Just a regular Magic fan

Not saying I hope Fultz doesn't come on or that we don't need an upgrade but I agree on Augustine. Some games he cracks me up, LOL. I love it when they back off defensively and he just drives and drives to the hoop until they take it away. I understand it's a PGs job to get his teammates involved but sometimes I wish he would do it more.

Weltman made it very clear in his press conference that the player chooses the team. I'm curious. Why did Farouq choose us? Did he have other options or were we about it?

Umm...You can call him Farouq OR you can call him Chief. ;-) Note: That was a funny moment that had everyone laughing during the introduction press conference.

IMO, Fultz came to the perfect organization. Our guys are tight and support each other. He's working as hard as any. From the outside looking in, it looks like we have excellent team chemistry. Expectations are high and the coaching staff has made it clear to each guy what they need to be working on. I would be very, very surprised to hear about any of our players dogging it. This team is hungry. I think we will be pleasantly surprised next year.

Nice interview with Clifford on the Magic's free agency moves and our team in general. Clifford's major emphasis is that ALL of our players need to work over the summer to get better. Music to my ears! https://www.nba.com/magic/videos/orlando-magic-free-agency-press-conference-20190708

Nice observations! I am not sure IF he is working on it, but that is why I said I hoped he is working on a go-to shot like the step-back jumper. It minimizes the dribble and allows him to use his awesome athletic skill to create the separation he needs. He is beginning to show some touch on his 3 pointers and FT, so maybe that will translate.

Glad to see JI staying involved and supporting the team. I think that's why they wanted to keep this group together. They are tight!

First of all, excellent post Soul Bro! I voted YES, but I miss read the question and didn't see the part about this year. I think eventually he will become elite and this year we will see a significant improvement. His 3 point shot was really coming along towards the end of last year and I think he will build on that and maybe even come up with a step-back jumper to add to his arsenal. He's driven and putting in the work. It may be another year or two so I hope we can stay patient. Oh, I should add that I am also including his defensive prowess. That should get better too. I think everything should be included when we are evaluating guys.

Is that something you have to make a big deal of? I get that you want to maintain some sort of so-called standards, but not everybody has your basketball knowledge.

IMO, our coaching staff seems to be able to develop players pretty good so that could help. I hope to be pleasantly surprised by the development of some of our guys this year.

I see your point. I like both AG and JI and would be delighted if either made a huge jump. In the long run, if he can stay healthy, I think JI will have a higher ceiling. And yes, that is me being just a fan sporting some huge ass rose-colored glasses. :-)

You didn’t include JI. Just not feeling it ?

Now that we basically have our team in place any thoughts on who will take their game to the next level next season? Not counting Fultz because he is just trying to get on the court the way I see it is we have just a few guys that can take the next step. Vooch, Fournier, Augustine are pretty much maxed at their potential. Sure, they can improve, but I guess they are pretty close to their ceiling. That leaves AG, Bamba, JI, and Iwundu as our core of young guys whose ceiling is still unknown. Of that group, Bamba should be the one who shows the most improvement from year one, but that is sort of a gimme since he was hurt most of last year. Iwundu is coming along. I like what I have seen but he just might not have enough potential to be a real influence. That leaves AG and JI. Will one of these guys move the needle? I know AG is motivated. He really embraced his defensive role last year but can he take his offense to the next level and be a go-to guy? As much as I want to see that the jury is still out. When he has gotten his chance he's been inconsistent. JI, on the other hand, had a stretch last year where he was really balling. Was that a fluke or will that be the norm this year? I am hoping that it will become the norm so he's the guy I am looking at to really make a big impact on the team next year. I really like AG. Nothing against him. He's a big part of our franchise, but it's JI who I believe will be the guy who raises his game and takes the next step. What about you? Is it going to be the same ole, same ole or will we have a guy emerge?

I like it! At least we are trying to form some kind of team identity.

At first, I was a little shocked at Vooch's contract, but I am coming around now that we have resigned Ross and I have had time to let it all digest. It is what it is. Nothing we can do about it. I'm hoping that keeping the core together will translate to even a few more wins because of continuity and most of the guys being in year 2 of Clifford's system.