The losing streak ends at four games as the Magic desperately win a game in Charlotte. There were some positive signs from that performance, but most of the early part of this season has been full of undisciplined and downright listless stretches that have cost us games. We went 2-4 in October when it should’ve been 5-1. And Charlotte is not a good team. We gave away the Hawks game because we couldn’t defend in crunch time. That was Game #2 of the season. There’s an extra microscopic view on Jamahl Mosley, who is still in the 2003 Doc Rivers danger zone. Tonight brings a temporary relief. Jeff Weltman is not firing himself for our roster flaws, so it’s Jamahl on the hot seat. Doc got fired eleven games into the 2003-2004 season when we were 1-10. That was also a jersey rebrand season. This is season #5 of Jamahl and he still doesn’t know how to call momentum timeouts consistently. Jamahl still refuses to get thrown out of games when refs are royally screwing his roster over. Pace and offense are not the problems right now, our defense is horrendous. Giving up 107 in Charlotte is a step in the correct direction. Way too much bad body language at times. Mosley is 6 games from surpassing Doc Rivers for the 3rd-most Magic games coached in franchise history. It’s still not a given Jamahl is going make it to that milestone.

Orlando picked up the team contract options for Anthony Black and Tristan da Silva, but declined Jett Howard’s. Jett will now be a free agent in the summer. The Magic will see 10 of their games broadcast over the air locally in Orlando and Tampa. That’s very exciting as far as potentially breaking away from regional sports networks goes.

All of that and more!

#LetsGoMagic 

Warning: Adult Language


193. Undisciplined and Listless Stretches; Magic 2-4

This is a dispatch from Washington D.C. as your Orlando Magic take care of business inside Capital One Arena and beat the Wizards 125-94. We needed a blowout victory to build back up our confidence on this road trip. The Magic are now 3-4 after this fourth game of their 5-game road trip. I was in the building, section 100. And want to discuss it. 
All of that and more!

#LetsGoMagic 

Warning: Adult Language


194. Dispatch from D.C.: Magic Storm Capital One Arena

Orlando loses another home game and falls to Boston 111-107 on Sunday. We’re now 4-6 ten games into the season. We should have 2 losses, instead we’re at six. We’re 11th in the East standings. We’ve got problems. We have a broken home game experience at Kia Center. There is no home court advantage without Paul Porter. Our crowd put up very little fight…again. Because with have a PA Announcer that does not engage the fans. The Magic also are 1-0 in NBA Cup play after Penny and I sat in 110A on Friday night and watched our team beat the Celtics 123-110. Only Detroit is undefeated with us in East Group B. Point differential matters, we’re +13, Pistons are +18 after they beat Brooklyn. Friday night was the start of 7 of 9 games at home. And you give back Friday’s win by handing Boston this Sunday game. There are long ugly stretches in our offensive and defensive game. Yes, you can see our guys navigating and trying to figure it out. We had an effort problem tonight in the fourth. We weren’t even playing the Celtics these two games, we’re playing chess with ourselves. Can we master our style of play or will Jamahl Mosley become a casualty first?

All of that and more!

#LetsGoMagic 

Warning: Adult Language


195. Broken Home Game Experience; Magic 4-6

The Orlando Magic are 7-7 after a heartbreaking loss in Houston without Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs. We ran out of gas and couldn’t hit enough free throws and 3s down the stretch of regulation and overtime. We’re 2-0 in Cup play at least. Worrying about groin injuries has replaced worrying about oblique tears. Even though we’re overall playing better, we badly need a truly healthy Paolo back.   

All of that and more!

#LetsGoMagic 

Warning: Adult Language


196. Houston Heartbreak; Paolo-less Problems; Magic 7-7

The Magic are 10-8 as we had a great Orlando homestand. And then we ran into a tough second night of a back-to-back in Boston where Jalen Suggs again sits out. You still don’t have Paolo or Moritz. You lose the services of both your centers Wendell and Goga right before tip. You have little paint resistance that the Celtics take advantage of all Sunday night. You’re down big much of the game, only for Jamahl Mosley to not bring back Franz Wagner, Desmond Bane, Tristan da Silva, or Anthony Black when you could’ve completed the comeback midway through the fourth quarter. While you’re encouraged by the performances of Jett, Jase, and Noah, we should’ve won this game in Boston. But our coaching staff punted it. Overall, we’re in a decent spot than where we were a few weeks ago, but you don’t concede winnable games. 

All of that and more!

#LetsGoMagic 

Warning: Adult Language


197. Mosley Concedes Boston Game; Magic 10-8

The Magic claimed two huge Thanksgiving week NBA Cup road wins. Two signature performances from Anthony Black and Desmond Bane. Orlando is 12-8 on the season, we won East Group B with a 4-0 record. The path to Las Vegas goes through Kia Center as we’ll be hosting Miami for a December 9th quarterfinal. Until then, just keep finding ways to win while Paolo Banchero is still out. 

All of that and more!

#LetsGoMagic 

Warning: Adult Language


198. History in Philly; Demon Des Mode; Magic 12-8

After missing ten games with his strained groin injury, Paolo Banchero returned at an ideal time: When Orlando was starting to waiver in its play. P5 is back, he helped us beat the Heat for the second time this season. Orlando is now 14-9 and 4th place in the East with two more big conference games coming up at the Knicks inside Madison Square Garden and then back home for an NBA Cup quarterfinal against Miami.

All of that and more!

#LetsGoMagic 

Warning: Adult Language


199. Beating the Heat; Paolo Returns; Magic 14-9

The 14-10 Magic received fantastic news about Franz Wagner’s leg injury. He only has a high left ankle sprain. Predicted timetable is Franz will be out 2-to-4 weeks, but that’s way better than had he suffered serious knee damage. Orlando’s focus quickly shifts to a Tuesday 6 pm NBA Cup quarterfinal matchup with Miami at Kia Center on Prime Video. Winner gets to Las Vegas for Saturday’s semifinals. Can Paolo Banchero get back into elite form and lead the way to victory?

All of that and more!

#LetsGoMagic 

Warning: Adult Language


200. Fantastic Franz Injury News; Cup Prep; Magic 14-10

It looked grim early Tuesday night when you go down 15-0 to open the game, but the Magic recovered and beat the Miami Heat again to advance to the NBA Cup semifinals on Saturday. Desmond Bane loves 37-point performances. Orlando is off to Las Vegas for another meeting with the Knicks, two teams who have never here before.

All of that and more!

#LetsGoMagic 

Warning: Adult Language


201. Off to Vegas; Beating the Heat Again; Magic 15-10

Botchamania - Full intro.mp3

The Penny & Pops Podcast is hosted by Adam Papageorgiou (Pops) and Spenser Strode (Penny). All matters Orlando Magic basketball are discussed. The opinions expressed are local and strong. This is the longest running podcast (since 2009) dedicated to talking Orlando Magic basketball.

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194. Dispatch from D.C.: Magic Storm Capital One Arena

Penny & Pops Podcast - Orlando Magic Basketball

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