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Magic are Set up For Huge Future Success; according to most ESPN analysts...
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Topic Started: Feb 23 2006, 08:44 AM (381 Views)
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MAGICmanSAM
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Feb 23 2006, 08:44 AM
Post #1
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God is LOVE
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No Magic cure for Knicks
Editor's Note: The following are some reactions to the trade that sent Steve Francis to the New York Knicks, who acquired the three-time All-Star from the Orlando Magic on Wednesday for Penny Hardaway and Trevor Ariza.
DEE BROWN: FLAVOR OF GLORY DAYS As it stands now, Isiah Thomas has got to be thinking he's recreating the old Detroit backcourt of himself and Joe Dumars.
It will be interesting to see how Marbury and Francis coexist side by side.
Francis has had problems with every coach he's had, except Rudy Tomjanovich. Of course, that's because Rudy T. let Francis do what he wanted in Houston.
Larry Brown is hard on point guards. And you add players like Jamal Crawford and Jalen Rose into the mix -- these aren't really Larry Brown type of players. A coach wants players he can coach.
This move is tough to figure out, unless Isiah gets another deal done.
To me, this move by the Magic signals that this is officially Dwight Howard's team. Even though they'll take lumps now, they're building with pieces. With Jameer Nelson, Carlos Arroyo and Darko Milicic, this team could be setting up to be really good . . . and they still have the rights to Fran Vazquez.
The Magic got a young player who can play defense in Trevor Ariza. And they also got the expiring contract of Penny Hardaway. They certainly didn't get him to play. You won't see him in a Magic uniform after the part he played in getting Brian Hill fired in the first place.
They've got pieces in place and salary cap room. Florida has no state income tax. Otis Smith did a great job without taking contracts back.
As for the Knicks, trading expiring contracts for even bigger contracts at this point?
Puzzling.
ESPN Analyst Dee Brown played 12 NBA seasons, finishing his career with the Magic in 2002.
GREG ANTHONY: THE PRICE IS WRONG
In the best-case scenario of this deal, the Knicks become a playoff team.
But at what price?
Even if it works, it won't work. Because if you have a $130 million payroll, anything less than competing for a championship is not worth it. The Knicks won't be doing that. If you're going to be bad, be cheap, which is what I thought the Knicks should do as they rebuilt. They didn't.
Now we have this deal. Francis and Marbury are talented, but I don't think either can play without the ball.
What the Knicks have done is taken a course of adding pieces and adding salary, not adding wins. When you look at a roster -- you want winners and leaders when you're building it. All the money in the world won't bring you a title. You've got to get the right player who's going to be the best fit.
San Antonio and Detroit don't necessarily possess the best talent. And Detroit didn't draft Carmelo Anthony when it had the chance. They would rather have stuck with a guy who is the right fit, like Tayshaun Prince.
As for the Magic, they are positioning themselves where they'll have a chance to improve rapidly. The Magic have done the first part, creating salary cap room.
Now the question is, will they be able to lure the free agent that fits them best? The Bulls put themselves under the cap after the MJ reign, but never reaped the benefits.
You've got to sell the organization, team and philosophy. That's the challenge for the Magic now.
ESPN Analyst Greg Anthony played for the Knicks from 1991-95.
CHAD FORD: WHEN THE MOST IS NOT ENOUGH
Steve Francis for Penny Hardaway and Trevor Ariza?
Knicks fans, I finally get Isiah Thomas.
But if he keeps making moves like this, I won't have to get him much longer.
There's an old adage in the NBA that whomever gets the best player in any given deal is usually the winner of the deal.
Thomas is trying single-handedly to prove that adage is bogus.
Isiah's goal in every trade appears to be to come out of the trade with the best player -- contracts and chemistry be damned.
Look back over his deals for Stephon Marbury, Jamal Crawford, Eddy Curry, Tim Thomas, Jalen Rose and now Steve Francis. In every instance, Isiah got the best player in the trade (not including future draft picks).
He must believe something like this: "If I have the most talent, the deepest bench, the highest-paid coach, and the most media coverage, the wins will come."
JOHN HOLLINGER: POTENTIAL MAGIC POTIONS
With Hardaway's contract expiring after this year and Ariza expected to re-sign cheaply as a restricted free agent, the Magic would be $15 million to $20 million under the salary cap (depending on that year's cap number) when Grant Hill's contract expires after next season.
The Magic's timing is impeccable when one considers the names potentially available in 2007 -- forget about LeBron James and the other stars from the class of '03, since they'll sign extensions, but there's also Paul Pierce, Vince Carter, Dirk Nowitzki, Gerald Wallace, Chauncey Billups, Mike Bibby, Rashard Lewis, Antawn Jamison and Jamaal Magloire.
That's the same summer that the Magic will likely extend the deals of Dwight Howard and Nelson, and 2007 also probably represents Orlando's last opportunity to play the market for the next several years.
According to most ESPN sources, the Magic are smart and the Knicks are dumba**es for having completed this trade. We may not make the playoffs neither of the next 2 seasons, but I'm very excited about our team.
Even though we may not win a lot of games right now, if Arroyo continues to be productive, home game tickets will sell. You guys don't know how much of an idol this guy is in Puerto Rico. The mere acquisition of Arroyo may be the glue that puts the new arena deal together.
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Pitbullz EP
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Feb 23 2006, 09:29 AM
Post #2
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Magic in 5
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Alot of people on this board were all for clearing cap space as opposed to signing a quick fix player. ESPN doesn't need to tell us it was a smart move.
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Black and Blue
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Feb 23 2006, 11:20 AM
Post #3
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Have You Hugged Your Van Gundy Today?
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Great job collecting all of these. Looks like we came out pretty well in the deal. I was annoyed at first, hearing names like Odom thrown around, but this deal looks best for us.
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MAGICMANEVAN
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Feb 23 2006, 08:38 PM
Post #4
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#1 Magic Fan
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its great to get recognition. but it doesnt do any good if nothing happens. if this team fails in the future (next season and the one after), we will once again be the laughing stock of the nba. like what happens if the "all stars" dont sign with us in 07 because were a 'bad' team? what if they will want to take less money and go somewhere else. i hope it doesnt happen like that...
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TheFalcon
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Feb 23 2006, 08:44 PM
Post #5
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Air Gortat
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I honestly can't remember the last time I heard the media talk positively about the Magic... I mean, even drafting Howard, which was out last "good" move, still was heavily criticized. Its nice though.
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dhoward541524
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Feb 23 2006, 09:40 PM
Post #6
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Love_Is_The_Movement
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great job sam, i agree that they wont make the playoffs anytimesoon but they are bound to get better and bound to get past the 1st round of the playoffs sometime or another. haha maybe when shaq buys the magic we'll go the the championship again, wound't that be funny.
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Black and Blue
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Feb 23 2006, 10:40 PM
Post #7
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Have You Hugged Your Van Gundy Today?
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The big talk Ive heard around the league is that either we will be a championship team or turn into the post-Jordan Bulls. I hope its the former rather than the latter.
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dxwwf3
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Feb 23 2006, 11:29 PM
Post #8
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Legend
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- Black and Blue
- Feb. 23 2006 10:20 AM
Great job collecting all of these. Looks like we came out pretty well in the deal. I was annoyed at first, hearing names like Odom thrown around, but this deal looks best for us.
I'm in the same boat. It's frustrating to have to wait and rebuild again, but it's for the best.
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Solid Snake
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Feb 24 2006, 12:40 AM
Post #9
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Legend
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Yea, most opinion columns have been in favor of the Magic. It is a pure business decision and it is a good one at that. IMO, Francis has more negatives then positives about his game. His value was so low that this was the best we could get. I mean when no teams wanted you but the knicks, that says something. Seriously, Otis Smith had to make crap up just to get a buzz about Francis, LOL.
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