that despite their demeanor, Suggs, Franz, Mo have a similar mindset to the game as Paolo then not.

Black is the gray area from me, I have seen him hang his head far too often when going through his "sophmore pit of despair". It is why I give credit to the idea that Paolo has been complimenting him in post game interviews. IE feeding his ego. I can't remember if it was last night or the night before but Paolo specifically mentioned that he tells Black to take no crap from anyone.

I simply just don't question Paolo commitment to winning. This to me is an "X" factor that can propel him beyond the poor mans Carmelo Anthony trope he is compared too.

I believe Paolo has said a few times that he is close with AB and it stems from that game last year when AB picked up the T and stuff was getting crazy and Paolo and Suggs went over to help him from losing it.

Yeah...AB's body language is so much better this year...he would really get upset with himself as a rookie. He's never been afraid to defend anybody (Star or Scrub) hard - which is a great testament to his inner fire.

[basketballRob]

Harris gets a lot of crap and largely deserved. In my case, it always bugs me to see him yukking it up with the other injured guys while there is a serious game going on. When I see Paolo simmering on the bench, pissed off that the other team even showed up - I love it. That's what Giannis would feel - and Bird and Jordan and most of the greats. Steph will smile and laugh while he's cutting your throat. The contrast with Gary's (and often Wendell's) "having a good ole time, cashing checks while we play short-handed" demeanor is distressing to me. I'm fine with cutting him loose.

The acceptable alternative is to NOT exercise his $7.5m option and re-sign him for the $3m he deserves as a deep bench 3&D guy (who doesn't take a lot of 3's). You could do a lot worse among vet min reserves. He rarely makes a significant statistical impact, but he doesn't make stupid mistakes or take bad shots. He doesn't lose games for you - and that's probably sufficient for a guy on the end of the bench collecting an appropriate salary.

Once again I agree. It's OK that some of these players are buddy buddy. But the day Paolo comes in and 100% act like he doesn't care when we are down 20 unless he sees a new light or picture I feel like we lost some innocents from him. I also feel that despite their demeanor, Suggs, Franz, Mo have a similar mindset to the game as Paolo then not.

Black is the gray area from me, I have seen him hang his head far too often when going through his "sophmore pit of despair". It is why I give credit to the idea that Paolo has been complimenting him in post game interviews. IE feeding his ego. I can't remember if it was last night or the night before but Paolo specifically mentioned that he tells Black to take no crap from anyone.

I simply just don't question Paolo commitment to winning. This to me is an "X" factor that can propel him beyond the poor mans Carmelo Anthony trope he is compared too.

I believe Paolo has said a few times that he is close with AB and it stems from that game last year when AB picked up the T and stuff was getting crazy and Paolo and Suggs went over to help him from losing it.

AB, Suggs, and Paolo are all ex football players, and all have mixed parents. They have a lot in common.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

[Skybox]

Once again I agree. It's OK that some of these players are buddy buddy. But the day Paolo comes in and 100% act like he doesn't care when we are down 20 unless he sees a new light or picture I feel like we lost some innocents from him. I also feel that despite their demeanor, Suggs, Franz, Mo have a similar mindset to the game as Paolo then not.

Black is the gray area from me, I have seen him hang his head far too often when going through his "sophmore pit of despair". It is why I give credit to the idea that Paolo has been complimenting him in post game interviews. IE feeding his ego. I can't remember if it was last night or the night before but Paolo specifically mentioned that he tells Black to take no crap from anyone.

I simply just don't question Paolo commitment to winning. This to me is an "X" factor that can propel him beyond the poor mans Carmelo Anthony trope he is compared too.

I believe Paolo has said a few times that he is close with AB and it stems from that game last year when AB picked up the T and stuff was getting crazy and Paolo and Suggs went over to help him from losing it.

AB, Suggs, and Paolo are all ex football players, and all have mixed parents. They have a lot in common.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

Larry Bird is none of those and he would eat their hearts for breakfast