2026 “Go Big or Go Home” Playoff Thread

[JJZFL]

1 hour ago, Jamesdin said:

he's young and the early injury threw his game off. i agree this is a down season for him but he's just in his 4th season; on his rookie contract. his max contract will just kick in next season.

let's not make the same mistake we did with Shaq.

I don’t think the comparison with Shaq is a good comparison.  We had expansion team type losing records our first three years. The first year with Shaq, we improved noticeably to 41-41.  By Shaq’s second year, we were 50 and 32. By his third year, we were in the NBA finals. In his fourth and final year with us, we were competing for the eastern conference championship, and lost to the 72 win Chicago Bulls with Michael Jordan.

Banchero has not accomplished anything remotely similar to this. His statistics don’t even indicate that we’re better with him on the floor than when he’s off the floor. I think everyone is hoping that this will change, possibly with a better coach, but currently any comparison with Shaq is very premature.

[Luke_FfS]

+1 JJZFL

I'm honestly so torn about our situation right now. We're fans, and we always want to win. We all remember how hard was accepting the tanking period. At the same point, winning some "meaningless" games now (I believe we all agree there's not even a remote 0,01% we can win a ring this season) would possibly prevent the changes that are clearly necessary if we really want to win the title someday.

If we get out of the playin, I can easily see FO being confirmed and saying that 'the team is here, let's check them in a new season with a new coach'. And if they're renewed, will be for multiple years, and that's WCS for me, I've already stated multiple times that we need to start from FO, Mose is only a consequence.

If somehow we're able to being competitive on the first round, like against Cle two years ago, I wouldn't be surprised if Mose stays too.

 

As for the games and the competitive part that is still in me, my checklist for basic success is:

- defend and compete hard for 48 minutes, not only in stretches.

- share the ball and play like a team.

- Mose, please don't stay with a 11 man rotation as usual. Playoff is a different story.

It's really basic, should be easy, but has not been like that recently.

[hootie249]

That was a great game last night. Coby white went off in the second half. Hornets win but probably should have lost. Kon was benched in the second half. The rookie wall is real.

I won't be able to watch most of the game tonight, GO Magic! Playoff prediction from me, the refs let teams play more physical. Magic take advantage. Magic 108-104 over Philly. Suggs gets ejected and Paolo scores 30.

[All Eyes On Me]

Comparing Paolo to Shaq made me spit out my coffee this morning… There’s just no real comparison to be made in any facet. We’ve done a ton to surround Paolo with talent, he needs to look in the mirror more than anything else. We’ll keep him and give him a chance to return to his 2nd year form under a new coaching staff, but he’s just as big a part of the problem this year as anybody in the Organization.

If anyone is looking for hope for tonight or a potential first round matchup is we do have 2 years of decent evidence that Paolo is a playoff riser, the slower pace and physical play works for his style, but I’m skeptical that he’s got that in him this year. He just looks so defeated at pretty much all times.

[Jamesdin]

Don’t get me wrong on the Shaq-Paolo thing. There is in no universe they are the same talent wise. 
what I mean is the way we drove away shaq on free agency, telling he is not worth the max and we have penny. Shaq is on record how he feels not wanted by the orlando faithfuls. 
Paolo on the other hand is at least tied up to us after his rookie year. But the way we are giving up on him is very shaq like scenario. Give him the chance to peak on our team and not in LA. He is only 23yrs old.  

[Manu Ginobili]

in no way should we get rid of paolo yet. him wagner bane and black should be given way more time and a new hard coach to keep developing

we do need to get rid of suggs and wcj, they are worthless

[OnlyFranz]

5 minutes ago, Manu Ginobili said:

in no way should we get rid of paolo yet. him wagner bane and black should be given way more time and a new hard coach to keep developing

we do need to get rid of suggs and wcj, they are worthless

I don’t think Suggs is worthless he’s just playing out of position and he needs a head coach that will keep him accountable. I wouldn’t give up on Suggs yet until we see what he can do with a new coaching staff. On the other hand WCJ  is definitely useless and he needs to go because we really need an upgrade at the C position. 

[All Eyes On Me]

20 minutes ago, OnlyFranz said:

I don’t think Suggs is worthless he’s just playing out of position and he needs a head coach that will keep him accountable. I wouldn’t give up on Suggs yet until we see what he can do with a new coaching staff. On the other hand WCJ  is definitely useless and he needs to go because we really need an upgrade at the C position. 

Yeah, Jalen still gives off vibes of being a very very valuable player on a winning team. He does a ton of little things well that directly contribute to winning, he just needs to be held accountable.

Wendell is the most inconsistent basketball player I’ve ever seen. When he’s on, we’re very good, when he’s off we stink, and he’s off way too often. 

[OnlyFranz]

2 hours ago, All Eyes On Me said:

Yeah, Jalen still gives off vibes of being a very very valuable player on a winning team. He does a ton of little things well that directly contribute to winning, he just needs to be held accountable.

Wendell is the most inconsistent basketball player I’ve ever seen. When he’s on, we’re very good, when he’s off we stink, and he’s off way too often. 

Yup agree with you on both players. Hopefully the next coach we get has a proven track record in this league. Someone that can bring the best out of all the guys that end up staying on this team and put them in a position to succeed. 

[TrueMagicFan07]

Xfinity Mobile Arena - Philadelphia, PA

Wednesday, April 15th at 7:30 P.M. EST

TV: FanDuel Sports FL

 

 

GO MAGIC!

[Soul Bro]

9 minutes ago, TrueMagicFan07 said:

Xfinity Mobile Arena - Philadelphia, PA

Wednesday, April 15th at 7:30 P.M. EST

TV: FanDuel Sports FL

 

 

GO MAGIC!

Well done, TMF! Think about all of the games we’ve been through together. Let’s go!

[TrueMagicFan07]

1 minute ago, Soul Bro said:

Well done, TMF! Think about all of the games we’ve been through together. Let’s go!

You've got that right!

Soul as I stated in that post "Don't Stop Believing", I won't. But don't tell anybody but I'm afraid of the 76er's Maxey going off on us. . .Shh!