Official Speculation Thread '20-'21 VI: "I like this team"

[MagicStarwipe]

Clifford first but parts of second interviews gave strong hinst that both Okeke and Anthony indeed are not - nba ready.
In first interview, half of the interview went on Clifford using words like "poor young guys didn't have chance" literally bridging excuses for them. In Cole in particualr he said that offense and defense at college level are night and day and that nba offense is way more soficticated than "that" ( college ball).

Hang on. I thought coaches were only supposed to gush positivity about their players, Pepe!!!!

Could it actually be that Clifford was being sincere when he praised Fultz' form, health and shooting as well as being less than effusive on Cole and Chuma's chances to start out the gate?

I realise that you and positivity are virtual strangers so you'd be naturally suspicious of it. But it seems Cliff isn't all unicorns and rainbows about his players by default so maybe when he sounds positive it's actually him being...... positive?

I'm more than confident that i'm one of less than 3 people who actually watched Clifford interviews ,yet everybodyhere commenting

Clifford was asked questions. He didn't call press conference to tell everybody he has young Steph Curry now.
"Question" about Fultz where comment was made, that was pulled out of context - was guy who works for Orlando Magic - force feeding Clifford into saying he is better than last year. I posted "question" ( really not question, guy giving statmant, putting Clifford on spot where he can trash Fultz or just say: sure ") twice here. Yet, again, nobody really cares, because nobody saw interiew by probably me and 2 more guys.

That's why i used typical post drafting question " isn't it amazing to be drafted by XY team" where player is put in spot where he flat out can't say anything but " sure". And than media will break down news into " XY player dreams come true as he was alwaxys fan of a team"... yea... long live freedom of speach.

What's even more funny, there is video of Fultz shooting ,and it's still same ugly push shot.

Last year i talked a lot about how i find everything that happends in offseason hype, semi truths, fake "body transformations" and flat out dumb stuff. Everybody is comming together, everybody is ready to take new step, contenders are ready to go all in, tankers are ready to suprise people... It's typcal nba hype bull***t. It's such a bull**** that even Jalen Rose and Jakobe were mocking literally same thing 3 years ago. Rose was making parody of it saying "guys get matching tattoos, they are ready for allstar... than season starts and they still suck".

Look, everybody i entitled to their own opinion, fine. I spent 4 years talking how Gordon will never be plus shooter. Maybe i should rub posters in their face some sweet earned "told you so" . But meh, too old for that s***. Now here we go again, hyping 27% three point shooter. I'll just roll my eyes, shrug shoulders and move on.

You act like the whole board is just convinced that Fultz is about to have an all-star season because a few people are hopeful after a comment made by Clifford. You just blow everything way out of proportion and create these narratives that only exist in your own head. The only reason you are so riled up is because you dislike a player, then when you get into disagreements about said player with other posters, it makes you dig your heels in even harder and become more defiant about that player. I'm sure if Clifford said Evan had eye surgery and unlocked his peripheral vision you wouldn't rage about posters being hopeful that Evan will be better at seeing the floor this season.

Now you're about to respond to my post with more false narratives and things that don't relate to what I said. Probably something about Elfrid Payton making some guy fall in love with basketball again or being a championship PG. Have a blast.

[pepe1991]

Watch on YouTube

not sure how old this is, this arena is NY as far as i know

[pepe1991]

Hang on. I thought coaches were only supposed to gush positivity about their players, Pepe!!!!

Could it actually be that Clifford was being sincere when he praised Fultz' form, health and shooting as well as being less than effusive on Cole and Chuma's chances to start out the gate?

I realise that you and positivity are virtual strangers so you'd be naturally suspicious of it. But it seems Cliff isn't all unicorns and rainbows about his players by default so maybe when he sounds positive it's actually him being...... positive?

I'm more than confident that i'm one of less than 3 people who actually watched Clifford interviews ,yet everybodyhere commenting

Clifford was asked questions. He didn't call press conference to tell everybody he has young Steph Curry now.
"Question" about Fultz where comment was made, that was pulled out of context - was guy who works for Orlando Magic - force feeding Clifford into saying he is better than last year. I posted "question" ( really not question, guy giving statmant, putting Clifford on spot where he can trash Fultz or just say: sure ") twice here. Yet, again, nobody really cares, because nobody saw interiew by probably me and 2 more guys.

That's why i used typical post drafting question " isn't it amazing to be drafted by XY team" where player is put in spot where he flat out can't say anything but " sure". And than media will break down news into " XY player dreams come true as he was alwaxys fan of a team"... yea... long live freedom of speach.

What's even more funny, there is video of Fultz shooting ,and it's still same ugly push shot.

Last year i talked a lot about how i find everything that happends in offseason hype, semi truths, fake "body transformations" and flat out dumb stuff. Everybody is comming together, everybody is ready to take new step, contenders are ready to go all in, tankers are ready to suprise people... It's typcal nba hype bull***t. It's such a bull**** that even Jalen Rose and Jakobe were mocking literally same thing 3 years ago. Rose was making parody of it saying "guys get matching tattoos, they are ready for allstar... than season starts and they still suck".

Look, everybody i entitled to their own opinion, fine. I spent 4 years talking how Gordon will never be plus shooter. Maybe i should rub posters in their face some sweet earned "told you so" . But meh, too old for that s***. Now here we go again, hyping 27% three point shooter. I'll just roll my eyes, shrug shoulders and move on.

You act like the whole board is just convinced that Fultz is about to have an all-star season because a few people are hopeful after a comment made by Clifford. You just blow everything way out of proportion and create these narratives that only exist in your own head. The only reason you are so riled up is because you dislike a player, then when you get into disagreements about said player with other posters, it makes you dig your heels in even harder and become more defiant about that player. I'm sure if Clifford said Evan had eye surgery and unlocked his peripheral vision you wouldn't rage about posters being hopeful that Evan will be better at seeing the floor this season.

Now you're about to respond to my post with more false narratives and things that don't relate to what I said. Probably something about Elfrid Payton making some guy fall in love with basketball again or being a championship PG. Have a blast.

There have been probably hour and half or two hours of footage of interviews where media member, all who work for Orlando Magic or their job is dependend on Orlando Magic ask Orlando Magic head coach and Orlando Magic players questions about Orlando Magic. And people blow narrative out of proportion because everything that said inside that very closed world is- positive?

This is like job interview inside a company. NObody will say anything negative, nor it will be objective about subject about because , spoiler: your life, family and your incom right now depends on that company.

No i won't mention Payton, beliving Payton will ever be anything more than replacment level talent was enough enough embarrassment.

[MagicStarwipe]

I'm more than confident that i'm one of less than 3 people who actually watched Clifford interviews ,yet everybodyhere commenting

Clifford was asked questions. He didn't call press conference to tell everybody he has young Steph Curry now.
"Question" about Fultz where comment was made, that was pulled out of context - was guy who works for Orlando Magic - force feeding Clifford into saying he is better than last year. I posted "question" ( really not question, guy giving statmant, putting Clifford on spot where he can trash Fultz or just say: sure ") twice here. Yet, again, nobody really cares, because nobody saw interiew by probably me and 2 more guys.

That's why i used typical post drafting question " isn't it amazing to be drafted by XY team" where player is put in spot where he flat out can't say anything but " sure". And than media will break down news into " XY player dreams come true as he was alwaxys fan of a team"... yea... long live freedom of speach.

What's even more funny, there is video of Fultz shooting ,and it's still same ugly push shot.

Last year i talked a lot about how i find everything that happends in offseason hype, semi truths, fake "body transformations" and flat out dumb stuff. Everybody is comming together, everybody is ready to take new step, contenders are ready to go all in, tankers are ready to suprise people... It's typcal nba hype bull***t. It's such a bull**** that even Jalen Rose and Jakobe were mocking literally same thing 3 years ago. Rose was making parody of it saying "guys get matching tattoos, they are ready for allstar... than season starts and they still suck".

Look, everybody i entitled to their own opinion, fine. I spent 4 years talking how Gordon will never be plus shooter. Maybe i should rub posters in their face some sweet earned "told you so" . But meh, too old for that s***. Now here we go again, hyping 27% three point shooter. I'll just roll my eyes, shrug shoulders and move on.

You act like the whole board is just convinced that Fultz is about to have an all-star season because a few people are hopeful after a comment made by Clifford. You just blow everything way out of proportion and create these narratives that only exist in your own head. The only reason you are so riled up is because you dislike a player, then when you get into disagreements about said player with other posters, it makes you dig your heels in even harder and become more defiant about that player. I'm sure if Clifford said Evan had eye surgery and unlocked his peripheral vision you wouldn't rage about posters being hopeful that Evan will be better at seeing the floor this season.

Now you're about to respond to my post with more false narratives and things that don't relate to what I said. Probably something about Elfrid Payton making some guy fall in love with basketball again or being a championship PG. Have a blast.

There have been probably hour and half or two hours of footage of interviews where media member, all who work for Orlando Magic or their job is dependend on Orlando Magic ask Orlando Magic head coach and Orlando Magic players questions about Orlando Magic. And people blow narrative out of proportion because everything that said inside that very closed world is- positive?

This is like job interview inside a company. NObody will say anything negative, nor it will be objective about subject about because , spoiler: your life, family and your incom right now depends on that company.

No i won't mention Payton, beliving Payton will ever be anything more than replacment level talent was enough enough embarrassment.

You have to apply for a job with Fox news. You're the master of spin.

[pepe1991]

You act like the whole board is just convinced that Fultz is about to have an all-star season because a few people are hopeful after a comment made by Clifford. You just blow everything way out of proportion and create these narratives that only exist in your own head. The only reason you are so riled up is because you dislike a player, then when you get into disagreements about said player with other posters, it makes you dig your heels in even harder and become more defiant about that player. I'm sure if Clifford said Evan had eye surgery and unlocked his peripheral vision you wouldn't rage about posters being hopeful that Evan will be better at seeing the floor this season.

Now you're about to respond to my post with more false narratives and things that don't relate to what I said. Probably something about Elfrid Payton making some guy fall in love with basketball again or being a championship PG. Have a blast.

There have been probably hour and half or two hours of footage of interviews where media member, all who work for Orlando Magic or their job is dependend on Orlando Magic ask Orlando Magic head coach and Orlando Magic players questions about Orlando Magic. And people blow narrative out of proportion because everything that said inside that very closed world is- positive?

This is like job interview inside a company. NObody will say anything negative, nor it will be objective about subject about because , spoiler: your life, family and your incom right now depends on that company.

No i won't mention Payton, beliving Payton will ever be anything more than replacment level talent was enough enough embarrassment.

You have to apply for a job with Fox news. You're the master of spin.

So from 2 hours of scripted, most PG possible interviews fans take few qouts and run with narrative.
For istance Okeke was asked " was anybody from a team suprised him with quickness, athleticality and speed " and he said Terrecene Ross. But nobody brought it up on a board because it's not popular narrative to hype 28 years old bench player. if he said Gordon,Bamba or Fultz i would bet everything i have people would be talking about it.

Why nobody brought single word how Clark was drooling over Clifford ? Well because half of the board isn't biggest Clifford fan.

It's just cherrypicking what you want to hear and echoing it.

What execlly i spinned tho? Literally every single question from this interviews was asked from guys that work for Orlando Magic.com, who are actuall media stuff members of Orlando Magic, Orlando Magic beat writers OR Josh Robbins, who is only guy who actually isn't on Orlando Magic -payroll
You don't see anything fishy about it? Communist party at it's finest.

[MagicStarwipe]

There have been probably hour and half or two hours of footage of interviews where media member, all who work for Orlando Magic or their job is dependend on Orlando Magic ask Orlando Magic head coach and Orlando Magic players questions about Orlando Magic. And people blow narrative out of proportion because everything that said inside that very closed world is- positive?

This is like job interview inside a company. NObody will say anything negative, nor it will be objective about subject about because , spoiler: your life, family and your incom right now depends on that company.

No i won't mention Payton, beliving Payton will ever be anything more than replacment level talent was enough enough embarrassment.

You have to apply for a job with Fox news. You're the master of spin.

So from 2 hours of scripted, most PG possible interviews fans take few qouts and run with narrative.
For istance Okeke was asked " was anybody from a team suprised him with quickness, athleticality and speed " and he said Terrecene Ross. But nobody brought it up on a board because it's not popular narrative to hype 28 years old bench player. if he said Gordon, i would everything i have people would be talking about it.

Why nobody brought single word how Clark was drooling over Clifford ? Well because half of the board isn't biggest Clifford fan.

It's just cherrypicking what you want to hear and echoing it.

What execlly i spinned tho? Literally every single question from this interviews was asked from guys that work for Orlando Magic.com, who are actuall media stuff members of Orlando Magic, Orlando Magic beat writers OR Josh Robbins, who is only guy who actually isn't on Orlando Magic -payroll
You don't see anything fishy about it? Communist party at it's finest.

The spin is that you're acting like everybody is just super jacked and convinced that Fultz is going to be Curry this season. There is such a thing as being cautiously optimistic and that's all I'm seeing from the handful of posters that commented. You're the only one posting paragraphs and paragraphs about it.

[basketballRob]

Fultz will shoot the 3 better, because he was able to practice it now. Last off season they prohibited him from shooting 3's.

Sent from my SM-G950U using RealGM mobile app

[jezzerinho]

The spin is that you're acting like everybody is just super jacked and convinced that Fultz is going to be Curry this season. There is such a thing as being cautiously optimistic and that's all I'm seeing from the handful of posters that commented. You're the only one posting paragraphs and paragraphs about it.

This is the point. I would have reservations about expecting a leap from Fultz this year. His play in transition and his use of the midrange game off of PnR, plus his impressive distribution are all positive signs of growth, but he has a mountain to climb as a shooter and closer.

That said, I did listen to the interviews and I was surprised how far Cliff was willing to go out on a limb to specify Fultz' progress and talk about his physical improvement. I for one didn't know he played the season with shoulder, knee and wrist issues as a constant thing.

Sure, the question was a pattycake one as you'd expect, but coaches are masters at giving bland or non-answers to these questions. The original question, however, was made by Robbins of the Athletic, who isnt on the payroll. I think the other press guys were surprised by the emphatic positivity and they were then queuing to ask him followups. All the followup answers were equally effusive.

Does it mean anything? Probably not, but if not, then all the other interview stuff Pepe references to support his (typically negative) viewpoints don't mean anything either. You can't have it both ways.

I thought Fultz release point in the bubble and in recent clips was a little better, not what you'd call standard form by any means and still with a "push" element to it. But what Clifford said was that it was getting back to his original form and there are certainly signs of improvement, which wouldn't be hard given the awful stroke he was using.

Pepe is a great contributor on here and one of the most knowledgeable for sure. But sadly, like from some kind of weak comicbook plot, his powers are slowly but steadily usurped for doing evil rather than good. Being a Magic fan certainly does help accelerate the decline into the underworld....

[fendilim]

Read on Twitter

Good reminder his jumpshot always was very ugly.
Well at least it doesn't look like Vasell -throwing hand granate level ugly.

Still looks different. New video shows it is coming frim the chest.

But whatever men. Just nice to see him making them

[fendilim]

Clifford first but parts of second interviews gave strong hinst that both Okeke and Anthony indeed are not - nba ready.
In first interview, half of the interview went on Clifford using words like "poor young guys didn't have chance" literally bridging excuses for them. In Cole in particualr he said that offense and defense at college level are night and day and that nba offense is way more soficticated than "that" ( college ball).

interesting i didn't get that at all....

Watch on YouTube

;t=396s

"look i'm saying this all the time, people say he played highest level of college basketball, witch isn't even CLOSE to NBA (emphasizes) i mean it's not, it's not easy step. My experience have been, start, make sure they have some sucess and the'll get there...It have been tough 4 days for him but he was better today".

From 4:17 to 4:55 he literally says "he is just jumping in right here,...so it will be difficult for him and Chuma initially to be able to adjust"
I'm 100% sure nobody even listened to any of this on a board

Good interview. Dont really get much out of it but it seems they arent putting any pressures on Chuma and Cole which is exactly the same how they are doing with Markelle last year.

[pepe1991]

The spin is that you're acting like everybody is just super jacked and convinced that Fultz is going to be Curry this season. There is such a thing as being cautiously optimistic and that's all I'm seeing from the handful of posters that commented. You're the only one posting paragraphs and paragraphs about it.

This is the point. I would have reservations about expecting a leap from Fultz this year. His play in transition and his use of the midrange game off of PnR, plus his impressive distribution are all positive signs of growth, but he has a mountain to climb as a shooter and closer.

That said, I did listen to the interviews and I was surprised how far Cliff was willing to go out on a limb to specify Fultz' progress and talk about his physical improvement. I for one didn't know he played the season with shoulder, knee and wrist issues as a constant thing.

Sure, the question was a pattycake one as you'd expect, but coaches are masters at giving bland or non-answers to these questions. The original question, however, was made by Robbins of the Athletic, who isnt on the payroll. I think the other press guys were surprised by the emphatic positivity and they were then queuing to ask him followups. All the followup answers were equally effusive.

Does it mean anything? Probably not, but if not, then all the other interview stuff Pepe references to support his (typically negative) viewpoints don't mean anything either. You can't have it both ways.

I thought Fultz release point in the bubble and in recent clips was a little better, not what you'd call standard form by any means and still with a "push" element to it. But what Clifford said was that it was getting back to his original form and there are certainly signs of improvement, which wouldn't be hard given the awful stroke he was using.

Pepe is a great contributor on here and one of the most knowledgeable for sure. But sadly, like from some kind of weak comicbook plot, his powers are slowly but steadily usurped for doing evil rather than good. Being a Magic fan certainly does help accelerate the decline into the underworld....

I didn't even try to be "negative" i said that most of questions and answers come from guys who are on Magic payroll. So it's not objective, or realistic to expect anything than most vanilla "interviews" possible and everything said should be viewed in that fashion. PJ Carlesimo probably was saying how his team is doing great for media on a day when Sprewell tried to choke him




it's contend for orlando magic official youtube page. Expecting objective or some hot takes or anything but positivity prior season opener isn't objective.

[MagicFan101]

Still doesn't look similar to his old shot to me, looks closer to last year. First shot he has it closer to above his head, 2nd one is what he kind of has been doing which is pushing the shot and his arms are extended kinda far away from his body.

If anything his mid-range shot looks like his old three point shot.

Yeah ... I’m sorry but those two clips don’t look alike at all. The bottom one (current) is still a case of him pushing his shot, as you say, rather than the fluid high release which gave him that arc and better motion as before.

They cherry picked one and only one shot and this was it?

This doesn’t win me over.

[Blue_and_Whte]

I’m going to wait until mid way through the season watching actual NBA games to determine if Markelle’s shot has improved rather than one 3 second clip of him shooting an open gym practice shot.

[rcklsscognition]

Nah, his old shot was not ugly IMO. He ain't back, nor do I care, but he was silky back in college. Just typical media day fluff, no one had enough time to bulk so they can't talk about how many pounds people put on, so they're just talking about something.

[jezzerinho]

Nah, his old shot was not ugly IMO. He ain't back, nor do I care, but he was silky back in college. Just typical media day fluff, no one had enough time to bulk so they can't talk about how many pounds people put on, so they're just talking about something.

By old shot I meant his shot last year with the shoulder/wrist issues.

[KillMonger]

Clifford first but parts of second interviews gave strong hinst that both Okeke and Anthony indeed are not - nba ready.
In first interview, half of the interview went on Clifford using words like "poor young guys didn't have chance" literally bridging excuses for them. In Cole in particualr he said that offense and defense at college level are night and day and that nba offense is way more soficticated than "that" ( college ball).

interesting i didn't get that at all....

Watch on YouTube

;t=396s

"look i'm saying this all the time, people say he played highest level of college basketball, witch isn't even CLOSE to NBA (emphasizes) i mean it's not, it's not easy step. My experience have been, start, make sure they have some sucess and the'll get there...It have been tough 4 days for him but he was better today".

From 4:17 to 4:55 he literally says "he is just jumping in right here,...so it will be difficult for him and Chuma initially to be able to adjust"
I'm 100% sure nobody even listened to any of this on a board

fair enough i thought you were talking about his most recent interview

[MagicFan101]

Super Mario making an Orlando comeback at SF?

Read on Twitter

?s=21

lol

[BDill012]

Watch on YouTube

Can he take this exact form and extend it out? He did shoot over 46% from 16 feet out to the 3PT line.

I think this is why people have cautious optimism. When you see that and understand what people were excited about coming out of college, mainly his ability to create a shot off the dribble, there is something there to consider. These mid-range shots look much more like how he shot in college as opposed to what his shot looks like from deep in catch and shoot situations.

He looked very confident and in control of his shot in the mid-range game. Working back and going from the inside out is smart. If continues to improve on it incrementally that is all you can hope for.

I have read most of the stuff on here and most seem pretty level headed in the expectations. Not of a player that is going to suddenly become one of the top shooters in the game, but one that could show a steady increase but understand the is not a given.

Looking forward to watching the game tonight.

[drsd]

I’m going to wait until mid way through the season watching actual NBA games to determine if Markelle’s shot has improved rather than one 3 second clip of him shooting an open gym practice shot.

It's like hearing that Gordon has become elite in practice-shooting of his three-ball to then watch him go 1-4 in game night in and night out.

..

[RookieStar]

Super Mario making an Orlando comeback at SF?

Read on Twitter

?s=21

lol

Lolz... why not. We have a lot of injured after all.