Just a regular Magic fan

I am not trying to be a Debby downer here, just realistic, but I fear we are just stuck with being mediocre for a while because there is no easy fix. Even though I like our guys I just don't see the development on offense (not talking about JI or Fultz) from our core players and those so-called development guys like Iwundu, Jefferson, and Frasier. Vooch and Fournier are playing like we expect them to play. Ross has a knee that is hurting his shot. AG is AG. No one other than JI and Fultz has taken a step. I am not sure why. Is it our coaching? Did guys not work on what the coaches suggested over the summer? Are we just bad at evaluating players? How does the G league work? Is it like the NFL practice squad where we can call up players on another squad, or would we have to trade with another team to get a guy? Our depth is pitiful. We have to find a way to build things up. Personally, I don't mind being mediocre for a while if guys are improving and we can get a decent draft pick. I like that we care about our guys and want them to feel secure as a Magic player. However, maybe my thinking is flawed and we should be thinking short-term and not be afraid to deal assets like AG if we can get significantly better. That's the key though, isn't it? How do we get better? On paper, things look one way, but a lot of times, things don't work out as well when the deal is done and they are on the court.

I am ok with starting Bamba if we can get a long bungee cord, hook each end to his wrists, and put it around his neck, so it holds his hands up. ;-D

I think we have seen this a couple of times now. How do you feel about Coach Cliff playing both DJ and Fultz together late in the 4th quarter?

I am excited, too. However, I believe we need to pump the brakes on this one. There is no point in rushing Fultz back and risk a relapse. He's too valuable.

I saw 2 plays that looked legit. The block and the layup. Coach Cliff saying Bamba looked better this year than last to the press is him just saying the right things. Looking at his face during the game tells a different story (he was disgusted with a lot of things, including Bamba). As many have been saying. Bamba does have some skill, so I agree that it may be premature to give up on him. It's probably just going to take longer than many of us hoped for when we drafted him.

If Vooch is out long term, I hope WeltHam doesn't get desperate. It looks like we aren't going to be very good this year anyway, so there is no need to pour gasoline on the fire with a dumb move. I would rather see us keep our resources and lose and hold out for the right long term move. Maybe we can pick up a big on the cheap.

I apologize, this is majorly off topic: Where do ya’ll watch the Magic games? At home, or do you hit the sports bar? If so, do you go to any that have a lot of Magic fans? If so, where?

I'm thinking we are still inconsistent, so it's a one game at a time thing for me.

You all are making some good points about Bamba and the G League. I get what Fultz4thewin is saying about implementation. Bamba can do it against lesser talent, but can't do it against the big boys. Excuse my ignorance, but is it possible for Bamba to do both? Play games in the G League and regular NBA games? Maybe we can send him down for some intense instruction on things like boxing out, setting screens, etc. and then bring him back up. Of course, we are probably doing that now, but maybe with the G League schedule, the players have more time to practice, etc. Note: I am just trying to think outside the box a little bit. I would hate to see Bamba as a wasted pick. Not sure if my ideas make good sense or are even doable.

Nice! Thank you!

Are we sure that moving Bamba to the G League won't help him? I mean, if he won't get minutes because he's on a pitch count, I get it. However, if the opposite is true and he can get some major minutes it might help him learn and also help him gain some confidence because he should be able to contribute. Right now he must feel completely humiliated when he's on the court.

It is. However, AG is only 24 and has shown me enough that I don’t want to trade him just yet. I am hopeful the light will come and stay on.

Has AG stopped practicing and working hard to try and get better? Have you? I don't think we know who anyone is, including ourselves, until they/we stop trying. AG is working his butt off and I still believe he will become more consistent with his shot. That said, I think he would excel in a different offense, like Miami, where the slashing concept would benefit AG’s aggressive style.

I agree. There's a reason why other GMs are inquiring about his availability. If we traded him for Dipo I would understand and welcome him back, but I would miss AG. I think he is close to putting it all together and helps us in many other ways besides scoring. My hope is when it comes to the touch on his shot ( in the paint and around the basket) he watches and learns from Fultz.

I am disappointed with Bamba's lack of development, but I am going to take your cue and try and remain patient even though I have lowered my expectations considerably. We have a few other guys like Fultz, JI, and AG who are growing and developing, which is enough to keep me still excited about our team.

Is it our coaching? Bamba’s confidence seems to be withering before our eyes. I can't tell if he is more clueless or more useless, but something needs to be done, if possible. We talk about trading Vooch; however, I am not sure we can if that means more Bamba. Yes, it has gotten that bad. We are stuck if we want to make the playoffs.

Surprisingly, I haven't read one Fultz draft report because I didn't want to get my hopes up. As you said, his basketball IQ is up there. Of course, I want him to make his shots, etc., but what I am thrilled about the most is his passing. He is just 21 and has a ways to go, but last night showed us we might just have that GUY we all have been hoping for.

I am happy to hear it, of course; however, I am curious as to why you feel his ceiling is so high. What would make Fultz have to do to make himself a superstar? He already does a good job facilitating, finishing at the rim, and hitting his FTs. Where should he look to improve? Be more assertive? Become virtually unstoppable when it counts?

Good point. Magic 27/34 for 74% Spurs 6/10 for 60% Fultz was 7/7. Woot! Glad to see him contributing where he can.

It would be nice if we could get some of that luck back we used to have. These lean years are tough. We could use a break. :-)

Interesting. I am definitely not going say I know how player X is going to do for us over player Y. Stat wise it looks like D. House can rain in those 3's. The issue I have, and I am still trying to figure out our offense, is are we looking for those one-dimensional types or do we want someone who can shoot the 3 AND run the screen and roll? Personally, my uneducated eye would say the more versatile a guy is offensively the better because how are we going to score if our 3's aren't falling. Other teams do that to us all the time. They shoot the 3, but they also run the screen and roll to mix it up.

I am curious about DeRozan. He is listed as a guard/forward. Comparing him and Fournier, DeRozen has more rebounds and assists. Do you know if DeRozen plays more guard or forward? Also, Fournier seems more comfortable shooting the three; however, DeRozen might be better at the screen and roll since he is more comfortable with the mid-range shot and assists. Since the screen and roll is hard to defend when done properly, I wonder if DeRozen might be the better fit for us because I think we can replace Fourniers three-point shooting with our other starters. I would try and have two groups of screen and rollers. DeRozen/Vooch, and Fultz/Vooch or Bamba (he has work to do on his screens, but is a decent shooter).

What are your thoughts about our team now that we have a few games under our belt? Are we misevaluating any of our guys? Is there a core group (or player) that is untouchable, or is anyone and everyone available for the right price?

Coach Cliff isn't perfect. Nobody is, but hold him accountable for what? Missing shots? Turnovers? Missing free throws? Not coming to the ball on defense? Personally, I think he is doing an okay job. For example, he said in the after game presser that he talked to Chief about reducing his minutes temporarily so that he can give our skill players some more playing time in hopes of getting them into a rhythm and increasing our scoring production. Are there other coaches who bring other systems that I would like to see us play? Sure, but I think that is pretty good coaching. He is aware of the problem and is doing what he can to fix it with the players he has.

I really didn't want Bamba in the draft, but trade him ASAP for who? Another guy who is on a team because of their so-called potential? I am not opposed to it IF WeltHam can find a nice little nugget, but I also want to see what Bamba can bring when/ IF he can get clearance to play every game. His stress fracture has delayed his development. He might not ever become a superstar, but I don't think we need one of those at center. As long as he's solid I think we can win with him.