2024/2025 General Game Thread

[Section229 11]

1 hour ago, CTMagicUK said:

Wasn't going to post about that game at all because I'm kind of sick of dwelling in the negativity but you know what. 

***** Paolo Banchero. 

Dudes been ass most of the year. Our single best stretch of the season was when he was injured and Franz carried us. Now he's sulking in press conferences and his mum is tweeting about the coaching.

Is the coaching great? Right now not particularly. But MFer was happy as hell with the same coaching when he was getting All Star nominations and winning ROTY and we've had one, admittedly cursed, down year and this dude and his family are crying? How's about grow the hell up and take some accountability? Be better on defense. Don't be one of the least efficient scorers in the game. 

And miss me with literally any excuse you've got for Paolo. Franz Wagner is in the exact same position, with the same work load and he plays better defense and he's more efficient and he impacts the game at a higher level. He even had the same exact injury and he recovered quicker.

It's quickly become apparent that all the vibes weren't legit. It's easy to pull for each other when you're out performing expectations and winning but real friends, real good teammates, they pull together when times are hard. This team looks to have given the hell up. This feels closer to the end of something than the start of something.

EDIT: probably taking a break from posting now I can't be bothered with talking about this team anymore.

This is so painfully true. I hope he figures this out and the accountability comes. The effort level between him and Franz is night and day during long stretches of games. Franz is such a pro, such a winner, such a team guy. I think the German national team system has bred that into him. It’s what makes him great. Paolo has such a big influence in our locker room. It’s scary to think about what might happen to this team if he turns out not to have those same traits. I think he has it in him, but accountability is exactly what he needs. He is the leader of this team. He shouldn’t ever sulk or loaf or blame. 
 

I also want to point out that last night when Joseph came on, it wasn’t his organizing of our offense that helped our run, it was his energy. He was a lightning bug. He was everywhere, full speed. He picked up and led Paolo into that run. Our last man on the bench shouldn’t have to pick up our top player’s energy level and will to win. It should always be the other way around. 

[All Eyes On Me 1,329]

9 minutes ago, Section229 said:

This is so painfully true. I hope he figures this out and the accountability comes. The effort level between him and Franz is night and day during long stretches of games. Franz is such a pro, such a winner, such a team guy. I think the German national team system has bred that into him. It’s what makes him great. Paolo has such a big influence in our locker room. It’s scary to think about what might happen to this team if he turns out not to have those same traits. I think he has it in him, but accountability is exactly what he needs. He is the leader of this team. He shouldn’t ever sulk or loaf or blame. 
 

I also want to point out that last night when Joseph came on, it wasn’t his organizing of our offense that helped our run, it was his energy. He was a lightning bug. He was everywhere, full speed. He picked up and led Paolo into that run. Our last man on the bench shouldn’t have to pick up our top player’s energy level and will to win. It should always be the other way around. 

I think the Cory Joseph minutes were effective because he’s the only player on our roster with a point guard skillset at all. It actually made me excited for if/when we ever try to prioritize that in our roster build around Paolo and Franz. The pipe dreams are the Trae Young’s and De’Arron Fox’s of the world, but we really just need someone who plays like this current 40 year old version of Chris Paul. Push the pace, distribute and set up the offense, and hit open shots to keep the defense honest 

[jmmagicfan 314]

1 hour ago, All Eyes On Me said:

All I know for certain is I want Cole, Carter, JI and Gary Harris off this roster next year.

One other thing while we’re all venting, I know he’s a fan favorite and has strung together some good games off and on, but Goga needs to be more consistent with his giveadam. Half the time it doesn’t even seem like he wants to be out there.

I am a little on the fence with Carter, as I think a lot of his inconsistency has been health-related. I agree with you about JI, Cole and Harris. I’m also on the fence with Houstan and KCP; though they both might be better with a true PG. I’m done with JI and Harris’ health issues, and Carter is pushing that limit as well.

[Soul Bro 1,501]

2 hours ago, Magicman28 said:

Yeah in starting to think that’s the case. Didn’t shoot 3’s but made the smart pass, effort on defense was there, been through a lot personally, took good high percentage shots at the basket…

Kelle's ability to handle, pass, penetrate, and defend are sorely missed. Sadly, his health and lack of a shot did him in. Like you posted, I can't believe we didn't adequately replace him or upgrade him. 

[fan for too long 2 565]

Tim foul hat engaged. What if this was always the plan?  After Luka, I have zero trust in the NBA.

The Scenario: Paolo requests a playmaker, after three opportunities, off season, and two trade deadlines. Management does nothing. Paolo and mother then vents publicly about changes that need to happen. Then Paolo after another year of mngt not making moves demands to be traded, maybe not publicly but rumors surface. And then the Magic do the unthinkable and trade Paolo to the Lakers to take Lebrons spot after retirement. 

This scenario is nightmarish indeed, but seems plausible.

whatcha think?

[JJZFL 700]

1 hour ago, fan for too long 2 said:

Tim foul hat engaged. What if this was always the plan?  After Luka, I have zero trust in the NBA.

The Scenario: Paolo requests a playmaker, after three opportunities, off season, and two trade deadlines. Management does nothing. Paolo and mother then vents publicly about changes that need to happen. Then Paolo after another year of mngt not making moves demands to be traded, maybe not publicly but rumors surface. And then the Magic do the unthinkable and trade Paolo to the Lakers to take Lebrons spot after retirement. 

This scenario is nightmarish indeed, but seems plausible.

whatcha think?

No

[MagicOne 137]

Mac Mcclung in G-League action last night scored 33 points and drilled the game winner at the buzzer to win the game for the Osceola Magic. It was a 3-pointer. I think he made 4 of them in the game. He did all of this with a broken right thumb. The dude was hitting from outside, inside, all over the place. When he hit the game winner, he screamed with a ton of emotion in the direction of the opponent's bench. Things got pretty chippy after that. I think the teams were exchanging words on their way back to their locker rooms. He just seems like a gritty gutty type of player, in addition to being able to leap over tall people and automobiles.  It's a wonder why he has yet to sniff an NBA floor this season. I mean, is he really that bad? The first thing NBA critics will probably point to is him not being a great defender. My reply to that would be "WE NEED PLAYERS WHO CAN PUT THE BALL IN THE BASKET RIGHT NOW!" My apologies for the yelling. It is just mind boggling as to why this dude doesn't get any playing time. I mean at this point, what do we have to lose? 

[MagicOne 137]

It is true what Mrs. Banchero had to say about the Magic's lack of direction and purpose essentially. Roles are seemingly undefined. At one point on Sunday night Cole Anthony had taken as many shots as Franz and Paolo combined. It's like nobody knows what they should be doing out there right now. Totally out of sync with little to no energy. Paolo is frustrated right now. He has no room to operate. Nothing was done at the deadline to give him and the team any help. It all starts at the top folks. Most of the blame goes to the FO. Another portion of it does go to Mosely and his staff. It seems as though he is beginning to lose control of that locker room. And lastly, part of the blame falls upon the players. At the very least they should be professionals and give 110 percent max effort regardless of what is taking place around them. Right now, that isn't happening unfortunately. And that's a sure sign that this is a broken team.

[Magicman28 297]

17 hours ago, All Eyes On Me said:

I think the Cory Joseph minutes were effective because he’s the only player on our roster with a point guard skillset at all. It actually made me excited for if/when we ever try to prioritize that in our roster build around Paolo and Franz. The pipe dreams are the Trae Young’s and De’Arron Fox’s of the world, but we really just need someone who plays like this current 40 year old version of Chris Paul. Push the pace, distribute and set up the offense, and hit open shots to keep the defense honest 

Anfernee Simons would’ve been the perfect deadline get. 

[jmmagicfan 314]

1 hour ago, Magicman28 said:

Anfernee Simons would’ve been the perfect deadline get. 

I admit I’m not as familiar with his game, but I feel like he’s more of a combo guard, a shooting guard style in a point guard size?

[orlandoholic 189]

3 hours ago, Magicman28 said:

Anfernee Simons would’ve been the perfect deadline get. 

Questionable if he was even available. The Blazers were on a crazy hot streak and tanking seemed out of question. 

But yeah he’d been a great target

[hootie249 317]

On 3/2/2025 at 7:37 PM, MagicOne said:

Unless things change around here I think he's gonna bolt. Imagine losing another one to the Lakers!! We seem to be their personal G-League team for up-and-coming star players.

Nobody does what Shaq did anymore. Every player signs that second contract.