RealGM

V - Paolo
C - Suggs
M - Franz

The core!

Jalen Suggs is making it hard... *pause*

But it's gotta be Paolo

(v: Paolo, c: Suggs, m: FRANZ)

Paolo
Suggs
Franz

The big three delivered

Suggs
Paolo
Franz

Suggs was so efficient.

5:27 - Banchero Running 3pt Shot, assist from Franz for the Magic to take the lead 16-14 for the first time in the series - and Cleveland wouldn’t get it back for the rest of the game.

You could give it to any of Franz, Suggs or Banchero but I’ll give it to Paolo for really getting after it on the boards and defense too.

Paolo
Franz
Suggs

Paolo
Suggs
Franz

Paolo
Suggs
Franz

Honorable mention for WCJ

Paolo
Suggs
Franz

Recap Thoughts -
Most amazing feeling to be eating crow from all the doom talk in Games 1 & 2.

One thing we all kind of forgot around here was, Yes the Magic are around the worst shooting team in the league, but we're also talking about a 33-34 3P% team versus 37-38 3P% of the more accurate teams. And we went 23-24 3P% those first two. We were actually, legitly due to get back into the 30's, even if it was just a low 30's in a Playoffs setting.

We may also have had to survive the learning curve of being in CLE for two games with zero Playoffs experiences, and now we're quickly adjusting to that and becoming close to normal again.

The most encouraging thing to me moving forward is that, if I recall correctly, I think we were still at like a 45 FG% and 32 3P% in the 3rd Quarter, up on CLE, while still not breaking the game wide open. Basically, I can kind of ignore the 51 FG% and 35 3P% as a team for the game and look at the first set of numbers more, which is more attainable and encouraging to beat for grabbing another Win, and another and another.

Strategy of the team doesn't need to change too much either, with a Game 3 like that. I still want a little more willingness to take the first open shot in a tough shot-making environment like this. But that's mostly about it, outside of the video tape session to highlight the good possessions to repeat more of, and point out a few bad ones that stood out to fix. I'm willing to eat crow on the smaller lineup suggestions at this point, but I still want Caleb as a 6 minute appearance at the expense of Harris minutes mostly.


Vest - Paolo Banchero
Just the aggression I prefer to see more, that I've seen in his better games this year! More willingness to drive to score instead of pass. Taking trusty mid-ranges instead of getting in his head with hesitating mid-shot clock or focusing on 3's and drives only. You can't TO if you drive head first instead of backing down. When you 13-26 in a Playoffs game as a point forward, you're kind of this unstoppable problem for the other team! It's crazy awesome to see it on a superstar player FOR the Magic.

There was no more perfect example when in the 3rd quarter, Paolo just scored 2 or 3 baskets at close-to-mid ranges in quick order. And CLE responded by getting Mobley ready in the sidelines, to help clog the paint from Paolo. Except that right when Mobley was walking into the game, Jalen just hit an open 3 from a Paolo pass. There's the classic Paolo Banchero problem teams have to deal with. And it opened up from Paolo willing to drive to score, not pass, and take short mid-rangers of all types.

Cummerbund - Franz Wagner
All attention is on Paolo too much, and it helps Franz go 8 assists to 0 turnovers and 50 FG%. Highest +32 +/- in the game. A 71 2P% from Franz is an absurd problem to deal with on top of Paolo already. On only 16 points so not much of an outlier game either. I'd rather take a 26 point, 44 FG% game, to go with 8 clutch points in the 4th and the Win next time.

Mittens - Jalen Suggs
The heart of the team in many ways. Crazy efficient game and All NBA two-way impact. But I think Paolo and Franz were the engine that let Jalen get loose.

Bensational wrote:5:27 - Banchero Running 3pt Shot, assist from Franz for the Magic to take the lead 16-14 for the first time in the series - and Cleveland wouldn’t get it back for the rest of the game.

You could give it to any of Franz, Suggs or Banchero but I’ll give it to Paolo for really getting after it on the boards and defense too.

Paolo
Franz
Suggs

Trueee, this was a step up game for Paolo in terms of defense.

Paolo
Suggs
Franz

Been articulated so well already in this thread as to how good they all were.
Paolo's rebounding was something else.

Paolo
Suggs
Franz

Paolo
Suggs
Franz

Paolo
Suggs
Franz

eyriq wrote:Paolo
Suggs
Franz

The big three delivered

This is how I have it. I actually voted F-Wagner to get him on the board. In particular, when Cleveland was dominating Orlando over the first 4 minutes, it was F-Wagner alone stabilizing the scoring.

But ya Bancero and Suggs were awesome!

Lollipops to Isaac, Fultz, and Anthony.

And G-Harris has another zombie night PROVING he needs to go.

Paolo ... he was ELITE
Suggs ... he was POSSESSED
Franz ... he was super EFFICIENT
Cole Anthony ... he was RESURRECTED FROM THE DEAD

Normally i don't vote, but Banchero deserved this.

Hmm... No love for WCJ starting = win????

I voted PB.
Franz
Suggs

JBSouthpaw wrote:Hmm... No love for WCJ starting = win????

I voted PB.
Franz
Suggs

not for one of the top 3 honors, but him boxing out Allen and Mobley for boards, setting hard screens, and playing better interior D was crucial for us.