Jump to content

A Random Stranger

Members
  • Content Count

    178
  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    3

A Random Stranger last won the day on October 4 2015

A Random Stranger had the most liked content!

Community Reputation

25 Excellent

About A Random Stranger

  • Rank
    Newbie
  1. A Random Stranger

    Magic @ Cavs

    To be honest, I'm pretty sure worrying about Payton's shot is not even a problem anymore. If this team can shoot as it has been doing, all Payton really needs to do is pass the ball to open shooters when he drives. The way this offense works is actually extremely favorable for Payton, more so than most would think. Vuc adding a three point shot to his game makes him such a huge threat all over the place, but more importantly it makes this team much more complete especially with Payton at the point. With Vuc being an elite shooter now you have to guard him closely or he will drop bombs on you, this opens the lanes for Payton, and allows him to basically do more damage on the interior because Vuc will demand someone come out to guard him on the perimeter. This also takes a shot blocking big out further than he should be and if he tries to contest Payton, Payton will just pass to Vuc who has been automatic from mid to long range as of late. All you need to do is watch closely and you will see what is happening on every play we drive in, especially the Fournier plays. The most of the time Vuc receives a pass because you have to collapse on the slashing Fournier because he is actually a pretty solid slasher, this just means open mid range bombs, solid post moves, or three point snipes for Vuc. Payton is going to replicate that when he gets back, the only difference will be that Payton doing this will also mean Fournier will be on the perimeter as well, and that just adds another shooting threat. All Payton really needs to do is get stronger and keep his defense solid, his passing game is already top notch, and if he can do those things he could easily get 10+ assists a night with the team as currently constructed. Also...AG coming back will be a huge boost. He is a solid three point threat, a solid driver, and an impressive defender. Its not like I don't like Isaac, but he needs some time to develop...he is going to replace Ross in rotation eventually. The reason I don't have Simmons taking that spot is because Simmons is our sixth man, he is the guy you need sitting on that bench to spark us, and go ham when we need scoring and defense. Putting Ross next to him on the bench will help our overall secondary recover from losing Isaac. By the end of the season, if all the players we have continue to play as they have, our lineup should be (hopefully): EP/Fournier/Isaac/Gordon/Vuc DJ(Mack and him are interchangeable really)/Affalo/Ross/Simmons/Biz The secondary is a small ball lineup, using Simmons at the 4 to exploit his speed, and skills to the fullest against slower 4s.
  2. A Random Stranger

    2017 Official Offseason Thread

    I at first wasn't sold on Isaac, but the kid has upside. Mind you he isn't playing against real NBA players, just a bunch of D-league guys or undrafted guys looking for a spot, but there are some things that will translate immediately. His shot blocking and defensive skills are going to be useful, but he needs to get some strength before I think he will be a reliable re-bounder at the next level. He has a solid jumper, but it seems to be a slow release at least from what I see, which is worrisome.
  3. A Random Stranger

    2017 NBA Draft Thread

    I just don't see how this pick improved us. Nothing has changed at all, I'm not any more hopeful for our future than when this draft started. We are going into Summer League, training camp, and preseason with nothing to be excited about. Isaac is a bland pick that didn't even want to wear our team's hat and decided to talk about New York when the microphone was handed to him. I don't feel this pick, I didn't want this pick, and I just feel like that next year is just going to be the same lackidasical crap that we keep putting out every year. We had a choice to get two talented scorers and instead opted for a lanky, non-existent offensive player who doesn't fix our biggest glaring weakness. Shooting. This is a guy who averaged only 12 points in college...12 points, barely got playing time, and refused to work out for pretty much the vast majority of teams. This is absurd, it is ridiculous, and this pick has only set us back another damn year. This was the one pick I didn't want, I could have lived with Monk, I could have lived Dennis. Hell I was warming to some of the over-seas products. This is nothing and from the way he just spat in my cornflakes by talking about New York and refusing to wear our team's cap because it would mess up his hair when guys like Jackson put their hat on? I can tell exactly how this crappy pick is going to pan out: D.O.A.
  4. A Random Stranger

    2017 NBA Draft Thread

    I really want Smith Jr. on this team.
  5. A Random Stranger

    Magic vs Hawks

    The fact that AG shutdown an all star like Paul Millsap isn't lost on me. Last night has been just another chapter in the revelation that is AG at the 4...in that he was nigh unstoppable when he drove down the lane and hammered it home making it look easy. He did this while keeping Millsap off of his game by using his athleticism and defensive instincts, keeping him to an abysmal 3/10 from the field, and just making Paul's life a living hell. But AG wasn't the only forward going off last night and making it look easy...Ross was lighting it up too. As I said last game, I kind of have been thinking that Ross was a steal, and that maybe the reason he hasn't been getting enough credit is because he has been playing behind Derozan and playing with Lowry, two guys who are very good offensive weapons, and as such limited his touches a great deal. It might just be possible that Ross could be a 20+ point guy on this team, maybe even more if he continues with what he has been doing these last two games. But to say that offense is the only thing he does would be wrong, the guy has done more than his fair share in containing opposing guards and forwards: grabbing steals, forcing tough shots, and doing a good job at switching on D. When Ross first entered the league I wanted him, he was a guy who I saw potential in, but I never thought Ross was THIS good. He didn't pass as much this last game because he was going red hot and at that point can you blame him? Still he didn't kill ball movement and played within himself which is more than I can say for Bricks (Fournier). Also there were a few times that Ross created for himself, once again a surprise because I thought we were getting a 3-D guy, but Ross seems to be more than that. I would say that playing behind Derozan may have been good for him, he got to see how a top offensive player plays like, and it somehow has molded Ross' game into a dynamic scorer who can get you threes, hit mid-range shots, and cut to the basket with a great degree of confidence. Is there a downside to Ross? We need more games to see that, but once again I will reiterate...there may be a chance that Ross could be something special, this could be one of the rare instances that a guy just wasn't being used for all of his strengths and could be potentially... dare I say it? A star? Now for final thoughts: Ross and AG were killing it last night, they were the two guys leading the team on the court, and motivating the team to do what needed to be done last night. While this hurt the tank, it was also a morale booster for next season, because Ross will have more time to gel, and AG will have much more time to develop as a 4 with an actual solid forward/guard combo being on the team. EP continued to be inconsistent, he played well last night, almost notching a triple double, but I know for a fact that I can take that with a grain of salt due to watching him for the last few years. If he could consistently be this type of player then EP would actually be worth keeping, but I know this won't last, unless somehow he could still stay motivated throughout, though I doubt that will ever happen. Just how it is. Vuc had a bad offensive game, he took a lot of shots, hit a few, but missed more. However, he did rebound very well, and his help defense last night was rather good. If he cleans up his offense from last night and continues to defend and rebound like he did last night it might just be worth keeping him. Fournier was by far the worst player on the team last night, shooting 20% and continuing to show that he is now not necessary for this team moving forward. His defense is bad, when he isn't hitting shots on the perimeter he refuses to go in and make the easy shots, and more so than that he just looks out of place on a team that values ball movement. There was a moment that I saw him throw his hands up when he didn't get a pass even though we scored that made me cringe, he has been tasked with being the main offensive guy, but now that he isn't taking like twenty or so shots a game, he is clearly getting frustrated. Mario continues to impress me defensively, he also is a solid offensive weapon who needs more polish, and could be a damn good replacement for Fournier next season (he is already at that level). We need to run more plays for Mario and less for Fournier, the kid needs to talk to Ross, and actually shadow him because I feel that Ross is the guy who would be perfect to mentor this young guy. All in all it was a good game, it hurt the tank, but it was fun to watch, and I can't wait till Wednesday...we need to lose the Knicks twice to solidify us getting a top 5 pick, but it is hard for me to think we are going to be losing many more games this season if this is the team we will get for the rest of the season. Potential Line-up Next Season: EP (If we can't trade him or we don't land a stud PG) Ross Mario (He fits better here than Fournier does, he actually passes, and plays D. Two things that make him more valuable than Evan) AG Vuc (It won't be hard to move Vuc, but at the same time if we move him it leaves a gaping hole at the 5.) Draft Day Trade: Fournier and the late first from Toronto for a higher draft pick. (Say what you will, but Fournier can score, and would be a good option as a secondary or third scorer on a team somewhere. In the range we will be moving up to are fringe teams on the edge of making the playoffs and a player like Fournier who can score would only help them deepen their bench or strengthen their starting lineup. Plus they still get a first so there really is no lose/lose for this. The Magic clear out clutter at the 2 or 3 opening up time for Ross and Mario to shine and they get a higher first maybe in the late teens or low twenties area where they can find sixth men to play the 2 or the 3 moving forward.)
  6. A Random Stranger

    Magic vs Hawks

    So far it seems like Evan is the odd man out if Ross can produce like this.
  7. A Random Stranger

    ORL vs Portland

    I know some people didnt like Ross' game tonight, but I was impressed. What I expected was a 3&D guy, but his passing seems to be much better than anticipated. Also his shooting may have been bad, but he more than made up for it on defense. I remember seeing him switch gears to stay in front of his man and move around screens, there were also a few flawless switches out on the permiter that he did. Mind you, the shot wasnt falling, but some of them just casually popped out. I will give him some more games to see just how good he can be here...but I think we may have found another keeper.
  8. A Random Stranger

    2016-2017 Trade Idea Thread

    I really dont think we make any moves. As much as I want this team to hit a home run amd surprise us with an awesome move, I do get the feeling we are staying put. Our most attractive piece isnt worth much on the market because big men are being traded on the cheap and the only real deals I can see is making are very lateral in nature. Such is life I suppose.
  9. A Random Stranger

    2016-2017 Trade Idea Thread

    Its the fact that he is expiring that will be a problem for them. He is a solid defensive player that may or may not have plateued as an offensive weapon. Yes they could have got more if this was last year, but it is going to be hard to keep him with some teams just waiting to throw money at him.
  10. A Random Stranger

    Game 2 Orlando @ Detroit

    And with that, I'm going to bed. Hell, I might not even tune into the game tomorrow because if this is the effort level they are putting in against their direct competition for playoff seeding, then I don't want to want to even imagine what a game against a "true" playoff bound team is going to look like.
  11. A Random Stranger

    Game 2 Orlando @ Detroit

    I just don't know what to feel right now. Its like watching a train wreck and I just can't look away. Nothing is working...all the shots we are taking are clanking out and our offense seems to just be stuttering in place. Our defense...which should be amazing...is just horrible. There is no excuse for what is going on, there is no amount of sweet talk that can be said for the way that these players are performing right now. Make the playoffs with this roster...yeah okay.
  12. A Random Stranger

    2016 NBA Draft Thread

    I think people immediately jumping to the conclusion that this is a bad move don't understand we have: a new coach, a new system more than likely, loads of cap space, and now have someone who can defend in the middle. Sure, it stings we lose Oladipo out of this, but Ibaka is a player who can defend in the interior and take the load off of Vuc's shoulders there...moving Vuc now is easier as you have Ibaka to shore it up. Yes, we need an offensive threat, but we don't know how well Mario will play next year. I'm optimistic in that regard...I get the feeling that with a new coach and a system favorable to big's that Vogel likes to run, I think Serge will shine.
  13. A Random Stranger

    2016 NBA Draft Thread

    Last year was with a new coach, he didn't perform well underneath him. Vogel works well with big men and we got Ibaka, a great big man...just saying I'm optimistic even if one of my favorite players is gone.
  14. A Random Stranger

    Orlando Magic vs Boston Celtics - 11/29/15

    Yes it was flawed because no one was stretching the floor. Regardless of the lineups now the 4 is stretching the floor. It is why Nicholson is getting more minutes as he can hit threes. So regardless there is a stretch four in the lineup, also our centers can hit mid-range jumpers which further stretches the floor for our guards. Also if you notice, Dipo is still playing a lot with Payton. The major difference in the lineup isn't so much that Dipo isn't starting it is that we are putting a stretch four in both our starting lineup and our secondary. Dipo can and should start at 2 with Frye/Nicholson in lineup to stretch the flour as it fixes the fundamental issue of having no shooting in our lineups. Fournier on the bench with Watson, Nicholson, Gordon, and Smith would be really good as there would be very little drop off in scoring/defense with our lineups. I also think Fournier would be able to blitz secondaries more effectively as he is a more consistent shooter.
  15. A Random Stranger

    Orlando Magic vs Boston Celtics - 11/29/15

    Andrew Nicholson is going to be a better version of Channing Frye. Like Channing Frye v2.0, in a good way of course. He is already as consistent a 3 point shooter as Frye, his help defense is becoming better every game, and he rebounds the ball slightly better. Also, he can actually post people up. I'm sold on him taking Frye's starting spot if he keeps playing like this.
×