Are the Magic Ahead of Schedule? | Real Ones | Ringer NBA

Logan, Raja, and Howard discuss the Orlando Magic after their first-round exit from the NBA playoffs, including what they need to do to continue building a consistent contending team moving forward.
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[@jeremyking9442]

Last season: Orlando finishes the season above .500 after starting 5-21. Every analyst says Orlando snuck up on teams and won't have that same luxury next season. This season: Orlando wins 47 games, is the 2nd best defense in the NBA, and goes to 7 games in the playoffs as the 5th seed. And apparently Orlando snuck up on teams and won't have that same luxury next season. At some point Orlando deserves credit for what they did without an asterisk. Because this is insane that that's the narrative every year.

[@orlrfc]

Agreed , it’s just lazy analysis

[@josephschmitt733]

As a Cavs fan. I have mad respect for the magic. And I did last year as well with their 2nd half push. Seems mid market teams like ours are never taken seriously. And the clock is ticking on talk about Paulo or Mitchell moving on.

[@bamiyamoto8187]

It‘s always the same with small market teams. Nba media is a joke

[@BuffBroc]

@bamayimoto8187 Exactly. Last night after the Thunder smoked the Mavs in Game 1 the TNT crew talking about the Thunder proves they only watch highlights of stars. Shaq straight up said he never heard of or ever saw Wiggins play but anyone who actually watches the Thunder more than a single game knows Wigs is a key contributor and one of the best off-the-bench 3&D players in the league.

[@coreyjohnson5346]

Imagine if orlando actually had a point guard starting every game.. the magic were always at a disadvantage having two 6'10 forwards be the main ball handlers. Paolo and franz. Two guys that had to learn that on the fly in the league because that wasn't their role in college. Are offense sucked because a high percentage of their shots were tough shots, having to create for themselves in teammates instead of having a point guard/ floor general orchestrating the offense. The bubble phoenix suns is the perfect example. They went from barely being a bottom playoff team to finishing second seed the next year after getting Chris paul. The magic finding a point guard would make them very dangerous in the east.

[@Franzboogie1002]

Different front office from the Vucevic era, buddy

[@nocturne311]

Yes. Their best players are in their second and third seasons and the former just made his first All-Star team. This team doesn’t even have a true #3 option, or #2 depending on how you feel about Franz Wagner, and yet they have the assets and flexibility to trade for or sign a player who can fill that void. Orlando will be one of the four best teams in the East next season.

[@MK3504]

This narrative that Franz isn't a 2 is hilarious coming from people who paid no attention. Casual take

[@nocturne311]

@@MK3504 I have been watching the Magic since 1989 and had season tickets for 14 years. I didn’t say he wasn’t a #2. I said some might not think he is a #2 depending on how they feel about him and if Orlando acquires someone like Paul George or Kevin Durant, Franz probably would be the #3 option in that case. I was ten rows up for games 4 and 6 in Orlando. I saw Wagner’s best game of the series. He can be a #2 but there are probably many who think he can’t.

[@nono-qe2yq]

@@nocturne311 I also think he can be a number 2 option, but wouldnt mind signing Paul George if possible.

[@coreyjohnson5346]

​@MK3504 I'm a lifelong magic fan.. I'm so magic that I am 1 of 4 ppl who assembled the scoreboard and hoisted it into place when the amway/kia center was being built. It was the biggest scoreboard in the country at the time.. not tv, but scoreboard. Anyways I like franz but the problem with franz is he doesn't have a mid range game at all. He probably has the most versatile euro step package in the league but no midrange. And we saw that throughout the season and definitely in the playoffs. When his 3 pt shot wasn't falling, which isn't great to begin with, and he had trouble finishing around the rim because of Mobley, it left franz without scoring options which is why he went 1-15 and 0-5 in game 7. We saw with paolo even as it was a struggle to get baskets bc no one else were making them, paolo could still get points in a many different ways because he's a 3 level scorer. If franz wants to be that second guy and have the ball in his hands as much as he does he's going to have to develop a constant mid range game. It's that simple. Dunks, layups and 3s aren't always going to be available. As we all see in the playoffs.

[@sarj4918]

These guys don't watch much Magic ball huh

[@BuffBroc]

None of these analysts except JJ Reddick watch any NBA ball outside of a few large market teams and star player highlights. Last night after the Thunder smoked the Mavs in Game 1, it was clear the TNT crew haven't watched anything but highlights of SGA. Shaq straight up said he never heard of or watched Wiggins' game. None of them knew who Wiggins is but he's been a key contributor off the bench and for past few seasons been developing into one of the best bench 3&D wings in the league.

[@SoAMAZINmusic]

Not a fan of Howard Beck’s takes. Very basic surface level analysis.

[@Goxilla]

A score-first guard might fit well along Franz and Banchero since they also got playmaking in their game. I think of Malik Monk who is a free agent this summer and he had around 5 assists per game and shot a decent 35% from three. They could also need a tall 3&D guy like OG Anunoby who might decline his player option this summer. Orlando has got the money for both of them

[@justinmuzzy4500]

So many analysts think we are gonna sacrifice defense for offense, when defense is our identity.... it shows they are not true analysts, just people who have opinions The magic have built something, and most dont know what it is

[@Franzboogie1002]

Monk to Orlando

[@AngelRivera-uv3zw]

YESSSSSS

[@tristonraymr.slothhowarev7682]

What do you think about Anfernee Simons offensive ability next to Suggs defensive ability? Also you’re bringing in Simons to be the 2nd or 3rd option putting him next to two 6’10” forwards that can get buckets on isolation. We just need a capable offensive threat and shooter so Paolo isn’t getting double and triple teamed.

[@Franzboogie1002]

Ab the future pg of the magic 🪄

[@mansyoutubechannel]

orlando was under .500 against teams over .500. they didn't catch anyone by surprise. they're just genuinely good. they were undefeated at home against sub .500 teams. undefeated. they play good, sustainable basketball, and no one on the team has peaked yet. they're next years OKC if they add a high assist/low turnover PG who isn't a defensive liability.And don't tell me that guy doesn't exist, becuase he's already on our team-Anthony Black. just give him time.

[@mattworkman5457]

Trading for Simons is the dream, Combo guard that can playmake and score. He is an orlando local and fits the wingspan/size agenda defensively even though he’s not a great defender

[@ChrisbeFoSerious]

If the Magic can’t swing for the fences and land players like Booker, Mitchell, Trae, or Murray-the next best moves are signing players like Monk, Tyus, Claxton, Hield, and Klay.

[@mwalker29]

Howard did you realize we had a lot of injuries during that time so we never saw what that group could do….

[@ShawnBayyyyy]

Most of this was good and factual for Orlando. But consider that this off season would be best spent adding players that make life easier for our young core. Our goal isn’t to take shots from Paolo and Franz but to add guys that will get them better ones.

[@ShawnBayyyyy]

Tyus Jones, Deanthony Melton, Luke Kennard are the types of guys Orlando can add without mortgaging its future

[@tedtaylor6340]

watching orlando shooting will change everything for paolo, teams need something else to gameplan around because every highlight you watch of him he's double and triple teamed.

[@nathanielcox1827]

Vucevic Era is different than the current era with Jeff Weltman. That is how you need to differentiate the Magic. So about 2021 to current.... Obviously the decade before there was a lot of mistakes and all those dudes are gone.

[@stevenwhiters8928]

Honestly time to condense. Go get Simon’s. Thing is they need a gaurd who can play make and shoot. Everybody can go but Franz/P5/suggs … you won’t trade Black/howard maybe but otherwise fire sale

[@WhoisWhip]

Paolo will be a top 10, top 5 player for the majority of his career. Watch.

[@stevenwhiters8928]

Kings constructed completely different magic have roster on upswing

[@MarinoChristofi]

If Paolo has the chance to be a top 5 player and that is in 4 years then now is not the time to waste assets. Development of draft picks and smart free agency is the way to go. Trae would be horrible. Hartenstein and Monk with front loaded contracts and trade bonuses would make sense. Defense, rebounding, shooting and perimeter shot creation. Great management, facilities, team culture, weather and no state taxes. There will be no all in moves on a team that is not ready to compete for a championship

[@MCFC399]

Point Gaurds I would be looking at are tyus jones, dejounte murray, or Malcom Brogdon

[@nocturne311]

Collin Sexton could be worth a look as well.

[@MCFC399]

@@nocturne311 he’d be good to

[@bayareayackem100]

How can dejounte come? He don't get along with Paolo.

[@BrentonBannister-gc2pt]

No to Malcolm… he doesn’t like being healthy/available… but Simons 🤌🏾

[@alfarrell]

These guys are spouting opinions that use (at times) information that is several years old.

[@bwanimations7130]

They are on schedule. Made the playoffs and lost in the first round.

[@TheSportsandFilmFellowship]

They should have drafted Gradey Dick or Jordan Hawkins. The whole front office knows that’s. They need a PG next to Suggs.

[@BrentonBannister-gc2pt]

Agreed; should have been obvious picks and not “projects”… even tho I like AB

[@justinkress7100]

These guys don’t watch the Magic hahahaha

[@user-ei8tm1ie7d]

These guys make a whole video about an organization and don’t have the decency to maybe do some research on what they’re talking about. Really surface level work

[@kingpiniv]

Klay, PG or take a shot at Trae.

[@bamiyamoto8187]

Stupid

[@Goxilla]

Trae Young? Hell no! Orlando is a defensive team and Trae is the worst defender in the league which isn´t even an exaggeration

[@BrentonBannister-gc2pt]

Good on all of those. Not paying max based on timeline for 35+ age players… Trae can’t spell defense

[@Franzboogie1002]

Klay to Orlando

[@bmarsjpeg]

Hell no

[@Goxilla]

too old and washed. Maybe for cheap over 2 years untill a good FA comes around

[@nono-qe2yq]

nope

[@112233JORDAN]

I dont want to pay for an expensive, older player on the decline. Id rather have a player that can grow with the team

[@Franzboogie1002]

All right, never mind chill out

[@longride7234]

Trade paolo .. u cant win a series if ur #1 optionn is averaging 5 turnovers per game... Overrated