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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

Shout out to Andy Larsson of the Salt Lake Tribune and Kevin Pelton ESPN's resident stat guy who stopped Paolo being unanimous Rookie of the Year by voting Walker Kessler. Some takes are wrong immediately, some take a few years before it becomes apparent they were wrong. And then there are takes that were both wrong at the time and continue to look increasingly more wrong the more that time goes on.

Jon, I respect everyone's right to their own opinion, but damn, I don't think I've seen a positive post or opinion from you yet, man. If you're that negative about the roster, the management, and everyone else's opinions, why are you here? Do we need to start calling you Debbie Downer? In all seriousness though; 1) When you have this many young players, many of whom can be "loaned" to the G-League affiliate, I agree it could be difficult to find everyone playing time. So maybe Black, Howard, and Houstan all spend some time in Osceola, or maybe they just work in practice learning habits from veterans like G Harris, Ingles, and to a lesser extent, Fultz, and WCJ. 2) Considering how many "player injury games" we have lost over the last few years, having extra young talent for depth is a benefit. Also, if they're all competing for minutes, nobody is getting complacent - everyone keeps working to earn their minutes. Plus, if guys do get injured, they can spend time down in Osceola when they are "ramping up" playing time for their return - like Isaac and Okeke did for a bit last season. 3) We don't know yet that the front office is done. Currently we seem to have a roster full of guys that can switch and play/guard multiple positions. That's not a bad thing, either. I expect that they will try to bring back Moe Wagner as well, and I wouldn't be surprised if they give Kevon Harris at least a training camp and/or 2-way contract again. Doing both would bring us up to 16 players - you're allowed about 20 for training camp. Once you get to the season you get 15 on the roster, and I think with the new CBA you get three 2-way contracts for a total of 18 players. We will probably still see some action on the free agent and/or trade market before we get to opening day. 4) We don't know if Isaac is going to be back healthy - if he isn't, I would not be surprised to see them release him. He is "only" guaranteed $7.6M until 1/10/24, if they cut him before that, the remaining $9.8M can be used elsewhere. We are currently sitting at 14 players (counting Black, Howard and Ingles) and just barely over the league-mandated minimum of $122.4K. If we sign Moe to about $3.5M, that still leaves us about $10K under the cap, in a great position to trade with someone needing to cut salary, or as a third team to grab additional assets. I personally don't think we are done, and my bet is that they do move a backcourt guy or two to try and balance the roster a little more evenly. I could see someone doing a trade to free up space and take a chance on continued improvement from Anthony, Suggs, or a healthy Okeke. I can see a path to a trade involving G Harris for a SF/PF who might be getting similar numbers but making $4-5M more, with the other team throwing in a top-20 protected first. With the new CBA and the (extremely) punitive 2nd apron, I think there may be some trades to be made that would both better balance the roster and bring additional assets. I do think that the front office moved a little slower rebuilding this roster than I would have liked; but, we also have to think about where we were when they were hired - over the cap with few prospects to get better. I would have liked to see Payton, Vuc, Gordon, and Fournier all moved sooner than they were, but sometimes the moves just aren't there, or the return just makes you worse without actually giving you a path to improve. I think they have done a reasonable job, and have (with some luck) put us in a position to really make another jump this year. I think G Harris needs to be more active without the ball, running off of screens to find open shots (a la Reddick), I think both Anthony and G Harris are a little undersized to play the SG, but I think with Gary's improved health and if Anthony can improve his shot selection/play less "hero-ball", we can definitely expect to see some improvement from that position. I think the game was starting to slow down for Suggs near the end of the season, he seemed to be playing with the same drive, but less frantic. I think Moe is important to bring back for several reasons beyond the obvious connection with Franz - he gives us additional backup for the PF, where we've had health issues with both Isaac and Okeke; and he gives us a faster backup at C than Bitadze. Also, he definitely plays with more attitude than most of our team - Ingles should contribute that as well. Fultz/Black/Suggs G Harris/Anthony/Howard F Wagner/Ingles/Houstan/K Harris (2-Way?) Banchero/Isaac/Okeke Carter/Bitadze/M Wagner(?) I don't think this is a championship roster yet, but I definitely think this is a playoff roster; and with a few more tweaks and internal growth, I think we could surprise a lot of people this year.

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 $$$ :)

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

So, Vooch and all he meant to the team was great and I’m not downplaying that at all. But right now that trade is: Vucevic and Aminu’s terrible contract for Wendell Carter Jr, Franz Wagner, the cap space from Otto Porter’s expiring and a 2023 first round pick still to come. what a trade!!

HI I was at the game last night. I have not looked at box score or stats so time of this may not hold up under scrutiny but this is how I felt there. A few observations: 1) Fans are very late arriving which is disappointing for the start of the game. Started with about 20% seats full 80% by start of 3rd. (no masks required) 2) As has been noted, starting 5 play extremely well. We get into trouble when we break the line up. But those 5 dont play as well when they return. Part of that may be that unless I missed something. Those 5 dont ever play together again. There is always a starting 4 plus a bench player. (For example, I dont remember Moe and Wendell playing together after we broke.) They could have and I missed it , but it is something that stood out to me. 3) Speaking of Moe, he is playing very well and very hard, but when they sit him down he looks completely gassed. Dont know if he is still struggling with conditioning or that is just who he is always going to be. 4) Franz was amazing. Seeming to always be in the right place. 5) Suggs struggled. He also seemed to always be in the right place, but often did not execute. His ability to see the game when he does not have the ball is very good. He made some great passes. But it seems when he gets the idea to score, he loses his vision and drives into very bad situations, or misses too many open shots. Plus many turn overs, his handle is not great. From what I see, right now, he is not a good point guard. (yes I know rookie first year and all... not calling him a bust, I guess I just expected a more "Ready for prime time" player) 6) Cole very often plays for himself, ignoring everyone else. Last night his shot was falling, so he is not the reason that we lost. But I saw him take too many difficult shots when others were open for easier ones. 7) Harris and hampton were space fillers. Moe Wagner was serviceable , though not as good as last game. 8) I dont think I saw iggy or robin in at all 9) A lot has been said negatively about T-Ross and his attitude on the court. I saw quite the opposite. He seemed to be taking a leadership role. Always looking around. Checking guys positions, talking.. etc And he seems to be being used in a more all around role. He is not just bombing for three and hoping to score or get fouled. I had no issue at all with him last night. 10) It was good to see J.I., Chuma, and MCW on the bench and cheering guys. But I was a little confused with Fultz. He was there. And came in with the guys on every time out. And I am sure he was cheering, though I never noticed. But he did not sit on the bench. He stood against the hockey dasher. Not a big deal, but seemed odd if he wants to be one of the leaders of this team. Ok thats it On to Toronto

you do realize this is only temporary and that a ton of first world countries are participating in wearing masks in public right? Are we infringing on the right to show your face? What rights are we giving up exactly? That’s like saying that your inability to yell “fire” in a movie theatre is giving up your right free speech. When your speech immediately endangers others, it isn’t just a right anymore. That’s the end of story. all You conspiracy nuts spreading fake news will need to be called out next month when the country starts to open up.

Yessssss

You really don't see athleticism and fluidity? Athleticism Fluidity Athleticism and fluidity Fluidity Athleticism Bonus: passing vision And I wish I had more clips of his passing because it's very likely he's the best passer on the team. He's got a quick first step and stop/start ability that creates a ton of space against defenders. And he's a good defensive player who does a really good job getting through screens. He's averaging 2 steals per game so far in the preseason. If we had to cut someone you'd cut MCW first. He's 28. He's a situational role player. We gave him a one year minimum contract for a reason. He's defense only and isn't likely to get better. Next you cut DJ because he's a 32 year old player on an expiring contract who doesn't fit our long term plans or our overall team building thesis. Fultz is 21 and would be an upgrade overall over MCW if all he can be is a backup and never got better than he is today. But he's also got the ingredients in his game that gives him franchise player upside and his ceiling is going to be dependent on his offensive efficiency.

Not sure wether to believe this or not.

I guess Jeff isn't seeing the same thing that we all see every game so I thought I'd help him out. Dear Jeff, Vuc hasn't been injured and he still sucks on D. We are getting killed in the paint! By the way nice FA signing on Simmons. Dear Jeff, Biz has hands of stone. Please tell coach to stop running plays where he gets the ball at the top of the key. By the way nice signing on Speights. Dear Jeff, Fournier and Vuc play buddy ball and are holding back the development of our only real star. Please trade them. By the way, AA was a nice signing as a veteran presence in the locker room. P.S. Marios still sucks too. Trade him as well. Dear Jeff, Go out on the court and take a few 3 point shots wearing a baseball cap with no cardboard in the bill. If you can see the rim let us know. Just sayin'.