Official Spec Thread: I guess now's the time to blow this dumpster fire up and bask in the glow!

[nymets1]

The Magic play tonight and i'm wondering which players play and which player's don't.

i don't think Gary Harris and Otto Porter play.

I think RJ Hampton, Wendell Carter and Chuma Okeke all play 30+ minutes. If Cole Anthony plays, he should get 30 minutes(IF Cole is out, Michael Carter Williams gets his minutes)

Bamba, Birch and Bacon get anywhere between 15 to 30 minutes.

My starting 5 tonight and for the rest of the season would be assuming Fultz and Isaac are not coming back

RJ Hampton
Cole
Bacon
Okeke
Wendell

Bench- Bamba, Birch, MCW.

[basketballRob]

Guys still going out of their way to speak ill of Vucevic. Pretty sad honestly. Vucevic stuck with an awful franchise and gave his absolute all every game he played. Vucevic never gave up on the team, requested a trade, trashed a coach, trashed the city or fans... but man we really hate him. Vucevic literally couldn’t keep composure the other night because he appreciated our city so much and felt truly connected to Orlando. What a scrub, right?

Really looking forward to who will be the next alleged clear cut reason our team is garbage. Probably Isaac and Fultz. We can apply unrealistic hypothetical projections onto some 17 yr old that will surely lead us to a championship for the next 5 years in the meantime.

Saying he doesn’t deserve his jersey retired isn’t speaking ill of him or hate. That is being dramatic.

I actually see more people attacking the players we got for no reason. I've seen multiple people talking trash about Carter, saying he'll be out of the league soon.

Sent from my SM-G950U using RealGM mobile app

[D12VCMagic]

Guys still going out of their way to speak ill of Vucevic. Pretty sad honestly. Vucevic stuck with an awful franchise and gave his absolute all every game he played. Vucevic never gave up on the team, requested a trade, trashed a coach, trashed the city or fans... but man we really hate him. Vucevic literally couldn’t keep composure the other night because he appreciated our city so much and felt truly connected to Orlando. What a scrub, right?

Really looking forward to who will be the next alleged clear cut reason our team is garbage. Probably Isaac and Fultz. We can apply unrealistic hypothetical projections onto some 17 yr old that will surely lead us to a championship for the next 5 years in the meantime.

Saying he doesn’t deserve his jersey retired isn’t speaking ill of him or hate. That is being dramatic.

I actually see more people attacking the players we got for no reason. I've seen multiple people talking trash about Carter, saying he'll be out of the league soon.

Sent from my SM-G950U using RealGM mobile app

I hate when people pull that nonsense. It’s not these guy’s faults the team traded away veterans.

Also, I’m willing to bet most of the same people calling WCJ trash were the same people calling Vucevic a trash throw in with the Dwight trade because they had no clue who he was. Many of those people are now romanticizing his career here and want his jersey retired for some reason. I would say WCJ is a better player at 21 than Vucevic was, I don’t get why the dude doesn’t deserve the same patience to develop that Vooch got. Especially since center is a position where many players don’t start to see serious improvements in their game until later on.

[bigdogdylan5]

The Magic play tonight and i'm wondering which players play and which player's don't.

i don't think Gary Harris and Otto Porter play.

I think RJ Hampton, Wendell Carter and Chuma Okeke all play 30+ minutes. If Cole Anthony plays, he should get 30 minutes(IF Cole is out, Michael Carter Williams gets his minutes)

Bamba, Birch and Bacon get anywhere between 15 to 30 minutes.

My starting 5 tonight and for the rest of the season would be assuming Fultz and Isaac are not coming back

RJ Hampton
Cole
Bacon
Okeke
Wendell

Bench- Bamba, Birch, MCW.

I thought cole was a ways away from returning. Like at least a couple weeks. I am sorry to burst your bubble but Birch is going to be starting and playing 30+ minutes. Honestly he might lead the team in minutes lol

I like cliff as a coach but he is going to be a god awful rebuild coach

[basketballRob]

Saying he doesn’t deserve his jersey retired isn’t speaking ill of him or hate. That is being dramatic.

I actually see more people attacking the players we got for no reason. I've seen multiple people talking trash about Carter, saying he'll be out of the league soon.

Sent from my SM-G950U using RealGM mobile app

I hate when people pull that nonsense. It’s not these guy’s faults the team traded away veterans.

Also, I’m willing to bet most of the same people calling WCJ trash were the same people calling Vucevic a trash throw in with the Dwight trade because they had no clue who he was. Many of those people are now romanticizing his career here and want his jersey retired for some reason. I would say WCJ is a better player at 21 than Vucevic was, I don’t get why the dude doesn’t deserve the same patience to develop that Vooch got. Especially since center is a position where many players don’t start to see serious improvements in their game until later on.

Don't say he might be better at 21, that'll cause more hate.

Sent from my SM-G950U using RealGM mobile app

[Nyce_1]

The Magic play tonight and i'm wondering which players play and which player's don't.

i don't think Gary Harris and Otto Porter play.

I think RJ Hampton, Wendell Carter and Chuma Okeke all play 30+ minutes. If Cole Anthony plays, he should get 30 minutes(IF Cole is out, Michael Carter Williams gets his minutes)

Bamba, Birch and Bacon get anywhere between 15 to 30 minutes.

My starting 5 tonight and for the rest of the season would be assuming Fultz and Isaac are not coming back

RJ Hampton
Cole
Bacon
Okeke
Wendell

Bench- Bamba, Birch, MCW.

Cole isn't coming back until after this west coast road trip. Harris is still recovering from his injury. Otto is expected to play.

Knowing Cliff, starters will be:
MCW/Bacon/Ennis/Okeke/Birch - maybe he starts Mo so Birch can run backup PF with WCJ in the 2nd unit.

2nd unit will be:
Randle/RJ/Otto/*Birch*?/WCJ?

If it were me, I'd go:
MCW/RJ/Ennis/Okeke/Bamba
Randle/Bacon/Otto/Birch/WCJ

[Magicfanatic82]

We should do birch a solid and waive him so he can play for the Knicks in the playoffs. They lost Robinson.

[nymets1]

The Magic play tonight and i'm wondering which players play and which player's don't.

i don't think Gary Harris and Otto Porter play.

I think RJ Hampton, Wendell Carter and Chuma Okeke all play 30+ minutes. If Cole Anthony plays, he should get 30 minutes(IF Cole is out, Michael Carter Williams gets his minutes)

Bamba, Birch and Bacon get anywhere between 15 to 30 minutes.

My starting 5 tonight and for the rest of the season would be assuming Fultz and Isaac are not coming back

RJ Hampton
Cole
Bacon
Okeke
Wendell

Bench- Bamba, Birch, MCW.

I thought cole was a ways away from returning. Like at least a couple weeks. I am sorry to burst your bubble but Birch is going to be starting and playing 30+ minutes. Honestly he might lead the team in minutes lol

I like cliff as a coach but he is going to be a god awful rebuild coach

You would start Birch over Okeke and Wendell? Hell no

Okeke's first game he plays 30 + minutes Friday against the Trail Blazers, he puts up 22 points(4 out of 6 from 3 pt), 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. That's stuffing the stat sheet, He's a starter or starter minutes coming off the bench.

[3ddman23]

You habe to us context when evaluating everything.

Nick while has the longevity over vuc was never an all star or top 5 player at his postion in the league.

Shaq, tmac, Dwight all forced there way out of orlando.

Vuc played 9 years here along with 2 all star apprences.
Yes the team was trash most of those years but he showed loyalty and never truly wanted to leave. Put it this way if he stayed the rest of his career with orlando would you retire his number? I would..

The only other person who I could see with vooch is jameer, then that maybe Dwight years from now. After that maybe guys like nick & Darell. But nobody else should really get consideration over those 3 guys right now. Then the other guys like nick,Darell, hedo etc.

You have organization like Memphis who has Tony Allen, Cavs retired ilgauskas or Miami who retired jordan for christ sake why can't the magic retire vooch?

[bigdogdylan5]

The Magic play tonight and i'm wondering which players play and which player's don't.

i don't think Gary Harris and Otto Porter play.

I think RJ Hampton, Wendell Carter and Chuma Okeke all play 30+ minutes. If Cole Anthony plays, he should get 30 minutes(IF Cole is out, Michael Carter Williams gets his minutes)

Bamba, Birch and Bacon get anywhere between 15 to 30 minutes.

My starting 5 tonight and for the rest of the season would be assuming Fultz and Isaac are not coming back

RJ Hampton
Cole
Bacon
Okeke
Wendell

Bench- Bamba, Birch, MCW.

I thought cole was a ways away from returning. Like at least a couple weeks. I am sorry to burst your bubble but Birch is going to be starting and playing 30+ minutes. Honestly he might lead the team in minutes lol

I like cliff as a coach but he is going to be a god awful rebuild coach

You would start Birch over Okeke and Wendell? Hell no

Okeke's first game he plays 30 + minutes Friday against the Trail Blazers, he puts up 22 points(4 out of 6 from 3 pt), 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. That's stuffing the stat sheet, He's a starter or starter minutes coming off the bench.

Oh gosh if it was up to me I would have dumped birch in one of the deals to take the option away from Clifford. I don’t agree but I just think that is what is going to happen

[EAS Law]

Guys still going out of their way to speak ill of Vucevic. Pretty sad honestly. Vucevic stuck with an awful franchise and gave his absolute all every game he played. Vucevic never gave up on the team, requested a trade, trashed a coach, trashed the city or fans... but man we really hate him. Vucevic literally couldn’t keep composure the other night because he appreciated our city so much and felt truly connected to Orlando. What a scrub, right?

Really looking forward to who will be the next alleged clear cut reason our team is garbage. Probably Isaac and Fultz. We can apply unrealistic hypothetical projections onto some 17 yr old that will surely lead us to a championship for the next 5 years in the meantime.

Saying he doesn’t deserve his jersey retired isn’t speaking ill of him or hate. That is being dramatic.

Lots more than saying he shouldn’t have his jersey retired. I personally don’t think he will or necessarily should either. That’s just a thing with our franchise that we don’t do for whatever reason.

I’m seeing the same argument that we’ve read for years about how these good stats are actually irrelevant, what matters are these bad ones, jokes about him knowing how to lead a crap treadmill team, he wasn’t a star, he wasn’t really an allstar, etc. take a second look.

[D12VCMagic]

You habe to us context when evaluating everything.

Nick while has the longevity over vuc was never an all star or top 5 player at his postion in the league.

Shaq, tmac, Dwight all forced there way out of orlando.

Vuc played 9 years here along with 2 all star apprences.
Yes the team was trash most of those years but he showed loyalty and never truly wanted to leave. Put it this way if he stayed the rest of his career with orlando would you retire his number? I would..

The only other person who I could see with vooch is jameer, then that maybe Dwight years from now. After that maybe guys like nick & Darell. But nobody else should really get consideration over those 3 guys right now. Then the other guys like nick,Darell, hedo etc.

You have organization like Memphis who has Tony Allen, Cavs retired ilgauskas or Miami who retired jordan for christ sake why can't the magic retire vooch?

I am using context to evaluate things. How about the context that the guys who forced their way out had legitimate reasons to do so? Top 5/MVP caliber players are expexted to compete for championships, if your organization can’t do that for them then they leave. That is the business of the NBA. Let’s stop comparing Vooch to guys like that. He was a fringe All Star on bad teams, not the same thing.

I just don’t think simply not demanding to be traded should be the bar to set for jersey retirements. I don’t care what the Grizzlies do, that isn’t a franchise I’m interested in emulating. Vucevic can be honored by the franchise and go in the team’s hall of fame or ring of honor or whatever. But I don’t believe he had anywhere close to the impact to justify nobody wearing the #9 again. I think it’s kind of disrespectful to Rashard Lewis who wore that number and could make the case for being a better player and having more impact on the franchise too.

[RookieStar]

BTW I noticed some of you guys always lump together RJ as a ball handler along with Cole and Fultz. Is that legit that he can play PG or just wishful thinking? Cuz I always thought he is a proto-SG not a combo G like Cole

[Bensational]

BTW I noticed some of you guys always lump together RJ as a ball handler along with Cole and Fultz. Is that legit that he can play PG or just wishful thinking? Cuz I always thought he is a proto-SG not a combo G like Cole

I’ve always seen him as a non-shooting PG, but not an elite playmaker or floor general. He’s an on ball player who’s best skills are his handles and hops right now.

[ogmagicfan]

I thought cole was a ways away from returning. Like at least a couple weeks. I am sorry to burst your bubble but Birch is going to be starting and playing 30+ minutes. Honestly he might lead the team in minutes lol

I like cliff as a coach but he is going to be a god awful rebuild coach

You would start Birch over Okeke and Wendell? Hell no

Okeke's first game he plays 30 + minutes Friday against the Trail Blazers, he puts up 22 points(4 out of 6 from 3 pt), 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. That's stuffing the stat sheet, He's a starter or starter minutes coming off the bench.

Oh gosh if it was up to me I would have dumped birch in one of the deals to take the option away from Clifford. I don’t agree but I just think that is what is going to happen

Cliff aint the coach for the rebuild. No reason at this point of the season to have Birch starting over Bamba &/or WCJ but I do expect him to do so. Birch deserves to be in this league I just want to properly evaluate our young talent for the future

[Xatticus]

BTW I noticed some of you guys always lump together RJ as a ball handler along with Cole and Fultz. Is that legit that he can play PG or just wishful thinking? Cuz I always thought he is a proto-SG not a combo G like Cole

He's a combo guard. He can create a bit in the iso and pick and roll, but he is a project. Set your expectations very low and be patient. It's going to take time for him to become something useful, but he is a very good athlete that plays with energy.

[RookieStar]

BTW I noticed some of you guys always lump together RJ as a ball handler along with Cole and Fultz. Is that legit that he can play PG or just wishful thinking? Cuz I always thought he is a proto-SG not a combo G like Cole

He's a combo guard. He can create a bit in the iso and pick and roll, but he is a project. Set your expectations very low and be patient. It's going to take time for him to become something useful, but he is a very good athlete that plays with energy.

My expectations for him was very low already lol. As I said a proto-SG.. kind of a lesser/homeless version of J.Green maybe? I never thought of him as a floor general..at all.

[RookieStar]

BTW I noticed some of you guys always lump together RJ as a ball handler along with Cole and Fultz. Is that legit that he can play PG or just wishful thinking? Cuz I always thought he is a proto-SG not a combo G like Cole

I’ve always seen him as a non-shooting PG, but not an elite playmaker or floor general. He’s an on ball player who’s best skills are his handles and hops right now.

Yeah,same. Never thought of him as a playmaker. I think of him as someone who needs a PG to get him the ball so he can score.

[KillMonger]

BTW I noticed some of you guys always lump together RJ as a ball handler along with Cole and Fultz. Is that legit that he can play PG or just wishful thinking? Cuz I always thought he is a proto-SG not a combo G like Cole

I’ve always seen him as a non-shooting PG, but not an elite playmaker or floor general. He’s an on ball player who’s best skills are his handles and hops right now.

Yeah,same. Never thought of him as a playmaker. I think of him as someone who needs a PG to get him the ball so he can score.

He's a combo, he plays both but the majority of his career up until he went overseas he was on-ball....the fact that he's been playing off-ball since he's been pro suggests that his playmaking isn't up to snuff yet.....but i think he is someone who could initiate offense in spurts...Someone like hampton though seems like he would thrive in an uptempo offense because his speed is real, with the ball and without...he would work well with cole.....with fultz though? i would need to see some improvement with the shot

[RookieStar]

I’ve always seen him as a non-shooting PG, but not an elite playmaker or floor general. He’s an on ball player who’s best skills are his handles and hops right now.

Yeah,same. Never thought of him as a playmaker. I think of him as someone who needs a PG to get him the ball so he can score.

He's a combo, he plays both but the majority of his career up until he went overseas he was on-ball....the fact that he's been playing off-ball since he's been pro suggests that his playmaking isn't up to snuff yet.....but i think he is someone who could initiate offense in spurts...Someone like hampton though seems like he would thrive in an uptempo offense because his speed is real, with the ball and without...he would work well with cole.....with fultz though? i would need to see some improvement with the shot

Yeah you bring up a good point. RJ playing woth a non 3 pt shooting threat in Fultz.. wonder how that would work.