poll: Orlando eliminated from participating in the playoffs

[The Real Dalic]

I was expecting playoffs and a 41-41 record, 42 wins at best. It seemed like we were going to get there too, then something changed, and no, it wasn't because the schedule got tougher. . . Because we almost beat a good Thunder team and the Clippers as well. We were in every game. Then, all of a sudden, we started losing to the Sixers, Lakers, and Suns. Something happened in that locker room. . . I hope it wasn't the team tuning Skiles out.

[craig01]

19-13 was way beyond expectations, but 11-30 is way BELOW expectations - so right now, I'm not thrilled at all.

30+ wins is an improvement, however. So...yeah.

This.

There has been almost a complete de-evolution from the early success this year .... Ball movement, perimeter defense, turnovers, team defense

[BlueBalls]

Told all of you in the beginning of the season this team wasn't going to the playoffs, so I can't say my expectations weren't met. But it's just been an incredibly frustrating season and we're stuck with this albatross of a coach for at least another year.

[ezzzp]

50% of those who voted expected a playoff team this year?

A team that had been in the high lottery for 3 straight years, made no key free agency acquisitions and was the second youngest roster in the entire NBA.

I thought I was an optimist, but you guys crushed me in that department on this topic.

[EAS Law]

I was expecting playoffs and a 41-41 record, 42 wins at best. It seemed like we were going to get there too, then something changed, and no, it wasn't because the schedule got tougher. . . Because we almost beat a good Thunder team and the Clippers as well. We were in every game. Then, all of a sudden, we started losing to the Sixers, Lakers, and Suns. Something happened in that locker room. . . I hope it wasn't the team tuning Skiles out.

Precisely my thoughts man. We started getting blown out in the new year by teams that we walked on earlier. It certainly felt like a mid-season mutiny and I don't really understand why that may have been.

[EAS Law]

50% of those who voted expected a playoff team this year?

A team that had been in the high lottery for 3 straight years, made no key free agency acquisitions and was the second youngest roster in the entire NBA.

I thought I was an optimist, but you guys crushed me in that department on this topic.

I can at least speak for myself when I say that some reasons that I believed we would be a playoff team include:

An assumption that Oladipo, Vuc, Tobias, and Elfrid would all continue to grow and improve
-I'd say each either regressed or struggled for major parts of the season in various ways

AG was going to be a stud
-started to happen, albeit too late

The East was very weak until this year and 35 wins would have gotten you into the playoffs
-the East is now arguably more competitive than the West in terms of inter-conference playoff race.

Mario was going to be a stud dark horse Rookie.
-we barely saw him

Scott Skiles was a proven coach with a history of improving teams that were worse off on paper than ours, and was the perfect fit for a team lacking accountability, moxie, direction, and discipline.
-Nope.

[NBAchamps2017]

I have predicted not more than 34 wins this season.

Skiles proved you Wrong!!!

He needed five more wins to prove me wrong! With 9 games remaining, I have a better chance of proving him wrong

[drsd]

50% of those who voted expected a playoff team this year?

A team that had been in the high lottery for 3 straight years, made no key free agency acquisitions and was the second youngest roster in the entire NBA.

I thought I was an optimist, but you guys crushed me in that department on this topic.

I am quite surprised by the poll results. I would have assumed most fans saw this as a 28-34 win roster going in to opening night.


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[NBAchamps2017]

50% of those who voted expected a playoff team this year?

A team that had been in the high lottery for 3 straight years, made no key free agency acquisitions and was the second youngest roster in the entire NBA.

I thought I was an optimist, but you guys crushed me in that department on this topic.

I am quite surprised by the poll results. I would have assumed most fans saw this as a 28-34 win roster going in to opening night.


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I'm not surprised at all. I remember most believed we finally have a team that can compete. LOL proved them wrong!

[407Junkie]

50% of those who voted expected a playoff team this year?

A team that had been in the high lottery for 3 straight years, made no key free agency acquisitions and was the second youngest roster in the entire NBA.

I thought I was an optimist, but you guys crushed me in that department on this topic.

I can at least speak for myself when I say that some reasons that I believed we would be a playoff team include:

An assumption that Oladipo, Vuc, Tobias, and Elfrid would all continue to grow and improve
-I'd say each either regressed or struggled for major parts of the season in various ways

AG was going to be a stud
-started to happen, albeit too late

The East was very weak until this year and 35 wins would have gotten you into the playoffs
-the East is now arguably more competitive than the West in terms of inter-conference playoff race.

Mario was going to be a stud dark horse Rookie.
-we barely saw him

Scott Skiles was a proven coach with a history of improving teams that were worse off on paper than ours, and was the perfect fit for a team lacking accountability, moxie, direction, and discipline.
-Nope.

Spot on with my thinking.

[407Junkie]

And let a lot of folks tell it, wasn't Tobias Harris suppose to be the man who was gonna take over and be the man this year?

[SaberT]

I expected 25-29 so this is slightly better. What worries me is the not the amount of wins, that can be understood, what worries me is the trend which is so negative that it is hard not to lose faith in the coaching, players and the team.

Hopefully next season things start to gel together and team shows marked improvement in all areas.

[Orlwillbeback]

The run had me thinking playoffs but eventually reality set in and in the end we are right about where I thought we'd be before the season. Could do without the crazy meltdowns on this board after every game but whatever.

I thought the team showed some progress this year. Payton came on late, Mario showed some progress although he is still pretty raw. Gordon came on nicely. Oladipo showed progress overall this year and he is still pretty far from a finished product. Dedmon is still developing as well.

Watson was a complete and utter disappointment his career fell of a cliff. Napier will find another team then wash out after a few seasons probably or finish out his rookie contract because hes cheap and not completely terrible. Jennings should be gone asap. Ersan should only be retained if we cant find a better option in FA.

[Orlwillbeback]

50% of those who voted expected a playoff team this year?

A team that had been in the high lottery for 3 straight years, made no key free agency acquisitions and was the second youngest roster in the entire NBA.

I thought I was an optimist, but you guys crushed me in that department on this topic.

I am quite surprised by the poll results. I would have assumed most fans saw this as a 28-34 win roster going in to opening night.


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dont you owe some people some chocolate??

[drsd]

dont you owe some people some chocolate??

Given that Orlando can only win 39 games, yes. I am waiting for an "orders" list from the winners of this bet. That's in the 40-46 challenge thread.


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