Official Speculation Thread ‘18-19’: XX: Year of the Vuc

[drsd]

WEll... All I can say is this will certainly be a meaningful game.

1.) To those who wanted Vuc gone for a 2nd rounder.. we can finally see how our offense and defense will look without him. Will AG,JI and Bamba score more points or will they score below average due to Vuc not being the center of the opposing team's defense?

2.) Will we finally see Evan passing to another Magic player not named Vuc or will he chuck away knowing he doesn't have anyone he likes to pass to?

3.) Will Bamba need an oxygen mask before the 1st half is over or naaah it's all good, he's in foul trouble so he doesn't play that much.

Well the answers to these questions are dark and disturbing.

1) they collected 29 points as a threesome.

2) Fournier had one assist for the game.

3) Bamba only logged 26 minutes in his +/- "performance" of minus-23. All while going 2-7 with FGs.


..

[pepe1991]

So , 2 years into new front office and we are yet to see first player that they draft/sign who is actually good at playing basketball.
#Evaluate
#flattened out
#TeamOctopus

[Mauro Pedrosa]

Would you rather have Aaron Gordon or Buddy Hield?

[dsg2021]

Would you rather have Aaron Gordon or Buddy Hield?

I would never trade Aaron Gordon.

[MartinsIzAfraud]

Would you rather have Aaron Gordon or Buddy Hield?

With this current team buddy hield for the future Aaron Gordon. Sad thing is I’m not sure we’ll figure out it’s a scoring league and keep drafting 4-5 year offensive projects.

[MoMM]

Would you rather have Aaron Gordon or Buddy Hield?

I would never trade Aaron Gordon.

Probably I wouldn't trade Aaron for Buddy (and Kings wouldn't neither), but I'm all in for trading him for McCollum or Beal.

I'm tired of Aaron, he got 12 points in this game, but at some point in the 3rd quarter he was scoreless, so he only made buckets after it was a real blowout.

We are paying almost 20mi/year for a guy that didn't score 10 points in 5 out of the last 10 games...

[MoMM]

3) Bamba only logged 26 minutes in his +/- "performance" of minus-23. All while going 2-7 with FGs.

Isn't he ready to be the starter? We just need to unlock him...

Some days ago I did a bad comparision between him and Byombo, their skills are very different, but my point there wasn't in terms of skills, it was related to be a high lottery pick and become a bust. I hope it's not the case, but Bamba was drafted as a guy with a lot of defensive potential and now we see that he is better on offense. He should be showing signs of a great defender as Isaac shows.

Also, he got suspended for 1 game for violating team rules, so I'm also starting to question his work ethic and desire. I know he is a kid and this kind of thing happen, but we didn't see it happen with any of our young players, however at least he agreed with the suspension, so he knows he is not right and I hope he learns from.

[pepe1991]

The Spurs shot 64.9 percent from the field (50-of-77), which breaks the record for the highest field goal percentage in a game against the Magic in team history. The previous record for the highest FG percentage in a game by a Magic opponent was 63.3 percent by the NY Knicks in November of 1991. http://bkref.com/tiny/Wp7Rs


The Spurs were 12-of-19 (63.2 percent) from 3-point range, which made their effective field goal percentage for the game 72.7 percent, and that breaks the record for the highest eFG percentage in a game against the Magic in team history. The previous record for the highest eFG percentage in a game by a Magic opponent was 71.1 percent set by Cleveland in March of 2015. http://bkref.com/tiny/wE14w


The Spurs set their all-time team record for the highest eFG percentage in a game. http://bkref.com/tiny/j9HdY
The 39-point loss by the Magic ties for the third-worst home loss in team history. On two occasions Orlando has lost a home game by 40 points, the last time in November of 2017 in a 125-85 loss to Utah. http://bkref.com/tiny/ArAQB

[Skybox]

3) Bamba only logged 26 minutes in his +/- "performance" of minus-23. All while going 2-7 with FGs.

Isn't he ready to be the starter? We just need to unlock him...

Some days ago I did a bad comparision between him and Byombo, their skills are very different, but my point there wasn't in terms of skills, it was related to be a high lottery pick and become a bust. I hope it's not the case, but Bamba was drafted as a guy with a lot of defensive potential and now we see that he is better on offense. He should be showing signs of a great defender as Isaac shows.

Also, he got suspended for 1 game for violating team rules, so I'm also starting to question his work ethic and desire. I know he is a kid and this kind of thing happen, but we didn't see it happen with any of our young players, however at least he agreed with the suspension, so he knows he is not right and I hope he learns from.

Although a "floor-spacing 5" is the new thang, it bugs me to watch our 7'10 monster camping at the 3pt line like JJ Reddick. He does make them but he seems happy out there. When he gets a (rare) nice easy pick and roll uncontested lob dunk, he flexes and yells like he's been manhandling the opposition...I hope things develop a little more sensibly soon. I know he's a project, but more than I originally expected. Skinny doesn't mean helpless. This isn't football. He needs a little mean streak and competitive fire...I'd like to see some pride on the D end, even if he gets dunked on, I'd like to see more of a "my house/everything contested" mentality.

[VFX]

So , 2 years into new front office and we are yet to see first player that they draft/sign who is actually good at playing basketball.
#Evaluate
#flattened out
#TeamOctopus

The problem is that you simply can’t afford to field an entire team of inconsistent 3rd options with an offense predicated around a Center who would have been more effective in 1999.

Even knowing that, they never managed to address acquiring a guard or wing via draft that could possibly alleviate the necessity to run such an archaic offense. If this roster isn’t different next year and they resign these same exact players I won’t be watching. It’s not worth wasting more years watching what 90% of this board knows doesn’t and hasn’t worked for years.

“Pushing for the playoffs” because “it’s about time” and “the fans deserve it” is hilarious to me considering the core hasn’t changed and the work hasn’t been put into building this roster AT ALL to deserve different results for this current management.

[pepe1991]

So , 2 years into new front office and we are yet to see first player that they draft/sign who is actually good at playing basketball.
#Evaluate
#flattened out
#TeamOctopus

The problem is that you simply can’t afford to field an entire team of inconsistent 3rd options with an offense predicated around a Center who would have been more effective in 1999.

Even knowing that, they never managed to address acquiring a guard or wing via draft that could possibly alleviate the necessity to run such an archaic offense. If this roster isn’t different next year and they resign these same exact players I won’t be watching. It’s not worth wasting more years watching what 90% of this board knows doesn’t and hasn’t worked for years.

“Pushing for the playoffs” because “it’s about time” and “the fans deserve it” is hilarious to me considering the core hasn’t changed and the work hasn’t been put into building this roster AT ALL to deserve different results for this current management.

Meh, i wrote big post and just delited it. I feel like people here put more free time, will and heart into Magic potential rebuild/revam than Hennigan,Weltman,Martins and Hammond ever did.

Whole story short: you don't start your rebuild by not moving anybody, making zero moves, acting all smart in media , talking how draft flattened out just to whole world figures that you passed on guy like Kuzma who would be ,by far your second best player.
You don't draft 2 players with similar skillet and identical problems.
You don't draft player that plays same position as current guy ,and re-sign current guy on highest salary on a team, on 4 years.

Also you don't stock pile bigs like you did with Bucks, wasting all the money to the point where you have to play Tony Snell for years because he is closest thing to guard you can afford.

I hated Hammond as choice for Gm, hate it even more with every new day.

[Blue_and_Whte]

I think our offense will look better tonight.

Without our best scorer and passer? Yeaaaaa nooo.

His usage is 27.5% so we'll have more opportunities for the other guys. Hopefully Fournier and Simmons don't try to hijack the game with hero ball.

Sent from my LG-LS997 using RealGM mobile app

[MoMM]

Although a "floor-spacing 5" is the new thang, it bugs me to watch our 7'10 monster camping at the 3pt line like JJ Reddick.

I'd like to see some pride on the D end, even if he gets dunked on, I'd like to see more of a "my house/everything contested" mentality.

Exactly, that's what I expect from a center with such a wingspan.

[basketballRob]

We've got blown out a lot lately even with Vuc.

Sent from my LG-LS997 using RealGM mobile app

[Blue_and_Whte]

Would you rather have Aaron Gordon or Buddy Hield?

I would never trade Aaron Gordon.

Probably I wouldn't trade Aaron for Buddy (and Kings wouldn't neither), but I'm all in for trading him for McCollum or Beal.

I'm tired of Aaron, he got 12 points in this game, but at some point in the 3rd quarter he was scoreless, so he only made buckets after it was a real blowout.

We are paying almost 20mi/year for a guy that didn't score 10 points in 5 out of the last 10 games...

I'm not "tired of Aaron" i guess because I'm not surprised that he's struggling when its been apparent that he isnt a scorer. He's a guy that can score with the right players around him. I certainly dont consider him untradeable at this point.

Sent from my VS501 using RealGM mobile app

[EAS Law]

I’m not sure if the logical contradictions here or the reactionary hot takes are what annoy me most.

You are NOT watching a finished product!!!!!

We finally have a watchable team. He spurs shot over 60% from everywhere last night and we are back to “everything is trash”. We are somehow blaming Vuc again despite him contributing to a decent season so far and not playing last night.

The players that are constantly compared to our roster are players that we were never in a position to acquire.

Bamba is a rookie. A rookie drafted late in the lottery. He’s not going to be Shaq, or Zo, or AD, or Kareem.

Isaac is in year two. Isaac was also drafted relatively late in the lotto. He isn’t going to be Durant, or Paul George, or LeBron, or Melo.

AG is inconsistent still. He has put up several huge games for us so far and he has struggled in some games.

You all expect too much and are too impatient for your own good. Game after game, guys here destroy any player we have that shows even the slightest glimmer of potential as soon as they stumble or fail to top whatever they did last night regardless of any context. It’s all about raw numbers, advanced stats, and whatever ESPN says.

These are several reasons why our fan base is trash and players leave Orlando. It’s disgusting.

We have a real chance to make the playoffs, make a couple of trades, sign a FA or two, and patience is the game. I’ll enjoy it. Sorry that some of you won’t.

[MagicFan4Lyfe]

I’m not sure if the logical contradictions here or the reactionary hot takes are what annoy me most.

You are NOT watching a finished product!!!!!

We finally have a watchable team. He spurs shot over 60% from everywhere last night and we are back to “everything is trash”. We are somehow blaming Vuc again despite him contributing to a decent season so far and not playing last night.

The players that are constantly compared to our roster are players that we were never in a position to acquire.

Bamba is a rookie. A rookie drafted late in the lottery. He’s not going to be Shaq, or Zo, or AD, or Kareem.

Isaac is in year two. Isaac was also drafted relatively late in the lotto. He isn’t going to be Durant, or Paul George, or LeBron, or Melo.

AG is inconsistent still. He has put up several huge games for us so far and he has struggled in some games.

You all expect too much and are too impatient for your own good. Game after game, guys here destroy any player we have that shows even the slightest glimmer of potential as soon as they stumble or fail to top whatever they did last night regardless of any context. It’s all about raw numbers, advanced stats, and whatever ESPN says.

These are several reasons why our fan base is trash and players leave Orlando. It’s disgusting.

We have a real chance to make the playoffs, make a couple of trades, sign a FA or two, and patience is the game. I’ll enjoy it. Sorry that some of you won’t.

Bamba wasn’t a late lottery pick. #6 is considered a high lottery pick.

Let me correct your last sentence:

We have a real chance to make the playoffs and get annhilated by Toronto. Next season we will make a couple of minor trades, sign a G league level FA or two, and make another 8th seed playoff run only to be destroyed again in the first round. I’ll enjoy it over and over again like a roadkill run over by thousands of cars. Sorry that some of you want to compete for a championship but I like being roadkill for eternity!

[OrlandoNed]

I’m not sure if the logical contradictions here or the reactionary hot takes are what annoy me most.

You are NOT watching a finished product!!!!!

We finally have a watchable team. He spurs shot over 60% from everywhere last night and we are back to “everything is trash”. We are somehow blaming Vuc again despite him contributing to a decent season so far and not playing last night.

The players that are constantly compared to our roster are players that we were never in a position to acquire.

Bamba is a rookie. A rookie drafted late in the lottery. He’s not going to be Shaq, or Zo, or AD, or Kareem.

Isaac is in year two. Isaac was also drafted relatively late in the lotto. He isn’t going to be Durant, or Paul George, or LeBron, or Melo.

AG is inconsistent still. He has put up several huge games for us so far and he has struggled in some games.

You all expect too much and are too impatient for your own good. Game after game, guys here destroy any player we have that shows even the slightest glimmer of potential as soon as they stumble or fail to top whatever they did last night regardless of any context. It’s all about raw numbers, advanced stats, and whatever ESPN says.

These are several reasons why our fan base is trash and players leave Orlando. It’s disgusting.

We have a real chance to make the playoffs, make a couple of trades, sign a FA or two, and patience is the game. I’ll enjoy it. Sorry that some of you won’t.

Bamba wasn’t a late lottery pick. #6 is considered a high lottery pick.

Let me correct your last sentence:

We have a real chance to make the playoffs and get annhilated by Toronto. Next season we will make a couple of minor trades, sign a G league level FA or two, and make another 8th seed playoff run only to be destroyed again in the first round. I’ll enjoy it over and over again like a roadkill run over by thousands of cars. Sorry that some of you want to compete for a championship but I like being roadkill for eternity!

Unfortunately some people are content with mediocrity.

Ironically, I agree with EAS that some on this board lack patience. The ones who are lacking it are the ones like EAS who are so desperate to have their team become decent enough to make the 8th seed, they are willing to see it happen on the backs of veterans at their ceilings as players in contract years who will either leave for nothing at the end of the year or will have to be overpaid in order to keep. That's impatience. What isn't impatience is sitting through 7 years of incompetence and still be willing to take the time to tank as long as necessary to acquire the foundational pieces of a championship roster, but still being frustrated seeing management being too willing to do what we all know doesn't lead to titles.

[OrlandoNed]

I’m not sure if the logical contradictions here or the reactionary hot takes are what annoy me most.

You are NOT watching a finished product!!!!!

We finally have a watchable team. He spurs shot over 60% from everywhere last night and we are back to “everything is trash”. We are somehow blaming Vuc again despite him contributing to a decent season so far and not playing last night.

The players that are constantly compared to our roster are players that we were never in a position to acquire.

Bamba is a rookie. A rookie drafted late in the lottery. He’s not going to be Shaq, or Zo, or AD, or Kareem.

Isaac is in year two. Isaac was also drafted relatively late in the lotto. He isn’t going to be Durant, or Paul George, or LeBron, or Melo.

AG is inconsistent still. He has put up several huge games for us so far and he has struggled in some games.

You all expect too much and are too impatient for your own good. Game after game, guys here destroy any player we have that shows even the slightest glimmer of potential as soon as they stumble or fail to top whatever they did last night regardless of any context. It’s all about raw numbers, advanced stats, and whatever ESPN says.

These are several reasons why our fan base is trash and players leave Orlando. It’s disgusting.

We have a real chance to make the playoffs, make a couple of trades, sign a FA or two, and patience is the game. I’ll enjoy it. Sorry that some of you won’t.

I don't think you understand what "late lotto" means. Late lotto is when the picks start getting into double digits. #6 is early/mid lottery.

[rcklsscognition]

From Mozgod's blog:

As with any team, in Orlando, we have both veterans and young players. The elders, of course, have their own privileges: the fact that you don’t need to collect the balls after training is the least Of course, the guys who have been in the NBA for over a year look better on the court: they don’t make mistakes and make fewer ill-considered steps. Vujevich, Fournier, Augustine play more confidently than newcomers. And this is logical.

Mohamed Bamba, the 6th draft pick last year, does not appear so much on the court, but there is nothing to worry about. It happens in different ways: sometimes the new guys who come to the League are immediately rushed by the coach and on their first year they average 35 minutes per match. Sometimes they are introduced to the team gradually, get used to it and become stronger. With Bamba it’s rather the second case.