2020-2021 Official Magic Season Thread

[JJZFL 618]

1 hour ago, Soul Bro said:

Fournier might be the worst playoff player in Magic history. He wilts against physical defenders and also plays hero ball to the detriment of the team. One of the keys to establishing a new identity and create shots for others is to close the chapter on Fournier’s Magic tenure.

Hear Hear

[OnlyFranz 289]

3 hours ago, All Eyes On Me said:

Feel like Vucevic put in the time and improved and even changed his play style after that Toronto series. Brook Lopez last year is about on par as a physical defender  as Gasol was the year before, but Vooch really implemented the quick release jumper in to his game. It’s also why he’s been so consistent this year, even against guys that he used to struggle with.

Agree with your initial point and everyone else’s sentiments, if the trade deadline moves revolve around clearing money to keep Evan Fournier without hitting the luxury tax I’ll be very upset. 

Although I wouldn’t consider Lopez a bruiser or even on the same tier with Gasol I can agree with you that Vuc changed his game a bit more after that embarrassing showing. My problem with Vuc has always been the lack of rim protection he provides and how he lets guys get to the rim without contesting shots. Granted he’s improved a bit the last couple of years in that regard but he still leaves a lot to be desired in the defensive effort department. It’s not that he isn’t capable either because I’ve seen Vuc actually try on defense and it’s a beautiful thing to watch. Maybe it’s a scheme thing or an effort thing or a combination of both but that’s really what’s keeping Vuc from being an elite MVP type of franchise player but I know that’s asking a lot out of him at this point in his career. 

[Luke_FfS 247]

Exactly, I was going to write the same, comparing the effect that Gasol had on the defensive end to the one Lopez could have is a bit too much.. :)

Also, Milwaukee was going with a different philosophy than Toronto: let Nikola take his shots and stops everyone else in the team.

Nik has obviously improved in a lot of facets of his game, but I'm not sure he would make the difference in an important playoff series (not only first round, but going even further). That's probably the reason why others GM aren't available to make big offers for him. (teams like GS or BOS, that we talk about as trade partners very often)

[JJZFL 618]

1 hour ago, Luke_FfS said:

Exactly, I was going to write the same, comparing the effect that Gasol had on the defensive end to the one Lopez could have is a bit too much.. :)

Also, Milwaukee was going with a different philosophy than Toronto: let Nikola take his shots and stops everyone else in the team.

Nik has obviously improved in a lot of facets of his game, but I'm not sure he would make the difference in an important playoff series (not only first round, but going even further). That's probably the reason why others GM aren't available to make big offers for him. (teams like GS or BOS, that we talk about as trade partners very often)

It could also be that we’re asking so much for him that no reasonable GM will meet our requirements.  It takes two sides to work a trade.  

[Babir_9 91]

I have a fear that we might resign Fournier and give him around 15-17 millions a year....

[All Eyes On Me 1,196]

1 hour ago, Luke_FfS said:

Exactly, I was going to write the same, comparing the effect that Gasol had on the defensive end to the one Lopez could have is a bit too much.. :)

Lopez last year had more defensive win-shares than Gasol the year before. Also made 2nd team all defense.

Now, by no means am I comparing their defensive effect and ability over their careers, just Brook last season vs Marc the season before, the seasons in discussion where we played them in the playoffs 

[All Eyes On Me 1,196]

1 minute ago, Babir_9 said:

I have a fear that we might resign Fournier and give him around 15-17 millions a year....

It’s possible... but for this to happen we’d have to get out of 15-17ish million future cash, so trading Ross or Gordon without bringing back future money, or be willing to hit the luxury tax for a team that hasn’t proven it can be better than the 8 seed even when fully healthy.

[hootie249 293]

  Today is probably the most meaningful game the Magic have played in a month. If Ross doesn't play and Evan Does play, expect more dumb decisions from our front office.

If Evan plays against the Celtics, and we win, i expect them to keep everyone and grind Vucevic into dust trying to make the play in games. Worse, if Ross does not play i think he is the one who gets traded. Probably for a point guard. Now this sounds like me being a negative nancy but we all know this team needs changes. If the week Fultz went down we had traded for a point guard, i would be all about getting every win possible. Seriously if we had given up a future pick or something for a point guard and were hovering around .500 i would be thrilled if they made a move to win now. Instead, just like 3 seasons ago we have some of the worst advanced metrics in the league. Now is the time for change. I  hate to say this i am rooting for them to get crushed by the Celtics today. It is painful to admit, but the basketball gods need to save this team.

Maybe with Lebron going down some western conference team will make some stupid offer the Magic can't refuse.

[All Eyes On Me 1,196]

28 minutes ago, hootie249 said:

  Today is probably the most meaningful game the Magic have played in a month. If Ross doesn't play and Evan Does play, expect more dumb decisions from our front office.

If Evan plays against the Celtics, and we win, i expect them to keep everyone and grind Vucevic into dust trying to make the play in games. Worse, if Ross does not play i think he is the one who gets traded. Probably for a point guard. Now this sounds like me being a negative nancy but we all know this team needs changes. If the week Fultz went down we had traded for a point guard, i would be all about getting every win possible. Seriously if we had given up a future pick or something for a point guard and were hovering around .500 i would be thrilled if they made a move to win now. Instead, just like 3 seasons ago we have some of the worst advanced metrics in the league. Now is the time for change. I  hate to say this i am rooting for them to get crushed by the Celtics today. It is painful to admit, but the basketball gods need to save this team.

Maybe with Lebron going down some western conference team will make some stupid offer the Magic can't refuse.

Ross is already ruled out, pretty sure they told him to stay in Orlando. I unfortunately agree that a win today might be viewed as more important than it should be.

Either way, early tip off, yall... 3:30 PM EST, don’t miss it

[Luke_FfS 247]

3 hours ago, JJZFL said:

It could also be that we’re asking so much for him that no reasonable GM will meet our requirements.  It takes two sides to work a trade.  

If we're really open to trade him, and we don't really know that. But the point is the same I'm making in the last few months, he's a good player, an all-star, whatever you want, but I don't think it's the kind of player you want in your team if you're going to make a run to the title.

[Luke_FfS 247]

2 hours ago, All Eyes On Me said:

Lopez last year had more defensive win-shares than Gasol the year before. Also made 2nd team all defense.

I know that, but we also know that a lot of times stats (especially regular season ones) don't tell all the truth. A lot depend more on the rest of the guys you're playing with, the system, etc. Lopez last year surely made a great job, but I wouldn't consider him a defensive specialist throughout his career, and in playoffs everything change. Weakness are magnified.

[TrueMagicFan07 664]

I have prepared a game thread for today's game against the Celtics, March 21st. . .if interested. Game time is 3:30 pm.