Bold Predictions for the '17-'18 Magic

Post #1 » by **Def Swami** » Tue Oct 17, 2017 8:36 pm

With the season upon us, let's talk about our boldest predictions for the season. Have fun with it! I'll start.

- Elfrid Payton does not finish the season on the Orlando Magic. With his pending free agency, Payton is under a microscope by new management to show that he's capable of being the right fit for the team. I have no doubt that Payton is a net positive on the floor, but given the dearth of shooting across the board, I think management tries to find a better fit at point guard for this team (perhaps Eric Bledsoe or CJ McCollum or Mike Conley?). With nearly $36 million locked up between Biyombo, Vucevic, and Augustin, the Magic will most certainly attempt to shed salary to make it easier to pay Payton if need be. But, if they come up short moving any of their big men or finding a home for Augustin, it'll be hard for Weltman and Hammond to further lock themselves into this roster unless a big internal improvement is made.

- Aaron Gordon wins MIP. Why not? We've been waiting for Gordon to breakout since he tantalized us in the 2015 Summer League. The pace at which the Magic are playing are conducive for Gordon's game. He's making quicker decisions once he catches the ball and trying to attack earlier in the sets. If his 3 point shooting is just average, he'll make as good a case for MIP as anyone. He has it in him to average at least 20 ppg if Coach Vogel gives him the minutes. If he can do it efficiently, then he'll have a shot to win the award. He'll face competition from D'Angelo Russell, Kristaps Porzingis,

- The Magic end the season with a top 15 defense. It may not seem that bold, but after last season's debacle, it would be a huge improvement. The biggest disappointment of last season was how awful the team was on defense. It took them 3/4 of the season to realize that playing both bigs was not a recipe for a good defense in a league where triple threat wings are dominating. Just be above average and they'll give themselves a chance every night. The preseason, while still only preseason, offered some encouragement. They're playing smaller and faster on the wings. The additions of Simmons and Isaac should provide this team some extremely lengthy and quick lineups that should enable switching. I'm also banking on the 2nd year Vogel bump.

- The Magic win 35 games and fail to make the playoffs. I'm not rooting for playoffs so much as just cracking .500. I don't think being an 8 seed in the East with 38 wins really means anything positive. But, cracking average would be a positive step forward. Cracking .500 and having a positive showing in the playoffs may give the team more credence heading into free agency. Being an explicit season for evaluation, I think Weltman and Hammond will use the first half of the season to figure this team out. If this team is struggling by January, we could see the management change course. As I mentioned, they have to shed some of the excess salary in the front court. It'll be tough to do so. I don't think anyone in the organization could stomach another tear down rebuild, so I don't anticipate another tank. But we'll have a good idea of who is worth keeping around vs who is replaceable vs who needs to be replaced. As a byproduct, I anticipate that Jonathan Isaac's minutes increase significantly after the trade deadline.

- Jonathon Simmons will be the most loved bench player since Darrell Armstrong. I'm all in on Juice.

zuppafly · Post #2 » by **zuppafly** » Tue Oct 17, 2017 9:37 pm

I believe your first and last predictions are not that bold. At least for me.

I predict that despite having a better roster than last year, despite the East being weaker and despite the possibility of having a better record by the end of the season, frustration with our perimeter inability and defensive schemas will be at an all time high and Vogel will be fired the day after the season ends.

Shady Franchise · Post #3 » by **Shady Franchise** » Tue Oct 17, 2017 9:41 pm

Gordon gets invited to Slam Dunk Contest and wins! Unless he's not eligible anymore?

Magic get 15 wins before December is over! Seems easy right? I barely have them getting 15 before December is over.

Isaac starts before the All-Star Break!

Max Power · Post #4 » by **Max Power** » Wed Oct 18, 2017 2:08 am

Jonathan Simmons becomes this teams best player!

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Optimus_Steel · Post #5 » by **Optimus_Steel** » Wed Oct 18, 2017 3:14 am

zuppafly wrote:I believe your first and last predictions are not that bold. At least for me.

I predict that despite having a better roster than last year, despite the East being weaker and despite the possibility of having a better record by the end of the season, frustration with our perimeter inability and defensive schemas will be at an all time high and Vogel will be fired the day after the season ends.

Yea i think its realistic Payton gets dealt. And Simmons looks like a fan favorite already.

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J the Drafter · Post #6 » by **J the Drafter** » Wed Oct 18, 2017 3:43 am

Def Swami wrote:
- Elfrid Payton does not finish the season on the Orlando Magic.

I’m gonna be pissed if this happens.

As for my bold prediction: Hezonja starts looking like a decent player by two months into the season. He has new career highs by the season’s halfway mark. He ends the season looking like a keeper.

OrlandO · Post #7 » by **OrlandO** » Wed Oct 18, 2017 4:30 am

Shady Franchise wrote:Gordon gets invited to Slam Dunk Contest and wins!

He seems pretty focused on playing for a big contract next summer... not sure he'd risk that for a dunk contest.

Gomagic44 · Post #8 » by **Gomagic44** » Wed Oct 18, 2017 4:35 am

We win 45 games.

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drsd · Post #9 » by **drsd** » Wed Oct 18, 2017 5:51 am

There are no major in-season roster moves.

The Magic stabilize to a starting five of Payton/Fournier/Simmons/Gordon/Vučević.

A competent five is back-up by excellent bench depth and rises that to a winning season and a playoff bid (42-40 and the 7-seed).

..

fendilim · Post #10 » by **fendilim** » Wed Oct 18, 2017 6:11 am

simmons will be the next Jeff green.

drsd · Post #11 » by **drsd** » Wed Oct 18, 2017 8:45 am

fendilim wrote:simmons will be the next Jeff green.

Where is the Minus-ONE button???

..

BadMofoPimp · Post #12 » by **BadMofoPimp** » Wed Oct 18, 2017 12:15 pm

fendilim wrote:simmons will be the next Jeff green.

Possibly on offense, but most definitely not on defense. He is worlds better on defense. Besides, he can drive to the hoop better than Green as well. Just not a solid outside shooter.

BadMofoPimp · Post #13 » by **BadMofoPimp** » Wed Oct 18, 2017 12:22 pm

- Bizmark, Ross and Mario traded sometime during the season.

- Elf sticks around cuz he can be a triple double threat and the team finds ways for others to score from the outside.

- AG has a great season overall.

- Isaac averages 15-20mpg this season. He still has too much room to grow on before starting.

- Ben Simmons is the leader by example and the teams defense finally starts to get by mid-season

- Magic win 40 games this year

- Fournier may not improve his scoring average, but plays a more rounded game since the team has improved overall.

- Kem Birch takes Bizmarks roster spot once he is traded. Speights still backup Center tho.

- Aaron Afflalo provides much needed leadership and hits clutch shots when needed.

- Vucevic proves everyone all wrong!

fendilim · Post #14 » by **fendilim** » Wed Oct 18, 2017 1:42 pm

drsd wrote:
fendilim wrote:simmons will be the next Jeff green.

Where is the Minus-ONE button???

..

that's why its a bold prediction. High expectations for him.

I like Simmons, he has a really nice motor. And will likely play a big role for our second unit. But his shooting leaves a lot to be desired, similar problem we had with Jeff.

drsd · Post #15 » by **drsd** » Wed Oct 18, 2017 5:49 pm

fendilim wrote: ... similar problem we had with Jeff.

The funny thing here is that Green was brought in to be a sharp-shooter. $15,000,000.00 later, maybe we can all agree that Green was a bust at any cost.

..

Optimus_Steel · Post #16 » by **Optimus_Steel** » Wed Oct 18, 2017 5:56 pm

Bold prediction: Evan makes the allstar game.

Post #17 » by **SOUL** » Thu Oct 19, 2017 8:13 am

BadMofoPimp wrote:- Ben Simmons is the leader by example and the teams defense finally starts to get by mid-season

Now this is a bold statement. :wink:

Post #18 » by **Bensational** » Thu Oct 19, 2017 10:06 am

SOUL wrote:
BadMofoPimp wrote:- Ben Simmons is the leader by example and the teams defense finally starts to get by mid-season

Now this is a bold statement.

BadMofoPimp · Post #19 » by **BadMofoPimp** » Thu Oct 19, 2017 11:44 am

Bensational wrote:
SOUL wrote:
BadMofoPimp wrote:- Ben Simmons is the leader by example and the teams defense finally starts to get by mid-season

Now this is a bold statement.

I meant Jonathon Simmons. I musta wrote that right after watching something on Ben Simmons, lololol. :lol:

zuppafly · Post #20 » by **zuppafly** » Thu Apr 12, 2018 9:30 pm

zuppafly wrote:I believe your first and last predictions are not that bold. At least for me.

I predict that despite having a better roster than last year, despite the East being weaker and despite the possibility of having a better record by the end of the season, frustration with our perimeter inability and defensive schemas will be at an all time high and Vogel will be fired the day after the season ends.

I know bumps from old threads are lame and "I told you so" posts are dumb, but I really believed in these predictions and even bookmarked this post.

Heh