Ranking the Magic's Young Players (Robbins)

[The Real Dalic]

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Speaking of one of the young players.

He never gets credit and is always crapped on it seems. But he has been improving all year.

[MagicMatic]

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Speaking of one of the young players.

He never gets credit and is always crapped on it seems. But he has been improving all year.

You definitely can’t down him for being all-in on the team. That alone make me glad he’s on the Magic.

[RookieStar]

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Speaking of one of the young players.

I kept saying I preferred RJ over Cole if we weren't moving up. I'm glad I was wrong. Cole is doing everything I expected of RJ (scorer) and then some.

[Max Power]

To me, obviously it’s still about JI, and Fultz until we add whoever from the draft. Most of this group is filler until a better talent becomes available at their spot. Here’s hoping JI and Fultz’s bodies stop betraying them because they both have the talent. As far as talent beyond them, it’s really Chuma we have to look at.The trades did wonders giving him an opportunity. Cole plays with a fire in gut which this team needed for years, his game drives me nuts though. He needs to quit thinking he’s Allen Iverson and make some plays for the other guys.

Carter is solid but nothing more. But that’s ok. Not everyone can be what Vucevic. He’s a secure piece. Bamba really needs to be our focus as far as developing a big.

[MagicFan101]

All I take from this is that if we miss on this draft class we are in for a very tough rebuild.

If we strike gold (where gold = super star) then we have some very good building blocks to support said super star and have a chance to build out.

This draft is critical because next year isn’t so special.

[Bensational]

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Speaking of one of the young players.

He never gets credit and is always crapped on it seems. But he has been improving all year.

You definitely can’t down him for being all-in on the team. That alone make me glad he’s on the Magic.

I think he’s a good character and presence at this stage of the rebuild, especially if the coaches can get him to reign in his shooting in favour of more playmaking.

Energy, attitude and fearlessness, ideally off the bench. He could be a Jameer X DJ kind of presence and impact on the team.

Will be interesting to see how Fultz responds to serious competition from another young guard hungry to cement a spot. I think Fultz will come in and defer to Cole.

[Rainwater]

While he would be a great role player I don't get the Fultz love. he would be 5th on my list behind JI, Okeke, WCJ and Mo.

[Last Guardian]

While none of them project to be star players, there is something to like about all of them

1. Isaac. Fairly easy choice, he wreaks havoc on the defensive end whether he's defending the rim or deflecting passes or challenging 3's. He's also not as bad offensively as people say he is. He's fairly smart, shooting is not great but not horrible. Overall a really positive impact player when healthy.

2. Fultz. He's the most talented. I was always impressed with how he sees the floor and his great ballhandling skills. While he does suck as a shooter, he's pretty good at overpowering his way to the basket and finishing with efficiency. Upcoming rookie could make him expendable though, but thats a problem for another day.

3. Chuma. He does some rookie things but his IQ is fantastic usually. Makes a lot of good, smart decisions and he projects as a good offensive player and a solid defender.

4. WCJ. Not great height for a C but he's very strong and has a great wingspan. He's got a decent IQ, his post defense is fantastic and his rim protection isn't horrible. He's mainly a paint player which is nice but he can step out and hit jumpers. Very solid player.

5. Bamba. He's soft but the more I watch him the more its clear he will be a + offensive player. He's a good shooter, probably shouldn't leave him open and he's got some OK finishing around the basket. If he wasn't soft he'd be #2 on this list honestly.

6. Cole. He's developed since the start of the season. He picks his spots better and he doesn't force things. He's energetic and competitive. I like him but probably is a scoring PG off the bench, but we'll see.

7. RJ. He's definitely rough but he makes enough good plays. He does get to the basket and dish it out to open players. He has a scorers mentality but he's not blind like Bacon or Ross (but not nearly as good at making shots as them either). If he just learned a little from Cole and picked his spots better he could end up a good guard off the bench.

[Knightro]

Bumping this after the final three weeks. I suspect the rankings for a lot of people, myself included, will have changed. The Magic have 10 players age 24 or under.

Here's how I'd rank them.

1. Jonathan Isaac
2. Chuma Okeke
3. RJ Hampton
4. Wendell Carter Jr.
5. Mo Bamba
6. Cole Anthony
7. Markelle Fultz
8. Ignas Brazdeikis
9. Donta Hall
10. Mortiz Wagner

[MagicMatic]

Bumping this after the final three weeks. I suspect the rankings for a lot of people, myself included, will have changed. The Magic have 10 players age 24 or under.

Here's how I'd rank them.

1. Jonathan Isaac
2. Chuma Okeke
3. RJ Hampton
4. Wendell Carter Jr.
5. Mo Bamba
6. Cole Anthony
7. Markelle Fultz
8. Ignas Brazdeikis
9. Donta Hall
10. Mortiz Wagner

I mostly agree with this list.

Exchange Chuma and RJ
Exchange Cole and Bamba

[RookieStar]

Bumping this after the final three weeks. I suspect the rankings for a lot of people, myself included, will have changed. The Magic have 10 players age 24 or under.

Here's how I'd rank them.

1. Jonathan Isaac
2. Chuma Okeke
3. RJ Hampton
4. Wendell Carter Jr.
5. Mo Bamba
6. Cole Anthony
7. Markelle Fultz
8. Ignas Brazdeikis
9. Donta Hall
10. Mortiz Wagner

I mostly agree with this list.

Exchange Chuma and RJ
Exchange Cole and Bamba

Well id just put Fultz at number 4 and Wagner at 7. Then everyone just slides down.

[Magic_Kingdom]

I think Fultz has been "out of sight, out of mind" looking at these lists. It's easy to forget how much better the team plays when he is on the court in spite of his flaws. He can be a game-changer.

On the opposite end of that spectrum is Bamba, the ultimate empty-stats player. Doesn't make the team better. So I would have Bamba lower and Fultz higher.

R.J. is an interesting player. It's hard to judge these players in tank games, but for a 20-year-old to be getting near triple-doubles in his first real action is intriguing.

The ultimate takeaway from these lists -- Weltman and Hammond have been here 4 years and haven't added a star to the team. Not real good.

[Skin]

1. 1st Round Pick (ORL) - Will immediately be our best player. Thank heavens for the tank.
2. Isaac - Can be a good #2, but not a #1. Health has affected his ability to be versatile. He must stay at PF.
3. Fultz - ISO ability is still tops. Handle is too good to stop. Forsee a Derrick Rose type return.
4. WCj - If he added passing to his game, he could be an All-Star. His arrow is trending up big time.
5. Anthony - He WANTS it more than those below him on this list. To his credit, that is an admirable trait.
6. Okeke - X factor type. Lacks aggression and too comfortable deferring. He could be the man, but he doesn't want to be.
7. Hampton - Exciting young player to cheer for, but too wild and inconsistent right now. Super-sub. Happy to have.
8. Bamba - Role playing Big Man. 3s, Rebounds, Blocks hoarder, but plays with low BBIQ.
9. Wagner - Moritz proved to me to be a great 3rd option at Center. Keeper.

Not sure what all the down attitudes and fuss are about these guys. This is the most excited I've been about the Magic since our year going to the Finals. Just think about this.... WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT VUC, FOURNIER, AG ANYMORE!!!! WOOOOHOOOOO!!!!

[JF5]

1. Issac
2. Fultz
3. Okeke
4. WCJ
5. Anthony
6. Hampton
7. Bamba