Philip Rossman-Reich here, the host of the daily Locked On Magic podcast, with your daily Locked On Magic newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Magic and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Wendell Carter’s imminent return sparks debate at center
Nov 3, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (34) warms up before the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Orlando Magic at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron/Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
About an hour before tip-off before Saturday’s game against the Detroit Pistons, Wendell Carter took the court for his regular shooting slot.
He went through a series of drills that he normally would do before a game. He did a series of ball-handling drills. Then he took the court to get some shots up – some from the corner for three then moving up to the wing. Then he went to the post and started going through various post moves with an assistant coach providing some resistance.
In the process of players returning from injury, returning to the pregame shooting slot and getting this part of the routine down is one of the last signs that a return is near. Just as the upgrade from OUT or DOUBTFUL to QUESTIONABLE on the injury report is a sign that a player is returning.
And Wendell Carter is nearing a return.
For the third straight game, Carter is listed as QUESTIONABLE for Monday’s game against the Charlotte Hornets as he recovers from plantar fasciitis. Coach Jamahl Mosley said before Saturday’s game that he went through a “strenuous” on-court workout Saturday.
Carter’s return will surely spark a question: Who is the right starting center for the Orlando Magic?
Fans are already debating it as Goga Bitadze has been more than serviceable starting at center. Like he did last year, the Magic have thrived with him starting at center.
Statistically, there has been little to separate the two.
Bitadze is averaging 9.6 points per game and 8.0 rebounds per game since entering the starting lineup. Carter is averaging 8.8 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. Bitadze has the edge on blocks with 1.7 per game since entering the starting lineup compared to 0.4 per game for Carter. But Carter is a better defender at the rim – allowing only 50.0 percent shooting at the rim compared to Bitadze’s 58.5 percent since entering the starting lineup.
The difference between the two is a matter of style.
Bitadze gets the highlight-reel, above-the-rim blocks and dunks while Carter is better positionally and on the glass because he gets to his spots early. Carter is a more versatile player on both ends with his ability to guard the perimeter and hit threes (at least theoretically a 2-for-16 start mirrors the team’s overall struggles).
They both have positive impacts on offense and defense.
No one will envy Mosley this decision of who to start and who to trust. Both have earned and deserved playing time. And the Magic likely will start Carter when he returns (or gets up to full speed) because he is plenty effective.
But the Magic should still have Bitadze on call. They will still need him for the rest of the season. And he has earned minutes and a rotation spot even if the Magic cannot give it to him.
The real question this debate for this season asks is what kind of starting center the Magic need for their long-term future. There is value in the above-the-rim, rim-protection type that Bitadze provides.
Although Carter signed a new extension, he is still seemingly auditioning to keep his job as this team gets closer to title contention.
Orlando may answer the debate in the short term with who they choose to start as Carter returns. But the debate will rage on.
It was the three second violation heard round the world. Kidding, but it was strange enough that you looked to confirmation of what you were seeing to those around you, and/or rewatched the replay of it several times.
Posted up under the Raptors basket, Rudy Gobert had Scottie Barnes on his back in a mismatch and was calling to Julius Randle for the ball. Beyond the arc. Randle dribbled the ball, unhurried, as the shot clock ticked down. He’s eyeing the lane, would clearly prefer to drive, and even plants a foot to take off from when the whistle finally comes for Gobert, strolling out of the key nonchalantly, with all the urgency you’d approach a dental appointment.
Still frustrated, Gobert then needlessly hip-checked Barnes at the other end, sending him to the line and sending the Raptors up in the match and in momentum. Toronto won 110-105.
You can take your pick for what’s more worrisome, because the perspective shifts depending on the root of a few problems the Wolves face.
That Gobert opted to showboat his frustration is definitely the most obvious, in terms of visibility. It isn’t the first time he’s let his petulant side out on the floor. That Randle saw Gobert — impossible not to with his long arm up and waving — and chose to ignore him, dribbling the ball into oblivion instead, is another concern. The biggest question around the Randle and Karl-Anthony Towns trade was fit — for playing style and chemistry. A slight detail that nearly gets lost in the sequence is that Jaden McDaniels hustled for a really long rebound, swung it to Randle, and the urgency of that move was immediately sapped by what transpired.
Taken individually, these would be wrinkles for a working team to smooth by the next match. And yes, both Randle and Gobert addressed the sequence, with Randle prompting media to “name a perfect family” and Gobert saying “people think great teams are the teams where the sky is always blue”. Normally, I’d enjoy an athlete beginning with a euphemism, in this case, it feels like aversion.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Legacy Nikola Jokic continues to redefine basketball creativity with his full-court swat attempt against the Lakers, nearly achieving an incredible buzzer-beater despite the constraints of the Trent Tucker rule. (CBS Sports)
Biz NBA Hall of Famer Grant Hill discusses his investment in women’s sports and managing Team USA, highlighting his active retirement and commitment to sports development. (The Ringer NBA Show)
Rumor Western Conference coaches and executives are reportedly frustrated with the East’s playoff picture, suggesting a shift to a 1-16 seeding format to enhance fairness and competition. (Bleacher Report)
Preview The red-hot Orlando Magic are back on the road and favored against the Charlotte Hornets. The point spread favors the Magic, reflecting their strong recent performances. (Sports Illustrated)
Injury Jalen Suggs is not listed on the Orlando Magic’s injury report ahead of their game against the Charlotte Hornets, indicating his return to the court. Suggs is ready to play. (Sports Illustrated)
Preview The Orlando Magic will face off against the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center at 7:00 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Ja Morant Is Set To Return And Impact Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Nov 17, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) takes videos with his phone after the game against the Denver Nuggets at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas/Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
As we wrap up another thrilling week in the NBA, it’s time to reflect on the standout performances and crucial player updates that could impact your fantasy basketball strategy. With six games on the slate this past Sunday, there was no shortage of action and intrigue.
Player Updates and Injury News
One of the most significant updates this week involves Ja Morant, who has been upgraded to questionable. The Memphis Grizzlies have a consistent pattern of moving players from doubtful to questionable before they return to play, so Morant’s return seems imminent. Marcus Smart is also off the injury report, ready to make his comeback. However, the Grizzlies are still without Vince Williams Jr., who is sidelined for weeks, and Zach Edey.
In New Orleans, the return of key players is on the horizon. While Herb Jones remains out, Jordan Hawkins is back, and CJ McCollum is expected to play soon. Dejounte Murray has been upgraded to doubtful, indicating he might return later this week. These returns will undoubtedly shake up the rotations and fantasy implications for players like BJ Boston and ElfridPayton.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have been idle since Wednesday, and Alex Caruso, who aggravated a hip injury, is out again. This extended absence is concerning for fantasy managers holding Caruso. Meanwhile, Ousmane Dieng’s fractured finger will keep him out for three to four weeks, opening up reserve minutes for Dillon Jones until Jaylin Williams returns.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Magic podcasts.
What Orlando Magic’s win over the Detroit Pistons said about their maturity The Orlando Magic’s win over the Detroit Pistons was notable for how unnotable it was. The Magic were never really threatened and never lost confidence or belief they would win.
Franz Wagner’s unforgettable star-making night Franz Wagner dazzled, hitting the game-winning shot as the Orlando Magic defeated the Los Angeles Lakers to close their road trip. Wagner shined the brightest with the heroic moment at the end.
Orlando Magic’s missed chances: More than just shooting The Orlando Magic’s winning streak came to an end against the LA Clippers, falling 104-93. Despite a tough shooting night, going 8 for 35 from beyond the arc, the Magic’s struggles were not limited just to missed shots.
