Ryan the Magic Fan

With the exception of vets and more established guys like Vuc I don't think we have seen the ceilings yet on any of these players. -EP's shot already looks better after only one year (and personally better then Rondo's did in the same time frame). -Victor's defensive intensity and passing have taken it up a notch and I feel with some more weight room time his driving ability can become even more dangerous. -Harris continues to stuff the sheet every night and really seems to be starting to play actual defense and rebound well with Skiles watching over him. -Gordon is so raw, but the talent and effort he displays is through the roof. And his shooting is honestly far better then I ever thought it would be coming out of college. -Evan is showing off what we all know he is capable of, the question is can he do it consistently. If he does we are seeing Manu 2.0 and he is a cornerstone. If it's not then he is still a great off the bench weapon to be used depending on how the rest of the roster shakes out. -Mario... I don't even know where to begin. This kid has talent, skill, size... the whole package. If his brain and drive to be good catches up with it... I legit would not be shocked if any of these players have another (or several more) gears they can reach. We may already have that big star in the 6 listed above. The building blocks for a championship may already be here. Just need to let it shake out. Skiles was brought in to get these guys up to par when it comes to the mental and effort part of the game, because the talent is clearly there. Once he has them fully bought in and playing at that level consistently (which isn't done overnight, or even in one season), we will have a better idea of how the roster will shape out. I don't want to see any of these players moved till then.

I'm thinking it's a combination of, still young, not an all-star, doesn't play on a good team, doesn't play for a major market. In other words:

No free throw attempts for Vic. This is really starting to bug me.

I'm a really big video game guy, as it is all I really do in my spare time when I'm not working out, going to school, or at work. I have all the systems and play everything, from the crazy popular games like Halo and Call of Duty, to those little undiscovered gems that no one heres about like ICO and Okami. So seeing it is right after christmas (and I'm a very curious ******* who likes to peek at others lives) I figured now would be a good idea to get a pulse on what our fellow Orlando Magic board members have got spinning in their respective systems. This thread will mainly be about what your currently playing, but dont be afraid to put up what systems your playing, and any games you see coming down the pipeline that your interested in. If you have any questions about a game, by all means ask me, as I keep track of all the goings on in the industry. I'll start off with what I'm right now on. As always during this time of year I'm playing NBA 2K10 on my 360. I'm normally a ps3 guy cause i prefer the controller but when 2k10 was released my PS3 broke down just a week before and i was not gonna wait. For christmas I ended up getting 3 new games, two as gifts from my girl and one i picked up for myself. The two i got as gifts were Uncharted 2 and Batman Arkham Asylum. Having played through a good bit, I can say this with confidence, if you have a PS3 and played the first you must go get Uncharted 2. If you havent played the first then find a cheap used copy and get it, then return it and pick up 2 with the credit. This game is every bit the game of the year awards it keeps receiving. Arkham Asylum is incredible and I'm psycked to know they got a sequel planned. The other game I found is a little known title for the Wii called Muramasa: The Demon Blade. For those of you who love japanese games, fast action paced slashing games, or the old arcade 2D style beat em ups, this is a cheap ($40) game you should check out. It is really addictive and a game that really has such a stunning art style that it makes the Nintendo Wii's older graphics look nearly as good as the 360 and PS3, especially if your running it in 480p. As for what I'm looking forward too, there are several, but I really cant see anything past March 9th, the day when Final Fantasy 13 drops on the 360 and PS3. I've been replaying the old ones and the excitement I have towards the newest one is crazy. So... without further adeu... WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU GUYS PLAYING!?

Man a lot of nostalgia flashbacks in this thread...

Winslow please.

That... was really difficult to read without just wincing at what could have been.

The efficiency Wiggins is showing as a rookie along with a really high amount of minutes being played kinda put him at number one. But I'd be comfortable with Payton at #2. Noel really only effects the game defensively and still has next to no offensive game at all. The moment this season ends someone send Payton JJ's perfect shooting video.

This was literally what I was about to say. We don't have a Batman yet on this team so someone needs to step up and take the reigns. I don't care who it is. Dipo, Harris, Payton, Vuc or even Gordon. Someone has to get an alpha dog in him. But more importantly... When the heck has Dipo ever had an ego? When did this become a thing ever?

SVG just might have an Axe to grind with Orlando management. He loved this area and this team. His family loved it here as well. The way they dumped him to make a baby star they wouldn't even keep happy was not exactly the Magic's shining moment in their decision making history.

If I had George Karl as a head coach of the Orlando Magic I would be sooooooo happy...

Exception, meet rule.

Gordon turns into Serge Ibaka with offense. All problems solved.

Thats the starting lineup for tonight? Is someone hurt or is Vaughn really just trying to find someone to jumpstart this team.

^^^ This guy get's it.

He stays on this current streak against that kind of competition he may just playhouse way into the All-Star game.

Is there something unclear about what he said?

I think a lot of people on this forum are way to quick to give up on a very talented, big combo forward not anywhere close to his prime years that has shown a willingness to work hard, refine his game, be coachable and take a leadership roll on a team that desperately needs one.

Sounds like the team is really monitoring him closely and won't play him till he looks perfect. Good. This kid definitely has that, hurt or not I only know one speed, mentality that can cost players careers.

There was a reason I stayed off this place during the offseason...

But Daaaaaaaad. I Don't wanna wait! In all seriousness the dude did exactly what you hope out of a young player like him. He got a tad bit offended. And then he got hungry and wanted to prove himself that he was worth more. And so far he is showing it.

Another efficient, 18 points on >50% shooting by Harris. He deferred to Vooch since the big man just owned Miami inside, and when it came to the end and Vic was clearly the hot hand he deferred again. Can we please please please resign this kid now?

Having O'Quinn as a very capable backup 4/5 makes the choice a bit easier to me. If The scouters truly believe that Okafor is an all world talent, go for it.

I really don't think people are getting it... This team is STACKED. I mean really, freaking STACKED. At every position their is what essentially amounts to a top 10 draft talent level player (may not have been drafted in the top 10 but they are showing that level of skill/talent). Look at Elf, Vic, Harris, AG and Vuch. Now imagine them fully panning out into the talent that we imagine of them. There is a possibility for an all star level on every one of those players. Seriously. Take that and compare it to the last year of the Dwight era. There was no hope for the future on that team at all. NONE. And now there is serious hope. If just two or three of those players play up to their ceiling Orlando will be competing at least for a top half of the east within two to three years WITHOUT making other moves. Thats what Hennigan has built. Patience is something Magic fans haven't had to learn. For such a young team we haven't had many years of failure. I don't think Orlando has gone a longer period without a winning season. But of all the other losing teams currently in the league, I can't think of one I would switch rosters with right now. Give it some time guys.

The majority of players at this point find it very difficult to change the specific way they shoot the ball. Sure you can change the motion itself and your hand and elbow placement, but changing the way a player arcs their shot is difficult to do because it is so ingrained into their brain. Think of Rashard Lewis, despite even being a good shooter people tried to change his shot, and it never worked for him.