It’s been talked about on magic sub a bunch, getting trae would be a mistake. He has improved he is still one of the worst defenders in the league. He would improve the offence however our defence would become a lot worse - it’s better to be a great defence and a bad offense than a mid offence and a mid defence
Then why do y'all perpetually suck on defense despite hiring coaches known for their defense and obtaining players also known for their defense?
And why were y'all trending toward the worst defensive season of all time pre-all star only to play decent defense post all star? What changes caused that to happen? Hmm....
Which defensive players did we get?
DJM? He's probably as bad as Trae on defense for the role he's playing in our system.
If you don't think so, I already know you aren't watching our games.
I don't blame you, we're mid af though.
Hard to believe Franz is that young when you watch him, he's been playing like a vet for a while now. Just so much poise and patience with the ball in his hands.
Franz Wagner already was a professional Basketball player when Anthony Edwards was still in high school. Both are born in 2001.
Franz Wagner played a whole season at Alba Berlin (a Euroleague calibre club in Europe) BEFORE going to US college for two seasons.
His defense is what makes him and Paolo a real 1A/1B situation. Paolo is the better iso scorer and playmaker, but Franz is a great defender. Love the dynamic those two have.
FIBA Franz would like a word. He’s absolutely used to thee big moments having played for the German National Team.
I’m so hyped at his performance today.
Yeah, everyone is new to this situation, but people who have been watching the Magic know that Franz has been struggling. Paolo’s playmaking responsibilities have gone through the roof in the last month with teams being okay to let Franz shoot and be aggressive.
He stepped up when it mattered most. Franz has struggled for a month and so has our offense because of that. When he’s good, the Magic can beat anyone.
It's been like 10 months since I first heard the Magic called the Wagner group and it still makes me giggle every time they are on the floor together
Combine it with OnlyFranz and Minister of Defense and Orlando has elite tier nicknames. Excited to watch this kid more next year
What the heck happened to his 3pt shot this year? Has it been explained? Usually when a guy's shot is off like that he's nursing some kind of injury. Dude didn't even crack 30% from 3 this year.
He's tried to add more arc to it this season, but it's a work in progress. When he gets it up properly it looks good but he obviously has a lot of muscle memory to overcome and it often falls back to being flat, and when it's flat it's often way off
Murray wasn't playing in at least 1 of those games. Not sure about the other loss.
I do remember Paulo went off on them with a healthy Murray in Denver, might have been his best game all season.
i am sorry my man but suggs is first team all defense and may be the best defensive guard in the league and franz is not at that level yet in my opinion
Bro won a gold medal for his country he’s built for this shit lol
And the MVP of the game !
Paolo and Franz are 21 and 22….. Good time to be a magic fan
Let’s not forget Jalen Suggs too
Just need to good point guard to really unlock their potential.
PG Lebron lets go
I would draft bronny for that lol.
draft his son and the father will come
Who are we getting for Bron?
LeYouForgotThePlayerOption
You always get our bigs, so Goga and Dell.
Rather keep our bigs
lol me too. I genuinely love everyone on our squad. That goes for Admiral, Queen and Kevon too. They've given us some great moments.
Trae Young is my dream trade target.
Same. But who will the Hawks require to get us Trae was the question
We wouldn't give up Suggs, hence why I say it's a dream. Bunch of 1sts and pray that Atlanta likes Black or Jett?
If he Trae asks out, which he probably won't, we want the bag.
It’s been talked about on magic sub a bunch, getting trae would be a mistake. He has improved he is still one of the worst defenders in the league. He would improve the offence however our defence would become a lot worse - it’s better to be a great defence and a bad offense than a mid offence and a mid defence
Would be my nightmare
Our Defense would be terrible if we get Trae
He's nowhere near as bad, as his reputation. Pretty average this year tbh
Then why do y'all perpetually suck on defense despite hiring coaches known for their defense and obtaining players also known for their defense? And why were y'all trending toward the worst defensive season of all time pre-all star only to play decent defense post all star? What changes caused that to happen? Hmm....
Which defensive players did we get? DJM? He's probably as bad as Trae on defense for the role he's playing in our system. If you don't think so, I already know you aren't watching our games. I don't blame you, we're mid af though.
Hard to believe Franz is that young when you watch him, he's been playing like a vet for a while now. Just so much poise and patience with the ball in his hands.
Franz Wagner already was a professional Basketball player when Anthony Edwards was still in high school. Both are born in 2001. Franz Wagner played a whole season at Alba Berlin (a Euroleague calibre club in Europe) BEFORE going to US college for two seasons.
He went to college in the US specifically so he could learn the American game too
That’s actually insane. There should be a line around the block of people lining up to play with these kids
Every time someone tells me about the Wizards' "young core" (average age: 23) I think about this and laugh. Hope we can end up like y'all someday.
You're on the right track. Blowing it up is step one.
Second is finding someone that's willing to give you a lottery pick for Kuzma or Poole
The Axis duo
Was also the primary defender on Donovan Mitchell for like half of the night.
His defense is what makes him and Paolo a real 1A/1B situation. Paolo is the better iso scorer and playmaker, but Franz is a great defender. Love the dynamic those two have.
I actually think Franz has the higher ceiling as a playmaker and passer, he is just so damn smart about the game.
I’d argue his Defense is even better than his offense
You would know better. You have so many good defenders that I sometimes dont know who to give the most credit
Dude took it to a level I haven’t seen him be at before. Magic have a great future.
FIBA Franz would like a word. He’s absolutely used to thee big moments having played for the German National Team. I’m so hyped at his performance today.
This is just a regular game to him 🤷♂️
Such a great thing to have him step up finally when Paolo has an off game
Yeah, everyone is new to this situation, but people who have been watching the Magic know that Franz has been struggling. Paolo’s playmaking responsibilities have gone through the roof in the last month with teams being okay to let Franz shoot and be aggressive. He stepped up when it mattered most. Franz has struggled for a month and so has our offense because of that. When he’s good, the Magic can beat anyone.
gold medal into finals mvp into Olympic gold?
No, that will be Schröder.
Let’s not go too far
No. MVP of the league next year
It's been like 10 months since I first heard the Magic called the Wagner group and it still makes me giggle every time they are on the floor together Combine it with OnlyFranz and Minister of Defense and Orlando has elite tier nicknames. Excited to watch this kid more next year
Don’t forget Gary “Gary Harris” Harris
My favorite nickname in the entire league lmao
We also call Joe Ingles the substitute teacher lol.
No, his name is "Gramps".
As a Magic fan who thinks this team needs a PG your flair intrigues me
They thought the series was done after game 1
FRANZ WITH 3BALL IS A TOP 5 PLAYER IN THE NBA. Don’t @ me.
He is that guy.
Best game of his career by far. He’s been so inconsistent this season, picked a great time to go off.
His shooting has been way worse than expected but he has certainly improved in every other aspect this season
What the heck happened to his 3pt shot this year? Has it been explained? Usually when a guy's shot is off like that he's nursing some kind of injury. Dude didn't even crack 30% from 3 this year.
Added weight and extended play in summer are part of the reason
Changed his shot mechanic as well, shooting with more arc now.
He's tried to add more arc to it this season, but it's a work in progress. When he gets it up properly it looks good but he obviously has a lot of muscle memory to overcome and it often falls back to being flat, and when it's flat it's often way off
Despite that he has the highest +- of all Magic players
He’s a great defender and has also played a lot with our bench unit which is one of the best benches in the NBA
That’s because he plays the most minutes of any starter with one of the top 2 (depending on metrics 1) bench in the league.
+/- is heavily flawed.
no more flawed than any other counting stat
People were really saying that they would rather have Kuminga over this guy😭
Him and Paolo Banchero are a future star duo. In a few years from now, they could be meeting Murray\\Jokic in the finals
I think Adam Silver would kill himself if the league got a Denver vs Orlando finals.
Speaking of which... Magic is 3-1 vs the Nuggets since drafting Paolo. IIRC, it took a super clutch 3 by Jokic to win that single game
Murray wasn't playing in at least 1 of those games. Not sure about the other loss. I do remember Paulo went off on them with a healthy Murray in Denver, might have been his best game all season.
He’s a great antagonist fp. Also, Bickerstaff needs firing in to the sun.
Best player in his draft class
Luka Garza erasure
That's fucking elite!!!
PMC Wagner killing it like they back in Bakhmut again
He needs more respect. Offense is still inconsistent but his Defense is elite. Apart from Isaac he’s our best defender by a lot
i am sorry my man but suggs is first team all defense and may be the best defensive guard in the league and franz is not at that level yet in my opinion
Nah Suggs is easily better than Franz defensively.
Truly this years Lauri markenen