Penny & Pops Podcast - Magicbasketballonline.com

The NBA is so far successfully acclimating itself to village life at Disney World as COVID-19 issues rage outside its bubble across the state of Florida. That means Orlando Magic basketball is back with three scrimmages and those 8 regular season restart seeding games coming our way. The chase for the 7th seed in the East is on. What would you bring with you if you had to be in the bubble for 4 months? Could Jonathan Isaac actually play? Stan Van Gundy by himself is trying to salvage 2020 with his Twitter presence. #LetsGoMagic #MagicAboveAll Warning: Adult Language Song: WIN – Jay Rock

The NBA appears to be settling on concluding the 2019-2020 campaign at Walt Disney World’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in a single-venue campus/village/bubble environment with games being played beginning in July and August without fans in attendance. The Coronavirus is likely going to be an issue now and for the 2020-2021 campaign. With that in mind, we discuss our preferences - based off of Pops’ outlined plan - for how the NBA should return to play during the times of COVID-19 while also factoring in future changes (some very radical). It’s a tricky balancing act for all professional sports globally of maintaining safety while earning and retaining as much revenue as possible. The rumored options/ideas that have been shared by the league and media are also discussed when it comes to the regular season, playoffs, and how many of the 30 NBA teams should participate. Does a soccer style group stage round robin make more sense for the playoffs than a play-in tournament? Pops’ COVID-19 NBA Plan for ’19-

‘Magical Movies’ features a Hedo Turkoglu (24 points) bank shot winner that topped off a 9-0 run in the final two minutes of a 109-108 win for the Orlando Magic on the road in Rose Garden Arena over the Portland Trail Blazers on December 9, 2008. It’s a contest that Brandon Roy (30 points) and LaMarcus Aldridge (25 points) should have won for the home side. Rashard Lewis (27 points), Jameer Nelson (21 points), and of course the Turkish Michael Jordan all hit key shots in a fantastic contest. Full Game (Portland’s Comcast SportsNet broadcast): https://youtu.be/hGjoCVGyTgs (Please, NBA, don’t take these down. We don’t own them, let your fans watch some great basketball) The box score: https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200812090POR.html The game audio highlights (1:21) and game summary (3:28) are followed by the handing out of awards. The categories: • The Jack ‘Sweater Vest Guy’ Nelson Fashion award (15:23) • Most Magical Momentum Move (18:26) • The Brian Hill Clipboard Smashing Play of t

“Don’t cool ‘em off, T-MAC! Don’t blow on those fingers! I don’t want you to cool off!” ‘Magical Movies’ is back with a Tracy McGrady offensive clinic. A 110-96 win for the Orlando Magic at home inside the TD Waterhouse Centre over the Chicago Bulls on February 21, 2003. The game is played immediately after GM John Gabriel deals away Tracy’s best friend Mike Miller to the Memphis Grizzlies for Drew Gooden and Gordan Giricek at the trade deadline. Mac Daddy is mad and scored 52 points on 15-of-32 FGs, 6-of-13 3PTs, and 16-of-20 FTs in just 32:48 of on-court action, sitting out the entire 4th period. Drew Gooden (22 points and 11 rebounds) and Gordan Giricek (15 points) have great Magic debuts. Full Game (Magic Sunshine Network broadcast, best option): https://youtu.be/ehjw5DyHAao Full Game (Magic broadcast, secondary option, longer but audio not as good): https://youtu.be/khIC7TDTRpU (Please, NBA, don’t take these down. We don’t own them, let your fans watch some great basketball) The box score: https://ww

‘Magical Movies’ is back with an emotional 96-94 win for the Orlando Magic at home inside the O-rena over the Los Angeles Lakers on February 22, 1998. Nick Anderson drops a game-high 30 points, the game-winning 3-pointer, shows off his Merton Hanks duck walk, and gets a small dose of revenge against Shaquille O’Neal. Derek Harper, Bo Outlaw, Danny Schayes, Horace Grant, and Derek Strong bring the support. This is Shaq’s first game in Orlando as a Laker after departing the franchise in 1996. Shaq has a quiet 20 points and 10 rebounds. Young Kobe Bryant provides 18 points off their bench. NBA on NBC intro (1:21): https://youtu.be/N_54B6L373M Entire Game minus the first 5 minutes (NBA on NBC broadcast): https://youtu.be/4GyQ8N3gzHk (Please, NBA, don’t take these down. We don’t own them, let your fans watch some great basketball) The box score: https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199802220ORL.html The game audio highlights (4:19) and game summary (5:32) are followed by the handing out of award

‘Magical Movies’ returns with an unbelievable 106-104 comeback win for the Orlando Magic at home inside Amway Arena over the soon-to-be champion San Antonio Spurs on February 9, 2007. It’s a Magic team finding its way with Brian Hill coaching, a 21-year-old Dwight Howard saving the game with a huge block and then winning it on a sky-high inbound alley-oop slam, Jameer Nelson going berserk on his 25th birthday with a massive 31-point game, and rookie J.J. Redick has the game of his career at that moment. Entire game on YouTube (Spurs broadcast): https://youtu.be/ZdivvM5MqHc Highlights of the comeback (Magic broadcast): https://youtu.be/-2EzZTpW1Pk Game-winner (High Quality - Magic broadcast): https://youtu.be/l1tkPzRgNRc (Please, NBA, don’t take these down. We don’t own them, let your fans watch some great basketball) The box score: https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200702090ORL.html The game audio highlights (0:52) and game summary (4:22) are followed by the handing out of awards. The

The debut of ‘Magical Movies’. We find a clip of an old game in its entirety, watch it, but instead of breaking down the game, we have categories and hand out awards. It’s a fun way to look at how the Magic used to be and enjoy the nostalgia. It all begins with a thrilling 106-98 win for the Orlando Magic at home in O-rena over the defending champion and 3-peat seeking Chicago Bulls on December 10, 1997. It’s an injured Magic team without Penny Hardaway and Nick Anderson handing Michael Jordan and Phil Jackson an ‘L’. Entire game on YouTube: https://youtu.be/J7fvO39MJrE (Please, NBA, don’t take this down. We don’t own it, let your fans watch some great basketball) The box score: https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199712100ORL.html • The Jack ‘Sweater Vest Guy’ Nelson Fashion award (14:52) • Most Magical Momentum Move (16:32) • The Brian Hill Clipboard Smashing Play of the Game (19:44) • The Richie Adubato Best Broadcast Moment (22:56) • The Brian Cook Heat Check award (27:54) • The Olumid

The 24-31 Orlando Magic are hopefully refreshed coming off the All-Star Break. The 8th seed in the East is 2-0 with James Ennis on the floor, much needed since it came after losing 7 of eight contests. Aaron Gordon getting robbed of another All-Star dunk contest title is of course a topic. Can the Magic take their outrage and motivate themselves to a strong push into the playoffs? The Ringer rolled out two podcasts about Dwight Howard as well as Game 4 of the 2009 Finals, and we have notes. The Magic have the land now to build a new training/health center within downtown Orlando. There’s also discussion on airline seat reclining etiquette. During recording, a D.J. Augustin news update breaks that has him returning to the court very soon. If you’re going to the game against the Dallas Mavericks, please give Darrell Armstrong an immense standing ovation for his Magic Hall of Fame induction. D.A. had the ‘Flash’ nickname before Dwyane Wade. #MagicAboveAll #LetsGoMagic Warning: Adult Language Song: WIN – Jay

Part 2 of Pops’ Los Angeles trip continues with a Paramount film studio tour, breweries, and the Grand Central Market. It’s tough to avoid greediness. After Orlando took down the Lakers at Staples Center, the 2nd night of the back-to-back ended in defeat at the hands of Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers. The Magic are currently 20-22, still the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference, and 2-2 on this six-game road trip. Steve Clifford’s squad is already down a true backup power forward (Gary Clark on a 10-day contract doesn’t count), and the roster could be in desperate need of a backup point guard as D.J. Augustin will be sidelined at least three weeks with Michael Carter-Williams still not having returned. #MagicAboveAll #LetsGoMagic Warning: Adult Language

Reporting from Los Angeles, Pops details a busy first vacation day capped off by a Markelle Fultz triple-double performance. Orlando disposes of the Lakers on their own Staples Center court. The Magic did it short-handed yet again. Steve Clifford’s squad is now 2-1 on this West road trip and this Magic squad have a win-loss record of 20-21 midway through the NBA regular season. Rolling out guys like B.J. Johnson and Gary Clark, it was really impressive to see the Lakers’ 9-game win streak snapped. #MagicAboveAll #LetsGoMagic Warning: Adult Language Song: WIN – Jay Rock

Following a beautiful blowout of the Washington Wizards, the Orlando Magic are currently 18-20 and the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference. Despite losing Jonathan Isaac until at least March to start 2020, Al-Farouq Aminu for the rest of the regular season, and still missing Michael Carter-Williams due to a shoulder injury, Orlando is 4-1 to start the month of January. #MagicAboveAll #LetsGoMagic Warning: Adult Language Song: WIN – Jay Rock

Orlando is 12-17 so far this 2019-2020 regular season. Enough for the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference, but not meeting expectations of a squad that should be on the rise. The Magic have been roughed up by injuries and inconsistent play. We give out Christmas presents to Magic players that can improve their performance. 3:40 – The Magic’s orange ‘City’ jerseys grow on you like leeches. 7:29 – Darrell Armstrong deservedly will be the 9th person inducted into the Magic Hall of Fame. 10:46 – What is the most glaring weakness on this Magic team currently? 13:24 - Is it time to trade Aaron Gordon? 22:16 - Evan Fournier is the Magic’s leading scorer. The Magic will have to make a decision soon long term with him as he’s playing for a new contract. 29:01 - Did Terrence Ross switching from jersey #31 to #8 inevitably doom him? 37:01 - Jonathan Isaac is a defensive force and may be ready for more offensive touches. Is Aaron Gordon harming him? 41:54 - Markelle Fultz is the truth. Imagine what he’ll be o

0:40 – Going over the Magic’s 3-3 preseason as well as notable Orlando news that has occurred since the start of training camp. 6:07 – Chuma Okeke is officially receiving a ‘red shirt’ as the Magic are putting their 16th NBA Draft pick to the side for the campaign. 10:01 – Focusing in on the Magic’s 13th main players, the player questions and observations begin with Nikola Vucevic and the center position. Will Vooch be an All-Star again in 2020? 16:59 - Switching focus to the forwards: Will Aaron Gordon make the All-Star leap? 22:01 - Did Al-Farouq Aminu’s preseason play most mimic what we’ll likely see from him in the regular season? 25:14 - Will Jonathan Isaac finally be officially listed as a 7-footer? 27:19 - Should Wes Iwundu ask for a trade? Why is Michael Carter-Williams getting his minutes? Should either of them expand Steve Clifford’s rotation from nine to 10 men? 32:21 - Will Evan Fournier shave his head entirely? 35:24 - Does Terrence Ross receive 6th Man of the Year hype early? 39:46

1:04 – Hurricane Dorian is coming, and people are freaking out. 3:00 – The 2019-20 NBA season schedule dropped, initial Magic win-loss record predictions are made. Comparing Orlando to other East competitors. 13:32 – Dwight Howard is a Los Angeles Laker now. 17:59 – The Orlando Magic officially unveiled 3 new basketball courts for the season, and there’s a leaked fourth ‘orange’ court. No new jerseys in yet. 25:08 – Picking out the five best ’19-’20 Magic fan road/fly trip options. 38:27 – Breaking down the FIBA World Cup. Nikola Vucevic (Montenegro), Evan Fournier (France), Khem Birch (Canada), Al-Farouq Aminu (Nigeria) are all participating. Explaining the format, and picking a competition winner. 1:07:27 – Going through the Top 5 basketball movies all-time, excluding documentaries. There’s a phenomenal Coach Carter story. Of course ‘Blue Chips’ with Shaquille O’Neal and Penny Hardaway get brought in. Warning: Adult Language Song: Feels Like Summer – Childish Gambino

1:50 – The ‘Juice It or Lose It’ game gets introduced as the past three months of the Orlando Magic get reviewed. 3:05 – One last chat on the Orlando-Toronto playoff series. Yes, it’s still painful. 12:27 – Paying our respects to Magic patriarch Pat Williams who retires from the franchise. 15:00 – Steve Clifford’s coaching predecessor Frank Vogel is now the Lakers coach. Comparing Vogel with Clifford as well as Scott Skiles and how the national media conveniently bury Vogel’s Orlando tenure. 18:54 – Chuma Okeke gets drafted 16th overall and dump their 46th pick to the Lakers. 24:52 – Orlando’s roster improves just from addition by subtraction. 29:34 – The decision to re-sign Nikola Vucevic and Terrence Ross, as well as basically the rest of the ’18-’19 gang. Why Vooch and Human Torch are immensely important for this franchise. 42:01 – ‘Juice It or Lose It’: Orlando’s weakest position is point guard? Why Evan Fournier makes this intriguing. 50:00 – Vegas Summer League and Mo Bamba being held out

1:05 – Diving into the Game 3 home loss on Friday. Rain didn’t prove to be a good omen. Amway Center fans did their part. Pascal Siakam was a monster. Jonathan Isaac should have played a lot more minutes. As great as it was to finally see Nikola Vucevic getting it going, it was more frustrating watching Evan Fournier play badly. Plenty of questionable officiating calls. 26:59 – Game 4 went even worse for Orlando on Sunday. Kawhi Leonard once again showed why he’s the best player in this series. Serge Ibaka finally had a consistently strong revenge game. Aaron Gordon’s 16-point third period was heroic, but still not nearly enough to make the final quarter competitive. 39:08 – Orlando really would have been better off going up against the Philadelphia 76ers, Milwaukee Bucks, or Boston Celtics, rather than a Toronto squad that looks to be playing like the best team in the Eastern Conference. The Magic are now 2-5 all-time in Amway Center home playoff games. This series is a way to evaluate the Orlando roster

1:47 – Game 2 did not go the way the Magic or its fans would have hoped. Orlando lost 111-82 in convincing fashion. Kawhi Leonard went off. Toronto’s defense was as impressive about as much as the Magic’s defense was not nearly as intense like in Game 1. Coach Steve Clifford could not have been thrilled with the lack of Orlando ball movement. It didn’t help that the Magic were horrendous at the free throw line. 17:30 – Penny uses his immense intelligence to dive into the Magic’s situation from a coaching point of view and future counters that can be made. 24:00 – Switching focus entirely to Game 3 and Game 4, which is setting up a phenomenal sports weekend for the City Beautiful. First Magic home playoff game since Game 4 against the Pacers in 2012. It’s a 1-1 series, the Magic don’t have to win another game in Toronto if they take care of that parquet floor Amway Center advantage. Orlando won 9 consecutive home games to conclude the regular season, the last defeat coming February 22nd. 28:26 – Pops goes

1:42 – Game 1 gets broken down as the Magic defied the doubters and the Vegas odds and took down the Raptors 104-101 in Toronto. The Raptors are now 2-14 all-time in Game 1s of playoff series. 16:04 – Kyle Lowry gets away with assault by punching Michael Carter-Williams in the nose. MCW’s valid bloody reaction as he sprinted towards the officials. The Magic coaching staff being nimble on their feet preventing MCW from getting tagged with a technical foul. 20:40 – Super clutch D.J. Augustin with the performance of his basketball life. His game-winner is likely a top-5 shot in Orlando Magic playoff history. 32:07 – Switching focus to Game 2 and what adjustments Raptors Head Coach Nick Nurse may go with. 36:42 – ‘Magical Moments’ focuses in on Game 2 of the 2008 first round playoff series where the Magic took down Toronto 104-103 at the Amway Arena to go up 2-0. Dwight Howard with yet another 20-20 line. Hedo Turkoglu clutch late once more. Hopefully the Magic can find a way to go up 2-0 in the 2019 ser

It’s a playoff preview podcast episode because your Orlando Magic finished the 2018-2019 regular season with a 42-40 record, and are the 7th seed entering the NBA playoffs for the first time since 2012. Their first round opponents? The 2nd seed Raptors. Orlando is 4-1 all-time in the playoffs against Toronto from that 2008 first round series. Enjoy the old school song intro. 1:23 – The Magic slaughtered the Atlanta Hawks on ‘Fan Appreciation Night’. The 149 points are the 3rd-most points ever scored in Orlando’s franchise history. 4:10 – Orlando punched their playoff ticket and claimed the Southeast division crown with their win in Boston. 9:37 – Without Nikola Vucevic and Jonathan Isaac, Orlando won in Charlotte as the Hornets were still alive in the postseason hunt entering that Wednesday evening before Terrence Ross went off with ESPN eyes watching. 14:50 – Steve Clifford won Coach of the Month in the Eastern Conference for March and April. Orlando was 13-6 during that stretch, which doesn’t look

The 39-40 Orlando Magic find themselves with ownership of the 8th spot again, but also tied for 7th with the Brooklyn Nets, and just half a game back of the 6th seed Detroit Pistons, with the Miami Heat back in 9th trailing Orlando by half a game. 3 games remain for the Magic as the win in Indiana against the Pacers, the loss in Toronto to the surging Raptors, and the win over the horrible New York Knicks get discussed. The Magic arguably need to go 2-1 to punch their postseason ticket as the schedules and playoff hunt get broken down. Michael Carter-Williams was signed for the rest of the season after his second 10-day contract concluded. In order for MCW to be on the playoff roster – should Orlando make it – the Magic waived Isaiah Briscoe rather than Jerian Grant. At least ESPN thought Briscoe earned Defensive Player of the Year votes. Penny gets served up trivia again, having to name all 19 players on the 1999-2000 ‘Heart N Hustle’ squad who participated in at least one regular season contest. Steve