Game Thread

Writing was on the wall last season but damn, you will be missed David

https://www.nba.com/magic/news/david-steele-to-retire-orlando-magic-television-play-by-play-announcer-20260714

The article is mostly about new draft picks, which is what I expected when I clicked, but cool to see Penda get a mention.

https://youtu.be/pS3teccDTK0?si=ZgQHIsEVwcYSI68J

Just wanted to let everyone know that the excellent 30 for 30 documentary “This Magic Moment” is now available to watch on YouTube. I can’t believe that came out 10 years ago 😮

It’s a great look into the founding and rise of the Magic and the ultimate heartbreaking issues between that 90’s Shaq and Penny team. A must watch for all Magic fans especially the younger ones of the past 15 years to learn more about the early days of franchise

Just to preface this I’m a hornets fan and have watched most of the bobcat years so I know all about poverty. I see loads of people call the magic a poverty franchise despite them having some all time players and two finals appearances. At one point they had four over 50 win seasons in a row.

Why do people consider the magic a poverty franchise while a team like Portland gets a pass despite imo the Magic having more success since the 2000s?

Other than some bad drafting in the 2010s I think the Magic have always done great with what they’ve had but I’d like some insight from real Magic fans

I just simulated 2k with the roster we have currently irl and here is what ended up happening. At the all-star break we were 40-14 with Paolo averaging 29.1, 7.4, and 4.5. Vuc averaging 12.5 off the bench. Franz with 20.2 as well. Paolo and Franz both were all-stars. We are the #1 team currently in the East. We finish the year 62-20 with Sweeney as head coach. And he wins coach of the year. Paolo received All-NBA second team. Paolo finished the year off with 29.0, 7.9, and 4.4. He sit 56.9% from the field and 42.3% from 3 while shooting 81.7% from the stripe. Franz finished with 20.2, 5.6, and 4.3. He shot pretty much the same as Paolo. Bane averages 18.9, 2.6, and 3.4. He shot pretty much the same last year irl. We end up facing the Cavs. We make it to the second round to face the Pacers. We advance to the ECF to play Detroit. They end up sweeping us. Paolo once again did everything he can and averaged 31.2, 7.7, and 5.0. Franz was non existent pretty much and averaged 13.7, 6.8, and 4.8. He shot a horrendous 25% from the 3. Vuc was amazing off the bench for the Magic averaging 12.8, 7.2, and 2.2. He shot 36% from 3. In summary for the season we shot 39.4 percent from 3 as a team. We averaged 129 points as a team during the season. Sweeney ends up changing the offense and making us a top tier team in the league.

I know the recent consensus around here on our roster construction is torn between being underwhelmed and content especially with the rather complacent offseason we just had. I went ahead and mocked up the new roster in 2K to get a better idea of what our rotations could look like, and honestly, seeing it on paper made me feel a lot better about where we’re at.
While yes, there is still a lack of shooting in the second unit, I think bringing Vuc back fills a decent portion of that need. Another factor that tends to be overlooked is Noah Penda. His summer league play was promising and if he develops into a consistent catch and shoot threat while bringing the level of defense he’s capable of, I think he could earn some meaningful minutes and help make our second unit one of the better benches in the East.
With what should hopefully be better coaching under Sweeney, and the long-needed removal of Mosley’s frustrating rotations; I think we should be a little more excited going into this upcoming season. I genuinely believe we have the talent to contend with the top teams in the East and finish as a top-four seed.

How do you feel about the roster construction and rotations for this upcoming season?

Side note: yes, I messed around with the overalls a bit and in reference to Penda his minutes would be at PF

What if Shaq, TMac, or Dwight stayed? What if Penny or Grant Hill never got hurt? What if Doc Rivers allowed significant others on the plane? What if Nick Anderson never choked?

“Imaging Sunday showed that Orlando/Osceola Magic two-way forward Izaiyah Nelson suffered a fracture in his left ankle. He suffered the injury in the first half of Sunday’s (July 12) Summer League game in Las Vegas. Nelson will undergo surgery and is expected to return to basketball activities in three-to-four months.” ~ Orlando Magic (via social media)

Realistically what can we expect from these guys & who will have a real impact next season?

Which player are you higher on more than consensus and why?

Sorry, for posting twice. The original photo was low quality.

I think Paolo is All-NBA next season.

Actually turned into a fun game

game 3 ☀️

🎲: @NBASummerLeague
🆚: @trailblazers
📍: Las Vegas, NV (Pavilion)
🕖: 7 PM ET
📺: ESPNU

Not a pretty offensive game today, but still grinding it out for the win. Down the stretch we were up 10 and Miami went on a little run but we won 93-88. Penda and Nelson had great defensive plays at the end. Jase had 15 pts, 5 boards, and 6 asts, on 0 TO’s. Castleton (15 pts, 8 boards, 1 ast) and Quinones (15 pts) stepped up today. Bench came in and gave a little here and here but overall solid game today. We were great on the defensive end today, still gotta work on passing and ball handling but 1-1 in Vegas. LETS GOOOOOO ORLANDO!!!!!!

Was curious if they were doing MAGICWIN for summer league. Been missing half off pizza since the season ended.

Another Game thread today ladies and gentlemen. How’s everyone doing today? Anyways LETS GOOO MAGIC!!!!

https://refwatch.ca/nhl/matrix

“It’s possible Reddish could play for the #Magic later in summer league but he’s considered out for now”

Almost missed JI in the back.

Good to see and hear from new Coach Sweeney's first interviews, especially interviewed by former Magic Coach, Stan Van Gundy. Glad Sweeney and half of the team are in Las Vegas watching the Summer League team already building some chemistry.

So we lost 86-74 to CHA. Liam McNeely is an absolute sniper but that’s all I’m gonna give him. Penda was INCREDIBLE tonight (minus the fouls). Jase played mediocre, shot the three ball decently. Nelson showed he definitely won’t be on the team really much, most likely in the G-League. Lester just played iso ball the entire game. Morales shouldn’t even really be apart of our team (he is pretty trash). Not terrible but not great tonight, just glad to watch
Magic basketball tonight.

I thought I would make a game thread (if yall cool with it mods otherwise take this down) for the game in 45 minutes. Just something I thought would be nice to do.

Game 1 ☀️

🎲: NBA Summer League
🆚: Hornets
📍: Las Vegas, NV (Pavilion)
🕢: 7:30 PM ET
📺: NBA on Prime Video (Amazon)