GAME THREAD: Pelicans @ Magic | 7pm | The Final Countdown

[PrimeThyme]

The Magic’s defense in the second half was as good as it has been all preseason. The team put physical pressure on the Pelicans. They were into their bodies and disrupting everything. They were not relying heavily on their rim protectors, but they were there throughout the second half.

New Orleans ended up posting 43 points on 34.1 percent shooting in the second half. Orlando forced 10 turnovers for 16 points. The Magic gave up 81.2 points per 100 possessions in the second half. Adding in overtime, the Magic conceded only 49 points and a 76.1 defensive rating.

In the fourth quarter and overtime alone, the Magic posted a 69.7 defensive rating with a +37.1 net rating. This is downright dominance. The kind of dominance the Magic want to see defensively and can grow from.

When you see this team put forth stretches like this it makes you believe in the potential of this team. If we could dominate for four quarters and have the effort we had in the second half, fourth quarter, and overtime of last nights game, we can play with anybody.

It's going to come down to effort with this team. The team we saw in the first half of last nights game that showed no effort and was hanging there heads is going to be a lottery team. But the team we saw in the second half could be a force in the east and a playoff team. Vogels going to have to keep pushing this team and instilling a winning mentality in them, and I think he can do it.

[PennytoShaq]

People have to be patient. This is a big time overhaul. What is frustrating is how some people are so fast to give up on the team in preseason. We changed 4 positions in the starting lineup if Biz ends up starting. I don't understand how people don't grasp that this stuff takes time.

Vogel said after the game that this will take months. The potential is worth it. His plan is to squeak the team into the playoffs and have them dialed in by then. Imagine us playing the defense you are seeing right now, except doing it for 4 quarters. No one will want to face us in the more halfcourt playoff game. The only flaw in this plan is that if we slide into 8th, we face the Cavs and will have no chance at winning that series. If we can somehow get to 6th or 7th we have a chance to make a playoff run with this kind of defense.

[OrlandO]

Those who whined and turned off the game early should be suspended for a week.

Again. Punish those with varying opinions. We were down 20 and looking like ass again, why wouldn't people complain.

Didn't realize you were ultra sensitive all of a sudden... you can dish it, but can't take it? It was obviously a joke... nobody is going to get suspended over such thing. And I said whined AND stopped watching, meaning both. If someone wants to excessively bitch like the sky is falling and on top of that ditch the game when there's plenty of time left, they better be open to taking licks when it turns out they were wrong.

[PennytoShaq]

Those who whined and turned off the game early should be suspended for a week.

Again. Punish those with varying opinions. We were down 20 and looking like ass again, why wouldn't people complain.

Didn't realize you were ultra sensitive all of a sudden... you can dish it, but can't take it? It was obviously a joke... nobody is going to get suspended over such thing. And I said whined AND stopped watching, meaning both. If someone wants to excessively bitch like the sky is falling and on top of that ditch the game when there's plenty of time left, they better be open to taking licks when it turns out they were wrong.

This. No one is held accountable for their opinion anymore, which is why people just fire off S--posts in every game thread and then act like it never happened, only to do it again the next time.

[Tayswagzzz]

Where is Scott Skiles to hold everyone on this forum accountable when you need him?

[NavalAviator94]

Biz needs to start. Inefficient offense from the center spot isn't all that great to me. Guy busts his ass every play and that energy is infectious to a team that needs it.

Let Vucevic play against other teams' bench bigs.

If we can get some consistent shooting from Payton and Gordon that could happen at some point. He's a beast and love his infectious energy. For now though I think Vuc needs to stay in and the coaches work with him on the right angles to play defense. He's definitely capable. I like that we can play Vuc & Biz depending on the situation. The Pelicans front line is BIG and when Davis is healthy, he's the best PF in the league hands down. No one can stop him. It won't be like that every game.

Skiles was correct in his view on Payton needing to play much more aggressive. They talked about him not realizing it until later in the game last year and we see some of that now. As the point guard, he needs to take that next step and really set the tempo and get his starting 5 playing hard.

Hezonja is clearly struggling and it's all in his head. My guess is he's just trying to find his way and the coaching staff hasn't spent much time working with him yet because there is so much for this coaching staff to deal with in the pre-season. I think over time we will start to see him get better. I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt and want to see how he is by the mid season mark. JJ Redick would be a great example of someone to emulate in moving without the ball. There's isn't much better. Once he begins to really figure it out upstairs, he will be a very valuable player.

[PennytoShaq]

Where is Scott Skiles to hold everyone on this forum accountable when you need him?

Rumors are he was doing it, but he rage quit in the middle of preseason.

[NEM]

I want to know where you all saw Mario doing all these dunks and shooting all these 3's because during his career in Europe, he barely got off the pine... I really want to know where the hype started because I've never seen it..

Watch on YouTube

He was 25/38 in 26 games at the rim. That's literally 1 layup made per game against talent far superior to the NBA. Also, he averaged 6, 1, 1 in 16 minutes per game... I STILL not seeing this "aggressive" player y'all are talking about. He is what he's always been. He will have a nice play here and there, a good game every once in a while, but just because someone writes something, doesn't make it true. He's a bench player and not even a good one at this point in his career.

[Nemesis21]

That's my boy.

Is a funny movie. Nugget pocket

[Patrick1978]

People seem to forget how good a passer Vuc is. They focus on his shooting percentages but he gets his teamates easy baskets and he rebounds.

Can I dare say that perhaps this year we will be average at getting to the FT line instead of awful? That would be a big upgrade.

Without a doubt. AG is great at drawing contact, Fournier has good vision and feel for when to attack the rim, and Ibaka has already shown a knack for drawing fouls as well.

The Magic are going to use Ibaka in ways that OKC never did, and a lot of people will eat their words about the trade at the end of the season.

I thought Ibaka would probably average 16 ppg for us, but now I'm thinking he could be an 18-20ppg guy with the amount of touches he should be getting.

Bulk of the scoring should come from Fournier and Ibaka, but that will open up opportunities for Gordon around Jan-Feb, when teams adjust and start keying in on them. I will not be a bit surprised if Gordon gives us 18ppg after the all-star break.

I also think that Ibaka's scoring could make Vuc expendable for us. Right now though having Vuc here is a major asset.

I would be happy if gordon steps up like that

[erod009]

I want to know where you all saw Mario doing all these dunks and shooting all these 3's because during his career in Europe, he barely got off the pine... I really want to know where the hype started because I've never seen it..

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

He was 25/38 in 26 games at the rim. That's literally 1 layup made per game against talent far superior to the NBA. Also, he averaged 6, 1, 1 in 16 minutes per game... I STILL not seeing this "aggressive" player y'all are talking about. He is what he's always been. He will have a nice play here and there, a good game every once in a while, but just because someone writes something, doesn't make it true. He's a bench player and not even a good one at this point in his career.

It's not like the Magic were expecting a MVP player drafting Hezonja.
He was drafted because of his potential and flashes he showed when given the opportunity.

[Nightman]

People have to be patient. This is a big time overhaul. What is frustrating is how some people are so fast to give up on the team in preseason. We changed 4 positions in the starting lineup if Biz ends up starting. I don't understand how people don't grasp that this stuff takes time.

Vogel said after the game that this will take months. The potential is worth it. His plan is to squeak the team into the playoffs and have them dialed in by then. Imagine us playing the defense you are seeing right now, except doing it for 4 quarters. No one will want to face us in the more halfcourt playoff game. The only flaw in this plan is that if we slide into 8th, we face the Cavs and will have no chance at winning that series. If we can somehow get to 6th or 7th we have a chance to make a playoff run with this kind of defense.

This.

This team is a bit of a conundrum right now, we have some nice pieces but we still need to establish an identity. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Magic limp out at the beginning of the year as we're figuring out what our best lineups are. But I trust Vogel to figure out what works throughout the season, and I think we'll hit our stride in time for a playoff push.

[drsd]

Payton with one of his impressive star lines again outside of TO's, .....

True, but even tether he was 2:1 assists to TOs. Coach Vogel can be happy with that.



..

[The Other Ankle]

Where is Scott Skiles to hold everyone on this forum accountable when you need him?

He's slamming vodka shots and posting in game threads under various names... Why else do you think we keep hearing about how poorly Payton shoots and how he needs to be traded?

[drsd]

I hope Mario Hezonja improves that confidence.

Watson and Wilcox a DNPCD's, that will change if Hezonja does not step up on both sides of the ball.


..

[Nightman]

Where is Scott Skiles to hold everyone on this forum accountable when you need him?

He's slamming vodka shots and posting in game threads under various names... Why else do you think we keep hearing about how poorly Payton shoots and how he needs to be traded?

I like to imagine him drunkenly booing at his television every time Payton touches the ball.

[Mc-o]

Where is Scott Skiles to hold everyone on this forum accountable when you need him?

[tiderulz]

Bulk of the scoring should come from Fournier and Ibaka, but that will open up opportunities for Gordon around Jan-Feb, when teams adjust and start keying in on them. I will not be a bit surprised if Gordon gives us 18ppg after the all-star break.

i would be extremely surprised. Happily surprised, but surprised nonetheless.

[PennytoShaq]

People seem to forget how good a passer Vuc is. They focus on his shooting percentages but he gets his teamates easy baskets and he rebounds.

Can I dare say that perhaps this year we will be average at getting to the FT line instead of awful? That would be a big upgrade.

Without a doubt. AG is great at drawing contact, Fournier has good vision and feel for when to attack the rim, and Ibaka has already shown a knack for drawing fouls as well.

The Magic are going to use Ibaka in ways that OKC never did, and a lot of people will eat their words about the trade at the end of the season.

I thought Ibaka would probably average 16 ppg for us, but now I'm thinking he could be an 18-20ppg guy with the amount of touches he should be getting.

Bulk of the scoring should come from Fournier and Ibaka, but that will open up opportunities for Gordon around Jan-Feb, when teams adjust and start keying in on them. I will not be a bit surprised if Gordon gives us 18ppg after the all-star break.

I also think that Ibaka's scoring could make Vuc expendable for us. Right now though having Vuc here is a major asset.

I would be happy if gordon steps up like that

I believe he will. We just need to be patient with him.

[basketballRob]

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

He was 25/38 in 26 games at the rim. That's literally 1 layup made per game against talent far superior to the NBA. Also, he averaged 6, 1, 1 in 16 minutes per game... I STILL not seeing this "aggressive" player y'all are talking about. He is what he's always been. He will have a nice play here and there, a good game every once in a while, but just because someone writes something, doesn't make it true. He's a bench player and not even a good one at this point in his career.

It's not like the Magic were expecting a MVP player drafting Hezonja.
He was drafted because of his potential and flashes he showed when given the opportunity.

The thing is, if we shipped him to the Warriors or Cavs he'd probably look like an all-star. One he'd be open and two he'd be part of a winning atmosphere.

Maybe if we start winning more and get some national attention, it'll invigorate his game.

Vogel must see something in practice to be giving him the minutes he does.