2021-2022 Regular Season Game 8: Orlando Magic (1-6) at Timberwolves (3-2) 11/01/21 at 8:00pm ET

[PrimeThyme]

Just finished watching the game on replay. Holy crap Franz! I hope he's really this good and not just on a super hot tear to start the season. He's played well in every game this season though so it's looking promising. I was not expecting him to play this good.

I foresee his 3pt percentage settling somewhere in the 37-38% range eventually. Outside of that though, I don’t think he’s doing anything unsustainable.

Everything he’s getting at the rim, off the dribble, && defensively are all things he did consistently at Michigan.

His 3pt shot has just undoubtedly improved. His mechanics are far better && it has just opened up his game on offense even more.

[Optimus_Steel]

Franz looking like prime Hedo out here!

More like Hedo was a poor mans Franz!

[Optimus_Steel]

OMG! Franz Wagner. This kid looks like a Star.

The unexpected ones are the best ones.

[Optimus_Steel]

Just want to remind everyone that I wanted Franz at 8 and I was dismissed lol.

True lol only few liked that pick LOL

I was kinda annoyed, thought he looked like a Shane Battier type player but liked his skillset. But this is far beyond that.

[JTG_92940618]

Cole's play gives us the luxury of bringing Fultz along slowly when he gets back so, hopefully, Cole keeps it going. This is how I think a smart team should operate - no pressure on a guy coming back from a knee, just back up minutes until he feels good. Who cares if he stinks it up this season.

Similar deal with WCJ and Bamba regarding Isaac.

On a different note, we need a coach who can teach our guards some moves for finishing around the rim. Suggs just barges into people which is great for getting to the line but he really could get injured. Two games in a row now he's taken a fall and grabbed at his leg. RJ has nothing except athleticism and length while Cole, who admittedly has some moves like finishing high off the glass, usually goes with a flip shot/floater or just doesn't bother and pulls up for 2. We can be better here in my opinion.

[Magic_Kingdom]

Read on Twitter

At the 5-second mark: total disinterest from Bros. Love it: he really sold it !!!!

At the 8-second mark, Coach Mosely hiding behind the door CLEARLY understanding where this is going towards !!!!!!
(( Coach Mosely is learning is role quickly - stay out of the firing brigade's way ))

..

Man, that's beautiful. Something to note, Cole outscored Franz but still absolutely led the Franz fan club. Cole has gotten a lot of criticism about his "selfish" game (certainly by me)...this looks to me like a REAL show of team-first mentality by Cole. I'd love to have been completely wrong about Cole's ceiling as a leader, etc...looks like I may have been. Anyone remember Evan propping up AG when he had a big game?

If Cole's on-court game continues the way it is then we have something, because his off-court game is special. He has that fire, he's a motivator, he keeps the team happy and energized. I love the spin-and-spray at the end of that video. He reminds me of Animal from the Muppets.

[yoyojw17]

Cole to pick up the "Human Torch" mantle when we trade Ross and IF he goes to the bench!

I only say his name cuz I feel as though of all the players... I don't think it will matter whether he starts or comes off the bench.... you're gonna get the same version of him.

Needless to say... it's been a while since i've been that excited for a game!

[JBSouthpaw]

whether he starts or not, Cole has probably earned the right to be on the court at the end of games.

I think he got pissed after those 2 turnovers with under a minute left in the 1st half.

[swarlesbarkley]

Anyone else impressed with Cole's passing to start the season? Dude has been creating open looks for guys all game. He's starting to develop out of the "chucker" label he got in college and a bit as a rookie.

[drsd]

Anyone else impressed with Cole's passing to start the season? Dude has been creating open looks for guys all game. He's starting to develop out of the "chucker" label he got in college and a bit as a rookie.

ANd-1

His defensive rebounding to lead fast-break passing is also very good.

..

[Bergmaniac]

Fantastic win. I knew we had a chance when we kept it close early on by getting to the line to overcome the poor shooting. That's how you grind out wins in the NBA. Cole has looked fantastic lately, not only with his shot, but his passing seems improved too. Franz's decision making is incredible for a rookie, he always seems to make the right read both on offense and on defense, and his shot is so much better than his draft reports claimed. Another solid performances by our bigs, they were good on the boards, played very good D on Towns and WCJ made some key buckets.

Trying a zone was a great idea by Mosley, the Wolves looked completely confused by it, especially when DLo went out. We also got lucky they missed quite a few open looks from 3, but it's a make or miss league in the end.

And speaking of shooting, it feels weird that we continue to shoot so well from 3. Especially since the league average is down quite a bit compared to last season. I don't know how long this will last, but I am loving it so far. Maybe we just needed for the league to switch to a new brand of ball to finally start shooting well...

[Xatticus]

Non of us understand why WCJ doesn't take those shots right?
He makes it at least twice per match. A teammate leaves him absolutely free to shoot, he fakes the jump and passes. It's strange because he has been shooting well from 3pt line... really strange

He has a really slow release. He's just conservative in pulling the trigger due to that. The pump fake isn't a problem. He's learning and making progress. It won't all come at once. I do like how he puts the ball on the floor and advances his position. He's demonstrated a bit of a high-low game with Bamba. WCJ's offensive game is opening up and you can see him gaining confidence. His shot will eventually speed up. Andrew Nicholson wasn't built in a day.

[Xatticus]

Who is franz comparable to? People say hedo but idk if he has the handle of hedo, people say Hayward but I don't know if he has the one on one scoring ability gordan has.. who?

It's tough to find a comp. Maybe Schrempf? That's probably a bit lazy. Similar size, builds, and athleticism. Both can shoot, pass, and defend. Schrempf had a post game and some flair to his game that isn't there with Franz, but I wouldn't be surprised if Wagner develops a post game and improves on the interior as he gets stronger.

[Xatticus]

That was a lot of fun and I'm really happy for the team.

A lot of credit for how the team is coming along goes to Mosley. Guys are just swimming in confidence and I can't imagine that would be the case if Clifford was still around.

Mosley is leaning heavily on Bamba and WCJ. That's our frontcourt. WCJ is turning into a real throwback big and Bamba is getting a bit chippy. Reid put him on the floor last night and immediately wheeled around to help him up. Bamba just scooted away from him and waited for teammates to come. Reid didn't like that and said something. Shortly thereafter, Bamba planted his shoulder into Reid while he was sauntering through the paint and sent him to the floor and then the locker room.

[VFX]

Glad Franz showed out.

I thought it was going to take longer for him, but he’s already proven some of the doubters on draft night wrong. He’s already surpassed my expectations of him as a rookie with last nights game.