Official Speculation Thread ‘19-'20 II: BIG as F

[tiderulz]

Man, so many are always picking on Pepe for his perceived pessimistic view points. While I do not always agree with his post, I really enjoy the balance his point of view provides to the forum. If we all thought the same this place would be a very boring place to visit. I read more than I post, but the reason I come here is for the diversity of opinions.

Pepe, I apologize if I am misjudging you, but I think that Pepe is one of those people who likes to temper his expectations so he is not disappointed, but will be pleasantly surprised when things go well. He is obviously a fan who wants the same thing we all want which is for the Magic to be successful. All said, I enjoy the balance his post provide even if it kills my buzz from time to time.

P.S. I apologize for the psychoanalysis of somebody I have never met, but it is the slow part of the offseason and riveting topics are thin at the moment.

problem is that Pepe will show stats to prove his point of view and others with a different view point, but cant use any stats to prove their point of view. he wont pump sunshine if he cant point to stats to prove it.

[rcklsscognition]

If you glued both of Bamba's legs together they'd still be smaller than one of Vuc's.

[MoMM]

If you glued both of Bamba's legs together they'd still be smaller than one of Vuc's.

He is our Bol:

[rcklsscognition]

I remember watching Shawn Bradley live and being terrified every second that his legs were just going to snap in half at the knee when he ran in transition.

[yoyojw17]

^ Pretty interesting article from The Ringer.

Probably as optimistic of a piece as you'll find on the Magic this offseason. Tjarks is clearly very bullish on Gordon and Isaac.

Throw in the possibility of Fultz and Bamba making similar leaps to what Isaac made...

one thing i disagree on in the piece, Gordon isnt exactly tall and long compared to other forwards. 6'8.5 with just under 7' wingspan is good, but not exceptional. Isaac's measurements are better, and neither are what i would call overly skilled.

and they talked about Isaac's defense on Siakam, but Siakam put up 22+ ppg in that series.

His combination of speed, strength and athleticism makes him still a pretty special player... allowing him to play much bigger than he is.

and yes.... Siakim did get the statistical numbers.... but Isaac is still physically not ready to take on a player that aggressive and still possesses many of the tools that he does. As stated with bamba... isaac will develop on BOTH ends of the court as his body continues to mature and fill out. playing through contact and absorbing it when you're trying to play physically required the size and strength to back it up. And that physical maturity will make the biggest moves forward for him.

When Siakam reached the postseason, however, some fans were rightly concerned about his ability to adjust to unique defensive pressure. His first test came in the form of Jonathan Isaac — a long, athletic player similar in build to Pascal, and one who was able to effectively stop the Raptor forward in the three regular season games they played. While Siakam ultimately excelled in the first round, there were a few exhibits over the final three rounds which proved that the young forward has some work to do when finishing around the hoop.

[SOUL]

There are so many switches in games and especially in the playoffs that it doesn't even really matter too much whose man Siakam was, I remember a game where Blue_and_White was blaming Isaac alone for Isaac's defense on Siakam, looked back, and in the game Siakam scored 6-8 points of his 28? 24? I forgot how many points, on Isaac, and the rest on other people. Kawhi was like 1-13 against Isaac so maybe we should've thrown him at him a bit more.

[drsd]

I remember watching Shawn Bradley live and being terrified every second that his legs were just going to snap in half at the knee when he ran in transition.

[ezzzp]

There are so many switches in games and especially in the playoffs that it doesn't even really matter too much whose man Siakam was, I remember a game where Blue_and_White was blaming Isaac alone for Isaac's defense on Siakam, looked back, and in the game Siakam scored 6-8 points of his 28? 24? I forgot how many points, on Isaac, and the rest on other people. Kawhi was like 1-13 against Isaac so maybe we should've thrown him at him a bit more.

In the playoffs...

• Isaac defended:

Pascal Siakim: 171 Possessions / 19-36 (.527 FG%)
Kawhi Leonard: 46 Possessions / 3-8 (.375 FG%)
Kyle Lowry: 19 Possessions / 1-1
Danny Green: 12 Possessions / 0-0
Marc Gasol: 11 Possessions / 1-2
Norman Powell: 7 Possessions / 0-0
Fred VanVleet: 3 Possessions / 0-1
Serge Ibaka: 3 Possessions / 0-0

• Gordon defended:

Kawhi Leonard: 214 Possessions / 31-58 (.534 FG%)
Pascal Siakim: 49 Possessions / 5-11 (.455 FG%)
Danny Green: 21 Possessions / 1-2
Marc Gasol: 19 Possessions / 1-1
Kyle Lowry: 13 Possessions / 1-1
Serge Ibaka: 10 Possessions / 1-2
Patrick McCaw: 6 Possessions / 0-0
Fred VanVleet: 5 Possessions / 0-0
Norman Powell: 2 Possessions / 0-0

• Fournier defended:

Danny Green: 119 Possessions / 4-12 (.333)
Pascal Siakim: 48 Possessions / 12-16 (.750)
Kyle Lowry: 46 Possessions / 3-6 (.500)
Fred VanVleet: 40 Possessions / 3-8 (.375)
Norman Powell: 40 Possessions / 5-9 (.556)
Kawhi Leonard: 18 Possessions / 5-6 (.833)
Serge Ibaka: 7 Possessions / 1-1
Jodi Meeks: 6 Possessions / 0-0
Marc Gasol: 3 Possessions / 0-1

• Ross defended:

Norman Powell: 109 Possessions / 8-20 (.400)
Danny Green: 64 Possessions / 1-11 (.090)
Fred VanVleet: 39 Possessions / 3-5 (.600)
Pascal Siakim: 19 Possessions / 4-7 (.571)
Kawhi Leonard: 15 Possessions / 1-3 (.333)
Jodi Meeks: 13 Possessions / 1-1
Kyle Lowry: 10 Possessions / 0-1
Serge Ibaka: 6 Possessions / 0-0
Marc Gasol: 3 Possessions / 0-0

[MoMM]

I remember watching Shawn Bradley live and being terrified every second that his legs were just going to snap in half at the knee when he ran in transition.

At least Bamba has a shot of making Space Jam 3...

[PrimeThyme]

Sometimes I wish I could just hibernate the entire month of August. As an American sports fan that doesn't follow baseball, it is truly unbearable.

[MagicStarwipe]

There are so many switches in games and especially in the playoffs that it doesn't even really matter too much whose man Siakam was, I remember a game where Blue_and_White was blaming Isaac alone for Isaac's defense on Siakam, looked back, and in the game Siakam scored 6-8 points of his 28? 24? I forgot how many points, on Isaac, and the rest on other people. Kawhi was like 1-13 against Isaac so maybe we should've thrown him at him a bit more.

In the playoffs...

• Isaac defended:

Pascal Siakim: 171 Possessions / 19-36 (.527 FG%)
Kawhi Leonard: 46 Possessions / 3-8 (.375 FG%)
Kyle Lowry: 19 Possessions / 1-1
Danny Green: 12 Possessions / 0-0
Marc Gasol: 11 Possessions / 1-2
Norman Powell: 7 Possessions / 0-0
Fred VanVleet: 3 Possessions / 0-1
Serge Ibaka: 3 Possessions / 0-0

• Gordon defended:

Kawhi Leonard: 214 Possessions / 31-58 (.534 FG%)
Pascal Siakim: 49 Possessions / 5-11 (.455 FG%)
Danny Green: 21 Possessions / 1-2
Marc Gasol: 19 Possessions / 1-1
Kyle Lowry: 13 Possessions / 1-1
Serge Ibaka: 10 Possessions / 1-2
Patrick McCaw: 6 Possessions / 0-0
Fred VanVleet: 5 Possessions / 0-0
Norman Powell: 2 Possessions / 0-0

• Fournier defended:

Danny Green: 119 Possessions / 4-12 (.333)
Pascal Siakim: 48 Possessions / 12-16 (.750)
Kyle Lowry: 46 Possessions / 3-6 (.500)
Fred VanVleet: 40 Possessions / 3-8 (.375)
Norman Powell: 40 Possessions / 5-9 (.556)
Kawhi Leonard: 18 Possessions / 5-6 (.833)
Serge Ibaka: 7 Possessions / 1-1
Jodi Meeks: 6 Possessions / 0-0
Marc Gasol: 3 Possessions / 0-1

• Ross defended:

Norman Powell: 109 Possessions / 8-20 (.400)
Danny Green: 64 Possessions / 1-11 (.090)
Fred VanVleet: 39 Possessions / 3-5 (.600)
Pascal Siakim: 19 Possessions / 4-7 (.571)
Kawhi Leonard: 15 Possessions / 1-3 (.333)
Jodi Meeks: 13 Possessions / 1-1
Kyle Lowry: 10 Possessions / 0-1
Serge Ibaka: 6 Possessions / 0-0
Marc Gasol: 3 Possessions / 0-0

I really don't trust these sorts of stats. So many things can happen during the course of a possession. I'd rather a full play by play breakdown. Preferably with video. Get to work please

[thelead]

Sometimes I wish I could just hibernate the entire month of August. As an American sports fan that doesn't follow baseball, it is truly unbearable.

At least I'm more productive around this time of year.

[ezzzp]

I really don't trust these sorts of stats. So many things can happen during the course of a possession. I'd rather a full play by play breakdown. Preferably with video. Get to work please

NBA.com’s camera tracking defensive assignment stats aren’t precise but you get a good idea of how they were defending Toronto.

... but let’s be realistic, everyone here knows that if someone presented you with play-by-play video breakdown you would find a way to not believe in that either if it wasn’t convenient to your bias.

[MagicStarwipe]

I really don't trust these sorts of stats. So many things can happen during the course of a possession. I'd rather a full play by play breakdown. Preferably with video. Get to work please

NBA.com’s camera tracking defensive assignment stats aren’t precise but you get a good idea of how they were defending Toronto.

... but let’s be realistic, everyone here knows that if someone presented you with play-by-play video breakdown you would find a way to not believe in that either if it wasn’t convenient to your bias.

That escalated quickly. What did I ever do to you bruh?

[Blue_and_Whte]

There are so many switches in games and especially in the playoffs that it doesn't even really matter too much whose man Siakam was, I remember a game where Blue_and_White was blaming Isaac alone for Isaac's defense on Siakam, looked back, and in the game Siakam scored 6-8 points of his 28? 24? I forgot how many points, on Isaac, and the rest on other people. Kawhi was like 1-13 against Isaac so maybe we should've thrown him at him a bit more.

In the playoffs...

• Isaac defended:

Pascal Siakim: 171 Possessions / 19-36 (.527 FG%)
Kawhi Leonard: 46 Possessions / 3-8 (.375 FG%)
Kyle Lowry: 19 Possessions / 1-1
Danny Green: 12 Possessions / 0-0
Marc Gasol: 11 Possessions / 1-2
Norman Powell: 7 Possessions / 0-0
Fred VanVleet: 3 Possessions / 0-1
Serge Ibaka: 3 Possessions / 0-0

• Gordon defended:

Kawhi Leonard: 214 Possessions / 31-58 (.534 FG%)
Pascal Siakim: 49 Possessions / 5-11 (.455 FG%)
Danny Green: 21 Possessions / 1-2
Marc Gasol: 19 Possessions / 1-1
Kyle Lowry: 13 Possessions / 1-1
Serge Ibaka: 10 Possessions / 1-2
Patrick McCaw: 6 Possessions / 0-0
Fred VanVleet: 5 Possessions / 0-0
Norman Powell: 2 Possessions / 0-0

• Fournier defended:

Danny Green: 119 Possessions / 4-12 (.333)
Pascal Siakim: 48 Possessions / 12-16 (.750)
Kyle Lowry: 46 Possessions / 3-6 (.500)
Fred VanVleet: 40 Possessions / 3-8 (.375)
Norman Powell: 40 Possessions / 5-9 (.556)
Kawhi Leonard: 18 Possessions / 5-6 (.833)
Serge Ibaka: 7 Possessions / 1-1
Jodi Meeks: 6 Possessions / 0-0
Marc Gasol: 3 Possessions / 0-1

• Ross defended:

Norman Powell: 109 Possessions / 8-20 (.400)
Danny Green: 64 Possessions / 1-11 (.090)
Fred VanVleet: 39 Possessions / 3-5 (.600)
Pascal Siakim: 19 Possessions / 4-7 (.571)
Kawhi Leonard: 15 Possessions / 1-3 (.333)
Jodi Meeks: 13 Possessions / 1-1
Kyle Lowry: 10 Possessions / 0-1
Serge Ibaka: 6 Possessions / 0-0
Marc Gasol: 3 Possessions / 0-0

thank you for confirming what I already knew from my eye test.

[Knightro]

Read on Twitter

I chuckled.

[pepe1991]

Man, so many are always picking on Pepe for his perceived pessimistic view points. While I do not always agree with his post, I really enjoy the balance his point of view provides to the forum. If we all thought the same this place would be a very boring place to visit. I read more than I post, but the reason I come here is for the diversity of opinions.

Pepe, I apologize if I am misjudging you, but I think that Pepe is one of those people who likes to temper his expectations so he is not disappointed, but will be pleasantly surprised when things go well. He is obviously a fan who wants the same thing we all want which is for the Magic to be successful. All said, I enjoy the balance his post provide even if it kills my buzz from time to time.

P.S. I apologize for the psychoanalysis of somebody I have never met, but it is the slow part of the offseason and riveting topics are thin at the moment.

I'm just that type of person. Guy who in middle of good burger tells his gf that poor little calf had to die so she can take instagram pics or a stake

Jokes aside, i don't know, i think being objective and honest to yourself is important because it keeps you motivated but not stupid and delusional. On personal note, among jobs i worked i even worked with funeral company (not with dead people, but with their families) and it's kind a eyeopening how life just sucks for so many people and there is no sunshine and rainbows or happy ending.
It's by far most humbling experience i had and that changed my perspective of life.

As for stats, i just like to use them to measure what eye test tells you. Sometimes it supports it ,sometimes not. ironically at college statistics exam was one i failed at masterfully, took me forever to pass

[MagicMatic]

Man, so many are always picking on Pepe for his perceived pessimistic view points. While I do not always agree with his post, I really enjoy the balance his point of view provides to the forum. If we all thought the same this place would be a very boring place to visit. I read more than I post, but the reason I come here is for the diversity of opinions.

Pepe, I apologize if I am misjudging you, but I think that Pepe is one of those people who likes to temper his expectations so he is not disappointed, but will be pleasantly surprised when things go well. He is obviously a fan who wants the same thing we all want which is for the Magic to be successful. All said, I enjoy the balance his post provide even if it kills my buzz from time to time.

P.S. I apologize for the psychoanalysis of somebody I have never met, but it is the slow part of the offseason and riveting topics are thin at the moment.

Rarely do I agree with pepe’s posts, but I can’t say that I don’t blame him AT ALL for being skeptical most of the time. This organization has made a TON of questionable decisions and moves in the last decade largely of irrelevancy. A lot of people on this forum have left because this isn’t an echo chamber of people that exude positivity 100% of the time and back every single move the FO makes or doesn’t. There’s plenty of that on the Discord or Reddit. I like this place because it encourages discussion.

Regardless of how pepe spins his pov, I would much rather have him around than the alternative. I could say that about most posters here.

[The Real Dalic]

Man, so many are always picking on Pepe for his perceived pessimistic view points. While I do not always agree with his post, I really enjoy the balance his point of view provides to the forum. If we all thought the same this place would be a very boring place to visit. I read more than I post, but the reason I come here is for the diversity of opinions.

Pepe, I apologize if I am misjudging you, but I think that Pepe is one of those people who likes to temper his expectations so he is not disappointed, but will be pleasantly surprised when things go well. He is obviously a fan who wants the same thing we all want which is for the Magic to be successful. All said, I enjoy the balance his post provide even if it kills my buzz from time to time.

P.S. I apologize for the psychoanalysis of somebody I have never met, but it is the slow part of the offseason and riveting topics are thin at the moment.

I'm just that type of person. Guy who in middle of good burger tells his gf that poor little calf had to die so she can take instagram pics or a stake

Jokes aside, i don't know, i think being objective and honest to yourself is important because it keeps you motivated but not stupid and delusional. On personal note, among jobs i worked i even worked with funeral company (not with dead people, but with their families) and it's kind a eyeopening how life just sucks for so many people and there is no sunshine and rainbows or happy ending.
It's by far most humbling experience i had and that changed my perspective of life.

That is a super depressing way to look at life. It's very telling and consistent with the way you post. This is a game we're talking about here. It's for entertainment. Not everything needs to be psycho-analyzed and questioned. I like to enjoy the ride and have fun when it comes to basketball.

If this were more serious, I'd be slightly more cynical. But I need to have positivity in all aspects of my life or I'll drive myself crazy.

[The Real Dalic]

Man, so many are always picking on Pepe for his perceived pessimistic view points. While I do not always agree with his post, I really enjoy the balance his point of view provides to the forum. If we all thought the same this place would be a very boring place to visit. I read more than I post, but the reason I come here is for the diversity of opinions.

Pepe, I apologize if I am misjudging you, but I think that Pepe is one of those people who likes to temper his expectations so he is not disappointed, but will be pleasantly surprised when things go well. He is obviously a fan who wants the same thing we all want which is for the Magic to be successful. All said, I enjoy the balance his post provide even if it kills my buzz from time to time.

P.S. I apologize for the psychoanalysis of somebody I have never met, but it is the slow part of the offseason and riveting topics are thin at the moment.

Rarely do I agree with pepe’s posts, but I can’t say that I don’t blame him AT ALL for being skeptical most of the time. This organization has made a TON of questionable decisions and moves in the last decade largely of irrelevancy. A lot of people on this forum have left because this isn’t an echo chamber of people that exude positivity 100% of the time and back every single move the FO makes or doesn’t. There’s plenty of that on the Discord or Reddit. I like this place because it encourages discussion.

Regardless of how pepe spins his pov, I would much rather have him around than the alternative. I could say that about most posters here.

It's great to have opposing views. That's what forums like this one was made for. Healhty debates and talking about things you love with people of all kinds of viewpoints. However, the reason people left was not because of negativity. There's always been people like that, like Adonis, for example. But it's the constant negativity and beating the negativity into people that's a turn off.

There are people in here that could say stuff like "I'm glad Vuc is here to stay and I like the contract he signed for!" And people would respond with "You're glad we're a treadmill team with no future or cap flexibility?" It's happened to me plenty of times here already. It's also really dishonest and putting words in peoples mouths. People like to debate in bad faith from time-to-time just due to being angry and salty that things didn't go the way they wanted.

Everyone here is up for good healthy debates about anything, but we don't want to hear how people think they're so much smarter than everyone else and that we're stupid sheeple for thinking one way or another.