TrueBlueDrew

Nah, I wouldn't go there. Atlanta hasn't been good but they haven't been dreadful either. They've surprised a few teams in the second half and Trae Young is gaining confidence.

Crazy thing is a few of them were updated in the last 72 hrs. So not sure if they're just not paying attention to the Magic or just don't care about the late lottery teams. Also, concerning Herro. Don't sleep on him. He's much more than a white guy who can shoot. He's really good at getting to the rim and finishing with either hand, decent passer, above average rebounder and defender, and all around solid player. When you watch him, I honestly see flashes of Mike Miller more than Kyle Korver.

Also, if we make the post-season are we eliminated from the possibility of getting a lottery pick? I saw several websites that have us picking at #13 and I guess I just assumed how much we were winning would push us closer to #15-17. BleacherReport says Option A is Garland, Option B is Kevin Porter Jr., and Option C is Talen Horton-Tucker (as a project) NBCSports has us taking some kid from France (Sekou Doumbouya??) since we're risking Vooch leaving in the summer at #14.

Yeah, makes sense. I guess I'm just thinking of little games we dropped post-All Star that make a difference when you're in a tight race. Looking back at the season schedule...December and January sucked haha

What's even scarier is if you compare East vs West. A 40-40 record is good enough to already be eliminated (ala Sacramento Kings) I never cease to be amazed at the difference between East and West.

NBADraft.net has us taking: Darius Garland at #15 Grant Williams at #33 Talen Horton-Tucker at #46 Fansided has us taking: Tyler Herro at #15 Tankathon has us taking: Tyler Herro at #16 Carson Edwards at #45 Thoughts?

If we end up missing the playoffs, I think we can point to several games but you'd really like to get those first couple games after the all star break back. Home against Chicago and Away against New York. Those were crucial dropped games. But I like our chances to finish out the season on a win-streak. Atlanta is going to be tricky though, they've played really good ball the second half of the season.

I didn't know that he was hurt. That does change the picture. The next week is going to be really interesting haha

I think the Hornets are as good as eliminated minus a miracle run (Kemba is used to those from his college days). I think the Pistons have the 6th seed locked up. So it is really a battle for 7-9. I think the Magic win 3 out of our next 4. Maybe we win all 4, but I think that Atlanta game will be tough. The Celtics will rest people if the home court situation has been figured out, so I feel better about that one. The Heat lose tonight vs Celtics, win vs TWolves, lose vs Raptors, lose vs. 76ers, and win vs Nets. Nets lose tonight vs Raptors, win vs Bucks (resting players), win Pacers, and lose vs. Heat Final East Standing Prediction: Bucks Raptors 76ers Celtics Pacers Pistons Nets Magic (If we tie with the Nets they'll get 7 because they won the regular season right?)

So has anyone ever compared Vucevic and Cousins? I was watching their matchup last night and thought that the skill-set was similar. Cousins is a little more of a power-big where Vooch plays with more finesse...but they have similar games. They've been in the league about the same length. Demarcus averages more points but blocks, assists, and rebounds are all 1% or less between each other. Vooch has the better shooting percentages. Just thought that was a really interesting matchup to watch. Both have the capability to be a liability on defense too. The Comparison Link

Called it

Best Under 25 According to Hoops Hype -- Agree or Disagree? 25. Deandre Ayton 24. Domantas Sabonis 23. Gary Harris 22. Aaron Gordon 21. Zach Lavine 20. John Collins 19. D'Angelo Russell 18. Myles Turner 17. Kyle Kuzma 16. Julius Randle 15. Jusuf Nurkic 14. Pascal Siakam 13. Jayson Tatum 12. Jamal Murray 11. De'Aaron Fox 10. Donovan Mitchell 9. Clint Capela 8. Devin Booker 7. Kristaps Porzingis 6. Luka Doncic 5. Ben Simmons 4. Karl-Anthony Towns 3. Joel Embiid 2. Nikola Jokic 1. Giannis Antetokounmpo

Sebastian Telfair haha holy crap that's a name I haven't heard in forever. Is he playing ball overseas somewhere?

Would you put Orlando on the same scale as Boston, Golden State, the hope-to-be Lakers, Philly? No. We don't have superstars on our team. We have a bunch of young guys that look like they could grow into something. Lillard said that he didn't want to sell his soul for a championship. I wouldn't call coming to Orlando selling his soul because he wouldn't be joining superstars...he'd be coming here to lead our young guys. Yes, I am reading into it a little bit but I didn't hear in that clip that he just wants to stay in Portland his whole career. That's what the guys on undisputed were talking about when comparing him to Payton, KG, and the like. But all of those guys eventually left their teams too. Just saying. Our situation is not like others because we don't have stars. We have solid players that could use a veteran leader who is a star and could maybe make our other guys stars.

Damian Lillard come on down??

I think we steal one from them eventually. We played them really close in @ their place. I think when we play teams like Boston/Philly/GS/Toronto. We should be able to steal one or two away from those teams. Hopefully...

The real question is, when we make the playoffs (positive thinking) -- who would you rather play in a best of 7? Milwaukee or Toronto?

So, breaking this thing down, 23 games left (10 home 13 road), 3 back to backs, and 11 games vs teams either in the playoffs or fighting for a spot. February 22 -- vs Chicago (W) February 24 -- @ Toronto (L) February 26 -- @ New York (W) February 28 -- vs Golden State (W) March 2 -- @ Indiana (W) March 3 -- @ Cleveland (W) March 5 -- @ Philadelphia (L) March 8 -- vs Dallas (W) March 10 -- @ Memphis (W) March 13 -- @ Washington (L) March 14 -- vs Cleveland (W) March 17 -- vs Atlanta (W) March 20 -- vs New Orleans (L) March 22 -- vs Memphis (W) March 25 -- vs Philadelphia (L) March 26 -- @ Miami (L) March 28 -- @ Detroit (W) March 30 -- @ Indiana (L) April 1 -- @ Toronto (L) April 3 -- vs New York (W) April 5 -- vs Atlanta (W) April 7 -- @ Boston (L) April 10 -- @ Charlotte (W) I think we go 14-9, with the most important stretch of games from March 26-30. @ Miami, @ Detroit, and @ Indiana. I think we lose 2 but I'd love it if we could win 2 or all 3. The Heat have a tough stretch of games in the second half, Hornets have a tough 2nd half. I think Detroit and Orlando will make the playoffs either as a 7 or 8. Brooklyn holds on to the 6 spot.

I'd say since Lebron: 1) Zion 2) Wiggins 3) Oden 4) Davis 5) Doncic (I think there was hype but there was also pause because of how young he is and how other internationals have flopped) Other notables: Carmelo Anthony (got lost a bit in the James hype), DeAndre Ayton, Ben Simmons, Lonzo Ball (purely because of his dad)

Does anyone else think the drama the Pelicans are going through is almost identical to the drama we went through with Dwight? Dysfunctional team drama Rumors of "which team he wants to go to" Head coach bearing the load GM is fired, new one brought in the handle the situation Player who left has his image/reputation hurt The Lakers are involved I just hope Davis doesn't end up regretting this like Dwight has

You could let Birch walk and give his minutes to Amile. See how he develops.

Yep, I agree 100%, I think Kuz has drank the LA Kool-Aid and now has this level of arrogance about him even though he hasn't done anything in his career. He's a solid player and obviously has the ability to break out for big numbers occasionally, but he won't do that on a nightly basis. I think Ingram has more of an upside than he does.

I disagree with that assessment. Kanter is a better defensive player and better rebounder than Vuc. Vuc is just much more developed offensively. But I think the point is moot anyway because he will more than likely reunite with OKC if I had to guess.

Horrid? I mean, he's averaging 14 + 10. over the last 2 years. He's put up a few 20-20 games too. I think he's an efficient rebounder who talks a little too much but I think he's one of those guys you hate watching but would love to have him on your team. However...I wouldn't want him on the Magic now because we have a logjam with big men.