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Magic vs Sonics Thread; 2/24, 7:00 PM, TD Waterhouse Centre
Topic Started: Feb 24 2006, 12:23 PM (3,834 Views)
dxwwf3
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Legend
I was wrong. magiclive among others were right. Francis was probably the problem (I'm not going to take a complete 360 after two games) and we are much better right now with this lineup. I hope there was a good crowd tonight and they continue to support THIS team the rest of the year.
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Griffin
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Piston fan here. Just wanted to say that it's neat to see you guys getting excited about your team again. The Magic, to me, is like a bum who sobered up, got a haircut and a nice new suit. Still a long way to go, but looking a lot better, a lot healthier, got a new pep in your step.

I hope Darko and Carlos work out for you guys. I think they'll fit much better on your team. I'm rooting for them.
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dxwwf3
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Legend
Oh yeah.......

WINNER WINNER TV DINNER
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JonBoy418
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Craig Maloof
Feb. 24 2006 10:57 PM


Quote:
 
Well, there's 240 minutes to distribute between all of the players. Sooner or later, Hill will have to go with some kind of 8-9 man rotation, but that's going to be rather hard with this team. We've seen every single person step up in one way or another. The most important thing is to get every single guy committed to the philosophy and plan of the team so there's no griping, no fighting, etc. If they get the guys to commit and believe in what Coach Hill and the organization want to do, then they're going to be a lethal team. This is a team full of players no one wanted. Darko, Ariza, Nelson, Dooling, Battie, etc.

In my eyes, that makes them lethal. They're playing with a chip on their shoulders, and they know what each other has been through before in the past, having to sit on the bench, and suffer through not getting playing time. I think if they all buy into what Hill wants to do, then they'll be together for a long time to come. They have to buy into that team philosophy. That means everyone not trying to get Max contracts, not caring about personal stats, and wanting to stick together for years upon years. Wouldn't it be amazing if Nelson, Arroyo, Milic, Howard, and Ariza are still around in 5, 8, or even 10 years from now, forming one of the strongest nucleus in the league?


I don't think it's a matter that those players weren't wanted. I think it's more of a weren't needed.

Arroyo is the only valid claim that no one wanted him, especially his later days at Utah.
Darko was behind the two Wallaces and McDyess on a championship team that couldn't afford to develop their rookies.
Ariza was locked in NY hell of a roster with Richardson, Jalen Rose, and Qyentl Woods.
Battie was traded to a PF deficiant Cavs team for Drew Gooden and Stephan Hunter. All the while, the Cavs had Ilguasgus at starting C. so it was a back up center swap with Hunter. A no brainer if you ask me.
Dooling was signed as a free agent from the Heat who already had Dwyane Wade, Jason Williams and Gary Payton ahead of him.
Nelson was traded for on draft day from the Nuggets who already ahd Andre Miller and Earl Boykins ahead of him.

All of those players were aquired because their previous team did not have the space to develop their young players, not that they did not want them.
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Craig Maloof
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Black and Blue
Feb. 24 2006 11:06 PM
Craig, awesome post man. I agree with almost everything you write. I cant see Hedo being productive at PF too much, and I honestly think that we need Kasun until Darko shows his true worth on a consistent basis. Garrity I have been ready to scrap for a while now, but that is easier said than done unfortunately.
Still I love almost everyone on this team. Cato and Francis were two players I couldn't stand being on our floor, and both are gone. Garrity and Hill's contract are minor compared to those other two. Im happy to sit back and watch the future unravel before my eyes nowadays!

Thanks.

Hedo can play PF and has this season. He has the body for it, and it depends on who he's facing. We're not going to put him up against Tim Duncan or Kevin Garnett, but if he gets matched up against even a Chris Webber he can hold his own, and cause a ton of problems on the offensive side of the ball against PF's who are more customed to staying under the hoop trying to get the rebound. He can spread the floor even more for Dwight, allowing him to get the ball in the post, and get offensive rebounds easier if he doesn't have to worry about a second player coming out of nowhere to double team him.

Kasun and Garrity are players I think we can get rid of in the offseason in trades or something in exchanged for money or draft picks. Garrity is a three point thread and Kasun is a big body who can play well apparently. We need to go to a three-four big man rotation. The fourth man would be in case of foul trouble.

Hill I can see signing for something like 3 year and $20 million, maybe even $15 million because of the fact he was on the bench for so long with ankle injuries. Once again, I think he feels loyalty towards the Magic for sticking by him, and not forcing him to retire, or trying to trade him.

The future is bright. The Magic are 6.5 games out of the eighth playoff spot. I think they can still make it to playoffs if they play a strong second half of the season, and I think they'll be a dangerous team for whoever they play due to the youth, talent, and athleticism they have.

Craig

Craig
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Black and Blue
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Griffin
Feb. 24 2006 11:19 PM
Piston fan here. Just wanted to say that it's neat to see you guys getting excited about your team again. The Magic, to me, is like a bum who sobered up, got a haircut and a nice new suit. Still a long way to go, but looking a lot better, a lot healthier, got a new pep in your step.

I hope Darko and Carlos work out for you guys. I think they'll fit much better on your team. I'm rooting for them.

Haha, great analogy. I think most of us saw our team as a bum for a while.
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JonBoy418
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Hedo is such a versitile player that he is able to effectively player PG, SG, SF and PF. Depends on the match up.
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BRINGthaMAGIC
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well see ya i am off to bed talk later
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Black and Blue
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Craig Maloof
Feb. 24 2006 11:23 PM
Thanks.

Hedo can play PF and has this season. He has the body for it, and it depends on who he's facing. We're not going to put him up against Tim Duncan or Kevin Garnett, but if he gets matched up against even a Chris Webber he can hold his own, and cause a ton of problems on the offensive side of the ball against PF's who are more customed to staying under the hoop trying to get the rebound. He can spread the floor even more for Dwight, allowing him to get the ball in the post, and get offensive rebounds easier if he doesn't have to worry about a second player coming out of nowhere to double team him.

Kasun and Garrity are players I think we can get rid of in the offseason in trades or something in exchanged for money or draft picks. Garrity is a three point thread and Kasun is a big body who can play well apparently. We need to go to a three-four big man rotation. The fourth man would be in case of foul trouble.

Hill I can see signing for something like 3 year and $20 million, maybe even $15 million because of the fact he was on the bench for so long with ankle injuries. Once again, I think he feels loyalty towards the Magic for sticking by him, and not forcing him to retire, or trying to trade him.

The future is bright. The Magic are 6.5 games out of the eighth playoff spot. I think they can still make it to playoffs if they play a strong second half of the season, and I think they'll be a dangerous team for whoever they play due to the youth, talent, and athleticism they have.

Craig

Craig

I agree that Hedo can play at PF, but I said that he can't play at PF too much for the same reasons you stated: He will get outmuscled a lot of the time unless we are trying to go with very small lineup.

I agree with your assessments of Kasun and Garrity.

I am not as optomistic about Hill being around to contribute for us after his contract. Apparently he was told by Magic brass that they are rebuilding and has already stated to the media that he doesn't fit into the team's plans in the forseeable future. His contract will reportedly be shopped this summer if the price is right, as well as for during next regular season. There are too many links to post for this, but most of the info can be found in recent threads.

I too think it is possible to make it to the playoffs, but I think it is more likely for us to miss the playoffs and be in contention for the lottery. With a young team, it is really hard to win night in and night out, and except for Hill and Augmon we are babies in regard to age. Whether we make or miss the playoffs, I will be happy knowing we have a really great plan for the future and some really really promising pieces of a foundation.
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Darkofan
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CarlosMarx
Feb. 24 2006 09:56 PM
For the old Arroyo fans since the Jazz time and the pistons time this is Nanso here!!! The word is redemption, Arroyo's redemption!!! Looking forward to be a very competitive team for the rest of the season. Arroyo is inspired and so is the rest of the team, hope this continues .

hi Nanso, this is lee. Nice forum. I am going to love following Hill, Arroyo, and Darko, three ex-Pistons. Great game tonight, and you know Arroyo and Darko are just getting started. These Orlando fans are so darn lucky.
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Craig Maloof
All-Star
Black and Blue
Feb. 24 2006 11:35 PM
Craig Maloof
Feb. 24 2006 11:23 PM
Thanks.

Hedo can play PF and has this season. He has the body for it, and it depends on who he's facing. We're not going to put him up against Tim Duncan or Kevin Garnett, but if he gets matched up against even a Chris Webber he can hold his own, and cause a ton of problems on the offensive side of the ball against PF's who are more customed to staying under the hoop trying to get the rebound. He can spread the floor even more for Dwight, allowing him to get the ball in the post, and get offensive rebounds easier if he doesn't have to worry about a second player coming out of nowhere to double team him.

Kasun and Garrity are players I think we can get rid of in the offseason in trades or something in exchanged for money or draft picks. Garrity is a three point thread and Kasun is a big body who can play well apparently. We need to go to a three-four big man rotation. The fourth man would be in case of foul trouble.

Hill I can see signing for something like 3 year and $20 million, maybe even $15 million because of the fact he was on the bench for so long with ankle injuries. Once again, I think he feels loyalty towards the Magic for sticking by him, and not forcing him to retire, or trying to trade him.

The future is bright. The Magic are 6.5 games out of the eighth playoff spot. I think they can still make it to playoffs if they play a strong second half of the season, and I think they'll be a dangerous team for whoever they play due to the youth, talent, and athleticism they have.

Craig

Craig

I agree that Hedo can play at PF, but I said that he can't play at PF too much for the same reasons you stated: He will get outmuscled a lot of the time unless we are trying to go with very small lineup.

I agree with your assessments of Kasun and Garrity.

I am not as optomistic about Hill being around to contribute for us after his contract. Apparently he was told by Magic brass that they are rebuilding and has already stated to the media that he doesn't fit into the team's plans in the forseeable future. His contract will reportedly be shopped this summer if the price is right, as well as for during next regular season. There are too many links to post for this, but most of the info can be found in recent threads.

I too think it is possible to make it to the playoffs, but I think it is more likely for us to miss the playoffs and be in contention for the lottery. With a young team, it is really hard to win night in and night out, and except for Hill and Augmon we are babies in regard to age. Whether we make or miss the playoffs, I will be happy knowing we have a really great plan for the future and some really really promising pieces of a foundation.

Well, I wasn't suggesting you start him at PF ;-). However, used in the right situations, he can create defensive and offensive problems for the opposing team, which is what is really nice about our team. We have several players who can play out of natural position and cause problems for the opposing team. That bodes well for our team as that gives a versatility that several teams don't have period or an abundance of.

There have been some mixed reports about Hill. One of them did say that he more than likely will be traded in the offseason or before his contract runs out. If that's true, then it makes me kind of sad mainly because I think Hill can offer a lot to this team, if he's healthy. He can be the veteran guy on the team to provide stability. Hill is past hitting that wall that the young guys will hit from time to time. He's a great option in that offense, which we saw tonight. If he continues to be injured though, then he has to go because he will disrupt our chemistry. If he can play, well, we saw it tonight. He opens up that offense, and can still play. He said himself that he wants to stick around and teach the young guys how to play NBA basketball. I think Smith and the Magic Organization will continue to evaluate Grant's position on the team. If the team continues to play well with him in the starting line up, then I can see them keeping him. There's nothing against making a change in the plan to make it better.

I don't think we'll win the championship this year. If that happens, then I retire, and quit because that means the Magic will have done the unprobable and more than likely the impossible. However, I see this team competing the rest of the year, and potentially being one of the best next season if they continue to play well, and continue to show great chemistry.

Craig
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Magic333
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McGrady and Howard... What could have been
Our team was a bum.... hahahahahaha :wow: :lol:
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Black and Blue
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Craig Maloof
Feb. 24 2006 11:43 PM
I think Smith and the Magic Organization will continue to evaluate Grant's position on the team. If the team continues to play well with him in the starting line up, then I can see them keeping him. There's nothing against making a change in the plan to make it better.

Very well said. I think you are absolutely correct.

Craig, are you this Craig?: http://www.comicavalanche.com/Interviews/craigmaloof.htm
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efenell
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DA - Magic Legend
dxwwf3
Feb. 24 2006 11:19 PM
I was wrong. magiclive among others were right. Francis was probably the problem (I'm not going to take a complete 360 after two games) and we are much better right now with this lineup. I hope there was a good crowd tonight and they continue to support THIS team the rest of the year.

just got back from the game...by far the loudest game this year...mostly because of all of our new Puerto Rican fans...I even think it was recorded as a sellout :yes: :yes: Thats pretty damn good for a team like the Sonics
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CGM
Sixth Man
Darkofan/lee; read and enjoyed your well documented posts on Arroyo and Darko in the Pistons Talk forum; looking forward to reading more from you here! BTW, and trying not to become Captain Obvious, I am Puerto Rican!
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