Official Speculation Thread Pt.LXII

[p0peye]

The biggest question for me is how long to the Magic compete? We did until December last year and injuries got to us. Then a couple months later, coaching and management put the tank on. Will they do the same thing this year? If there are no injuries, will the trades start?

I'd say that depends on our record come january. If we're too good, peculiar "injuries" may happen or Henny may work his way with trades, but knowing him unless he gets an offer that knock his socks off, he'll probably wait until the trade deadline to make sure all options have been exhausted.

One way or another, I expect 25 or less wins this season.

[BadMofoPimp]

Whether the team tanks or not depends on how they play early in the season. If they gel and play really well together, then they go with it and try to get as many wins as possible. If they start off losing many games, then it is best to trade vets and tank the rest of the way. But, you never can know what will happen as this team does have plenty of talent.

[OrlandO]

Yahoo's NBA power rankings... or tankings for the bottom of the league: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--nba-p ... 27367.html

[RYgoBOOM]

ahhh even more nonsense spewed about Moe lol. Can't wait for him to silence some of you guys!!

[drsd]

Whether the team tanks or not depends on how they play early in the season. If they gel and play really well together, then they go with it and try to get as many wins as possible. If they start off losing many games, then it is best to trade vets and tank the rest of the way. But, you never can know what will happen as this team does have plenty of talent.

Like last year, I expect Orlando to try to win until the ASW, and then try to lose hard. Recall that the Magic was basically a 50% team through game 25, and in the 10 game losing streak lost a bucket of game by 4 or less.


..

[BadMofoPimp]

I really don't care if Moe is a great shooter or can score. If he can eventually play elite defense while knocking down the 3 with about at least 37-38% accuracy when needed, then I am fine with that. Because, this team will have plenty of scorers via Ola, Vuc, Harris and Afflalo (if still here). He can average 11/4/3 for all I care.

[ZeusIsLoose]

Harris ruled out tomorrow due to injury to his ankle, via Jacque Vaughn.

In all likelihood, i see him missing at least another week. he rolled that ankle pretty good

[BadMofoPimp]

There is no need for Harris to be back anything less than 100%. I know people are excited. I know Harris is excited to show people his improvements. But, I want him to have a great season and the best way to do that is to start off at 100%.

[Driguez]

There is no need for Harris to be back anything less than 100%. I know people are excited. I know Harris is excited to show people his improvements. But, I want him to have a great season and the best way to do that is to start off at 100%.

Agreed.

[OrlandoNed]

I really don't care if Moe is a great shooter or can score. If he can eventually play elite defense while knocking down the 3 with about at least 37-38% accuracy when needed, then I am fine with that. Because, this team will have plenty of scorers via Ola, Vuc, Harris and Afflalo (if still here). He can average 11/4/3 for all I care.

I agree with you. Harkless doesn't have to turn into Paul George or Rudy Gay to be a good player for us, or even as a quality NBA player. I see his peak potential is a player with elite and versatile defense who can guard PG,SG,SF, and PF, hit the corner 3 at an average clip, average 6 rebounds and 2 assists, excellent slasher and fastbreak scorer averaging 12 ppg and hold down a starting job for the majority of his career at SF.

[Magic#1]

Yahoo's NBA power rankings... or tankings for the bottom of the league: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--nba-p ... 27367.html

What sucks is that a bunch of other Eastern Conf. teams have decided to tank as well. Hopefully some of our better players will be hurt (or "hurt") when we play them so we can still lose. Luckily Philly and Boston are in the same division so at least one of them will have to win a few extra games.

[BadMofoPimp]

I really don't care if Moe is a great shooter or can score. If he can eventually play elite defense while knocking down the 3 with about at least 37-38% accuracy when needed, then I am fine with that. Because, this team will have plenty of scorers via Ola, Vuc, Harris and Afflalo (if still here). He can average 11/4/3 for all I care.

I agree with you. Harkless doesn't have to turn into Paul George or Rudy Gay to be a good player for us, or even as a quality NBA player. I see his peak potential is a player with elite and versatile defense who can guard PG,SG,SF, and PF, hit the corner 3 at an average clip, average 6 rebounds and 2 assists, excellent slasher and fastbreak scorer averaging 12 ppg and hold down a starting job for the majority of his career at SF.

Sort of like a Tayshaun Prince lite. Prince guarded opposing teams best SG, SF and PF for nearly a decade. Difference was that Tayshaun had a decent post up game, but wasn't known as a great scorer or shooter.

[OrlandoNed]

Moe will fill a similar role to Prince in his career, but instead of using his physical strength in the post to get most of his points, Moe will use his speed and athleticism to score by slashing and on the break.

[Blue_and_Whte]

I really don't care if Moe is a great shooter or can score. If he can eventually play elite defense while knocking down the 3 with about at least 37-38% accuracy when needed, then I am fine with that. Because, this team will have plenty of scorers via Ola, Vuc, Harris and Afflalo (if still here). He can average 11/4/3 for all I care.

I agree with you. Harkless doesn't have to turn into Paul George or Rudy Gay to be a good player for us, or even as a quality NBA player. I see his peak potential is a player with elite and versatile defense who can guard PG,SG,SF, and PF, hit the corner 3 at an average clip, average 6 rebounds and 2 assists, excellent slasher and fastbreak scorer averaging 12 ppg and hold down a starting job for the majority of his career at SF.

He's already a quality NBA player. His 3PT shot will improve i'd say to a servicable level like you stated and the rest of his game will continue to grow.

[Catledge]

I think Tayshaun Prince is a pretty good comparison for Hark. Prince was a superior ball handler and shooter (though still not great), and being left-handed worked to his advantage in the post. Hark could develop into a similar kind of player without the left-handed craftiness, but he still has quite a bit of work to get there.

[BadMofoPimp]

I forgot about Princes ball handling skills. He was good enough to play PG on a few occasions. The past few seasons, he was one of the primary ball handlers when Stuckey was playing the Point.

[Neon1]

I forgot about Princes ball handling skills. He was good enough to play PG on a few occasions. The past few seasons, he was one of the primary ball handlers when Stuckey was playing the Point.

And his passing.

[BadMofoPimp]

I forgot about Princes ball handling skills. He was good enough to play PG on a few occasions. The past few seasons, he was one of the primary ball handlers when Stuckey was playing the Point.

And his passing.

One of the great things about having a solid post game along with court vision.

Some cool facts for ya'll being I am a Detroit fan also.

Tayshaun was the 16th pick in the draft while Moe was like 15th.

Larry Brown rarely played rookies while he started Tayshaun on a playoff team coming off a 50 win season.

Thus, if any player can prove to their coach they have what it takes to play their role well, then they will get the minutes. Prince was never flashy and always seemed to average about 15/6/4, but he didn't make mistakes, was a good floor general from his position and played great defense. That block on Kobe in the finals will always remain embedded in my memory as one of the greatest moments in Pistons basketball history. I mean, I flew off the couch screaming on that one.

[Catledge]

Prince also had a high b-ball iq and good team attitude. Hark seems to have the latter, but he still needs to learn how to think the game. Lots of guys go entire NBA careers without becoming as smart on the court as Prince was.

[thelead]

I forgot about Princes ball handling skills. He was good enough to play PG on a few occasions. The past few seasons, he was one of the primary ball handlers when Stuckey was playing the Point.

And his passing.

I'm late to the party but I agree, there is no way I'm comparing Moe to Prince. Prince's ball handling, passing, and shooting is way more than Moe has right now. Moe may or may not get to Prince's level but he will never have his complete game. You don't just learn how to dribble and pass all of a sudden.