***NEW! OFFICIAL 2024 PLAYOFFS GAME THREAD: ROUND 1: GAME 2, CAVS. VS MAGIC

[OnlyFranz 292]

People who keep saying we just need to hit our shots don’t understand where this team got most of their looks from during the season. We are a team that thrives in the paint and get most of our shots from that area along with getting to the free throw line. Cleveland has 2 big men that are very good at protecting the paint and grabbing defensive/offensive boards. Thus severely impacting the good looks we got throughout the regular season.

We were also one of the worst 3 point shooting teams this year which is why Cleveland is allowing us to shoot from 3 because they know we can’t hit those shots.

The refs are also not calling as many fouls which is also affecting us especially Paolo because he would get to the line repeatedly during the regular season. Cleveland’s length is really bothering our main interior scoring threats Paolo and Franz. Even Markelle who hasn’t tried to finish at the rim even though he gets deep into the paint. He just kicks it out to the open man at the 3 point line. 
 

If we want any chance to make this series competitive game 3 is a must win at home. We need to counter their length and physicality by starting Goga at the 5 and WCJ at the 4. Goga is a much more physical player than Wendell and I feel he matches up better against Allen. Wendell is mobile enough to guard Mobley and has length to contest his shot and make it difficult for him if he tries to post up.
 

Moving JI to the bench would also help cover the defensive deficiencies that unit has and you can stagger his minutes to also play with the first unit if needed. I’m also for AB taking all of Cole’s minutes because he is a good defender and plays within the flow of the offense unlike black hole Cole. Hell give Howard some minutes to see if he can be an offensive spark for us and hit some shots. 
 

Just some thoughts on how we can try and turn this series around. Let’s see what Mosley does with his rotations for game 3. 

[All Eyes On Me 1,212]

24 minutes ago, OnlyFranz said:

People who keep saying we just need to hit our shots don’t understand where this team got most of their looks from during the season. We are a team that thrives in the paint and get most of our shots from that area along with getting to the free throw line. Cleveland has 2 big men that are very good at protecting the paint and grabbing defensive/offensive boards. Thus severely impacting the good looks we got throughout the regular season.

We were also one of the worst 3 point shooting teams this year which is why Cleveland is allowing us to shoot from 3 because they know we can’t hit those shots.

The refs are also not calling as many fouls which is also affecting us especially Paolo because he would get to the line repeatedly during the regular season. Cleveland’s length is really bothering our main interior scoring threats Paolo and Franz. Even Markelle who hasn’t tried to finish at the rim even though he gets deep into the paint. He just kicks it out to the open man at the 3 point line. 
 

If we want any chance to make this series competitive game 3 is a must win at home. We need to counter their length and physicality by starting Goga at the 5 and WCJ at the 4. Goga is a much more physical player than Wendell and I feel he matches up better against Allen. Wendell is mobile enough to guard Mobley and has length to contest his shot and make it difficult for him if he tries to post up.
 

Moving JI to the bench would also help cover the defensive deficiencies that unit has and you can stagger his minutes to also play with the first unit if needed. I’m also for AB taking all of Cole’s minutes because he is a good defender and plays within the flow of the offense unlike black hole Cole. Hell give Howard some minutes to see if he can be an offensive spark for us and hit some shots. 
 

Just some thoughts on how we can try and turn this series around. Let’s see what Mosley does with his rotations for game 3. 

I agree with most of your post. I’m not sure if Goga will help because anything he’d bring on defense would hinder the offense even further. I also don’t see any way we bench Cole for a rookie, when he’s hitting shots, he’s too good to bench in our current roster. If we win the game tomorrow it’s because Cole woke up.

If we’re hellbent on playing a 10 man rotation then AB should get Fultz’ minutes for sure, but I’d argue we’d be better off just absorbing those minutes into starters and playing a 9 man rotation.

I’m also more optimistic than I probably should be since the first 2 games felt so insurmountable, but game 2 quarters 2-4 we won 68-66 and game 1 quarters 2-4 we lost 64-57. As has been the story for the last month, slow starts are KILLING us. We need to throw WCJ back in to start. I’d be ok going big and starting JI and benching GH, but Isaac and his help defense tendencies is really hurting us when he plays the 5.

[CTMagicUK 1,488]

12 minutes ago, All Eyes On Me said:

I agree with most of your post. I’m not sure if Goga will help because anything he’d bring on defense would hinder the offense even further. I also don’t see any way we bench Cole for a rookie, when he’s hitting shots, he’s too good to bench in our current roster. If we win the game tomorrow it’s because Cole woke up.

If we’re hellbent on playing a 10 man rotation then AB should get Fultz’ minutes for sure, but I’d argue we’d be better off just absorbing those minutes into starters and playing a 9 man rotation.

I’m also more optimistic than I probably should be since the first 2 games felt so insurmountable, but game 2 quarters 2-4 we won 68-66 and game 1 quarters 2-4 we lost 64-57. As has been the story for the last month, slow starts are KILLING us. We need to throw WCJ back in to start. I’d be ok going big and starting JI and benching GH, but Isaac and his help defense tendencies is really hurting us when he plays the 5.

I've thought a lot about that Suggs/Franz/Paolo/Isaac/WCJ lineup to be the starters but my main concerns are: 

Can Franz guard one of Garland or Mitchell? 

Will Strus just kill us because Paolo can't chase him around screens? 

 

[All Eyes On Me 1,212]

15 minutes ago, CTMagicUK said:

I've thought a lot about that Suggs/Franz/Paolo/Isaac/WCJ lineup to be the starters but my main concerns are: 

Can Franz guard one of Garland or Mitchell? 

Will Strus just kill us because Paolo can't chase him around screens? 

 

Yeah, definitely get this thought process, but I’d be willing to risk it with the advantage it *should* present on the other side of the ball with Mitchell and Strus trying to guard Paolo and Franz.

[orlandoholic 134]

I don’t know why Mosley is experimenting with the lineup at all.. 

it’s pretty clear and simple.. rotation should be

starters:

Suggs/Harris/Franz/Paolo/WCJ

bench:

Fultz(Ingles) /Cole/M. Wagner/ Isaac

 

You choose between Fultz or Ingles, but not both. 

I don’t understand what coach is thinking. He’s crazy slow to adjust anyway. But experimenting with the rotations now is wild. 

[All Eyes On Me 1,212]

https://x.com/fawzanamer_/status/1783171123183747373?s=46&t=O_48d3F9zIM7WbaIMp7sdQ

[CTMagicUK 1,488]

1 hour ago, All Eyes On Me said:

Yeah, definitely get this thought process, but I’d be willing to risk it with the advantage it *should* present on the other side of the ball with Mitchell and Strus trying to guard Paolo and Franz.

Very true. Though I think the Cavs would cross match and have Strus guard Isaac and keep Mobley on Paolo. 

Presents a decent opportunity for Isaac to get on the offensive glass but I think the Cavs would feel ok with that given they'd have Allen + Mobley down there to contest boards. Otherwise can't imagine the Cavs are concerned about Isaac post ups or anything.

[All Eyes On Me 1,212]

26 minutes ago, CTMagicUK said:

Very true. Though I think the Cavs would cross match and have Strus guard Isaac and keep Mobley on Paolo. 

Presents a decent opportunity for Isaac to get on the offensive glass but I think the Cavs would feel ok with that given they'd have Allen + Mobley down there to contest boards. Otherwise can't imagine the Cavs are concerned about Isaac post ups or anything.

Yeah, it’s probably too risky to start with that lineup, but I’d be happy to see it rolled out at some point during the game to see how it goes. Ugh, is it tomorrow yet? I need to get the taste of the first 2 games out my mouth!

[Time2GetSerious 23]

I have read all of the most recent comments regarding lineup changes and overall performance. Some very valid points were made here. Perhaps one thing that has been overlooked is how much we have been outworked in the first two games of the series. Cleveland has set the tone early in both games with their aggressiveness and tenacity. We need to flip the script here at home in the next game. Need to come out of the gates swinging and set the tone early. Hopefully get the crowd involved and let the Cavs know that they are in for a battle. The last thing we need is to have them light us up with another 30-point first quarter. Like the first two games the first quarter will determine the outcome. Will it be a repeat of the first two games? Or will we go out and get it done? I believe if we hit 12 three-pointers and shoot at least 80 percent from the ft line then we will win the game.

[TrueMagicFan07 675]

On 4/23/2024 at 6:19 PM, orlandoholic said:

i want answers!! what happened to this man?

 

https://x.com/hoodifultz/status/1782874507838960097?s=46

 

used to be a good defender too, and now he was worst defender out there. looked worse than Ingles to be honest 

 

On 4/23/2024 at 7:00 PM, All Eyes On Me said:

Hard to believe this was only a year ago and it makes me feel better that I’m not crazy for being super excited about Fultz this season… had no idea this kind of regression was coming. Injuries suck.

I agree with you, All Eyes. So, what I am about to say, if you disagree, just say why instead of giving me downvotes. This is not directed at you, All Eyes.

I'm looking at the highlights of Fultz performance in 2022 - 2023 which was a season ago. In the 2022-2023 season, he was ready to go and playing loose after rehabing from injuries. I'm looking at the highlights then and the way Fultz is playing now.

He did'nt start the 2023-2024 season because I think he had a relapse (injury wise) before the season  started.

So, AB, who was drafted began the 2023-2024 season as the starting point guard. Being a rookie you could tell that he wasn't nba ready to take over that role. So, as the season progressed, the coach allowed Franz and Banchero to be the primary ball handlers. Cole was the backup point guard playing with the secondary unit coming off the bench.

More than halfway through the regular season, when Fultz was injury free, Mosley continued to let Franz and Paolo be the primary ball handlers. Fultz was not allowed to get his starting role back.

If you look at the highlights from a year ago, and I know there are snipets, look at the spacing of the floor. When Fultz was crashing the board, you did not see Franz or Paolo clogging up the paint.

Now, I don't think that Fulz has lost his confidence. it's because he knows that Franz and Paolo were allowed to be the primary ball handlers for the latter half of the regular season and the first 2 games of the playoffs. So, in Fultz mind, he was not a part of that game plan. He, along with other teammates, stood around and/or in the corner watching.

I think it was/is a problem with the coaching and lack of game planning--just letting the team play loose (backyard).

That's just my opinion. So, go ahead and give me downvotes if that's your pleasure.

 

[TrueMagicFan07 675]

7 hours ago, OnlyFranz said:

. . .I’m also for AB taking all of Cole’s minutes because he is a good defender and plays within the flow of the offense unlike black hole Cole. Hell give Howard some minutes to see if he can be an offensive spark for us and hit some shots. 
 

Just some thoughts on how we can try and turn this series around. Let’s see what Mosley does with his rotations for game 3. 

Either way, we've got a problem, OnlyFranz. AB is a point guard who is a good defender, but point guards traditionally help with scoring and AB is not good at scoring. Look at other point guards around the league who are in the playoffs right now. They score more than a couple of points per game. On the other hand, Cole is not a good defender and is inconsistent offensively.

[All Eyes On Me 1,212]

1 hour ago, TrueMagicFan07 said:

 

I agree with you, All Eyes. So, what I am about to say, if you disagree, just say why instead of giving me downvotes. This is not directed at you, All Eyes.

I'm looking at the highlights of Fultz performance in 2022 - 2023 which was a season ago. In the 2022-2023 season, he was ready to go and playing loose after rehabing from injuries. I'm looking at the highlights then and the way Fultz is playing now.

He did'nt start the 2023-2024 season because I think he had a relapse (injury wise) before the season  started.

So, AB, who was drafted began the 2023-2024 season as the starting point guard. Being a rookie you could tell that he wasn't nba ready to take over that role. So, as the season progressed, the coach allowed Franz and Banchero to be the primary ball handlers. Cole was the backup point guard playing with the secondary unit coming off the bench.

More than halfway through the regular season, when Fultz was injury free, Mosley continued to let Franz and Paolo be the primary ball handlers. Fultz was not allowed to get his starting role back.

If you look at the highlights from a year ago, and I know there are snipets, look at the spacing of the floor. When Fultz was crashing the board, you did not see Franz or Paolo clogging up the paint.

Now, I don't think that Fulz has lost his confidence. it's because he knows that Franz and Paolo were allowed to be the primary ball handlers for the latter half of the regular season and the first 2 games of the playoffs. So, in Fultz mind, he was not a part of that game plan. He, along with other teammates, stood around and/or in the corner watching.

I think it was/is a problem with the coaching and lack of game planning--just letting the team play loose (backyard).

That's just my opinion. So, go ahead and give me downvotes if that's your pleasure.

 

I don’t think I’ve ever given you a downvote and to get one out of me you really really gotta earn it lol.. I agree with you that Mosely either needs to do the Xs and Os better or find someone to hire who can.