Official Speculation Thread ‘18-19’: XIX: Rise of the BIG

[WeAreVenom]

You CANNOT talk a pure focus on long-term when you have lost for 7 straight years. You have to consider the fan base that attends this year's games. Without some level of competence after this many years there won't be fans around when this so-called long term plan comes to fruition (if it ever does). You can't just instantly simulate 2 or 3 seasons like a video game - people need to pay money and attend games and watch them on TV for the next few years and have been for 6 already. This is a BUSINESS and its been too bad for too long

Far too long, with literally no sign of it ending.

That being said, unless we manage to swing some miracle trade, I do think our best bet is fully tanking this ear and going for Zion.

[Def Swami]

Because, Clifford doesn't intend to lose every game by 30 points because they cannot score by playing all kids making himself and the organinzation look like morons for putting such a crappy product in front of their already dwindling fan base.

True, but the long term makes more sense to have players that will be here playing minutes next to the core for the future. Orlando deserves not to have a fan base considering the product they have been pushing. Who cares what the overall win total is at the end of the season. This roster is obviously flawed and Clifford knows it. He’s just delaying the inevitable with these lineups. His job is safe and it shouldn’t matter.

7 years of the same circle going nowhere is not going to teach these kids how to build a chemistry and how to win games unless they start winning them.

The 7 year circle revolves around Vucevic.

It's time to move on.

[Def Swami]

You CANNOT talk a pure focus on long-term when you have lost for 7 straight years. You have to consider the fan base that attends this year's games. Without some level of competence after this many years there won't be fans around when this so-called long term plan comes to fruition (if it ever does). You can't just instantly simulate 2 or 3 seasons like a video game - people need to pay money and attend games and watch them on TV for the next few years and have been for 6 already. This is a BUSINESS and its been too bad for too long

People would still come if you have an exciting team to watch. I was excited for the 2014 season. I thought having Dipo, Harris and Gordon was exciting. I saw potential. Even when the losing started it was cool when one of them had a big game. Now its just boring bad basketball. I would rather have in Trae Young on this team starting at pg and be 0-7 then be this boring team we have with no flashes of excitement. At least if you play Bamba more minutes maybe he blocks a shot or two to get fans excited. Maybe JI can deflect a pass. Its the best we got right now. Running offense through VUC does not excite me in 2018. It bores me.. and we still lose

Yep. The retreads of the same roster with the same results and boring, poor offense isn't bringing anyone to Amway. There's a way to be interesting, entertaining and still lose a bunch of games. The Kings are going to do that this year. The Magic are doomed for the lottery this year no matter what they do. It's best to finally change the dynamic of the team and hand it over to the youth and build for the future. I'm far more interested in watching Bamba, Isaac, and Gordon play with a competent point guard than watching Fournier and Vucevic run pick n' rolls and the team fail to crack 100 nightly.

[Def Swami]

What teams could use Vuc? Im going through trade machine and I cant find one.

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[OrlChamps2030]

Wizards are a mess. Think we could get in on Beal? I'm good on Wall way too expensive and I've seen enough bricks hurled up already this year.

Think Fournier and Vuc could get it done? For Beal and Rivers? Not that I'm high on Rivers but maybe coming home would light a fire in his belly. But I'd love Beal, some actual shooting would be magnificent plus he is a fromer Gator and a legitimate all star.

Haven't look at all the salaries and stuff to see if it matches. Vuc and wall would be crazy good together and Fournier is an adequate replacement for Beal and won't clash with Wall being the man.

Just a thought.

Dude come on. Beal is a 25 year old star that’s locked in for multiple seasons..

[WeAreVenom]

Does anyone have any good news involving this team? Like, literally anything? I don't know if it's ever looked so bleak, there is literally nothing to look forward to.

[Skybox]

Read on Twitter

Only took 7 games for coach to start taking subtle jabs at the team and front office.

I don't see where you got that at all. Cliff just saying what is happening out there in that the offense barely moves without Vooch out there.

Put Vuc at PG...done!

[IllMagic04]

What teams could use Vuc? Im going through trade machine and I cant find one.

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I like his fit with the Lakers but the Lakers roster is so weird. We could do a swap for KCP and a top 12 protected pick. Id do that. Not sure if they would. KCP is only on 1 year deal so no biggie there.

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[YosemiteSam]

You CANNOT talk a pure focus on long-term when you have lost for 7 straight years. You have to consider the fan base that attends this year's games. Without some level of competence after this many years there won't be fans around when this so-called long term plan comes to fruition (if it ever does). You can't just instantly simulate 2 or 3 seasons like a video game - people need to pay money and attend games and watch them on TV for the next few years and have been for 6 already. This is a BUSINESS and its been too bad for too long

People would still come if you have an exciting team to watch. I was excited for the 2014 season. I thought having Dipo, Harris and Gordon was exciting. I saw potential. Even when the losing started it was cool when one of them had a big game. Now its just boring bad basketball. I would rather have in Trae Young on this team starting at pg and be 0-7 then be this boring team we have with no flashes of excitement. At least if you play Bamba more minutes maybe he blocks a shot or two to get fans excited. Maybe JI can deflect a pass. Its the best we got right now. Running offense through VUC does not excite me in 2018. It bores me.. and we still lose

Yep. The retreads of the same roster with the same results and boring, poor offense isn't bringing anyone to Amway. There's a way to be interesting, entertaining and still lose a bunch of games. The Kings are going to do that this year. The Magic are doomed for the lottery this year no matter what they do. It's best to finally change the dynamic of the team and hand it over to the youth and build for the future. I'm far more interested in watching Bamba, Isaac, and Gordon play with a competent point guard than watching Fournier and Vucevic run pick n' rolls and the team fail to crack 100 nightly.

I would agree with you and the previous poster if our youth had any semblance of interesting game at the moment. If we had Doncic or Young or even DS I could see the fans getting interested (like when we had Dipo, Harris, etc). But since our youth are all no offense projects playing them is actually worse to watch than out retreads. There isn’t a solution I see due to our draft, free agent and trade choices/mistakes, but run a team of Briscoe, Frazier, Gordon Isaac and Bamba our there for 30+ minutes and expect 2 things: Us to score in the 70s and plans to move the franchise.

[pepe1991]

One of Magic allegedly key prospects can't even handle 15% usage rate, why in a blue hell people think that he would do better with more?

We talk about guy who was second banana to not nba level prospect at college, nothing changed, opponents just got better.

[Def Swami]

Does anyone have any good news involving this team? Like, literally anything? I don't know if it's ever looked so bleak, there is literally nothing to look forward to.

If the Magic get really lucky in the lottery, they may land a good player that can dribble, pass, shoot.

If the Magic get really lucky in free agency, they may be able to land a player that can dribble, pass, shoot.

Hope for the best I suppose.

[Def Swami]

People would still come if you have an exciting team to watch. I was excited for the 2014 season. I thought having Dipo, Harris and Gordon was exciting. I saw potential. Even when the losing started it was cool when one of them had a big game. Now its just boring bad basketball. I would rather have in Trae Young on this team starting at pg and be 0-7 then be this boring team we have with no flashes of excitement. At least if you play Bamba more minutes maybe he blocks a shot or two to get fans excited. Maybe JI can deflect a pass. Its the best we got right now. Running offense through VUC does not excite me in 2018. It bores me.. and we still lose

Yep. The retreads of the same roster with the same results and boring, poor offense isn't bringing anyone to Amway. There's a way to be interesting, entertaining and still lose a bunch of games. The Kings are going to do that this year. The Magic are doomed for the lottery this year no matter what they do. It's best to finally change the dynamic of the team and hand it over to the youth and build for the future. I'm far more interested in watching Bamba, Isaac, and Gordon play with a competent point guard than watching Fournier and Vucevic run pick n' rolls and the team fail to crack 100 nightly.

I would agree with you and the previous poster if our youth had any semblance of interesting game at the moment. If we had Doncic or Young or even DS I could see the fans getting interested (like when we had Dipo, Harris, etc). But since our youth are all no offense projects playing them is actually worse to watch than out retreads. There isn’t a solution I see due to our draft, free agent and trade choices/mistakes, but run a team of Briscoe, Frazier, Gordon Isaac and Bamba our there for 30+ minutes and expect 2 things: Us to score in the 70s and plans to move the franchise.

The most interesting and entertaining lineups this season have been Grant/Ross/Simmons/Gordon/Bamba. Run that for 30+ minutes a night with a dose of Isaac and a competent point guard, and I guarantee the team will be more interesting and viable.

The issue is you're damned either way. Play the current starting units and you lose the fans' interest. Play your youth and lose a lot of games and lose your fans' interest. There's literally nothing else the Magic can do other than obtain better players.

In the mean time, the Magic might as well allow the players they've invested in the most, who plan on being here for the next 4+ years to develop their games. If it improves lottery odds, then that's even better. The last thing the Magic need is Vucevic and Fournier dominating a floundering team that ends up with the 6th pick again.

Spoiler:

(PS, I'm with you on DSJ)

[OrlandO]

Yep. The retreads of the same roster with the same results and boring, poor offense isn't bringing anyone to Amway. There's a way to be interesting, entertaining and still lose a bunch of games. The Kings are going to do that this year. The Magic are doomed for the lottery this year no matter what they do. It's best to finally change the dynamic of the team and hand it over to the youth and build for the future. I'm far more interested in watching Bamba, Isaac, and Gordon play with a competent point guard than watching Fournier and Vucevic run pick n' rolls and the team fail to crack 100 nightly.

I would agree with you and the previous poster if our youth had any semblance of interesting game at the moment. If we had Doncic or Young or even DS I could see the fans getting interested (like when we had Dipo, Harris, etc). But since our youth are all no offense projects playing them is actually worse to watch than out retreads. There isn’t a solution I see due to our draft, free agent and trade choices/mistakes, but run a team of Briscoe, Frazier, Gordon Isaac and Bamba our there for 30+ minutes and expect 2 things: Us to score in the 70s and plans to move the franchise.

The most interesting and entertaining lineups this season have been Grant/Ross/Simmons/Gordon/Bamba. Run that for 30+ minutes a night with a dose of Isaac and a competent point guard, and I guarantee the team will be more interesting and viable.

Spoiler:

(PS, I'm with you on DSJ)

That lineup would probably play like crap against starters for extended minutes.

[Def Swami]

I would agree with you and the previous poster if our youth had any semblance of interesting game at the moment. If we had Doncic or Young or even DS I could see the fans getting interested (like when we had Dipo, Harris, etc). But since our youth are all no offense projects playing them is actually worse to watch than out retreads. There isn’t a solution I see due to our draft, free agent and trade choices/mistakes, but run a team of Briscoe, Frazier, Gordon Isaac and Bamba our there for 30+ minutes and expect 2 things: Us to score in the 70s and plans to move the franchise.

The most interesting and entertaining lineups this season have been Grant/Ross/Simmons/Gordon/Bamba. Run that for 30+ minutes a night with a dose of Isaac and a competent point guard, and I guarantee the team will be more interesting and viable.

Spoiler:

(PS, I'm with you on DSJ)

That lineup would probably play like crap against starters for 30 mpg.

I could be wrong, but last time I checked, that lineup has the best net rating of any of our lineups so far. It's against benches, sure. IIRC, it's net rtg is around +8, where as the starters are around -2 so far.

Either way, both lineups are going to play like crap against starters. There's really no path to success with this current roster.

I anticipate they'll get to December or January and realize it until they're so far out of the playoff race and fully embrace a tank. If the Magic have no intention of making an in-season trade to fix their deficits, I'm just in favor of starting it sooner.

[Furinkazan]

What teams could use Vuc? Im going through trade machine and I cant find one.

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I like his fit with the Lakers but the Lakers roster is so weird. We could do a swap for KCP and a top 12 protected pick. Id do that. Not sure if they would. KCP is only on 1 year deal so no biggie there.

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try Clippers maybe?

[Optimus_Steel]

Definitely earliest the season has reached hapless status since the rebuild.

[OrlandO]

The most interesting and entertaining lineups this season have been Grant/Ross/Simmons/Gordon/Bamba. Run that for 30+ minutes a night with a dose of Isaac and a competent point guard, and I guarantee the team will be more interesting and viable.

Spoiler:

(PS, I'm with you on DSJ)

That lineup would probably play like crap against starters for 30 mpg.

I could be wrong, but last time I checked, that lineup has the best net rating of any of our lineups so far. It's against benches, sure. IIRC, it's net rtg is around +8, where as the starters are around -2 so far.

Either way, both lineups are going to play like crap against starters. There's really no path to success with this current roster.

I anticipate they'll get to December or January and realize it until they're so far out of the playoff race and fully embrace a tank. If the Magic have no intention of making an in-season trade to fix their deficits, I'm just in favor of starting it sooner.

That same bench lineup has a -10.5 net rating the last four games... not exactly consistent or trending up at the moment.

[shadrock]

Are people seriously just figuring this out now? Seriously? How this can be considered an our of the box idea is crazy to me...

Profound...

Read on Twitter

[shadrock]

[shadrock]

Wowee... mind blown. We play bad defense with a bad defensive center.

Its almost as if playing bad defense has an impact on us winning games or something... nah, cant be that.