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Happy Father's Day to all the good dads in the forum.

I hope Lebron fails miserably as a Laker

Yeah coz it was Devos family’s fault for Shaq turning down more money from the Magic (which was offered) and for D12 being a douche bag. The Magic have been committed to being a classy and philanthropic organization, and they are willing to spend on players, build state of the art arena, and if not for bad luck (Nick Anderson free throws and early Jameer return) we may have been more competitive. We may not be perfect but we’ve given our heart to this organization and are still committed to doing so by bringing top notch management that has helped both Toronto and Milwaukee.

I'll never forgive Weltman if we don't resign Mo Wagner in the summer. It's such an easy win. His brother is a superstar. He brings immaculate vibes. He's a solid bench big. Give him a 3 year deal and let's move on.

As we close another clearly disappointing season, I just wanna say thank you from the moderator end. We’re not so objectively bad and when that happens tempers can flare and conversations can get nasty, and I’m grateful to the board for not letting it get that way and keeping differing opinions respectful. The Magic fanbase is hard to explain. It’s literally a part of me that I’ll never be able to get rid of, no matter how maddening the management can be and it’s great to have a haven to discuss ball, even if it’s how bad we are and how long will we be bad. So thank you everybody. Here’s to a strong off-season and hopefully a steering of the ship back around in the right direction. Cheers!

I’m not going to get in to this too much, mainly because it’s a Magic board not a politics board, but if you consider equality and the fact that black lives actually do matter “filth” and have a problem with black people having a voice in America, then I’m pretty sure the NBA doesn’t want you as a fan anyway.

42 AND 40!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nice to be back here. Been a while.. I'm from Estonia. This guy can ball, in Estonia he played in Kalev/Cramo and in VTB United League, they batteled strong teams from Russia (CSKA, Himki, Zenith and so) He played very well against them. I'm pretty excited to see him play in summer league.

THE CHASE 2022-2023 SEASON Venue: Little Caesars Arena - Detroit, MI THE O-TOWN BOYS ARE BACK !!! 1ST ROUND DRAFT PICK BAN-CHERRR-RO!!! 2ND ROUND DRAFT PICK HOUSTAN!!! CALEB HOUSTAN IS A SLEEPER Y'ALL!! AND . . . MR. 'TNT' BRINGING THE LET'S GO!!!

Here’s my confession: I’m an Orlando Magic homer and will convince myself whoever we pick is destined to be absolutely amazing.

I dated a girl with a lazy eye for a while. Unfortunately she was seeing other guys on the side....

Some people can’t be pleased and apparently don’t understand you don’t fix a bottom feeder trash team in 1 trade or 1 draft. Trust the process. Let it happen. This move made us slightly better and saved us a little money. Idk why people are complaining. It’s just a little move with little risk with possibly a little reward. Who cares? This isn’t gonna be the last move we make before the season starts. R-E-L-A-X

I guess my 10,000th post is thanking you for the kind words. Literally didn't know such a milestone was coming up and honestly I'm wondering how much time I've spent on this board to have posted 10k times and feeling very old all of a sudden (the crazy thing is for the 10k posts there's probably another 1k posts I got half way through typing and then thought "nah this is getting too long no one will read this" or "I'm just not getting into this argument again" lol). On the good and bad years, I actually joined this board the summer we traded Dwight. So the good years have been slim pickings haha. I'm looking forward to them now though.

Ok yall …I am officially on the Suggs wagon …you think that dude puts on with all that hyper stuff ??? …so my son made me stay here where the players drive out …I am not kidding when I say as he was walking to his car he was shouting stuff …when he drove out he stopped, rolled down his window and started pumping his fist just like he does in the games …then he started taking pics and signing stuff …the crowd started yelling Jalen ! Jalen ! And he started yelling Jalen with them lol That dude is something else I’m a fan now !!!

Major shoutout to Weltman for the Goga pick up. Dude is balling.

What’s impressed me the most is how fluid our starting 5 has been when running their sets. Everyone knows where they are supposed to be and guys are making the extra pass looking for the best shot available. Franz game is carrying over from his World Cup play and the confidence is evident especially his 3 point shooting. Paolo is passing very well and is looking to get others involved early. Suggs continues to be a pest on defense and last night his 3 point shot looked much improved, you can tell he’s been working on that all summer. Anthony is also looking sharp off the bench and not forcing shots like in previous years. JI’s offense is still a bit rusty but his defense is still game changing, I feel like his offense will come along with the more in game reps he gets. Joe Ingles will be a good player for us he’s a legitimate 3 point threat, is a willing passer, and he also brings that fire on the court ala Mo Wagner. Fultz continues to get to the basket at will and his 3 point shot is looking much more fluid and improved. Wendell Carter looks automatic from everywhere on the court he is shooting with confidence and continues being aggressive on the defensive and offensive boards. Anthony Black is another pest on defense but his offense and play making so far leave a lot to be desired. Mo keeps doing Mo like things which is always bringing physicality and energy to that 2nd unit. The biggest disappointments to me so far have been G Harris and Chuma Okeke don’t really see them in the rotation this year unless injuries force them into the lineup. Those are some of my takeaways from the first 2 games that we’ve played.

Absolutely …I was a lifelong gym teacher in public schools …breaks my heart to see how kids are being indoctrinated with all this sexual stuff …it’s crazy and blows my mind …as a fellow Christian I love what JI stands for and is unafraid to speak up about . I was really more shocked with Charles Barkley …grabbing a mic and using language like that …dude is just about as popular as Michael Jordan these days …he’s like the lead analyst for NBA and college games …a highly, highly visible public figure . The article insinuated he was falling in line with the Woke agenda …I’m hopeful we can get somebody in office in the near future that can stop all this indoctrinating of kids …anybody can see all the confusion and chaos it creates ….my kids just recently graduated HS …they told me some stuff going on …I will continue to say as a fellow educator …what the heck does sexual orientation/stuff have to do with educating kids in school .

I’ll be honest, I’m not impressed with our team's approach to summer league. To throw a bunch of scrubs out there with our rooks and expect something meaningful to develop is foolish thinking. Last night was barely watchable. Yes, AB and Howard flashed, but the overall game was a mess. Bad shots, bad passes, bad defensive rotations, etc. Why not play a few guys who know our system (Harris, Houston and Schofield) with the rooks? Raw players playing with raw players will create raw results.

In terms of building a legit team, the player we should be targeting with our money is Jaylen Brown. He'd fit beautifully next to Franz and Paulo.

Amen. Before the season started I put down my marker for a successful season, which was whether we cared about the games in January and February, or if all the attention by then had shifted to tanking. By my criteria, this season is already a success.

Just willing to wish you all, my fellow forum colleagues, Merry Christmas! Hope you all have a great time with your beloved ones, wherever you are!

Also, Happy Thanksgiving yall!! Hope everyone has a great holiday!

True Blue Nation, I return to you now, like the cicada, after nearly 12 years of lying dormant without a post, to impart my basketball wisdom once again. The game has changed a lot in 12 years. We are certainly in a new era of basketball: the era of the three. Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors are most certainly the model for this new era, but let’s not forget who helped lay the blueprint. We did. Back in the summer of 2006, True Blue Nation nudged our front office to draft JJ Redick with the 11th pick in the 2006 NBA draft, sensing that JJ would be the perfect jelly to Dwight’s peanut butter. I was one of the loudest voices in camp Redick in ‘06, not because JJ was a great shooter (and he most certainly was that), but because I saw his hunger to be a great player. The profile and characteristics of a successful basketball player has changed throughout the years, but one thing has always been at the core: hunger. The hunger and work ethic to be the best player one can be. As we approach the 2022 NBA draft let’s remind ourselves the importance of that characteristic when we make our selection. I won’t name names, but there are some players in this draft who look like they work a little harder (be that in the gym after the game or on the defensive side during the game). This is the player I want on the Magic in 5 years. Back in the summer of 2007, True Blue Nation called for the signing of free agent Rashard Lewis to add to our three point shooting repertoire. I was one of the most vocal proponents of Lewis because I knew what a dangerous weapon a selfless shooting big man like Lewis could be on our squad. Many at the time called for the Magic to sign the younger Gerald Wallace instead. While the Rashard Lewis signing proved to be an overpay, he was certainly a key factor in the Magic’s ultimately unsuccessful 2009 NBA Finals run. Let’s remind ourselves what it was like to have guys on the team who could put the ball in the basket. Let’s remind ourselves of Rashard’s heroic three point shooting that propelled the Magic past LeBron and the Cavs in ‘09. Let’s remind ourselves that we once had the best frontcourt in the NBA with Dwight, Rashard and Hedo. Now, consider the similarities between Wendell, Draft Pick X and Franz. I won’t name draft pick X, but there’s one guy who gives me that feeling I had back in 2007. I won’t say who I want the Magic to draft, but I think the writing is on the wall. There’s one player who not only fits perfectly with our personnel, but also has the work ethic to be great. Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors are successful not because they’re unicorns. They’re successful because they are selfless, hungry players with unmatched work ethic. Close your eyes and picture one of the 2022 NBA draftees hoisting a Finals MVP trophy for the 2025 Orlando Magic. Who do you see? Be the voice for that player. 15 years ago I was a loud voice on these same forums for the Magic to draft JJ, hire Stan and sign Rashard. While I know that I ultimately didn’t have much say one way or the other, it was so cool to see a team that I was so vocal about forming make it to the NBA Finals. I’m clearly not as active on these forums as I once was, but I’d like to remind all the fans of True Blue Nation that you are all the true voice of this team. Our collective voices shape the franchise more than we know. So, in the voice of an old poster Jack Daniels 999, “I believe, do you believe?”

This place is wild. I haven’t seen Sharpe mocked by anyone higher than 5. Even Givony, who supposedly is in love with him and is constantly quoted throughout this thread as being high on him has him at 7. I’d be shocked if Sharpe is even in consideration for us at the 1. Even if we steer clear of the big 3 for some reason, I’d prefer Keegan Murray, Ben Mathurin and Jaden Ivey over Sharpe. Look, I understand that mystery boxes are fun, but the risk it too steep at the 1 in my opinion.

I feel obligated to say this every time I see this sentiment. We have zero reason to believe Jonathan Isaac is anything more than a roster spot until he gets his ass back on the court.

I understand the passion people bring to these discussions, and I'm not a moderator, but I'd prefer people leave the politics out of this part of the forum.

Here's to a great season, Magic fam.

You would think someone having the worst shooting season of his career would focus on improving his shot instead of spending the next 2-3 weeks practicing dunks.

Ok. You're getting banned.

Don’t get too excited; they don’t play until tomorrow

I'm just going to be blunt and say anyone advocating a Westbrook trade at this point just doesn't know anything about basketball. I get that people are unhappy with Vucevic--I guarantee you'll be even more unhappy when Westbrook is on our team and needs to be paid 46 million dollars at age 35.

The Gordon hater is here—to eat crow. Gordon has been the best player on our team this series and the 1 guy whose gone 110% on both ends every game. If only other players were elevating their playoff play on the big stage like he’s been doing. Oh well.

We should rest Grant for the rest of the season.

Have you all hit your heads recently? After years of unanimous agreement that Vooch needs to go, you’re now comfortable rebuilding around him? Last few years with no viable replacement on the roster: “TRADE HIM, GUY SUCKS. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.” This year after just drafting his obvious, high-ceiling replacement: “Well let’s not get too hasty here... I mean the guy has been playing pretty well.” Does it not alarm some of you that even in Vooch’s “good” year, we’re still 20-28 in the weakest Eastern Conference in recent memory? What part of his Renaissance has translated to anything meaningful results-wise?

I legitimately might cry if we get kemba. Family is all from Connecticut. Most of my best sports memories are from UConn games. Some of my last memories of my Dad are excitedly talking about kemba. He died from terminal cancer in his early 50s a few days before kembas big East tournament run. My mom is convinced his death had some karmic sway over that championship run. Kemba is as close to a holy figure you can get in my family.

I feel like calling either of them cancers is a bit to much. These aren’t bad guys embarrassing the franchise off the court getting suspended and what not. I think Vuch is a baby. I don’t really have a problem with Evan. I always liked him more than most. I’m just ready for a change. He’s the best natural scorer on this team so if we lose him we better bring some offense back. Vuch is a baby but he was happy to resign with Orlando when he could have left. He’s been a good guy in the community and always speaks highly of Orlando. Don’t get me wrong I’m ready to move on for sure—but when we trade him I think it would be entirely unfair to view his time here as a cancer.

Banned

I consider the Cavs starting 5 to be a pretty good team and we handled them pretty easily. Their announcers kept commenting about how BIG we are. 2 game preseason observations. Franz is even better. I'd like to see him rebound more. Paolo is even better. His D seems a bit better too. Suggs is everywhere on defense, he's fast and he's relentless. Fultz can get to the hole any time he wants to and his D looks good. We still need Suggs, Fultz, and Paolo to get better on 3s. Carter looks great and seems ready to shoot from anywhere. Isaac on the floor totally changes the 2nd unit. With more games under his belt AB will be just fine. His defensive effort is excellent! Admiral still plays very hard. Chuma is still a ? Jingles was a great addition. He and Mo will get under a lot of players skin. Howard seems a litle lost at times but IMO he will be a great player once he gets up to speed. Harris should only get spot minutes when we need some 3s and are willing to run plays for him. He just doesn't seem like he can be fully involved in the game. Mo is Mo, love him! Queen looks pretty good and will probably beat out Kevon for a spot. McClung looks very good out there and could be a steal. Cole seems improved, better effort on D, and seems willing to play less hero ball. MCW will be a good mentor for the young ones. Caleb is still a big ? Overall if we can stay healthy we have a good shot at beating anybody we play. Here's to a great season!

OMG shut up about Sharpe. Go to the rookie thread. Yes he might turn into a star someday. Could not take a chance with someone with so little tape with the number one pick. Wish we had two top picks but we didn't. Paolo was the right pick. I really love Mathurin and think he would be a great fit for our team but i'm not putting in all this effort to showcase him. Big men superstars win championships. MJ and Steph Curry altered that fact a little because they were truly one of a kind players. Paolo is our man.

I just don’t agree with the “it’s not the right time” mentality. We have assets now, mainly they’re assets because they’re still unknowns and on their rookie deals. Guys like, Cole, Suggs, RJ, Chuma have shown some small flashes that they could be something, but our development team being able to develop them all in to something? And still developing Paolo and Franz who have shown they’ve got the most potential.. That’s not realistic with how many prospects we have. Superstar scoring guards like Donovan Mitchell, who by the way is only 25 years old, don’t become available like this very often. If we wait now because it’s not the right time and 90% of our prospects are busts we wind up right back into diving in on another decade of rebuild.

I will say that I won't throw a fit if we draft the stick figure. Chet has bananas talent for a guy his height. My issue with Chet isn't even really about his weight, though that is certainly part of it. I don't like super-skinny guys; but I have missed on other prospects for that reason before. I thought Durant would get roughed up in the NBA. I thought Gobert would fold in half. I didn't like Mobley, either (though, to be fair, I didn't really like anyone in last year's draft except Cunningham and Green). I don't trust that guys like that will not spend most of their time injured. And Chet is WAY skinnier than any of those guys, in terms of frame. What bothers me about Chet (aside from the obvious) is two-fold: he wasn't the main focus of his college team's offense and he wasn't good against top talent. And I think Orlando needs a star with the first pick, not a giant Swiss Army Knife. Chet is basically a taller Isaac, from what I've seen (with a little better shooting), and while I like Isaac, he isn't the guy you draft at #1. I see all the talent that Chet has, different skills that you just don't see in a 7-footer. But the question for me is, 'what in Chet's game will translate and actually matter?' He's a monster of a shot-blocker, but so is Porzingis, and he was traded to make Dallas better because he was actually a defensive liability. The weird thing is: shot-blocking doesn't necessarily equal great defense. Chet's scary-looking in transition, because he's a 7-footer who can run the floor and dribble. But is that really all that useful? How many times in a game will that matter at all? Is it truly impactful, or just a novelty? Chet's got cool post moves, but will he be able to use any of them on grown men who will just put him off-balance and man-handle him? Bigger college guys man-handled him, NBA guys will EAT him. He would need to put on at minimum 30 pounds before 90% of the league wouldn't be able to gently nudge him to any spot on the floor they want him, and probably 50 lbs before most Centers won't be able to. Will he be able to do that, and if he does, will he be the same guy? What good will post moves mean if he can't hold a position long enough to use them? (so the weight does mean something, but it's more than just about whether he'll be injury-prone). Are we so enamored with this guy because he's so crazy skilled, or because he's got a lot of better-than-average skills and is 7 feet tall. Now Chet might very well come in and become the Dirk/Noah combo that I DO see in there if I squint. That's why I hate tanking so much. You can tank for ten years to finally get the first pick, and you get a guy who might be an all-time great, or he might not even be a starter; or he might be an all-time great who you lose when a stiff wind carries him off a cliff, or a toddler bumps him at Disney and his twig leg snaps. Or you draft Jabari and he's either taller Paul George/Jayson Tatum or he isn't a number one option so he's basically taller Mikal Bridges (better than Chet's worst-case-scenario, but not worth 10 years of tanking, that's for sure). Or you draft Paulo and he's either better passing Melo, or just Jabari Parker 2.0, a man out of time in the modern NBA who's defense is so bad his above-average offense can't off-set it. Or you draft Sharpe, and he's either whatever form of Jesus the Kentucky Stans seem to think he'll be, or he's Dwayne Bacon. What I know is, like many others have said, I'll convince myself I love whoever we pick. At least for a while.

CT you brought up Alabama, so Jabari against them in 2 games averaged 21 points 6 rebounds 2.5 blocks and shot 13/24 and 9/18 from 3. So you kinda proved my point. Jabari>>>>Chet

This is risk analysis 101 Jabri - Floor: Rashard Lewis Light; Ceiling: Kevin Durant with less handles and better defense Chet - Floor: An Oft-injured K Porzingas; Ceiling: Dirk Nowitczki with Shot-blocking capabilities who bulks up and plays most games each season Both have similar ceilings. One has a MUCH WORSE floor. You take Jabri all day long in this assessment

This team is so much fun watch. Light years from the Evan and vooch show.

So in a hypothetical world where both Kelle and Cole are healthy next year, would it be feasible to start both? Cole is improving extremely fast. We could use them kind of like how the Raptors use VanVleet and that chubby bastard who I won’t say his name because he’s my most hated player in the NBA

There are and should be limitations on all of our rights when it comes to public standards and safety. You can't drive your car at 100 mph on I-4, you can't walk into a restaurant in bare feet and a speedo, you can't yell "fire" in a public place (unless there is one), you can't carry a concealed weapon without a background check and a permit. All of these restrictions are to promote public safety. The circumstances of this virus are such that the public health officials have declared that wearing a mask while out in public may significantly slow the spread of this virus. This isn't about your rights, it is about everyone's right not to be exposed to a horrific and potentially lethal disease. If you choose not to wear a mask, you aren't just exposing yourself to germs, you are potentially exposing everyone else around you to whatever you may be carrying. Is it uncomfortable, does it make breathing more difficult and your glasses fog up, does it look stupid - yes to all of the above. You do have an alternative, keep your selfish ass at home. Put on your big boy pants and do your part instead of whining like an entitled child who doesn't know any better. It is not an individual choice, it is the current standard for public safety. Get over it.

Man y'all let my man Jay be as optimistic as he wants. Who cares if it's realistic. He provides a nice balance from all the super negative post on here.

Y’all are truly hating. Post All-Star break we were #1 in the league in defensive efficiency and had the #3 record in the East. How does everyone assume we will still be fighting for the 8th seed with this same hungry team?

“Vuc has shown interest with Boston. It appears to be a mutual thing.” Pass it on so it makes the news circuits.