Seeing a lot of the Magic fan base down at the moment. Orlando can’t seem to string a win streak together and we haven’t made up ground in the play-in chase. We’ve lost ground after a disappointing home loss to the Bucks who were without Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday. 

Jonathan Isaac had another lower body surgical procedure and is out for the rest of the season, and Isaac may never wear a Magic jersey again. It’s a possibility. This team is in the play-in hunt. We are. And we’re not dead until it’s mathematically over.  And even if the Magic miss out on the play-in, we’re still going to have respectable odds of our draft pick jumping into the top 4. It’s a win-win situation either way. Watch guys like Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner grow in these added pressure games. Evaluate the roster and Jamahl Mosley’s coaching staff, and we’ll have a better idea of needs come the offseason. Those are things that tanking won’t accomplish. Also, Michael Carter-Williams is back.

#LetsGoMagic 

Warning: Adult Language

91. Another Isaac Surgery; MCW In; 27-39 Magic

1993 Orlando Magic Theme Song

Our Orlando Magic-Boston Celtics series preview! Can Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner outduel Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown? How big of an advantage will Boston’s supporting cast have over Orlando’s? Can the Magic overcome math and the massively historic 3-point advantage the defending champions hold over Orlando? Will it be a sweep?

All of that and more!

#LetsGoMagic 

Warning: Adult Language


161. Magic-Celtics Playoff Series Preview

The Magic lost Game 1 in Boston 103-86. The main worry came to fruition. Boston buried us with 3s and Paolo Banchero (36 points and 11 rebounds) and Franz Wagner (23 points) need other support guys to step up and hit shots. No other Magic player beyond the two stars had more than 7 points. The good news is Orlando is up for a fight, and we have Game 2 to look forward to.

Orlando’s defense was overall good enough. Jayson Tatum (17 points) and Jaylen Brown (16 points) were overall subdued. But Boston has a ton of scoring depth and Derrick White (30 points) and Payton Pritchard (19 points off the bench) picked up the slack. The Magic didn’t get to the free throw line enough, and Boston’s big strength in the second half was fast break points.
All of that and more!

#LetsGoMagic 

Warning: Adult Language


162. Celtics Take Game 1; Magic Stars Need Support

Orlando hands over Game 2 to Boston, 109-100, and trail the series 2-0 coming home. Magic blew this game. You knew the refs were going to screw you with no Jayson Tatum. Too many missed open Orlando shots. Too many missed free throws. Another wasted defensive effort because guys like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope can’t hit an open 3. 

Once again, it was Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner performing…and not a lot of help from the supporting cast. 

All of that and more!

#LetsGoMagic 

Warning: Adult Language


163. Magic Blow it in Boston, 0-2 Back to Orlando

Orlando is on the board. Led once again by their stars Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, the Magic at home scrap their way to a 95-93 Game 3 victory to make it a 1-2 series against Boston. Franz had 32 points, Paolo dropped 29. It’s the second youngest duo in NBA history to have consecutive 25-point playoff performances together. The only younger duo was Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook in OKC. The Magic won this game with essentially two guys scoring. And some fantastic hustle and defense. It sets the stage for a fascinating Game 4.

All of that and more!

#LetsGoMagic 

Warning: Adult Language


164. Franchero Claim Game 3; 1-2 Series

This should be even going back up to Boston, but the Magic missed way too many open shots and left the game in the refs’ hands. Celtics win Game 4 107-98. They closed the game on a 16-7 run. This game was tied 91-91. Paolo was gassed. Franz couldn’t hit an open 3. Other than Cory Joseph, no one else on the Magic really stepped up offensively. And you hand Boston a 3-1 series lead. 

All of that and more!

#LetsGoMagic 

Warning: Adult Language


165. Too Many Open Missed Shots; 1-3 Back Up to Boston

Magic lose in TD Garden, 120-89. Series over. Adam Silver called Tony Brothers at halftime of this Game 5 with the Magic up 2 in Boston. Brothers tags 3 questionable fouls on Paolo Banchero, gets him out with 5 fouls, and the Celtics avalanche was on from there. Orlando loses this series 4-1. We go another year without a series win and no road playoff game victory. Similar offensive story, not a lot of help for Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.

All of that and more!

#LetsGoMagic 

Warning: Adult Language


166. Silver Made the Call; Magic Lose Series 4-1

We’re in offseason mode. Exit interviews happened and guys are resting or already in workout mode. I’m glad Jeff Weltman said we’re in ‘win now’ mode, that we’re going to be aggressive this offseason to improve the roster around Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, but he should’ve had stones thrown at him had he not. I want to look at how this Orlando Magic roster performed against Boston. Watching these second round series, we are a great offseason from being a Finals team. Don’t let anyone talk you out of that vision. But that means trusting a front office that has not earned that trust.

All of that and more!

#LetsGoMagic 

Warning: Adult Language


167. Magic Playoff Postmortem

This is the first of what should be several episodes where I focus on one or a few players from each team as guys who the Magic are, could, and/or should be targeting to acquire this offseason. Let’s make our way to Portland. Anfernee Simons. He has to be the #1 most discussed Magic rumored target at the moment. Hometown Orlando guy. He’s named after my favorite basketball player of all time (Anfernee Hardaway). He was at the Celtics series at Kia Center. Simons would certainly help resolve our offensive problems. 

All of that and more!

#LetsGoMagic 

Warning: Adult Language


168. Anfernee Simons

In an offseason where the Magic don’t have the ability to pay much for free agents, we have to trade our way to improvement. I can’t think of a bigger potentially available target than Giannis Antetokounmpo. NBA champion, multi-time MVP, he’s won Defensive Player of the Year. He’s been the face of the NBA for the past few years, whether American media recognizes that or not. He’s again an MVP finalist this season. He’ll be 31 years old in December. Still his prime. I want Gianni to be a one NBA team player. Gianni wants to stay a Buck. But he also wants to win more NBA championships. Milwaukee can’t offer that now. There’s no Jrue Holiday deal to be made. They’re capped out and out of assets to trade. They have no picks to send out. So if Gianni wants another NBA title in the next few years, he’s going to have to orchestrate a trade somewhere. And I don’t know of a better destination for him than Orlando. 

All of that and more!

#LetsGoMagic 

Warning: Adult Language


169. Giannis Antetokounmpo

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.

We are the two most knowledgeable people when it comes to Orlando Magic history that you can listen to. We aim to present unique viewpoints that you won't find in traditional media outlets. We want to bring a passionate piece of Orlando to your listening devices. 

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91. Another Isaac Surgery; MCW In; 27-39 Magic

Penny & Pops Podcast - Orlando Magic Basketball

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