"I need you to stop doing drugs… You're out of your f*cking mind!” – Austin Rivers to ‘uneducated basketball fans suggesting the Magic trade Paolo’

“You hear the chatter, the idea that this 6’ 10” do-it-all forward would take away from the team is crazy.” – Anthony Parker, Orlando Magic GM

My 2500-word rant on how The Magic could go from a great team to a super team because of Paolo Banchero; of course they’re not better without their superstar, you fools! @MagicOnSI

7 comments

  1. Ryan, thank you for making some of the most in-depth, thoughtful Magic content for what is years now. It’s always appreciated nowadays when people don’t just lean into sensationalism and clickbait. Great article, especially the points about Bane being jolted along by his game winner (people seem to have forgotten about that), and also breaking down that Paolo had ALREADY changed his shot diet so far this year, which was noticeable if you watched anything beyond the first few games of the season. Seen a lot of people that obviously were not watching his shot selection this year or just don’t know what they’re seeing in regards to that.

  2. Loved Ryen Russillo’s take on his pod today about Paolo and the magic similar to this. Can’t wait to see this team when they’re at their peak.

  3. I’m not convinced the Magic are better without Paolo but I’m not convinced they are worse

  4. A lot of people really undervalue the power of chemistry. They think “Oh, Star + Star = Better”, which makes sense on the surface but there have been many cases where guys simply don’t play well off one another, or a star player doesn’t work in a given system.

    Paolo is a stubborn guy so it’s not a given that he’ll seamlessly fit in like Franz has, AND maintain effectiveness. I’m not saying trade him right now or claiming he has no chance of elevating the team, but there’s nothing wrong with expressing doubt.

    Speaking of which, we should be allowed to speculate on this sub without being bombarded with aggression by insecure fans who can’t stand a little pushback against the team’s star. It’s juvenile and frankly a little pathetic.

    If you’re so confident, why the defensiveness?

  5. Remember this is the same bullshit that cost us multiple championships with shaq. It’s funny everyone forgot how Fran disappeared in the playoffs. And it’s funny we weren’t winning until Sugg didn’t have any restrictions on play time which means less tyus Jones from the starting line up.

  7. Upvote just for the reminder that Anthony Parker, who we never ever talk about, is the current actual GM

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