Game Thread #1: Washington Wizards @ Orlando Magic 10/28 7PM ET - OPENING NIGHT - GO MAGIC!

[OrlandO]

Where the hell is the GAME THREAD?!

WEDNESDAY, OCT 28
7:00PM
AMWAY CENTER
ORLANDO FL
WATCH ON FS FLORIDA
LISTEN ON ESPN 580 / 1440 AM (ESP)

Josh Robbins
Elfrid Payton will start for the Magic tonight against the Wizards, Scott Skiles said.

[tweet]https://twitter.com/OrlandoMagic/status/659340298582142977[/tweet]

Nikola Vucevic ‏
Opening night!!! #gameday #PureMagic #NBA

Dewayne Dedmon
Tip the year off vs Washington make sure Yal are tuned in.. #PUREMAGIC #gameday #justwatch

“They’ve been kicking our behinds for a couple of years now,” guard Victor Oladipo said today. “So it’s definitely a great test for us, a great first game for us.”

Andrew Nicholson ‏
Already I am the best halo player in the world

John Denton .@OrlandoMagic C @NikolaVucevic on Mario Hezonja bumming rides from teammates: "He's been using Elfrid as his Uber, but it's a nice Uber."

[tweet]https://twitter.com/OrlandoMagic/status/659399349672108034[/tweet]

Washington has won the last eight meetings with the Magic.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_vEY_BA3ro[/youtube]

[vagnermagic]

YEEEEAAAAAH!

Finally the season opener.

I was hitting the F5 button nonstop to see the game thread.

Let's go, Magic!!!

[OrlandoNed]

It's been a long 6 months. Glad to have the Magic back on the front burner for me!

[MellowRose]

legoooooo

-obt-oakridge

[AddiFB]

AWWWWWW YEAH! I hope, hope for a win. Would be a good start to a rough 6 game start of the season. If we win, it's either an opener blowout or a 2-3 point win, even in overtime. I'd put money on the 2-3 point win, but won't, as I'd probably just lose it.

[fateis007]

i dont just want a win, i want an ass kicking

[NBlue]

Interesting starting lineup prediction. Seems a bit small. I'm assuming Humphries at the 4 and Polish Hammer at the 5. Not sure I like the matchup of Tobias against the size of Humpries (or, I guess possibly Nene) on our defensive end though, certainly, Tobias could certainly take advantage at our offensive end. To me, this game cries out for starting Frye at the 4 -- the matchup just makes the most sense. Frye has the size to match Humphries and Frye's lack of athleticism shouldn't hurt us too badly. I'm also concerned a bit about Tobias being under the weather -- may make it a bit more difficult for him to bang with the bigger 4s the Wiz have.

That said -- its really small potatoes -- just ready to see the Magic on the Court!

[OrlandoNed]

Interesting starting lineup prediction. Seems a bit small. I'm assuming Nene at the 4 and Polish Hammer at the 5. Not sure I like the matchup of Tobias against the size of Humpries (or, I guess possibly Nene) on our defensive end though, certainly, Tobias could certainly take advantage at our offensive end. To me, this game cries out for starting Frye at the 4 -- the matchup just makes the most sense. Frye has the size to match Humphries and Frye's lack of athleticism shouldn't hurt us too badly. I'm also concerned a bit about Tobias being under the weather -- may make it a bit more difficult for him to bang with the bigger 4s the Wiz have.

That said -- its really small potatoes -- just ready to see the Magic on the Court!

Zero need to worry about Humphries. The Wizards will have a much bigger problem with the Harris/Humphries matchup than we will.

[Tayswagzzz]

Lmao that Skiles .gif in response to "Washington has won the last eight meetings with the Magic." I almost spit my soda all over my monitor and keyboard

[OrlandO]

Lmao that Skiles .gif in response to "Washington has won the last eight meetings with the Magic." I almost spit my soda all over my monitor and keyboard

Robbins asked him about it and he was surprised to hear it... said he didn't know. Also, to be fair, he said he didn't really care since he wasn't here for it (shots fired at vaughn?).

[Tayswagzzz]

Lmao that Skiles .gif in response to "Washington has won the last eight meetings with the Magic." I almost spit my soda all over my monitor and keyboard

Robbins asked him about it and he was surprised to hear it... said he didn't know. Also, to be fair, he said he didn't really care since he wasn't here for it (shots fired at vaughn?).

Vaughn got so much bad rep around the NBA for his time here (well deserved)...he may never get a head coaching job ever again.

We actually have plays now!

[tooler]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/wizards/old-school-coach-randy-wittman-has-new-style-roster-philosophy-to-match/2015/10/27/573c9eba-7c05-11e5-beba-927fd8634498_story.html

Reporting for voluntary workouts before the start of training camp in September, they discovered four boxes taped along the three-point line — one on each wing and one in each corner — and two blue X’s on the baseline at the bottom of the key. The players were instructed to sprint to one of the markers, depending on their position and the situation, each time down the floor. Make it a habit, they were told, because the running would be relentless.

Washington would use fewer set plays than in seasons past. All capable ballhandlers would be urged to push the ball upcourt off opponents’ makes, misses and turnovers. The Wizards would strive to wear teams out.

Get ready to run. Huge test in the first game of the season, especially given that we're not exactly launching out of the gate with all these little injuries and lineup questions.

On the other hand, we've lost 8 straight to Washington. Maybe this will help!

[FloridaHoosier]

Going to the game tonight! Can't wait! Today is Randy Whitman's birthday. Let's give him a loss!

[Optimus_Steel]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/wizards/old-school-coach-randy-wittman-has-new-style-roster-philosophy-to-match/2015/10/27/573c9eba-7c05-11e5-beba-927fd8634498_story.html

Reporting for voluntary workouts before the start of training camp in September, they discovered four boxes taped along the three-point line — one on each wing and one in each corner — and two blue X’s on the baseline at the bottom of the key. The players were instructed to sprint to one of the markers, depending on their position and the situation, each time down the floor. Make it a habit, they were told, because the running would be relentless.

Washington would use fewer set plays than in seasons past. All capable ballhandlers would be urged to push the ball upcourt off opponents’ makes, misses and turnovers. The Wizards would strive to wear teams out.

Get ready to run. Huge test in the first game of the season, especially given that we're not exactly launching out of the gate with all these little injuries and lineup questions.

On the other hand, we've lost 8 straight to Washington. Maybe this will help!

If they want to play that game then we might actually match up with them better than last year and we are deeper.

[GANGSTERDOG]

IDK if its the Adderall or Halo 5 or because Im going to the game but I cant stop shaking with excitement!

[UCFJayBird]

Hoping to see Gordon get the starting nod instead of Fournier but wouldn't be surprised if it is Fournier.

Honestly this is one of the more winnable first six, lol. Let's hope we come out strong. Going to the game and will cheer my head off.

[OrlDave]

abracadabra razzamataz!

[Magic#1]

Let's gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.
Tough game, but it will be a good test of where we're at. Hopefully Elf isn't too rusty.

[drsd]

I am happy and I am ready. Bring a win.

[JF5]

Magic win by 100+ Points... Eflrid gets the first ever Pentagonal Double!