2025-2026 Regular Season Game 1: Miami Heat (0-0) at Orlando Magic (0-0) - 7pm ET

[dsg2021]

Paolo stepped up on rebounds while Miami was killing us.

Paolo didn’t keep attacking the same way on O when it wasn’t working.

He also picked up his defense.

Paolo showed a lot of maturity and was still a key part to winning. Paolo also opened the floor for everyone else has the instant double team happened when he received the ball on O.

He had arguably the strongest 4th quarter of the star players. Bane was like 2-5 FG, Franz 1-4 or something, Suggs 2-2 but minutes restricted.

We’d be drooling and talking about how cool it is that SGA is a free throw merchant if he were on the Magic, but then don’t talk about how Paolo goes like 5-6 FTs in the 4th alone. And it’s not even being a merchant, it’s more true and real rather than merchant drives and pump fakes to jump into the defender for a foul, it’s this “here’s a LBJ type problem, your Coach is literally cool with you fouling him under 6 feet because no one is as strong as him”. I don’t know how we went from loving/appreciating this All-NBA feature of his offensive game all the way to ignoring-it/penalizing him for it.

[tooler]

We all know the strengths and weaknesses of both Paolo and Franz. They do too, and I’m confident they’ll keep working on them.

We all want them to magically fix everything for good over the summer. Let’s just see how it goes.

[KillMonger]

Tyus, like KCP, has a proven history...AB is still a hope to this point. Way premature to start on that ish.

yeah.....i think he just needs a bit more time to get acclimated to the team....clearly after 1 game we're still figuring out the chemistry and learning each other's game i mean my god....franz threw an alley to tyus jones on a fast break, that should tell you they are still learning how to play together in real time

[Skybox]

Tyus, like KCP, has a proven history...AB is still a hope to this point. Way premature to start on that ish.

yeah.....i think he just needs a bit more time to get acclimated to the team....clearly after 1 game we're still figuring out the chemistry and learning each other's game i mean my god....franz threw an alley to tyus jones on a fast break, that should tell you they are still learning how to play together in real time

If Tyus got up and crammed it, AB would be on the block today

[dsg2021]

Tyus, like KCP, has a proven history...AB is still a hope to this point. Way premature to start on that ish.

yeah.....i think he just needs a bit more time to get acclimated to the team....clearly after 1 game we're still figuring out the chemistry and learning each other's game i mean my god....franz threw an alley to tyus jones on a fast break, that should tell you they are still learning how to play together in real time

If Tyus got up and crammed it, AB would be on the block today

[fateis007]

Tyus, like KCP, has a proven history...AB is still a hope to this point. Way premature to start on that ish.

yeah.....i think he just needs a bit more time to get acclimated to the team....clearly after 1 game we're still figuring out the chemistry and learning each other's game i mean my god....franz threw an alley to tyus jones on a fast break, that should tell you they are still learning how to play together in real time

If Tyus got up and crammed it, AB would be on the block today

That was pretty funny Tyus would need a 50 inch vert at his height to put that down. I thought he was going to dump it off to Paolo, then he just threw it up like Tyus was about to windmill it down.

[eyriq]

The challenge is with Paolo is that its one game. There was a period where I asked myself "if this is Paolo would I shop him for another piece and keep Bane + Franz?"

The rest I ultimately agree with. No, if I were GM i'd keep the band together much longer and see where those TS % take us with him.

That's crazy talk

Choose your AI responses :

1. Playful / Lighthearted

Haha fair! I know it sounds wild after one game — I’m just saying the thought crossed my mind. Gotta let the intrusive GM thoughts cook sometimes

2. Reasoned / Calm Debate

Maybe, but I think it’s fair to at least ask the question. We’ve seen plenty of young stars take time to find their efficiency, and I’m curious how long you’d wait before reconsidering what kind of roster fits best around him.

3. Confident / Slightly Provocative

Crazy talk now maybe, but if Paolo keeps hovering around subpar efficiency while Franz and Bane thrive, people might start asking the same question

4. Friendly Agreement with Clarification

Totally fair, I’m not saying I’d actually trade Paolo — just that I was thinking about what kind of core makes the most sense long term. He’s still the guy for now.

Option 3

[Ducklett]

Lot of energy at home for first game, as usual.

Suggs pretty much made right decision in very play, those min limitations really helped as he was composed.

Defense was kind a shaky at times.
Feels like Paolo is better with slower pace, where Franz thrives in open floor.
Bane making 3s i good to see. Goga was pretty damn great off bench.

I don't like to make much if any observations about anything until there are 10-ish games sample at least so we will see.

Heat continues to be pretty bad team tho, from 37-45 last year, losing of Butler, having Herro out, having Wire ( who we pretty much had no real answer for, in limited min he did play ) on min restrictions, to losing all 6 preseason games in rather pathetic fashion (-56 ) they will either go for star trade or might be in serious conversation about blowing it up.

Moving forward, Hawks got smacked by Toronto (not that strange, home teams won 10 out of 14 opening games, hype of game 1 is always real ) it will be interesting to see how we handle Porzingis & Young pick&roll.

btw for f** sake we are 1 game in, why there is already Jones thread opened and Anthony Black fights ? Can we wait for like a week?

Gogs was pretty good outside of 5 or so defensive miscommunications. I still contend he plays better when Franz is the main guy and WCJ plays better when Suggs and Paolo are the main guys.

[Rainwater]

I just watched the game Paolo didn’t play that poorly, he looked great on defense and wasn’t playing hero ball. He just didn’t shoot the ball well.

Suggs looked amazing. He basically put all his fears regarding his injury to bed.

I think it goes a little deeper than "he didn't shoot the ball well" - I think the quality of shots Paolo was taking and how he struggled navigating against help defenders were also issues.

His effort defensively and on the glass were there though and that's a good thing because those have not always been strengths of his.

We have seen Paolo against help defenders and double teams in the past and he typically handles them just fine. The shot selection has been an issue but I want to see if he becomes more efficient as the season progresses especially with the shooters.

I just don’t think Paolo played as bad as people are claiming especially in a game where he played very well defensively and rebounded.

[Bensational]

I just watched the game Paolo didn’t play that poorly, he looked great on defense and wasn’t playing hero ball. He just didn’t shoot the ball well.

Suggs looked amazing. He basically put all his fears regarding his injury to bed.

I think it goes a little deeper than "he didn't shoot the ball well" - I think the quality of shots Paolo was taking and how he struggled navigating against help defenders were also issues.

His effort defensively and on the glass were there though and that's a good thing because those have not always been strengths of his.

We have seen Paolo against help defenders and double teams in the past and he typically handles them just fine. The shot selection has been an issue but I want to see if he becomes more efficient as the season progresses especially with the shooters.

I just don’t think Paolo played as bad as people are claiming especially in a game where he played very well defensively and rebounded.

I think Paolo looked like someone who’s so used to creating his own baskets he didn’t know how to play off ball to another playmaker.

But if 24-11 with 1 stl 1 blk and 9-12fts is a ‘bad’ game then the team is in a good place.

[RookieStar]

yeah.....i think he just needs a bit more time to get acclimated to the team....clearly after 1 game we're still figuring out the chemistry and learning each other's game i mean my god....franz threw an alley to tyus jones on a fast break, that should tell you they are still learning how to play together in real time

If Tyus got up and crammed it, AB would be on the block today

NGL, Ill probably make that thread the second that happened and taking bids on who drives AB to the airport.

[tooler]

I have more confidence in this new coaching staff to find ways to help Paolo be successful in the new offense. And the ability to isolate and get a decent shot up is still invaluable in close games and the playoffs. All in due time.

[cedric76]

If Jett isn't getting rotation minutes, then they likely won't pick up his option by 10/31.

Sent from my SM-G998U1 using RealGM mobile app

I think that was the case the moment we traded for Bane and signed Paolo. With our apron situation, that 7mil salary he holds is a big deal. I did not expect Jett to be on this team after this year.

Unlikely to be picked because of next year's financial implications

[Rainwater]

I think it goes a little deeper than "he didn't shoot the ball well" - I think the quality of shots Paolo was taking and how he struggled navigating against help defenders were also issues.

His effort defensively and on the glass were there though and that's a good thing because those have not always been strengths of his.

We have seen Paolo against help defenders and double teams in the past and he typically handles them just fine. The shot selection has been an issue but I want to see if he becomes more efficient as the season progresses especially with the shooters.

I just don’t think Paolo played as bad as people are claiming especially in a game where he played very well defensively and rebounded.

I think Paolo looked like someone who’s so used to creating his own baskets he didn’t know how to play off ball to another playmaker.

But if 24-11 with 1 stl 1 blk and 9-12fts is a ‘bad’ game then the team is in a good place.

I always felt like he is far more efficient off ball and playing more off ball is something he has asked for. I feel like we need to give more time to see the results.

[KillMonger]

Radio Call of Dell's Big putback bucket

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[OrlandoDream]

If Jett isn't getting rotation minutes, then they likely won't pick up his option by 10/31.

Sent from my SM-G998U1 using RealGM mobile app

I think that was the case the moment we traded for Bane and signed Paolo. With our apron situation, that 7mil salary he holds is a big deal. I did not expect Jett to be on this team after this year.

Only way Jett sees rotation minutes is by blowouts I presume. Same with Jase.

Jase will see significant rotation minutes next year. He will replace Tyus by next season.

[RookieStar]

Alright... i might be imagining things but how many alley-oops did Goga surrender? Luke he didnt even jump to contest it? I saw 2 that Ware did...

[drsd]

Late to posting here. Anyhow: I really thought Carter was going to body slam the refs for all the poor calls against him and all the non-calls for him.

That won't continue game to game, and I was glad to see that he choose to not get ejected in frustration. Late game, that actually led to him getting a key rebound and the win. So: well done!

[GelbeWand09]

We have seen Paolo against help defenders and double teams in the past and he typically handles them just fine. The shot selection has been an issue but I want to see if he becomes more efficient as the season progresses especially with the shooters.

I just don’t think Paolo played as bad as people are claiming especially in a game where he played very well defensively and rebounded.

I think Paolo looked like someone who’s so used to creating his own baskets he didn’t know how to play off ball to another playmaker.

But if 24-11 with 1 stl 1 blk and 9-12fts is a ‘bad’ game then the team is in a good place.

I always felt like he is far more efficient off ball and playing more off ball is something he has asked for. I feel like we need to give more time to see the results.

Yea, he is a solid/good catch and shoot 3 point shooter and he is most effective when he gets the ball on the roll. He just isnt explosive enough to create enough quality shots in slow iso situation and when he has to create from a standstill. Many of these situations just end up in low quality fadeaways.

[JoshuaPotter]

I think that was the case the moment we traded for Bane and signed Paolo. With our apron situation, that 7mil salary he holds is a big deal. I did not expect Jett to be on this team after this year.

Only way Jett sees rotation minutes is by blowouts I presume. Same with Jase.

Jase will see significant rotation minutes next year. He will replace Tyus by next season.

In the ideal world yes. In reality? Jase might need 2-3 seasons. My thought would be that AB inherits Tyus position as the stop gap for the 2-3 seasons. In my humble opinion AB > Tyus in terms of impact off the bench. Well see how that plays out over the course of a season or if Tyus vs AB has enough minutes to happen. But at that point, yes, Jase will definitely be the next man up.