TrueMagicFan07

Put Goga in to guard Allen, coach!

If AB has performed so well deserving as starting point guard, why has'nt Mosley given him the greenlight as the starter?

Uh~uh! AB? Made 37 3-pointers during the regular season? Well, I have to admit that Bally Sports Florida is not included in my plan with Spectrum Cable TV. I have been streaming games on my 17-inch laptop. So, having poor vision and watching the game on a small laptop screen, I probably couldn't tell if it was AB or someone else making a 3? As young(er) people would say: "My Bad"!

Don't get me wrong, OnlyFranz. I hope AB plays tonight and plays well. After all, it's about the Magic winning and advancing in the playoffs.

Jmmagicfan, you got me on that one. For those who did not read the post, this is in reference to an earlier post where I said AB does not have playoff experience. Many times I have posted negative comments about Cole, calling him "black hole Cole", "ball hog," etc. I still feel that way about him. /pause. AB played well in about 2 games in the regular season. Except for the beginning of the regular season, he stood in the corner while Franz and Paolo were the primary ball handlers. Cole has made some 3's throughout the regular season. I think AB made about 2 the entire season. I am at a loss because none of our point guards have been impressive this season as a floor general.

Haha! OnlyFranz. We were replying to each other's post at the same time.

I agree with everything you said. Although I've been critical of Cole, I would play him over AB, this being AB's first playoff experience. He also does not contribute anything but on one end of the court (defense). I would rather trust Mr. inconsistency (Cole) to contribute in scoring. Tonight might be his night.

I have seen games where a tall defender (power forward or center) is assigned to guard a smaller point guard of the opposing team (away from the paint and the basket). It's done because players like Steph Curry are threats to making long distance and 3 pt. shots. It doesn't work with players like Ja Morant, Jalen Brunson and Donovan Mitchell. They are quick, can play low to the ground, and are able to shift gears, leaving the defender in their dust. Because of Mitchell's quickness, and ability to shift gears quickly, going east to west, I don't think JI could effectively guard him, and we don't want JI twisting an ankle or injuring his knee, trying to keep up with Mitchell. Sure, if Mitchell is attempting a 3 point shot, it would work because JI might be able to block the shot. Now at center, Allen was eating WCJ's lunch. I think Goga should be guarding Allen. He is more mobile and a better rim protector. JI should be given the assignment to guard Mobley.

Thanks for your opinion, Time2GetSerious. But you just made my point. You did exactly what I suggested that any participant should do if they don't agree with someone else's comment or opinion. Respond with a comment. You just explained to me your point of view, and I respect your opinion. Giving someone a downvote is not the same thing. I don't want to take up this thread with this discussion, so we'll move on. Thank you for your opinion.

I believe you All Eyes about not giving me downvotes. My comment was not directed at you. I just wanted to put it out there because there are posters who are quick to pull the downvote trigger if thery disagree with your opinion. I know participation votes are there for posters to use, but I don't like them--specifically the downvote. Just speak up if you either agree or disagree. We are all entitled to our opinions. I know it's the internet, but we are all different and it should not make a person nervous or hestitant about posting. I also know there is nothing anybody can do about it. You post at your own risk.

Either way, we've got a problem, OnlyFranz. AB is a point guard who is a good defender, but point guards traditionally help with scoring and AB is not good at scoring. Look at other point guards around the league who are in the playoffs right now. They score more than a couple of points per game. On the other hand, Cole is not a good defender and is inconsistent offensively.

I agree with you, All Eyes. So, what I am about to say, if you disagree, just say why instead of giving me downvotes. This is not directed at you, All Eyes. I'm looking at the highlights of Fultz performance in 2022 - 2023 which was a season ago. In the 2022-2023 season, he was ready to go and playing loose after rehabing from injuries. I'm looking at the highlights then and the way Fultz is playing now. He did'nt start the 2023-2024 season because I think he had a relapse (injury wise) before the season started. So, AB, who was drafted began the 2023-2024 season as the starting point guard. Being a rookie you could tell that he wasn't nba ready to take over that role. So, as the season progressed, the coach allowed Franz and Banchero to be the primary ball handlers. Cole was the backup point guard playing with the secondary unit coming off the bench. More than halfway through the regular season, when Fultz was injury free, Mosley continued to let Franz and Paolo be the primary ball handlers. Fultz was not allowed to get his starting role back. If you look at the highlights from a year ago, and I know there are snipets, look at the spacing of the floor. When Fultz was crashing the board, you did not see Franz or Paolo clogging up the paint. Now, I don't think that Fulz has lost his confidence. it's because he knows that Franz and Paolo were allowed to be the primary ball handlers for the latter half of the regular season and the first 2 games of the playoffs. So, in Fultz mind, he was not a part of that game plan. He, along with other teammates, stood around and/or in the corner watching. I think it was/is a problem with the coaching and lack of game planning--just letting the team play loose (backyard). That's just my opinion. So, go ahead and give me downvotes if that's your pleasure.

Goga Bitadze making his presence felt on the offensive glass with the Magic Tribune News Service March 10, 2023 at 6:44 p.m. Categories:NBA, Sports

Our arena needs to be loud to kind of rattle the Cavs and at the same time pump up our team.

My suggestion was to start Goga at center to guard Allen, and have JI start at PF to guard Mobley.