Orlando Magic - NBADraft.net

This topic contains 12 replies, has 4 voices, and was last updated by whiteflash 10 years, 10 months ago.

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Posted on: Sun, 08/23/2015 - 4:59pm #61288

SkalAndJamal
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I know this is an unpopular opinion, but if I’m the Magic, I wake up and realize I’m one great coaching staff away from molding this team to be a legit east powerhouse. Skiles is a very average coach, past 11 seasons he coached he has not recorded one 50+ win season. Orlando’s is at that stage where the kind of improvement they make this season is going to be crucial for their future.
I call Thibs say I’ll give you a blank check but we want two specific guys on your staff who play a big role on the development and offense, Brain Shaw(associate) and Chauncey Billups. Thibs gets his guys to play together, all positions develop, and he’s one of the greatest defensive minds ever. Shaw played a big part in indiana’s and LA’s runs when he was there. Both teams the mins distribution were great and he helped in the develop of all the wings. Offensively played a big part for Indy. And Billups is obviously one of the best winners and mentors in the game as well.
Payton is that dude you want to do everything you can to make him special. Competes hard, humble, and is the type of guy who if the NBA only paid 100 dollars a month, he would find a way to still be in the league. Let Thibs and Chauncey get their hands on Payton and Napier. Thibs, Shaw with Oladipo, Fournier, Hezonja, Harris. Thibs with Gordon, Nicholson, dedmon, Vucevic. Distribute mins. If not next year, the year after this team will be in the eastern conference finals.
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Posted on: Sun, 08/23/2015 - 5:18pm #1009486
high floor
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I think Skiles is going to surprise people with how well he does with this squad. I was on record for wanting Gentry & Thibs for the job.. but if you go back to the 2000 Phoeniz Suns squad he led to 50 wins this is the most talent rich (albeit youngest) team he’s had the opportunity to coach. Three additional points as well:
- He helped mold Shawn Marion into an elite, undersized stretch 4 as a sophomore. Don’t tell me that Rob Hennigan didn’t discuss this with him while talking about Aaron Gordon’s career trajectory. They have a number of similarities to their games.
- Both Brandon Jennings and Ben Gordon thrived under Skiles system as rookies, meaning he gives players some leash and an opportunity to play through mistakes. This will be huge in particular for Gordon, Payton, and Hezonja as they gather their footing in the NBA.
- Orlando was a really bad defensive team last year, and was unable to form an identity. By the end of this season, opponents will know that Orlando is tough to score on. Whether their offense catches up remains to be seen. But Skiles will form a defensive identity immediately this first season.
Even if Skiles burns this team out in 2.5 years, I believe his hire will prove worthwhile because Orlando will become a surefire top 10 defensive unit under his guidance. Assuming their core continues to stay together & improve, their next coach will be ready to lead them to championship contention. That’s my hope as a magic fan for 25+ years.
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Posted on: Sun, 08/23/2015 - 5:18pm #1009348
high floor
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I think Skiles is going to surprise people with how well he does with this squad. I was on record for wanting Gentry & Thibs for the job.. but if you go back to the 2000 Phoeniz Suns squad he led to 50 wins this is the most talent rich (albeit youngest) team he’s had the opportunity to coach. Three additional points as well:
- He helped mold Shawn Marion into an elite, undersized stretch 4 as a sophomore. Don’t tell me that Rob Hennigan didn’t discuss this with him while talking about Aaron Gordon’s career trajectory. They have a number of similarities to their games.
- Both Brandon Jennings and Ben Gordon thrived under Skiles system as rookies, meaning he gives players some leash and an opportunity to play through mistakes. This will be huge in particular for Gordon, Payton, and Hezonja as they gather their footing in the NBA.
- Orlando was a really bad defensive team last year, and was unable to form an identity. By the end of this season, opponents will know that Orlando is tough to score on. Whether their offense catches up remains to be seen. But Skiles will form a defensive identity immediately this first season.
Even if Skiles burns this team out in 2.5 years, I believe his hire will prove worthwhile because Orlando will become a surefire top 10 defensive unit under his guidance. Assuming their core continues to stay together & improve, their next coach will be ready to lead them to championship contention. That’s my hope as a magic fan for 25+ years.
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- Posted on: Sun, 08/23/2015 - 5:58pm #1009496
  
  SkalAndJamal
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  Yea but Skiles teams were just average, if I’m a team, I want a "what have you done lately" coach. Thibs teams are always winning, and guys 1-5 are developing. Rose game went to a mvp level, butler is top 5 in his position, noah, Gibson made strides…. If he can just have a respectable associate keep him in check with mins on players, what he can do with this magic team will be scary. Especially with a team with a strong perimeter 2-way game going. If he has only one elite perimeter scorer to go against, Thibs is money in the bank. Refer vs Kobe in 08 finals, LeBron this year(Gasol, other issues, lost them the series).
  Skiles hasn’t coached a good team since early 2000s. You got to look at Thibs and say wow Butler was the 29th pick of his draft, Deng’s only 2 all-star appearances came when Thibs was there, tony Allen learned how to be a stopper when he was in Boston with Thibs. Then look at shaw and see what he did with Ariza, Stephenson, and Paul George, even Shannon brown was a championship 7th man… With what you got in the talent with Hezonja, oladipo, Fournier, and Harris, I just don’t see how if you look at 08-15 seasons, except 2012 and you look at the top 2 east teams every year, Thibs or Shaw were instrumental in how strong the wing play was for one of the teams that finished top 2 in the east for everyone of those years.
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- Posted on: Sun, 08/23/2015 - 5:58pm #1009358
  
  SkalAndJamal
  Participant
  Yea but Skiles teams were just average, if I’m a team, I want a "what have you done lately" coach. Thibs teams are always winning, and guys 1-5 are developing. Rose game went to a mvp level, butler is top 5 in his position, noah, Gibson made strides…. If he can just have a respectable associate keep him in check with mins on players, what he can do with this magic team will be scary. Especially with a team with a strong perimeter 2-way game going. If he has only one elite perimeter scorer to go against, Thibs is money in the bank. Refer vs Kobe in 08 finals, LeBron this year(Gasol, other issues, lost them the series).
  Skiles hasn’t coached a good team since early 2000s. You got to look at Thibs and say wow Butler was the 29th pick of his draft, Deng’s only 2 all-star appearances came when Thibs was there, tony Allen learned how to be a stopper when he was in Boston with Thibs. Then look at shaw and see what he did with Ariza, Stephenson, and Paul George, even Shannon brown was a championship 7th man… With what you got in the talent with Hezonja, oladipo, Fournier, and Harris, I just don’t see how if you look at 08-15 seasons, except 2012 and you look at the top 2 east teams every year, Thibs or Shaw were instrumental in how strong the wing play was for one of the teams that finished top 2 in the east for everyone of those years.
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Posted on: Sun, 08/23/2015 - 5:31pm #1009488

Hazel
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I think you are getting a little ahead of yourself with conference finals predictions in two years. I can see them making the playoffs in that time period, but three to five years is a more realistic timeline. I love the team though.
As far as Skiles is concerned. I think Thibs has the same weaknesses as Skiles. They both just wear on guys. Granted Thinbs is a great defensive mind, but I think they need someone in the mold of Snyder, Stevens and Budzinholzer. Those guys are great communicators who players love to play for. They get the big picture with media as well as players. Plus they are basketball geniuses.
Who knows, maybe Skiles can modify his approach. Hope so, because I love how the pieces fit as long as a few can learn to shoot.
Plus the Magic deserve a few good breaks.
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Posted on: Sun, 08/23/2015 - 5:31pm #1009350

Hazel
Participant
I think you are getting a little ahead of yourself with conference finals predictions in two years. I can see them making the playoffs in that time period, but three to five years is a more realistic timeline. I love the team though.
As far as Skiles is concerned. I think Thibs has the same weaknesses as Skiles. They both just wear on guys. Granted Thinbs is a great defensive mind, but I think they need someone in the mold of Snyder, Stevens and Budzinholzer. Those guys are great communicators who players love to play for. They get the big picture with media as well as players. Plus they are basketball geniuses.
Who knows, maybe Skiles can modify his approach. Hope so, because I love how the pieces fit as long as a few can learn to shoot.
Plus the Magic deserve a few good breaks.
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- Posted on: Sun, 08/23/2015 - 6:18pm #1009500
  
  SkalAndJamal
  Participant
  I really am not. Thibs was top 2 with Ronnie Brewer or Keith Bogans starting at the 2. And Watson or Tiny Nate Robinson playing point. Payton, Oladipo, and Hezonja all have star potential that this coaching staff could tap into.
  Thibs only problems is minutes restriction and getting a consistent offense going, but nonetheless he doesn’t get enough Cred for the individual development his guys get on BOTH ends of the court, and being maybe… The best defensive coordinator this league has ever seen. And people need to chill on Thibs "wearing" guys down. Pat Riley and Larry Brown did the same ish, cause he’s not Pop doesn’t mean he’s not an ideal coach. He got unlucky cause his top guy plays basketball like a Ferrari going 125 in a jungle. Sure the management should be concerned about players playing too many mins, but Thibs can easily fix that. You just won’t find too many coaches who can get the most out of their team like Thibs can, that’s the truth.
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- Posted on: Sun, 08/23/2015 - 6:18pm #1009362
  
  SkalAndJamal
  Participant
  I really am not. Thibs was top 2 with Ronnie Brewer or Keith Bogans starting at the 2. And Watson or Tiny Nate Robinson playing point. Payton, Oladipo, and Hezonja all have star potential that this coaching staff could tap into.
  Thibs only problems is minutes restriction and getting a consistent offense going, but nonetheless he doesn’t get enough Cred for the individual development his guys get on BOTH ends of the court, and being maybe… The best defensive coordinator this league has ever seen. And people need to chill on Thibs "wearing" guys down. Pat Riley and Larry Brown did the same ish, cause he’s not Pop doesn’t mean he’s not an ideal coach. He got unlucky cause his top guy plays basketball like a Ferrari going 125 in a jungle. Sure the management should be concerned about players playing too many mins, but Thibs can easily fix that. You just won’t find too many coaches who can get the most out of their team like Thibs can, that’s the truth.
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  - Posted on: Sun, 08/23/2015 - 6:52pm #1009502
    
    SkalAndJamal
    Participant
    By the way let me mention Larry Brown was and still is a douche of a coach, while Thibs isn’t! he always showed respect to his players, and brown screws with his team twice bad as people claim Thibs does… But Brown was all good in philly and Detroit cause he didn’t have a like DRose who happens to have the double of whammy of being from Chicago(DWade, Jabari), and being an explosive PG (westbrook, Exum)… His ACL was doomed from the beginning! If Rose were to have stayed healthy, Thibs would have never got the backlash he got from the media and Rose himself. But in reality there’s nothing Thibs could have done. Rose is going to get injured again under Hoiberg, the sky will stay blue, and the Knicks won’t win the championship.
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  - Posted on: Sun, 08/23/2015 - 6:52pm #1009364
    
    SkalAndJamal
    Participant
    By the way let me mention Larry Brown was and still is a douche of a coach, while Thibs isn’t! he always showed respect to his players, and brown screws with his team twice bad as people claim Thibs does… But Brown was all good in philly and Detroit cause he didn’t have a like DRose who happens to have the double of whammy of being from Chicago(DWade, Jabari), and being an explosive PG (westbrook, Exum)… His ACL was doomed from the beginning! If Rose were to have stayed healthy, Thibs would have never got the backlash he got from the media and Rose himself. But in reality there’s nothing Thibs could have done. Rose is going to get injured again under Hoiberg, the sky will stay blue, and the Knicks won’t win the championship.
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    - Posted on: Mon, 08/24/2015 - 2:19pm #1009437
      
      whiteflash
      Participant
      Did you really just compare Dante Exum athletically to Westbrook and Rose?
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    - Posted on: Mon, 08/24/2015 - 2:19pm #1009574
      
      whiteflash
      Participant
      Did you really just compare Dante Exum athletically to Westbrook and Rose?
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