2016 Official Speculation Thread: Episode V - The Preseason Strikes Back

[EAS Law]

I'm citing the General Board because its an unbiased arena. You come here or anywhere as a matter of fact and you'll see a group of people hype up their young guys as the next big stars. I believe some of it is warranted with some evidence (as it is my opinion). But with a player like Gordon who isn't really offensively inclined and will most likely never be. Its hard to take these Paul George/Jimmy Butler comparisons with a grain of salt. Because those guys at least coming in could shoot the ball/get their own shot. Gordon his first few years hasn't shown much in terms of shot creation/shooting/1 on 1 isolations against other wing players. At least with Oladipo you've seen games where his offensive game looked star like... 2 years in with AG we haven't even seen a game where he looked close to dominate with his scoring.

We just don't know what we have yet.

How long have we been saying this?

Well generally, a guy with 2-ish years of NBA experience, who is about 21 years old, is allowed more than 2-ish years to become the player he maxes out as.

The entire rebuild has only been 4 seasons man. In our franchise history, we've made the playoffs way more than we've missed them, and we've had a lot more success than a lot of teams with our amount of franchise history.

4 NBA seasons is not enough time to rebuild under normal circumstances. You forget that situations like the late 2000s Celtics happened because there were special GM relationships that got a HoFer or two on the squad, or the Heat, which had a unique situation where the best player in the world decided to come play there. These things don't happen often at all.

I understand your reluctance to be on the bandwagon, but in my opinion, being a fan means going through the rough times and enjoying the building process. We've had it a lot better than most teams, and frankly, your position or expectations are completely unrealistic given our circumstances and draft position.

[PennytoShaq]

Aaron Gordon is offensively inclined. The guy gets to the line quite well. He creates baskets.

He has looked close to dominate with his scoring, but it was in small sample sizes. He came out and put up 12 points in one quarter, which is very impressive.

My point is that it's too early to assume we know the ceiling on what Gordon is capable of doing.

20 PPG is a leap for sure, but 16-18 would not surprise me.

how many times did he come out and put up 12 pts in a quarter? once? i have yet to see him look dominating with his scoring

Great. That doesn't mean you know what his true potential is on offense yet.

[PennytoShaq]

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Post practice day 3 interviews

[MagicStarwipe]

Gordon could be quite capable of around 20ppg given the opportunity (i.e. upping his usage and role in the offense). People around here really need to expand their minds.

Anyway, with Gordon and Elfrid both injured and sitting out the start of training camp, I couldn't have asked for a more disappointing start to the season. They yet again sit behind the eight ball trying to establish themselves as the main guys on the team, while the already established players further cement their roles without them.

[Magic#1]

Denton talks almost as much as the players.

[rcklsscognition]

Good news out of practice. Gordon participated in tonight's 2nd practice. It was a non-contact practice but still it's progress.

[PrimeThyme]

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Post practice day 3 interviews

Really love what I'm hearing about Ibaka and Biyombo. Seems like they are really taking on a leadership role and being vocal early on. That's exactly what you need from the anchors of your defense.

[Magic#1]

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Post practice day 3 interviews

Really love what I'm hearing about Ibaka and Biyombo. Seems like they are really taking on a leadership role early on. That's exactly what you need from the anchors of your defense.

What's clear is that we have guys who are really going to compete and have that natural competitive instinct. That should help guys like Elf and AG too.

[OrlandO]

The quickest way to become disappointed in Aaron Gordon is to think he'll turn into Paul George this year though. Let him become the player he's destined to be and I think a lot of us will be very happy.

Yeah, there is no sense putting 20 ppg expectations on him this year even as a ceiling. He's got a lot on his plate this year with new responsibilities on offense. He doesn't have to put up anything close to 20 to have a great year. Averaging 13-15 on good efficiency while successfully facilitating like the coach wants him to and also playing great defense would be huge for him and the team, especially considering he was used in a garbage-man role the previous season.

[Bensational]

Gordon could be quite capable of around 20ppg given the opportunity (i.e. upping his usage and role in the offense). People around here really need to expand their minds.

Anyway, with Gordon and Elfrid both injured and sitting out the start of training camp, I couldn't have asked for a more disappointing start to the season. They yet again sit behind the eight ball trying to establish themselves as the main guys on the team, while the already established players further cement their roles without them.

I wouldn't worry, Vogel seems to understand the plan. Fournier might earn himself some more touches with a head start but he's a good scorer and I'd want him as one of our top two scoring options anyway. Maybe Ibaka earns himself some more shots, but ultimately Payton runs the point and plays and Gordon will be the other primary ball handler and playmaker. Augustin and Green aren't a threat to take that away.

I think the Vuc boat has sailed and Vogel won't be riding that the way Skiles did. You can hear in Vuc's comments that he feels left out. Stuff like "I think I'm the best player on the team and I've been here longest" really sounds like someone who knows they're on the out compared to how they've been treated before.

[fendilim]

Aaron Gordon is offensively inclined. The guy gets to the line quite well. He creates baskets.

He has looked close to dominate with his scoring, but it was in small sample sizes. He came out and put up 12 points in one quarter, which is very impressive.

My point is that it's too early to assume we know the ceiling on what Gordon is capable of doing.

20 PPG is a leap for sure, but 16-18 would not surprise me.

gordon creates baskets?? Thats new. Most of his shots were coming off assists.

Like you say, its too early to assume..

[basketballRob]

Aaron Gordon is offensively inclined. The guy gets to the line quite well. He creates baskets.

He has looked close to dominate with his scoring, but it was in small sample sizes. He came out and put up 12 points in one quarter, which is very impressive.

My point is that it's too early to assume we know the ceiling on what Gordon is capable of doing.

20 PPG is a leap for sure, but 16-18 would not surprise me.

gordon creates baskets?? Thats new. Most of his shots were coming off assists.

Like you say, its too early to assume..

He should be able to post up most 3's this year.

[MagicStarwipe]

Gordon could be quite capable of around 20ppg given the opportunity (i.e. upping his usage and role in the offense). People around here really need to expand their minds.

Anyway, with Gordon and Elfrid both injured and sitting out the start of training camp, I couldn't have asked for a more disappointing start to the season. They yet again sit behind the eight ball trying to establish themselves as the main guys on the team, while the already established players further cement their roles without them.

I wouldn't worry, Vogel seems to understand the plan. Fournier might earn himself some more touches with a head start but he's a good scorer and I'd want him as one of our top two scoring options anyway. Maybe Ibaka earns himself some more shots, but ultimately Payton runs the point and plays and Gordon will be the other primary ball handler and playmaker. Augustin and Green aren't a threat to take that away.

I think the Vuc boat has sailed and Vogel won't be riding that the way Skiles did. You can hear in Vuc's comments that he feels left out. Stuff like "I think I'm the best player on the team and I've been here longest" really sounds like someone who knows they're on the out compared to how they've been treated before.

I still think Vuc will play a big role but not as big as in past seasons. The identity of the team needs to change and part of that is moving away from being so Vuc centred. Judging by Vogel's comments we're going to be looking to Serge and Biz to set the tone for our defense. Vuc's minutes will probably go down, but he will still be looked at to score. Vogel seems to be putting an emphasis on him rolling more rather than popping every time and trying to seal and get position in the paint.

[rcklsscognition]

I also feel a little bit of Vogel perhaps trying to set Vucevic down gently. We'll see how it pans out, I don't think it will be drastic, he was a pretty high usage player though in the past. Vogel has been making it well known they came to camp as a coaching staff with a plan, but it would be re-evaluated as time goes on to take into account what happens on the court.

Also, Ibaka did not participate in either practice Thursday. Vogel said Ibaka is not injured, but the team wanted to manage some soreness in one of Ibaka's knees.

-Robbins buried in his article.

[thelead]

Gordon could be quite capable of around 20ppg given the opportunity (i.e. upping his usage and role in the offense). People around here really need to expand their minds.

I agree... I just don't expect to see it this year.

[Bensational]

Gordon could be quite capable of around 20ppg given the opportunity (i.e. upping his usage and role in the offense). People around here really need to expand their minds.

I agree... I just don't expect to see it this year.

I think 17ppg would have me confident he can then leap to being a 20ppg player. Paul George only averaged that in his breakout season.

If AG develops well then I think by season's end he'll be stringing together multiple 20 point + games.

[MagicStarwipe]

I agree that he's not likely to reach the 20ppg mark this season.

[j-ragg]

Yeah 20ppg is really unrealistic. Anything north of 15 ppg this year and I'm happy.

[wise1-2]

Fournier is more likely to drop 20 PPG. Gordon just turned 21. Even guys like Towns and Porzingis might not be able to drop 20 PPG yet. Gordon has a lot to prove still. He's going to have to be a scorer and playmaker for the first time. We knee from summer league that's something he works on and believes he's capable of. Hopefully we see summer league Gordon for a few games, but it wont be every game for sure. I dont expect him to be a 20+ PPG player next season or the one after. Maybe three years from now.

[rusoopE]

Vuc boat sailed away?