Summer League Notes
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Summer League Notes
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Summer League Notes
Hey guys!
I'm not sure how often you hit up other forums, but I've been at Orlando Summer League all week. I've had a chance to talk with a lot of people and I'm sharing what I've learned. Not all of it is very newsworthy, but I think it is all interesting.
If you have a specific question, please quote me so that I'll see it!
1. They really like Patricio Garino. He's almost a lock to be given a D-League contract and possibly a training camp invite. Today was his last Summer League game because he's head to Argentina to prep for national team duty during the Olympics.
2. Tyler Harvey looks like he's not going to make it in the league at any point. His shot is ok, but that is all he can do. His defense, ball handling and passing leave a lot to be desired.
3. Devyn Marble has played really well in Summer League, prior to getting hurt. It is no lock the team keeps him, but they do like him at the end of the bench.
4. They are very, very excited about Biyombo and Ibaka anchoring the defense. They think when those guys play together, it will be hard to ever score at the rim.
5. They are worried about the shooting. You could even say very worried. They'll continue to look to address it.
6. They were thrilled to re-sign Fournier, especially at a relative bargain. They think he's potentially the best player on the roster for at least the next couple of seasons.
7. Aaron Gordon has been shooting at least 500 jumpers a day in an effort to improve that part of his game. He's also working on his ball handling. Long term the team envisions him as a 3-4 swing guy depending on the matchups.
8. They are thrilled with Hezonja's development and think he'll be ready to be a big part of the rotation this year.
9. Meeks was acquired solely for his shooting ability. They don't want him to do anything but worry about shooting the ball. If they decide to bring Gordon off the bench, they may start Meeks with Fournier as the wings.
10. They were very disappointed in Napier, as evidenced by the trade. They hoped he would be the backup PG, but he was never going to get there.
11. Related, they feel like Watson was a waste of money. If they could find a taker for him, they would. Easily one of the more regretted signings, since it was compounded in to the Augustin signings and Meeks trade.
12. Signing Jeff Green was something they felt like they had to do to "grow the roster up" a little bit. They envision him as major rotation piece, but don't be shocked if he's traded at the Deadline.
13. They will push 100% for the playoffs. Including making in-season deals. Without saying it, the direction has obviously come from on high that they need to win. Rich De Vos is getting up there in age and he wants to see the team contend again before he dies.
14. The franchise is a little worried about the rapid growth and popularity of Orlando City. They like their partners in town, but realize that for the first time they have competition for fans in the spring. They have no intention of being a winter distraction between football season and soccer season, so they want to get back to winning.
15. They have no intention of trading Vucevic right now. They like his fit with Ibaka and Biyombo. If nothing else, he would be used as Vogel's Orlando version of what David West was for him in Indiana. It could end up that they need to deal him for wing scoring, but right now he's here to stay.
16. Stephen Zimmerman will probably log plenty of D-League time with the the other bigs on the roster. But they do like his game quite a bit. They think he could eventually be a starter with the right defensive PF next to him.
17. Last one...this is a big season for both Rob Hennigan and Elfrid Payton and they are kind of tied together. Hennigan already traded one of his guys (Oladipo) and Payton will be next if things aren't going better by the deadline. There is a very real concern that Payton will never develop enough as a shooter to be a lead PG, so they may sell sooner rather than later.
Again, maybe nothing earth shattering, but I thought it was all worth sharing.
I'm not sure how often you hit up other forums, but I've been at Orlando Summer League all week. I've had a chance to talk with a lot of people and I'm sharing what I've learned. Not all of it is very newsworthy, but I think it is all interesting.
If you have a specific question, please quote me so that I'll see it!
1. They really like Patricio Garino. He's almost a lock to be given a D-League contract and possibly a training camp invite. Today was his last Summer League game because he's head to Argentina to prep for national team duty during the Olympics.
2. Tyler Harvey looks like he's not going to make it in the league at any point. His shot is ok, but that is all he can do. His defense, ball handling and passing leave a lot to be desired.
3. Devyn Marble has played really well in Summer League, prior to getting hurt. It is no lock the team keeps him, but they do like him at the end of the bench.
4. They are very, very excited about Biyombo and Ibaka anchoring the defense. They think when those guys play together, it will be hard to ever score at the rim.
5. They are worried about the shooting. You could even say very worried. They'll continue to look to address it.
6. They were thrilled to re-sign Fournier, especially at a relative bargain. They think he's potentially the best player on the roster for at least the next couple of seasons.
7. Aaron Gordon has been shooting at least 500 jumpers a day in an effort to improve that part of his game. He's also working on his ball handling. Long term the team envisions him as a 3-4 swing guy depending on the matchups.
8. They are thrilled with Hezonja's development and think he'll be ready to be a big part of the rotation this year.
9. Meeks was acquired solely for his shooting ability. They don't want him to do anything but worry about shooting the ball. If they decide to bring Gordon off the bench, they may start Meeks with Fournier as the wings.
10. They were very disappointed in Napier, as evidenced by the trade. They hoped he would be the backup PG, but he was never going to get there.
11. Related, they feel like Watson was a waste of money. If they could find a taker for him, they would. Easily one of the more regretted signings, since it was compounded in to the Augustin signings and Meeks trade.
12. Signing Jeff Green was something they felt like they had to do to "grow the roster up" a little bit. They envision him as major rotation piece, but don't be shocked if he's traded at the Deadline.
13. They will push 100% for the playoffs. Including making in-season deals. Without saying it, the direction has obviously come from on high that they need to win. Rich De Vos is getting up there in age and he wants to see the team contend again before he dies.
14. The franchise is a little worried about the rapid growth and popularity of Orlando City. They like their partners in town, but realize that for the first time they have competition for fans in the spring. They have no intention of being a winter distraction between football season and soccer season, so they want to get back to winning.
15. They have no intention of trading Vucevic right now. They like his fit with Ibaka and Biyombo. If nothing else, he would be used as Vogel's Orlando version of what David West was for him in Indiana. It could end up that they need to deal him for wing scoring, but right now he's here to stay.
16. Stephen Zimmerman will probably log plenty of D-League time with the the other bigs on the roster. But they do like his game quite a bit. They think he could eventually be a starter with the right defensive PF next to him.
17. Last one...this is a big season for both Rob Hennigan and Elfrid Payton and they are kind of tied together. Hennigan already traded one of his guys (Oladipo) and Payton will be next if things aren't going better by the deadline. There is a very real concern that Payton will never develop enough as a shooter to be a lead PG, so they may sell sooner rather than later.
Again, maybe nothing earth shattering, but I thought it was all worth sharing.
Re: Summer League Notes
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Re: Summer League Notes
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Re: Summer League Notes
Excellent read, thanks for sharing.
Orlando Magic | Atlanta Braves | Florida State
Re: Summer League Notes
- Greenraida
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Re: Summer League Notes
This is sooooo insightful. Thanks heaps for this Smitty.
On a separate question - is Orlando your second team seeing as you live in Orlando?
On a separate question - is Orlando your second team seeing as you live in Orlando?
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Re: Summer League Notes
Greenraida wrote:This is sooooo insightful. Thanks heaps for this Smitty.
On a separate question - is Orlando your second team seeing as you live in Orlando?
That is a good question.
I want the Magic to do well because I live here and I know how much a successful sports team can mean to a city. I also have a lot of friends who are Magic fans, so I'd like them to be happy.
But I don't really believe in second teams. You can root for someone when your team is out of it, but a real second team, not really.
And to be quite honest, since I've entered the media, most of my fandom is dying off for the Celtics as well. I'd still call myself a Celtics fan if/when asked, but it is less than it has ever been. I've got a much wider, broader and open view of the league than ever before. I love the NBA, but being a fan of a team is starting to go the way of the dodo bird for me.
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Re: Summer League Notes
I really like to hear 1, 4, 6-8, 13 and 15.
5 and 11 are a bit concerning.
17 is important though, and I wholeheartedly agree. Elfrid needs to show up big this season.
Thanks for sharing!
5 and 11 are a bit concerning.
17 is important though, and I wholeheartedly agree. Elfrid needs to show up big this season.
Thanks for sharing!
Re: Summer League Notes
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Re: Summer League Notes
Smitty731 wrote:Spoiler:
Thanks a lot for all of this man. Can you just explain me how do numbers 8 and 9 work together? I have a hard time seeing Mario getting significant minutes if Meeks is starting because Gordon and Green can play at SF as well.
I also hope Meeks won't start over Gordon. I really do. Gordon should start at 3 or at least try Mario if you want shooting,not Meeks ffs. The last paragraph isn't directed to you though.

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Re: Summer League Notes
Smitty731 wrote:Hey guys!
...
Again, maybe nothing earth shattering, but I thought it was all worth sharing.
Thanks a lot for sharing all this stuff - I'm always interested in how FOs operate behind the scenes so I enjoyed the read.
I'm not expecting anything to come of this, but I wouldn't be doing my job as a Magic homer if I didn't ask: Did you hear anything about an interest in Westbrook?

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- OrlDave
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Re: Summer League Notes
Very interesting. I like the bits about AG, Mario and Nik (points 7, 8 and 15 respectively). I'm actually surprised they are so down on CJ since he was a Vogel guy. Sure he sucked last year, but I figured they'd give him burn to see if he responds under the new regime. Interesting about Meeks and Jeff Green as well. Good stuff all around.
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Re: Summer League Notes
Inqui wrote:Smitty731 wrote:Hey guys!
...
Again, maybe nothing earth shattering, but I thought it was all worth sharing.
Thanks a lot for sharing all this stuff - I'm always interested in how FOs operate behind the scenes so I enjoyed the read.
Did you hear anything about an interest in Westbrook?
Yeah yeah we want to hear that yoooohooo



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Re: Summer League Notes
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Re: Summer League Notes
Inqui wrote:Smitty731 wrote:Hey guys!
...
Again, maybe nothing earth shattering, but I thought it was all worth sharing.
Thanks a lot for sharing all this stuff - I'm always interested in how FOs operate behind the scenes so I enjoyed the read.
I'm not expecting anything to come of this, but I wouldn't be doing my job as a Magic homer if I didn't ask: Did you hear anything about an interest in Westbrook?
A little buzz, but nothing serious. The Magic don't necessarily have the pieces OKC would want. The starting price is very, very high from what is being said.
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Re: Summer League Notes
Dennis Reynolds wrote:Smitty731 wrote:Spoiler:
Thanks a lot for all of this man. Can you just explain me how do numbers 8 and 9 work together? I have a hard time seeing Mario getting significant minutes if Meeks is starting because Gordon and Green can play at SF as well.
I also hope Meeks won't start over Gordon. I really do. Gordon should start at 3 or at least try Mario if you want shooting,not Meeks ffs. The last paragraph isn't directed to you though.
They plan to go 10 deep. It will be something along the lines of:
Vucevic/Biyombo
Ibaka/Green
Gordon/Hezonja
Fournier/Meeks
Payton/Augustin
As the inevitable injuries crop up, they'll drop down.
If nothing else, they have a lot of depth and versatility up and down the roster now.
Re: Summer League Notes
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Re: Summer League Notes
Smitty731 wrote:Dennis Reynolds wrote:Smitty731 wrote:Spoiler:
Thanks a lot for all of this man. Can you just explain me how do numbers 8 and 9 work together? I have a hard time seeing Mario getting significant minutes if Meeks is starting because Gordon and Green can play at SF as well.
I also hope Meeks won't start over Gordon. I really do. Gordon should start at 3 or at least try Mario if you want shooting,not Meeks ffs. The last paragraph isn't directed to you though.
They plan to go 10 deep. It will be something along the lines of:
Vucevic/Biyombo
Ibaka/Green
Gordon/Hezonja
Fournier/Meeks
Payton/Augustin
As the inevitable injuries crop up, they'll drop down.
If nothing else, they have a lot of depth and versatility up and down the roster now.
Gordon starting at SF sounds good but I still don't see how being a backup SF makes someone a big part of the rotation. Hell,Mario might even get less minutes than last year from the looks of it.
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Re: Summer League Notes
Dennis Reynolds wrote:Smitty731 wrote:Dennis Reynolds wrote:
Thanks a lot for all of this man. Can you just explain me how do numbers 8 and 9 work together? I have a hard time seeing Mario getting significant minutes if Meeks is starting because Gordon and Green can play at SF as well.
I also hope Meeks won't start over Gordon. I really do. Gordon should start at 3 or at least try Mario if you want shooting,not Meeks ffs. The last paragraph isn't directed to you though.
They plan to go 10 deep. It will be something along the lines of:
Vucevic/Biyombo
Ibaka/Green
Gordon/Hezonja
Fournier/Meeks
Payton/Augustin
As the inevitable injuries crop up, they'll drop down.
If nothing else, they have a lot of depth and versatility up and down the roster now.
Gordon starting at SF sounds good but I still don't see how being a backup SF makes someone a big part of the rotation. Hell,Mario might even get less minutes than last year from the looks of it.
Still almost 4 months til the start of the season. Lots can and will change.
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Re: Summer League Notes
Smitty731 wrote:Dennis Reynolds wrote:Smitty731 wrote:
They plan to go 10 deep. It will be something along the lines of:
Vucevic/Biyombo
Ibaka/Green
Gordon/Hezonja
Fournier/Meeks
Payton/Augustin
As the inevitable injuries crop up, they'll drop down.
If nothing else, they have a lot of depth and versatility up and down the roster now.
Gordon starting at SF sounds good but I still don't see how being a backup SF makes someone a big part of the rotation. Hell,Mario might even get less minutes than last year from the looks of it.
Still almost 4 months til the start of the season. Lots can and will change.
I know but it just doesn't make sense to me. Anyway,thanks a lot again.

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Re: Summer League Notes
Thanks for the info, but taking this with a grain of salt. If Meeks and Fournier start at the 2 and 3, we're tanking lol.
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Re: Summer League Notes
Smitty731 wrote:Dennis Reynolds wrote:Smitty731 wrote:Spoiler:
Thanks a lot for all of this man. Can you just explain me how do numbers 8 and 9 work together? I have a hard time seeing Mario getting significant minutes if Meeks is starting because Gordon and Green can play at SF as well.
I also hope Meeks won't start over Gordon. I really do. Gordon should start at 3 or at least try Mario if you want shooting,not Meeks ffs. The last paragraph isn't directed to you though.
They plan to go 10 deep. It will be something along the lines of:
Vucevic/Biyombo
Ibaka/Green
Gordon/Hezonja
Fournier/Meeks
Payton/Augustin
As the inevitable injuries crop up, they'll drop down.
If nothing else, they have a lot of depth and versatility up and down the roster now.
This is the exact depth chart I've been mentioning on here since we signed everyone... guess we'll see if it plays out like that. Hopefully tomorrow, signing day, we will get some more clues.
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Re: Summer League Notes
Thanks for the insight Smitty. If Meeks has to start that will not be a good sign for the team. That means Gordon/Hezonja growth (I know they're still young players) have to be questioned. One of them need to take the SF position and run with it.
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Re: Summer League Notes
Thanks for the insight Smitty. A lot of stuff you wrote has been speculated about on our board, so it's nice to get some confirmation about it. I'm not too worried about shooting, I think Vogel will make it work like he did with the Pacers, but obviously we do need Payton and Gordon to shoot better and for Mario to have a bigger role. I think it will take a lot for Elfrid and Vuc to get traded as well.