Just a regular Magic fan

I get kicking it out once in a while, but I don't understand why AG should pass when he gets to the rim. The idea where we drive and kick it out all the time doesn't make sense to me. We will live or die by the 3 and do nothing to develop the other parts of our offense. I think we should give ourselves some other options because if we are going to rely on Fournier or others to consistently make their shots then we will get what we've got. Nada.

Good points. I am no expert, but except for AG last night, our midrange game was virtually non-existent, so when they made it difficult for us to hit our 3's or we made it hard on ourselves by missing our 3's, we really had nothing to go to. I could be wrong, but I think if our guys really worked on their midrange game this summer it will help us in the long run. We always here guys are 3 & D, but I think that's a mistake because it limits ourselves when they aren't falling. I would love to see guys like AG, JI, Bamba, Fultz develop a more complete game and not just rely on either 3 pointers or dunks. They have the athletic ability. They should use it.

I wonder if this message board accommodates signatures at the bottom of our posts. It would be nice because it's really hard to keep up with who everyone wants in the draft. We could put them there, so I can just see and don't have to ask who everyone likes all the time. LOL!

Can Herro create his own shot in the playoffs? How is he with the mid-range stuff?

Hmm. Tempting. A Pinto actually catches fire from time to time. ;-) Seriously. I just watched the game this morning. I liked our effort, and AG was trying his best; however as much as it pains me to say the Raptors are probably just too good for us this year. I am proud of our team, though. These guys battled all year, and I know we will continue to battle in Toronto. Maybe we can get it going and turn things around, but if we don't I think we have learned a lot about ourselves as a team. As with most, I wonder what direction we are going to go this off-season. I would like to see a shake up of the roster with us being able to keep a core of Fultz, AG, JI, Ross, MCW, Bamba, and Iwundu. I like Founier and Vooch as people, but I think we have seen what they will give us when they are on the floor in the playoffs, and as with most everyone else I have read this morning I agree their ceiling is pretty low. No need to hang on to them, if we aren't going to be able to take the next step. I am not going to hold my breath. We have limited resources, but hopefully, Weltman and Hammond can get something done. It's time for them to earn their $$$.

Awesome! Have fun!!

Maybe game 4 is the charm. I have a good feeling about this one. I think we are finally starting to figure them out. The key is for us to play relaxed and loose. Nobody expected us to win this series, so we have nothing to lose. I would suggest that when the opportunities for our guys arise for them to just take the shot, or just drive to the basket, etc. Hesitating isn't helping anyone but the Raptors. Let's take it to them and have some fun! Go Magic!!

What do you guys think? Should Fournier and Vooch be in the plans for our team moving forward after this year? If so, what are your plans for replacing them? Anyone we draft is more than likely going to need some time to develop. Do we risk taking a step back in hopes that we can take two steps forward down the road? Isn't that what we have been doing? How do we turn the corner?

I think we have seen what Fournier is going to give us. Perhaps next year, we will see another guy get more playing minutes and see how they develop.

I just watched the game and what was glaring to me was how ineffective our starters were. I am not a big fan of the pace Augustine runs the offense with and since he isn't really a good facilitator we are forced to throw it into Vooch down low or Fournier on the wing. Vooch can usually throw out of it, but when we did give it to Fournier they would double team him and usually force a turnover. I am also confused when Augustine or Fournier would drive to the basket and try to dish to Vooch or JI instead of trying to score. Have they heard of a floater, or maybe just a pull up jump shot? Why pass on the easy shot just to make an extra pass where we usually have the ball stripped away? Tracy McGrady was saying in the booth that in the playoffs you need to make each possession count. Instead of just taking what they give us, we try and force the pass. With the Raptors length and solid defense, usually the result goes against us. To me, that's not smart basketball. We are playing to their strengths. Of course, maybe that's all we got. Maybe we have guys who can't make an easy pull up jump shot or a floater, which is perplexing to me, but a real possibility because we rarely see it. Even with a tough loss, and a real possibility of losing the series, there are good things we can take away from being in the playoffs. It gives our guys an idea of what they need to improve on. The regular season is one thing, but the playoffs are another. Everybody is working on shooting the 3, but I would encourage our guys to work on their short range jump shots, floaters, etc. When they take away the 3, we have got to have something else in our arsenal to score points.

LOL! I have cable, but I have been at sports bars watching my NFL team when the signal went out. When you're into the game, it can be very frustrating to say the least. :-)

When I think of our core going forward, I am not thinking of Vooch or Fournier. Nice guys and all, and I am glad they are here, but to me (and I could be wrong) they are not the future, so I don't want to over pay.

Have you checked the radar? The squall line is HUGE, and since it looks to be moving slowly there could be some damage. I heard on the radio that there is a possibility of high winds, hail, and tornados, which is typical in Florida, I know, but nice to know nevertheless. :-)

With it being Friday, and with the weather we are expecting to get this afternoon traveling in central florida is probably gonna really suck more than usual. If you are going to the game, or a watch party, please be careful and safe on the roads. Better to be late and alive then rush and get yourself involved in something that is gonna ruin your day. Go Magic!!

Let you tell it! IMO, this game is it. We need to come to play and show them what we have and get the win so we regain our confidence. One game at a time, and the rest will take care of itself.

Our backs are against the wall. It's time we step up and hit them in the mouth like they did us the last game. We need to lay it on the line, give it everything we got, and impose our will. Our time is now.

I realize that Iwundu is a SF, but I wonder if we ever had a line up of MCW, Iwundu, AG, JI, and Birch on the floor at the same time. Since wing players (SG and SF) are somewhat interchangeable, I am curious to what a line up like this would bring. These guys are lean, long, and can run.

Yep! Good points! +1 from me!! :-)

Good point. I just get impatient sometimes. I want us to run, when we are in some ways still learning to walk. On a different note: How are the European players this year? Are there any sleepers, not quite on the radar, that could surprise? I am guessing that the scouts have pretty much everybody on their radar, but I can dream, can't I?

Whoa! Thanks for the thoughts! How depressing. Still hoping we get lucky. We made the playoffs, so maybe things will go well for us in the draft, too! :-)

Will be interesting to see how if we bounce back Friday. It seems the physicality of the playoffs has zapped Vooch and Fournier of whatever offensive production they had during the regular season. If we can't get any kind of outside shot going, then maybe we should have our guys (not talking about Vooch) drive and attack the basket. We might be able to get ourselves into the bonus earlier and if we have success maybe that will get them to pull back more into the paint, which could open up for an easier outside shot.

Really!?! That's good news. The impression I had was it's not very deep, and that after those at the top many of the players are on the same level into the 2nd round. Glad to see others with a different view. Maybe there is hope for us at 16 after all. :-)

I would say these guys were drafted on their potential and for the most part say, now that Clifford is here, are back on track regarding their development schedule. IMO, we will see some nice improvement from all three of them next year. Part of me would like to take a guy like Herro who is a solid shooter, but I am hesitant because his defense would probably be a liability. In the end, he would just end up being a role player and for a good team that would be a nice thing to have. However, we are still young and in some ways are still trying to put together a solid core. I would say let's continue to build that core with high potential players and if we are lucky they will blossom into someone legit. Some say we need a PG, or a SG, but I wouldn't pass on a player because we supposedly have someone at that position. When it's time to pick, I say go for whoever has the most potential regardless of position. If they create competition and beat out one of our starters then we will end up having a better starter and a decent guy coming off the bench. That's not a bad thing.

Now that we have seen what we can and cannot do when it comes playoff time, has that changed your view on the type of player you want in the draft? I realize picking where we are doesn't afford us much choice, but we could still focus on certain skills or physical attributes a new player is going to bring to our team that could help.

Seems like a good idea. It might be one of those things where, like a lot of things, including us, teams are good a dishing it out, but they can't take it when someone does it to them. If we can shut their offense down the way they shut our offense down, then that may give us the confidence we need, which may carry over to our offense. I still love 'em, but our young team is going through some growing pains and are pressing. If they can regain their composure, their offense may follow.