2024-2025 NBA Playoffs Round 1, Game 1: (7) Orlando Magic at (2) Boston Celtics - 3:30pm ET

[eyriq]

ESPN Net Points Dunce nominations

CoJo (-6.7)
Franz (-4.7)
Cole (-3.2)

Two positive players
Paolo (+6.1)
JI (+2.8)

Boston Vest nominations
White (+7.1)
Pritchard (+6.1)
Porzingis (+2.3)

[eyriq]

We don't have a 3rd option or a 6th man. Cole and AB are the only players outside of Paolo and Franz that have a skill set to create for themselves and others. Cole sucks and AB is still too young. The offense 100% relies on Paolo and Franz playmaking for themselves and others, the others simply cannot create their own shots or lighten the playmaking load.

And who is to blame for all of that?

Weltman. He shouldn't have stood pat at the deadline. Cole was an obvious upgrade that absolutely had to happen.

[eyriq]

Franz hasn't really been right for a while, not sure what is up with him. The ankle sprain?

[Def Swami]

Anybody feel like it will be easier to "teach them how to play the right way" 5 years into their careers, when they're making 100's of millions, in their mid-20's, multi-time All-Stars...when we finally surround them with a complementary supporting cast? The only development going on these years is reinforcing bad habits and encouraging selfish sloppy Hero ball offense because it IS the best chance of winning.

You just need consistency and trust from role players. WCJ making two **** boneheaded plays out of the 3rd quarter makes it really hard to trust him the rest of the game. Other times, Franz/Paolo have to battle those internal demons of selfish play (which most stars have to) - and the rest is hoping and praying we make shots at the same level the Celtics can.

This series not only forces us to have to be smart more often than not (lol) but also make shots AND still play good defense.

We can usually do the third one, the other two it's just not there yet consistently.

That WCJ is truly a microcosm of the Wendell Carter experience. 7 years into his career and this is who he is. I just don’t believe accepting that level of mediocrity out of a veteran starting center should be acceptable anymore.

[basketballRob]

We are so tied to Wendell because he can spread the offense and guard the perimeter. Jarrett Allen doesn't do that and has success.

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[basketballRob]

Anybody feel like it will be easier to "teach them how to play the right way" 5 years into their careers, when they're making 100's of millions, in their mid-20's, multi-time All-Stars...when we finally surround them with a complementary supporting cast? The only development going on these years is reinforcing bad habits and encouraging selfish sloppy Hero ball offense because it IS the best chance of winning.

You just need consistency and trust from role players. WCJ making two **** boneheaded plays out of the 3rd quarter makes it really hard to trust him the rest of the game. Other times, Franz/Paolo have to battle those internal demons of selfish play (which most stars have to) - and the rest is hoping and praying we make shots at the same level the Celtics can.

This series not only forces us to have to be smart more often than not (lol) but also make shots AND still play good defense.

We can usually do the third one, the other two it's just not there yet consistently.

That WCJ is truly a microcosm of the Wendell Carter experience. 7 years into his career and this is who he is. I just don’t believe accepting that level of mediocrity out of a veteran starting center should be acceptable anymore.

Kel'el Ware is 20 years old and already better than Wendell.

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[basketballRob]

Paolo and Franz with 9 assists and 9 turnovers.

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[T-Cat]

I wonder if Mosley would consider bringing Franz off the bench in favor of Caleb Houstan?

We need more shooting around Paolo and Franz would help out the second unit tremendously!

I also would give Goga some minutes in favor of Gary Harris, maybe even start him over WCJ.

Goga, Paolo, KCP, Houstan, CoJo in the SL

WCJ, JI, Franz, AB and Cole Anthony off the bench.

I expect to win game 2.

[BadMofoPimp]

We don't have a 3rd option or a 6th man. Cole and AB are the only players outside of Paolo and Franz that have a skill set to create for themselves and others. Cole sucks and AB is still too young. The offense 100% relies on Paolo and Franz playmaking for themselves and others, the others simply cannot create their own shots or lighten the playmaking load.

And who is to blame for all of that?

Weltman. He shouldn't have stood pat at the deadline. Cole was an obvious upgrade that absolutely had to happen.

So, if Cole had to happen, then you are happy with the extension.

[basketballRob]

They need to tell AB that he needs to look for offense. I don't like that he always passes it to Paolo or Franz to bring the ball up. He should relieve them from bringing the ball up.

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[eyriq]

And who is to blame for all of that?

Weltman. He shouldn't have stood pat at the deadline. Cole was an obvious upgrade that absolutely had to happen.

So, if Cole had to happen, then you are happy with the extension.

Upgrading Cole via trade had to happen, sorry if I didn’t communicate that clearly.

[eyriq]

I wonder if Mosley would consider bringing Franz off the bench in favor of Caleb Houstan?

We need more shooting around Paolo and Franz would help out the second unit tremendously!

I also would give Goga some minutes in favor of Gary Harris, maybe even start him over WCJ.

Goga, Paolo, KCP, Houstan, CoJo in the SL

WCJ, JI, Franz, AB and Cole Anthony off the bench.

I expect to win game 2.

I wouldn’t bother wondering, the clear answer is no, Mosley wouldn’t consider bringing Franz off the bench.

[basketballRob]

Weltman. He shouldn't have stood pat at the deadline. Cole was an obvious upgrade that absolutely had to happen.

So, if Cole had to happen, then you are happy with the extension.

Upgrading Cole via trade had to happen, sorry if I didn’t communicate that clearly.

Mccollum would be perfect to replace him and Harris.

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[BadMofoPimp]

So, if Cole had to happen, then you are happy with the extension.

Upgrading Cole via trade had to happen, sorry if I didn’t communicate that clearly.

Mccollum would be perfect to replace him and Harris.

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If the Magic didn't want to spend $28mil on Simons, why would they spend assets on $30mil 34yo CJ for a one year rental?

[basketballRob]

Upgrading Cole via trade had to happen, sorry if I didn’t communicate that clearly.

Mccollum would be perfect to replace him and Harris.

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If the Magic didn't want to spend $28mil on Simons, why would they spend assets on $30mil 34yo CJ for a one year rental?

It would be contingent on him signing a two year reasonable extension. I'd offer him a two year $30m extension. That would make him 37 at the end of his contract. I'm not sure if he has that much gas in the tank or not.

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[OnlyFranz22]

Why does the West matter? You side the Magic had business in the playoffs, hence why I mention eastern conference teams.

Has nothing to do with the playoffs. I’m just saying how many teams do you rank before the Magic when it comes to the east and west.

That’s kind of important from a competitive standpoint

You said the Magic had no business in the playoffs? Hence my response. The Magic can't qualify for the western conference playoffs, to me the west doesn't make a difference.

When did I ever say they had no business in the playoffs?

[J the Drafter]

Two free throws for Franz and six free throws for Paolo. The Celtics led the Magic 11-4 in free throws at one point. I know the Celtics are a great defensive team, but were fouls called appropriately?

Also, Coach Mosley said in his postgame presser that he really wants the Magic to push the pace so they can get easier shots.

It might be worth starting Black for defensive purposes. Surrender a little more offense and fully commit to defending.

[MagicFan101]

They need to tell AB that he needs to look for offense. I don't like that he always passes it to Paolo or Franz to bring the ball up. He should relieve them from bringing the ball up.

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If you listen to Mosley talk about AB, this is absolutely happening. “Be Aggressive!” is the 24/7 message they are delivering to him. On defense that comes more naturally to him. We have seen flashes of it on offense but he’s not putting together yet. This was a BIG stage and he shelled up with the ball in his hands. I’m not going to back away from him. This is a teachable moment.

[MagicFan101]

Upgrading Cole via trade had to happen, sorry if I didn’t communicate that clearly.

Mccollum would be perfect to replace him and Harris.

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If the Magic didn't want to spend $28mil on Simons, why would they spend assets on $30mil 34yo CJ for a one year rental?

I’m catching up on posts but …

Who said the Magic didn’t want to spend $28M on Simons?

If you’re referring to not making a move at the trade deadline, all noise from that was regarding steep asking price (most like Black + FRPs) not the due salary.

[KillMonger]

I think the Magic’s front office thinks they can recreate a 2016 Cavs or 2024 Mavericks kind of situation where they end up having two guys who are so good at creating, finding and ultimately destroying mismatches in isolation that they can ride that all the way to the Finals/winning a championship.

I just think the road to accomplishing that is full of potential potholes, none bigger than the fact these two guys just aren’t as good as the other guys who have had high end success playing this style.

something tells me the difference in our situation and the 2016 cavs or the mavs isn't the stars......hint(it's the others)