2024/2025 General Game Thread

[MagicOne 138]

8 minutes ago, jmmagicfan said:

As someone pointed out earlier, he missed more games than Franz, and hasn’t been himself since coming back. I think he came back too soon, partly because he saw so many others going out with injuries. I think we should pull him back, not necessarily sit him, but limit him to 20-24 minutes a game, until he gets his feet back under him. I think Franz is closer to being back to pre-injury and we need to be playing through him like we were when Paolo was out. I think we need to play Paolo more off the ball until he is truly recovered . If we make a trade for a true PG, that could help a lot; I just think having Paolo as our primary ball handler and running the offense is asking too much while he is still less than 100%.

I totally agree with this assessment. Having a PG would be so beneficial for P-5 and for the entire team as well. It's asking a lot of him when he is completely healthy. Even more so now while he gets his footing back after the injury.

[JJZFL 685]

8 minutes ago, MagicOne said:

The Knicks just got carved up like a Thanksgiving turkey on the 4th of July by our old buddy JJ and his Los Angeles Lakers. They scored 128 points tonight in the victory. What is it with all of these team regularly dropping like 125, 130, or even 140 points on a nightly basis, and yet we struggle to reach 90 on most nights? The one thing that I see is that most of these teams that are scoring in bunches have a solid point guard setting the table. Also, they have shooters knocking down 3's. This opens things up for guys who like to drive to the hoop. That is what most teams are doing. It is essentially todays NBA. And yet what have we been doing for all of these years? If a team can't shoot it makes them so much easier to defend. Now we know why Paolo is so frustrated. He can't get to the rack. Then to make matters worse, when he makes some solid passes to wide open shooters they consistently miss. And what happened to "we hang our hat on the defensive end?" That disappeared faster than a hunk of cheese out near the dumpster at Winn Dixie.

Regarding the defensive end, the argument, and I think there’s some truth to it, is that when you miss a gazillion shots, the other team is always running down the floor after a rebound, and so you don’t have a chance to set up your defense most of the time. So the bad offense does impact your defense, not necessarily because players get discouraged, but because they just don’t have time to get down the court and set up properly.

[MagicOne 138]

3 minutes ago, JJZFL said:

I hope you’re right but Paulo was out for quite awhile, I think about 10 weeks.  Much longer than Franz.  And when Paulo first came back, he helped us win some games.  They were having trouble keeping him at the minute restriction because he was helping our offense so much.  Obviously something has changed.  It’s hard for me to believe he’s reinjured himself and they are playing him anyway, given how incredibly conservative we are with any injuries, so I don’t have a good explanation.  

I think a lot of it is internal with the whole team. The trade deadline could have much to do with that too. Perhaps Paolo has made it known to the organization that a PG would be very helpful, and they would rather stick with him as the primary ball handler. It could be philosophical differences. There is zero energy at this point. It's like we are watching preseason games in February.

[MagicOne 138]

3 minutes ago, JJZFL said:

Regarding the defensive end, the argument, and I think there’s some truth to it, is that when you miss a gazillion shots, the other team is always running down the floor after a rebound, and so you don’t have a chance to set up your defense most of the time. So the bad offense does impact your defense, not necessarily because players get discouraged, but because they just don’t have time to get down the court and set up properly.

Yes, you're right. Excellent point. And even further proof that we need help offensively.

[JJZFL 685]

18 minutes ago, MagicOne said:

I think a lot of it is internal with the whole team. The trade deadline could have much to do with that too. Perhaps Paolo has made it known to the organization that a PG would be very helpful, and they would rather stick with him as the primary ball handler. It could be philosophical differences. There is zero energy at this point. It's like we are watching preseason games in February.

Yeah, I think that’s a good take. I realize we’re doing some speculating here, but it seems like more than just physical issues, and your thoughts seem plausible to me.  

[Shine88 114]

BREAKING: The Dallas Mavericks are trading Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick, sources tell ESPN. Three-team deal that includes Utah.

Yes, this is real. Sources tell ESPN: Full trade:

- Lakers: Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris -

Mavericks: Anthony Davis, Max Christie, 2029 LAL 1st -

Jazz: Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2025 Clippers 2nd, 2025 Mavericks 2nd

https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1885919297832169918

Crazy

[MagicOne 138]

1 minute ago, Shine88 said:

Yes, this is real. Sources tell ESPN: Full trade: - Lakers: Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris - Mavericks: Anthony Davis, Max Christie, 2029 LAL 1st - Jazz: Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2025 Clippers 2nd, 2025 Mavericks 2nd

Crazy

Wow you're right!!!! This is crazy for sure!!! But it is indeed true. Why would the Mavs do this? This severely hurts their chances at a championship. Meanwhile, the Lakers odds just went up a whole bunch. No wonder why LeBron had an extra pep in his step tonight. And he was beaming during the postgame interview. AD was out tonight too. Much like KCP for the Magic missing the game tonight. The only difference is we won't be making any trades any time soon.

[Shine88 114]

MacMahon: Mavs had concerns moving forward with Doncic due to conditioning issues, looming commitment of supermax extension.

[MagicOne 138]

50 minutes ago, JJZFL said:

Yeah, I think that’s a good take. I realize we’re doing some speculating here, but it seems like more than just physical issues, and your thoughts seem plausible to me.  

I never thought we would be having this type of conversation about the Magic at this point in the season way back in late October. I thought we would be something like 30-20 at worst and on our way to 50 plus wins. On the bright side though, just imagine if we had not won all of those games when both Franz and Paolo were out. Without those wins this season would pretty much be over. It's like we did things in reverse. Winning when most thought we would lose. And now we're losing when we should be winning with our star players back. There's still hope. There's always a chance. 

[TrueMagicFan07 684]

5 hours ago, fan for too long 2 said:

Mosely. Also AB he has zero offensive skills. I was a fan of elfrid and he knew how to pass and had triple doubles.  AB is a better defender but his offense skills are even worse if that’s possible. 

Thank you! I agree. I don't know why anyone thinks he is the future and will develop offensively. It aint going to happen!

[MagicOne 138]

Just now, Shine88 said:

MacMahon: Mavs had concerns moving forward with Doncic due to conditioning issues, looming commitment of supermax extension.

That makes some sense. However, AD has not exactly been the picture of health the past few years. Be interesting to see how him and Kyrie mesh. But how about LeBron and Luka on the same team! True that LeBron is 40 years old, but he is still playing some solid basketball.

[TrueMagicFan07 684]

5 hours ago, Stinger24 said:

Yeah Paulo isn’t a problem for this team keep telling yourselves that. His attitude is dragging this team down. There is no effort on the defensive end of the floor. And yes the team still can’t shoot it’s getting ugly in Otown