Orlando Magic team thread.

[Shogon]

Let's see if we can keep this one alive. Had enough bandwagoners at the end of the year, should be possible. Once next season starts I believe it'll go on indefinitely, but until then...

Here's to hoping Darko starts next year...

http://www.nba.com/media/magic/nelson_140_050724.jpghttp://www.nba.com/media/act_deshawn_stevenson.jpghttp://www.nba.com/media/act_hidayet_turkoglu.jpghttp://www.nba.com/media/howard_140_050126.jpghttp://www.nba.com/media/act_darko_milicic.jpg
http://www.nba.com/media/pistons/arroyo_140_050619.jpghttp://www.nba.com/media/act_kenyon_dooling.jpghttp://www.nba.com/media/knicks/ariza_140_041026.jpghttp://www.nba.com/media/magic/garrity_140_041027.jpghttp://www.nba.com/media/magic/battie_140_041026.jpg

Pretty positive we'll be letting go of Outlaw (probable retirement). Kasun is going overseas, as he is done with the NBA. Augmon is retiring I think. Hill might be on the shelf all season, again... and Diener... well Diener will always be inactive unless Arroyo or Nelson go down.

So that leaves 3 roster spots open.

Everyone needs to hope and pray that we re-sign Trevor Ariza though because once that kid develops a jumpshot, he will become a top 30 player in this league, and he'll do it in a damn hurry. Guy is all effort all the time, he's a great slasher, defender & rebounder. Once that jumpshot starts falling, it's smooth sailing for Trevor Ariza and the team he's on. But until then he's just a roleplayer.

[Bourne]

Mine > Yours :p

I tried to find a Trevor Arize, Orlando Magic, 140 x 220 image but I'm on page 7 on Yahoo and giving up.




Players improve in the offseason, but I think the one thing that darko does NOT need right now is a 5-6 month break because he was doing so well.

[WildStyle]

Hopefully we can resign DeShawn for a reasonable price. Since it's almost positive he will opt out of his current contract. Hoping to stay healthy next year. It's about time. Most of all I'm hoping Dwight continues to develop into the great player he will soon become.

But first things first... what to do with that draft pick?

[ClutchCityReturns]

Hopefully we can resign DeShawn for a reasonable price. Since it's almost positive he will opt out of his current contract. Hoping to stay healthy next year. It's about time. Most of all I'm hoping Dwight continues to develop into the great player he will soon become.

But first things first... what to do with that draft pick?

Hasn't the Magic front office been telling top 6 prospects that they'll be moving up? If they can't move up that far, I hear they have interest in Carney. How would you feel about him?

[Shogon]

Hopefully we can resign DeShawn for a reasonable price. Since it's almost positive he will opt out of his current contract. Hoping to stay healthy next year. It's about time. Most of all I'm hoping Dwight continues to develop into the great player he will soon become.

But first things first... what to do with that draft pick?

DeShawn... well, I think he'll opt out if he's truly healthy and I believe that if he's unsure, he'll stay with his current deal. Either way it's not good for the Magic. I mean, it's not terrible either because he's not an integral piece but... it would be nice if we could move him in a s&t along with the rights to Vazquez & the #11 pick to move up in the draft and replace him with someone like Brandon Roy or Rudy Gay.

If we can't move up in the draft I'd be happy with Williams or Redick.

Redick is not going to be a star in the pros but the guy does move without the basketball and he does it constantly. Pretty much nobody in the league does that except Hamilton. The Magic would be the perfect team for him because they have people that can create their own shot, command the double team and find him (the open man) for wide open 3s. The Magic need a shooter. I honestly think it's a perfect fit. The Magic will just make sure they're solid at the other 4 spots defensively and they'll be really scary with Redick.

I think Redick's success or lack thereof will be determined by which team he goes to.

Williams... well I don't know a whole lot about his game cause I never paid attention to him like I did Redick but he's garnering mediocre hype so I wouldn't mind having him be our 4th big, setting that rotation up solidly for years to come.

The Magic really need a 2 guard that can play defense AND hit the 3 though. Only answer for that is to move up in the draft or wait for free agency next year and try to get someone like Josh Howard.

[WildStyle]

If we can move up to get Gay/Roy/Carney without giving up too much, I say we do it. I would only want Redick if we can keep DeShawn as the starting SG. Our perimeter defense would be too weak with 2 relatively undersized players for there position starting in the backcourt (Nelson at about 5'10, Redick at 6'4). I think I would rather we move up and take one of the aforementioned players.

Williams would be ok I guess. He would have to be content with being a bench player for the rest of his career though. If we draft him he wouldn't get alot of playing time for a while behind D/D/Battie. I'd rather wait 'til Fran comes over.

I wouldn't mind involving Grant Hill in some sort of trade. I think his time is pretty much up with this team. With Hedo playing so well and Ariza needing minutes, there is really no place for Hill anymore. Which sounds strange, because when he's healthy he's still an all-star level player. I just don't think he fits with the team anymore.

[totoro]

Darko for president! Should be able to get a nice pick even if they don't move up. THey also have some money to entice someone to play there.

[jaydacris]

i shall support the magic only cuz they got rid of francis and are moving in the right direction

[Spike Spiegel]

I hope the Bucks steal Ariza in FA.

And trade Diener to a team that will use him, goddammit!

[AKADS]

Magic will be a very good team next yr.

I think that if the Magic can sign Ariza they should start him and try to use Hedo as trade bait. And if they do trade up to top 5 or 6 in the draft and they take Roy or Gay they will have a great 7 man rotation. WIth a huge number for FA in '07. Otis seems like he knows what he is doin and he won't go out and bring someone in who will ruin this young team.

Nelson / Arroyo
(Roy/ Gay ) or (Carney / Brewer) / Deshawn
Ariza / Hedu / Hill
Dwight /
Darko / Battie

[The REAL Next KNICK]

Ariza will never be a top 30 player ever. He will never be a top 100 player either. Ariza is just a slasher with hops. i like the magic a lot but as you can see the knicks are my team and i was so happy when we gave up on ariza and then i found out we got francis so i wasn't that happy. Dwight is going to be the best power foward in the league one day. Darko has something to prove. Fran Vasquez hopefully comes and plays, and jameer and arroyo are just my favorite point gaurds. Go Magic, Deshawn Stevenson needs to get a 3-point shot but he's working on a jumpshot. My Starting lineup for orlando.

jameer nelson
Deshawn Stevenson
Ronnie Brewer
Darko
Dwight

[The REAL Next KNICK]

Ariza will never be a top 30 player ever. He will never be a top 100 player either. Ariza is just a slasher with hops. i like the magic a lot but as you can see the knicks are my team and i was so happy when we gave up on ariza and then i found out we got francis so i wasn't that happy. Dwight is going to be the best power foward in the league one day. Darko has something to prove. Fran Vasquez hopefully comes and plays, and jameer and arroyo are just my favorite point gaurds. Go Magic, Deshawn Stevenson needs to get a 3-point shot but he's working on a jumpshot. My Starting lineup for orlando.

jameer nelson
Deshawn Stevenson
Ronnie Brewer
Darko
Dwight

[Shogon]

Ariza will never be a top 30 player ever. He will never be a top 100 player either. Ariza is just a slasher with hops. i like the magic a lot but as you can see the knicks are my team and i was so happy when we gave up on ariza and then i found out we got francis so i wasn't that happy. Dwight is going to be the best power foward in the league one day. Darko has something to prove. Fran Vasquez hopefully comes and plays, and jameer and arroyo are just my favorite point gaurds. Go Magic, Deshawn Stevenson needs to get a 3-point shot but he's working on a jumpshot. My Starting lineup for orlando.

jameer nelson
Deshawn Stevenson
Ronnie Brewer
Darko
Dwight

Just a slasher with hops? Are you a ****ing ass? Don't you know who the **** he is?! He's the Arizanautt, bitch!

No, but seriously. He is a good defender, he is super agressive and super athletic... hence me saying that if he develops a jumpshot that he will be great. THAT'S WHY IT'S CALLED IF. You can't tell the future. Silly Knicks fans...

[The REAL Next KNICK]

call me a silly knicks fan all you want, when ariza was on the knicks i would get so mad that herb or larry put him in the game, i agree with you on one thing, he is a good defender but even if he develops a jumpshot his basketball iQ is ZERO. He gets on the court and he acts like he's lost

[WildStyle]

I agree that he does make his share of silly mistakes on the court. Hopefully that will improve with more experience. He is still very young. He's not going to get it right straight away. I love his rebounding, hustle and defense. He's a good project that I would like to keep around. The next Gerald Wallace?

[A Roc 23]

I've never been a bandwagon fan of any team, but if I was going to start I'd start with the Magic. If they get Gay or Roy then I'm on board.

[sydneyking]

Ariza is the perfect roleplayer. I can't believe that we traded him for Francis.

[Orealius]

Sho, this is the Magic team I put together at HH in our last mock.

CT: Andrew Bogut, Jerome James :eek:
PF: Dwight Howard, Tony Battie
SF: Hedo Turkoglu, Trevor Ariza
SG: Joe Johnson, Jamal Crawford
PG: TJ Ford, Andre Miller

What do you think? Darko is gone and I traded the #11 pick. Deshawn has yet to decide on his player option. Our free agency hasnt started yet but i'm pretty sure I can re-sign Ariza and i'll have the MLE to use. Any suggestions/comments?

[wang4three]

You need to remind me why you think Darko is better than Dwight.

[DeuceWallaces]

**** all you Darko wagoners; all the same haters from before the trade.

Here's to you guys choking and us getting a lottery pick.

[WoGiTaLiA1]

Shogon your avatar offends me...

Darko honestly looks like Bert or Ernie(whichever is the yellow one) in Sesame Street. It scares me and offends at the same time.

Either way... Magic's future is dependent on the development of Dwight. I like the core we can have with Darko, Dwight, Ariza, DeShawn and Jameer. Couple of scorers on the bench and we have a very good core. That team there should be very good defensively.

Next year will be interesting though. Darko will create hype everytime he makes double figures until people realise thats not actually special for the 2nd pick in that draft(or any draft). Dwight hopefully adds to his post game and starts to reach unstoppable(no reason he shouldnt be at that stage by the end of next year). Rest of the team just needs to stay solid.

[Jus Chill Bro]

Go Orlando Magic!!

[Jedi Mind Trick]

I'm really optimistic on the Magic's chances next year. I doubt they can keep up the clip they had at the end of the year, but I'd certainly expect an above .500 clip. You know what I'd like to see? Pat Garrity get the pink slip. Correct me if I'm wrong since I wasn't able to watch all the games, but I think the winning streak did coincide with Garrity's absence. Of course, given Brian Hill is in love with him, especially his defensive *cough* prowess, I don't know how easy that would be. I'm hoping Otis Smith pulls rank on this one.

[SixerFan03]

Shogun, look at your avatar.

There's Darko's picture, and below it the message reads "I brick layups".

Sorry about that. Anyway, I'm sort of a closet Magic fan because of Jameer. I still hope the Sixers beat them, but I root for the Magic. You guys have some promising players.

[Darius]

Darko looks like some perverted anime character in that avatar.

[SixerFan03]

At least he got rid of the highlights.

[Unregistered]

Do you think the Heat regret taking D.Wright over Jameer? I mean, they're in the finals, but I would like their chances a lot more if Jameer was their 6th man.

[A Roc 23]

Do you think the Heat regret taking D.Wright over Jameer? I mean, they're in the finals, but I would like their chances a lot more if Jameer was their 6th man.

[SixerFan03]

It was a bad move at the time. Although, to be fair, the current Heat are loaded at PG. Nelson would be behind J-Will and Payton because those two are veterans.

[Spike Spiegel]

Sho, this is the Magic team I put together at HH in our last mock.

CT: Andrew Bogut, Jerome James :eek:
PF: Dwight Howard, Tony Battie
SF: Hedo Turkoglu, Trevor Ariza
SG: Joe Johnson, Jamal Crawford
PG: TJ Ford, Andre Miller

What do you think? Darko is gone and I traded the #11 pick. Deshawn has yet to decide on his player option. Our free agency hasnt started yet but i'm pretty sure I can re-sign Ariza and i'll have the MLE to use. Any suggestions/comments?

Who the flying **** traded you Bogut AND Ford??? KWAJO! GET IN HERE! YOU HAVE DEFILED MY TEAM!

[Spike Spiegel]

Kwaj! Get Yo Candy Ass In Here! I Want Retribution!

[VCDrivesAPorscheToWork]

it's funny how your thread has only a one star rating.

[Shogon]

Really only posting this to bump the thread... and didn't feel like bumping with nothing, so..

Orlando Sentinel (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/basketball/magic/orl-nbapredraft0706jun07,0,3062124.story?coll=orl-magic)


Vazquez makes NBA cautious
Teams won't pass on Europeans in the draft but say they'll do a lot of research.

Fran Vazquez isn't here or anywhere close -- he is last year's news -- but just the mention of him still makes people in the NBA wince.

Coaches, scouts and management personnel are gathered this week for the NBA Pre-Draft Camp at Disney's Wide World of Sports, evaluating talent and formulating plans -- generally a little more cautious today about jumping blindly into the international talent pool because of Vazquez.

The Orlando Magic used the No. 11 pick of the 2005 draft to select Vazquez, who then used that leverage to sign a more lucrative contract with Akasvayu Girona in Spain.

Although it's common for teams to use second-round picks and even lower first-round picks for a player they don't expect to have until later years -- they retain the rights indefinitely -- this was the first time it happened with such a high NBA draft pick.

"It's definitely a caution flag, a caution sign that you better pay attention to,'' said Toronto Raptors President and General Manager Bryan Colangelo.

Colangelo and Toronto have the No. 1 pick in the 2006 draft this month. One of the players they still are considering for that pick is Andrea Bargnani, a 7-0 power forward from Italy who has been compared to Dirk Nowitzki.

Colangelo said the decision on whether to draft Bargnani won't be influenced by what happened with Vazquez, but he said extensive research would be done on Bargnani's intentions before the pick is made.

At least two others Europeans could be among the top 18 picks in 2006. Most European players have an agent in their native country and another in America working together. In Vazquez's case, the Magic had been assured by his American agent -- and Vazquez -- that he wanted to play in the NBA. His European agent, though, had other plans.

"What we became was an example for the entire league that something like this could happen,'' Magic General Manager Otis Smith said. "I don't think anyone will be gun-shy [of drafting a European], but it heightened everyone's awareness to the Nth degree.''

Vazquez came to Orlando after the draft, and looked almost in awe, promising to return soon. He then signed a new four-year $8.3 million contract in Europe. It was worth considerably more than he could have received under the NBA's rookie salary scale.

"When he comes back, look how good Orlando will be eventually,'' NBA Commissioner David Stern said last weekend. "If he is any good, he'll come back. They always do. Unless, of course, they don't think they can cut it.''

Stern said he believes Vazquez was an isolated case and not a new trend for the NBA. He also believes that Vazquez eventually will play for the Magic. Smith said he expects to have Vazquez after next season. It's after that second year of his deal that the NBA buyout clause drops significantly.

[AKADS]

I have Orlando as a 5 or 6 seed next yr. right now. I need to see who makes deal first.

Dwight will become a 18 / 13
Darko 12/7 / 3 blocks / 1 steal
Jameer 16 / 7 assists
Hedu 15 / 6 / 3
If they get Roy who wil go for 15 / 6/ 4/ 2 steals( Which i don't think they will but i hope they do) then this team will be a 5 seed.

which is a 76 point starting 5 with Arroyo, Battie and Hill off the bench.

Is there any team with a brighter 2007; maybe Bobcats.

[Shogon]

Carney Turning Heads (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/basketball/magic/orl-nbapredraft0906jun09,0,4241776.story?coll=orl-magic)
The Magic are still trying to move up in the draft and they like Rodney Carney.

The Orlando Magic took a closer look Thursday at players who should be available if they make the No. 11 pick as expected in the NBA draft this month.

Yet their sights still are set higher.

"I'm comfortable at 11, but we're trying to get up a couple picks ahead of us,'' said Magic General Manager Otis Smith. "It's a realistic goal. There are teams trying to move down, so I wouldn't be surprised if we get in there.''

Smith said the Magic would like to pick in the 6-7-8 range -- spots currently held by the Timberwolves, Celtics and Rockets -- which would create a different set of available players.

Guards Rodney Carney (Memphis), Ronnie Brewer (Arkansas) and Randy Foye (Villanova) -- who all are expected to be picked in the 9-15 range on draft night -- were among those in a private workout at RDV Sportsplex on Thursday.

Also, there were guard Mardy Collins (Temple), guard Quincy Douby (Rutgers), guard Hassan Adams (Arizona) and forward Shawne Williams (Memphis). The Magic also have two (and possibly a third if they want it) second-round picks. Most of the Magic staff has been at the NBA pre-draft camp this week at Disney's Wide World of Sports, along with the staffs of the other 29 NBA teams. The Magic shuttled back between sessions for the private workout.

"Carney is a physical specimen,'' Smith said. "I think he could be special, a real good player in this league. Brewer is pretty talented. He gets the whole picture. Some of the things he does, you can see his dad [former NBA player Ron Brewer] in him."

They have set up private workouts next week with guard J.J. Redick and forward Shelden Williams.

Although Smith would not say who the Magic would like to get if they move up to the 6-7-8 range, there is a chance that a better player like forward Rudy Gay (Connecticut), guard Brandon Roy (Washington), or forward Adam Morrison (Gonzaga) could slip to them.

To exchange picks with someone in front of them, the Magic would have to part with either a player like Keyon Dooling or DeShawn Stevenson, or a future first-round pick, or possibly the rights to Fran Vazquez, last year's first-round pick who is expected to play in Spain for at least another season.

"We've heard nothing yet that would knock us over. All the talks have been so preliminary at this point,'' Smith said. "Things are just being thrown against the wall. Everyone has to get comfortable with the draft and who they can get at their spots. A week or so from now, talks will get more serious.''

DRAFT NOTES: The Magic weren't the only ones holding private workouts during the pre-draft camp. Florida State power forward Alexander Johnson and University of Miami point guard Guillermo Diaz both worked out for a half-dozen teams Thursday afternoon at a small gym inside the nearby Celebration Hospital facility. Among those watching that workout were representatives from the Bulls, Warriors, Trail Blazers, Timberwolves, Hawks and Clippers. Various mock drafts have Johnson going late in the first round and Diaz early in the second round. ..... Sacramento Coach Eric Musselman, the former Magic assistant, hasn't had much time to scout players at the pre-draft camp because he has been busy here trying to put together a new staff. "Finding just the right people isn't easy,'' he said.

[R.I.P.]

Magic need to bring over Vasquez. Throw some money at him now, if his girlfriend is bitchy, tell her she can live in Miami, where everybody speaks spanish. :D

Vasquez and Navarro, who was drafted by Washington have NBA game. Navarro would benefit immensely from the new handcheck rule. I don

[bonez26]

Hey just a question...don't jump all over me when I propose this:

Would you guys trade:

D Howard for Charlie V and the first pick overall and Cash?

Just wanted to see what you guys think...I remeber this cionverstion on the old board at the end of last year

[Shogon]

Hey just a question...don't jump all over me when I propose this:

Would you guys trade:

D Howard for Charlie V and the first pick overall and Cash?

Just wanted to see what you guys think...I remeber this cionverstion on the old board at the end of last year

I wouldn't. I don't think Otis Smith would, and I don't think any Magic fan would support this.

You have to realize... because of age, current production, potential & salary, Dwight has one of the top three trade values in the league. The other two would be LeBron and perhaps Wade. Dwight isn't getting moved for anything.

[bonez26]

You have to realize... because of age, current production, potential & salary, Dwight has one of the top three trade values in the league.

Understandable...hey you forgot Bosh on that list...LOL

[craigthomasb]

I have Orlando as a 5 or 6 seed next yr. right now. I need to see who makes deal first.

Dwight will become a 18 / 13
Darko 12/7 / 3 blocks / 1 steal
Jameer 16 / 7 assists
Hedu 15 / 6 / 3
If they get Roy who wil go for 15 / 6/ 4/ 2 steals( Which i don't think they will but i hope they do) then this team will be a 5 seed.

which is a 76 point starting 5 with Arroyo, Battie and Hill off the bench.

Is there any team with a brighter 2007; maybe Bobcats.


would they not keep stevenson? at least as a bench player, and i reckon the magic will get rodney carney:eek: darko, dwight, carney and jameer nelson should be SICK

[420puffer]

? for u magic fans: Francis- Good riddance?

[Noble6]

i'm in here:banana:

[Shogon Ramel]

Ha