Darrell_Armstrong

Unfortunately we just play frustrated and mad instead of motivated and smart. Also, our offense is so stagnant without Payton. Oladipo can't initiate any offense. We just run around handing off the ball behind the three point line. It's like watching 5 Anthony Johnsons with their back to the basket.

It summarizes 2 years of Magic-Wizards games. I just assume Wall is the best player in the NBA because I only watch Orlando games.

Well, good to hear that they are both okay and also glad that Skiles made the decision to bench them if they weren't playing well. Looking forward to the future of this team. Not surprised Evan is killing it after the way he started last year. It makes you wonder where he'd be if he hadn't gotten injured last season.

Didn't see the game tonight. Why weren't Vuc and Oladipo playing? I understand Dipo since he's coming back from the concussion. Anything wrong with Vuc?

Finding out a lot about our players tonight. Elfrid, for one, is a competitor. He and Victor are taking it personally. Win or lose, these are the types of games that define who you are going to be.

Sounds like we watched the same game!

Things this game confirmed for me: 1) Hezonja, Gordon, and Elfrid are the future of this team 2) Oladipo is still an awkward fit unless he can consistently shoot better (I think we're better trading him for a purer shooter at the 2) 3) Vucevic might be underutilized in this offense 4) Frye is terrible at defense. Skiles likes defense. Sorry Channing. 5) We need a number 1. At the end of the game you knew two things - Wall was going to get their shot, and we had no one who looked comfortable yet being that guy. Somewhat surprised that Napier didn't get any burn and I was disappointed in Fournier and Watson. We need shooting badly and those two need to hit open shots.

Haven't had the opportunity to watch the team yet this year, but I think it's interesting that our two best players (Dipo and Vuc) are also potentially the most expendable. Dedmon brings what we need from the position (rim protection and rebounding) and there is a logjam at the 2 spot that could be filled by Fournier, Hezonja, or Marble. I'm not saying we're necessarily better without either of them, but if this team doesn't gel, it'll be interesting around the trade deadline to see if one of them (or both) gets moved for the superstar we're missing. A starting lineup of Elfrid/Harris/Gordon/Dedmon with a superstar wing sounds intriguing.

Thanks, I didn't realize they had in-game box scores online. Summer league stepping it up (minus replacing Dante and Galante).

Anyone have a sense of AG's stats so far? I'm just reading comments but he seems to have at least 15 points and some assists. Sounds like Elf is having a rough go today.

Holy mother of god! Thanks for posting that. Wow, a lineup of Elf/Dipo/Mario/Gordon is high flying.

Anyone with a working link for those without League Pass?

Wow, Gordon with 18 and 9 in the first half. That's impressive. Payton has been up and down. Some great plays and some sloppy. Hezonja looked tentative but showed some flashes.

For all the old folks on here. Just remember watching Kyle Orton chuck 20 foot jumpers in summer league and think about how far this franchise has come since then.

And this is why you don't trade AG for Favors.... For all those saying they don't see how this is a playoff team next year, it's about development of our current players, not bringing in a quick fix.

I totally understand the "Burke as a stretch at 2" argument, but I'm positive that he's going to make it in this league. I made the earlier comparison to Iverson, and here he lists him as his favorite player (something I hadn't heard elsewhere): I think best value is BMac, but I hope we trade down to 5-8 and pick up a second late-first pick along with Trey,

Thanks for backing me up. I love how people say that you have a biased opinion if you've seen a player play in person all season and are a fan of that team. I'm not in here raving about Tim Hardaway's potential. I'm just saying that I have a more thoughtful opinion of Burke than any other player in the draft because I've only seen highlights and sporadic clips of the rest of them. I assume this is the case with most people and Burke.

I've been lurking all year and have watched a lot of misconceptions about Burke's game on here over the last couple months. I am a Michigan fan as well as a Magic fan, and I have season basketball tickets to the former so I've seen a lot of Trey over the last two years. In terms of his game, he shares little with Nash and Paul as he has more athleticism than Nash and less size than Paul. His game and build are most similar to Iverson if we are going to project his ceiling. Obviously Iverson was a better scorer and Burke is a better passer, but both finish through contact well despite being long and wiry. They also both have nice jumpers and stepback shots that create space despite average height. The most impressive thing about Trey (and here I think we are all on the same page) is his competitiveness, killer instinct, and willingness to improve. He had a great freshman year and I was convinced that he would improve a little over the summer as a scorer. However, he came back a much improved - and much more willing - defender. The knocks on his defense on here are offbase. He is never going to be an elite defender (although what pgs really are?), but he is quick and has a long wingspan. And in terms of effort and commitment, it's all there. As for whether or not we should spend the #1 pick (assuming we actually get it), I don't think Trey will go first. Ideally, I'd like to trade the pick to Cleveland for their two first rounders because I think Burke might be available at 3-4 and we could get another solid player at 19. However, that's mostly just about "value" for the pick. I think Trey has all the tools to become a longtime starter, and potentially an all-star. I'd take him in a blink over basically any player in this draft (especially McLemore and Oladipo) outside of Noel. I'm not sold on Noel either, but we all know the benefit of having a dominant shot blocker and he would pretty much guarantee us another year of tanking by sitting out. Everyone remember when Robinson came back and the Spurs had just drafted Duncan? Not a perfect analogy, but it would make 2014 a pretty exciting season with two potential top picks starting their careers. Anyway, before this gets too long, I just wanted to clear up a couple of misconceptions about Trey. He CAN finish through contact for his size. He IS a solid defender. And I don't think anyone should be disappointed if we wound up with him as our top pick this year. He has that killer instinct that we've seen from Jameer at times, but with much more consistency in his passing game and a higher ceiling due to his athleticism and length. Go Blue!

I found it hard to keep track of additions to the front office and I was hoping to at least keep up with Vaughn's new coaching staff. Mods, if there is a more organized way to do this, feel free to take over. Jacque Vaughn - Head Coach (Previously with San Antonio Spurs) James Borrego - Assistant Coach (New Orleans Hornets) Wes Unseld Jr. - Assistant Coach (GSW) Brett Gunning - Assistant Coach (Houston Rockets) Laron Profit - Player Development (Lakers/International Leagues) Luke Stuckey - Player Development (San Dieguito Academy, CA) Gordon Chiesa - Special Consultant to Vaughn Front Office: Rob Hennigan - General Manager (OKC) Scott Perry - Vice President/Assistant General Manager (Detroit) Matt Lloyd - Assistant General Manager (Chicago) Anthony Parker - Scout (Everywhere, Retired) Strength and Conditioning: Anthony Harvey - S&C Coordinator (FAMU) Joe Rogowski - S&C Coach (Magic)

Has anyone mentioned that the last two years of Harrington's contract are only half guaranteed? We get 3 young prospects in Eyenga, Harkless, Vucevic, and another 3-4 in 1st round picks. Not to mention a relatively low commitment in Harrington and a solid player in Afflalo. Moreover, Afflalo frees up JJ as another trade piece (especially since he's expiring). And we'll be in the mix for 2014 free agents with about 25 in committed salary. I really hope Alex Kennedy is right about Duhon being included though. Frankly, any day in which Duhon gets traded from your team is a win.

The reason I'm loving this potential Houston deal is because this FO is poised to make good selections. With Otis and the old crew, they'd get two lottery picks and whiff on both. I have confidence that between Perry and Hennigan, they could make two solid picks that poise this team for success in the future. Also, I'm adding Waiters to my wish list with the second of those picks if it goes down. I'm hearing he may be the best player down the road after Davis AND one of the most NBA ready now.

Yeah, I've seen MKG drop to 5 in quite a few mocks though (surprisingly, because I think he's the biggest lock to produce outside of AD). Another bonus to a trade like this, is our biggest assets (JJ, Anderson S&T, Jrich) are still intact. If we are really blowing the thing up, we still have pieces beyond the picks and expirings to build a young team. Ultimately I just don't want to see a team with Dwight on it if he's not 100% committed. If he buys in, keep him. But the chance to rebuild in the deepest draft in years and a couple great free agency periods (2013 and 2014) is legit.

Agreed, although I think Martin also expires. As a massive hypothetical, who would you take if the package was #5 and #8? I think I'd go Barnes or Gilchrist at 5 and Drummond or Lillard at 8 depending on who is left. I know all the question marks about Drummond, but if he lasts past 6, I think he is worth the gamble for any team on physical attributes alone.

I don't want to rehash the whole Houston trade debate, but Dalembert/Martin are both two huge expiring contracts. So, if you can get two top-8 picks plus about 18 million dollars expiring, we could potentially be looking at a big free agent signing next year with two young prospects. Not to mention that our pick next year would be pretty good since our team would be mediocre. In other words, by the end of next summer, Dwight could be parlayed into 3 top-10 picks and a top free agent in a good crop of 2013. Not ideal, but not outrageous either.

Yeah, I always thought Smith made a lot of sense (just not in Van Gundy's system). The key to teams like OKC and Miami is athletic, long front courts and certainly Dwight/Smith and maybe a young 3 like Perry Jones or Moe Harkless could be that. In terms of value, a resigned Anderson and JJ seems a fair enough trade, but I know they'll want more in return unless he absolutely states he won't resign there. My dream scenario is a 3-5 of Dwight/Smith/Iggy because that's flat out the best defensive team in the league even if Jameer and JJ were your 1-2. But, I think Smith and Iggy both have bigger price tags than they are worth. Thanks for the info as always.