[high floorParticipant]

I thought is was an interesting move for Orlando to bring on Bismack after just trading for Ibaka. Aside from the very obvious spacing issues.. Orlando has a potentially devastating defensive frontcourt trio in Serge/Bismack/Aaron Gordon with defensive guru coach Frank Vogel at the helm.

Will they be able to score though? At all?? During Vogel’s introductory press conference, he spoke confidently about Orlando playing a fast paced offense with emphasis on the 3pt shot. But you need to have players that can actually shoot the 3 pointer to emphasize it. Serge can step back and hit the three.. but his percentage dipped below 33% on a higher volume. AG is a career sub 30% shooter from deep, and Payton’s struggle’s with his J are well documented.

I think the Biyombo signing helps the perimeter defense too though.. as guards like Elfrid Payton and Evan Fournier will be able to D-up their opponents more closely 1 on 1 with less fear of an easy layup if they get past them. They both have pretty active hands + good length.. and this could help them generate more steals & force more contested shots.

What does ORL do with Vucevic now?? Personally I think they should hold onto him until at least this coming trade deadline and deploy a heavy 3 man, big rotation with him, Serge & Biyombo. If Orlando shows that they can win with Biyombo and Serge as their main PF & C combo.. then I would flip Vucevic for a scoring SF. Vucevic’s contract is extremely tradable & team friendly.. and some team that suffers an injury at C will give up an asset in return for him in FEB.

What do you all think? Does the newly acquired "Congo Line" vault Orlando to a top 10 defense and a playoff berth next year? 

[sweaterflexParticipant]

Orlando is in a tough spot, as the players with the highest upside on the team, Gordon and Hezonja, are stunted by their free agent signings. Vucevic actually fits better with the acquisitions as a guy who can maul bench lineups. Gordon can’t shoot well enough to play the 3, and the extension to Fournier means Hezonja will get more minutes at the 3 than the 2. Ibaka only has one year left on his deal, and if he leaves they have to trade Payton because of the lack of spacing. The Magic will have a top 12 defense, but the offense may lag. The Magic probably have another trade in them for point guard, though I expect it will be closer to the trade deadline.

[sweaterflexParticipant]

Orlando is in a tough spot, as the players with the highest upside on the team, Gordon and Hezonja, are stunted by their free agent signings. Vucevic actually fits better with the acquisitions as a guy who can maul bench lineups. Gordon can’t shoot well enough to play the 3, and the extension to Fournier means Hezonja will get more minutes at the 3 than the 2. Ibaka only has one year left on his deal, and if he leaves they have to trade Payton because of the lack of spacing. The Magic will have a top 12 defense, but the offense may lag. The Magic probably have another trade in them for point guard, though I expect it will be closer to the trade deadline.

[OhCanada-Participant]

 They lack a playmaker/scorer that can initiate offense in the ISO. Tough situation. They really need someone that can create and score. Payton can create but can’t score. Hezonja at this point and from my projections going forward can score but can’t create. This hurts Ibaka and obviously Biyambo going forward.

They need to make a move. I would go all in on Stephenson and offer him 10-Mil on 1-yr. He is used to Vogel and would fit the tough minded team. Vucevic could also be used as trade bait.

 

[OhCanada-Participant]

 They lack a playmaker/scorer that can initiate offense in the ISO. Tough situation. They really need someone that can create and score. Payton can create but can’t score. Hezonja at this point and from my projections going forward can score but can’t create. This hurts Ibaka and obviously Biyambo going forward.

They need to make a move. I would go all in on Stephenson and offer him 10-Mil on 1-yr. He is used to Vogel and would fit the tough minded team. Vucevic could also be used as trade bait.

 

[sheltwon3Participant]

 Evan Fournier and last year’s draft pick are great 3 point shooters.  Gordon will probably be a 3 now since he can handle the rock and guard 3’s.  It appears they will use him like they did Harris.  Ibaka can also play inside and out so playing Ibaka and Gordon should work.  Biyombo will be a back up for now.  Don’t let the money fool you.

[sheltwon3Participant]

 Evan Fournier and last year’s draft pick are great 3 point shooters.  Gordon will probably be a 3 now since he can handle the rock and guard 3’s.  It appears they will use him like they did Harris.  Ibaka can also play inside and out so playing Ibaka and Gordon should work.  Biyombo will be a back up for now.  Don’t let the money fool you.

[Untouchable JParticipant]

1) Byombo is not THAT GOOD to where he must start

2) Gordon cannot play the 3

3) They will not be playing any lineup with 3 bigs, ever. This is not the 90s/00s where Abdur Rahim, Guglitotta, KG, etc played the 3. Game is gettign smaller, not bigger

4) They probably spent the money just bc they had to, and the amount guys are making should not dictate their impact. Its the market

5) They probably dont have faith on Arron Gordon being anything but a run m jump guy going forward

[Untouchable JParticipant]

1) Byombo is not THAT GOOD to where he must start

2) Gordon cannot play the 3

3) They will not be playing any lineup with 3 bigs, ever. This is not the 90s/00s where Abdur Rahim, Guglitotta, KG, etc played the 3. Game is gettign smaller, not bigger

4) They probably spent the money just bc they had to, and the amount guys are making should not dictate their impact. Its the market

5) They probably dont have faith on Arron Gordon being anything but a run m jump guy going forward

[Author]

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