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

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!

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

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.

Rather not have either of you leave the forum. Instead, let’s make it for $5,000. As a neutral party, I’ll be happy to hold on to each of your 5K until we see who wins in a few years. At that point, if you’re able to track me down, winner gets the $$$ :)

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.

His hands are freakish looking. And as far as the dunk totals go, that is more of offensive plays and coaching than the player’s ability. None of the top 5 can shoot from range like this guy. With our anemic 3 point shooting, picking him is a no brainer.

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

Mauro look at this …I found it online …was an Instagram post by Courtside Films showing like 10 video clips of Sharpe and wanting peoples opinions on who they thought his comps were …keeping in my mind it was posted last July when Shaedon was barely 18 and still months away from committing to UK https://www.instagram.com/p/CRRVv1rscnu/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= Oh and by the way everyone …I’m only 25 points away from getting out of the negative …thanks for your support lol

I expect it will probably be fairly quiet in here over the summer, punctuated by a few periods of intense activity, such as the lottery, the draft, any significant personnel moves, and summer league. I want to thank all my fellow posters who stay connected to the team despite the less than optimal circumstances in the past few years. I enjoy our discussions, and greatly appreciate the civil tone even when there are disagreements, as was also mentioned by our moderators.

Sharpe is too much of a risk so I’ve soured on picking him (unless we get another first rounder). If we leave the draft without one of Chet or Jabari I’ll be really mad. They’re tied in my mind right now, with different pros and cons.

Agree with this 100%. It’s been non stop articles on Sharpe and why the Magic need to draft him without contributing much else. Now challenging CT to make a bet where if whoever loses they need to leave the forum? Sounds like we are back in middle school and not grown men sharing our differences of opinion on an online team forum. Clearly CT was joking with the comment he posted about the intelligence and quality of posts going down if he left. At least he brings insightful content and although we all know he wants Chet he doesn’t have a problem discussing other candidates as well. I’d rather have CT here any day of the week instead of seeing the same posts over and over again about a guy the Magic aren’t going to draft with the 1st overall pick or even trade down to get. I initially appreciated your posts when you came back junkie but you just keep flooding these boards with the same Sharpe propaganda and now you’re being petty with that bet you proposed. Just my 2 cents.

Any front office that takes fans opinions into account of major decisions is doomed to fail. Fans know jack ****. This fan base reacted incredibly negatively to the Franz pick at the live event on draft night and he's the best rookie we've had since this rebuild all started. If it were up to fans we'd have drafted James Bouknight at 8 last year. This front office can't actually know who will and won't be a superstar but they should draft the person they believe is most likely to become that regardless of what any fans think. Because fans aren't exactly honest with themselves, they're incredibly hypocritical. All of the people here now saying they don't want Chet will be the same ones complaining we didn't draft him if OKC pick him and he becomes an All NBA type player.

After watching film on Jabari, there is NO way u don’t take him. 6’ 10” and can shoot the way he does with people all over him. And the youngest of the projected top five. Also his work ethic and motor are there. The only way you don’t pick him is if somebody just blows their doors off in a workout. He is the closest prospect like KD I’ve seen since. He may not get to that level but dam, he’s got the skills to be scary.

WeltHam have a pretty good track record so I’ll be cool with whomever they prefer out of Chet, Smith, Sharpe or Ivey. Exciting times for the Magic family

The man was skinny but you could tell the 18 year old could add some bulk. Chet is WAY different.

No interest in getting “bro’d” by a stranger on a message board, you have your opinions, I have mine, he has his own. I just really wish we could see him in the news for something basketball related.

Off the top of my head The Fultz trade The Vuc trade The Wendell extension The Franz pick The Chuma and Cole picks in the teens Fixing the cap hell we were in Putting an insurance policy and game incentives on JI’s extension I mean, you can choose to be frustrated, it’s your right and it’s well deserved, but it’s hard not to be excited about the future of this team. We don’t have any debilitating contracts at the moment, I don’t remember the last time that happened.

Ok thanks for the take … WAKE UP MAGIC FANS …DRAFT LOTTERY IS 2 WEEKS FROM TODAY !!! Here’s my take …my order of preference of who I want the team to draft based on talent first and then team need …I got Banchero and Sharpe tied for first then probably Jade Ivey …I mean, if all our bigs are returning and healthy I didn’t see why we would draft Holmgren, on top of what many are posting about his frame, physique …Smith not only plays the same position as Okeke but they are from the same school, something I just realized …Suggs ankle surgery/injury aggravates the guard/wing need And I just think Banchero and Sharpe have the most Star power …before the draft gets here on June 23 I think Sharpe is gonna break into the quote supposed top 3 of this draft if he hasn’t already …read articles yesterday talking about Sharpe’s vertical jump breaking Michael Jordan’s 48 inch vertical leap record …plus the fact Givony touted Shaedon as a possible top pick already …Man I’m gonna be on pins and needles on draft lottery night …I think we need a top 3 pick to get who we want …I don’t think Banchero or Sharpe will be there at 4,5 or 6 EDIT: Whoever is giving me all the “UP” votes I sincerely appreciate it …I’ve gone from minus 86 to minus 49 in a very short time span lol

Great to read how much they're close and enjoy stay together, but at the end of the day, all that matters is what they show into the games, and I'm not sure they've really put a 100% effort throughout the season. There're a few good signs, but we'll neet to wait until next season to know how big a leap they can make together.

Markelle Fultz is our best player, and I don’t think it’s that close. If he can stay healthy, his ceiling is CP3 high