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Twardzik seeks out diamond in rough
Topic Started: Jan 4 2007, 01:07 AM (311 Views)
MAGICMANEVAN
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http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/bask...?coll=orl-magic
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Twardzik seeks out diamond in rough

Magic Assistant General Manager Dave Twardzik has been to Paris and Hawaii already this season to scout players -- foreign and domestic. Not a bad travel itinerary considering the Detroit Pistons own the Magic's first-round pick in the 2007 draft (unless it's No. 1 through 5 in the lottery).

Where does a guy sign up for a gig like that, Dave?

We kid Twardzik, the longtime NBA exec who heads up the scouting department. Actually, he has a tougher assignment for this draft:

Unearth that second-round gem. Or gems.

The Magic have two picks as it stands now. "It does make it a little more complex, no question, not having a first-round pick," Twardzik said.


Various scenarios are at work, depending on whether the Magic are interested in acquiring a mid-to-late first-round pick by trading a player or a future pick. Some candidates: Florida small forward Corey Brewer, Louisiana State power forward Glen Davis and Wisconsin small forward Alando Tucker. At least a half-dozen teams also could have two first-rounders from previous deals and could trade one.

Of course, there's the doomsday scenario: The Magic fail to make the playoffs and retain their lottery privileges. The Pistons obtained Orlando's 2007 first-rounder in the Darko Milicic-Carlos Arroyo deal last season.

Twardzik said he'll prepare for the draft as if the team has a first-rounder. Most likely, he said he's scouting the type of college and foreign players who'll fall in "the middle-to-late first round and second round. I think the thrust of our scouting would be preparation more for a second-round pick."

Second-round diamonds have been found, the roll call including Gilbert Arenas, Michael Redd, Manu Ginobili, Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur.

If the Magic can't hit a home run, it's time they at least knock one off the wall. They grabbed forward Anderson Varejao in the second round in 2004, but he was given away foolishly. Ditto with Zaza Pachulia.

Point guard Travis Diener ('05 second round) has contributed some, but forward James Augustine ('06 second round) has not.

Twardzik said he is looking at the best player available, hoping to "get a guy trying to prove he belongs in the league." The Magic are one of several teams looking for new arenas. How about finding a Gilbert Arenas?
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TheFalcon
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Air Gortat
I'm in favor of trading up for a late first rounder, if possible.
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efenell
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DA - Magic Legend
Why trade when he is just gonna blow the pick anyway???
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Black and Blue
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efenell
Jan. 4 2007 02:16 PM
Why trade when he is just gonna blow the pick anyway???

AMEN!

Twardzik is completely, COMPLETELY useless.

I thought the trading up scenario sounded good, or even perhaps a package that sent a second rounder and Diener for a higher first round pick....but then I realized this is Twardzik. We should trade all of our picks away just to keep him away from touching our team. :yes:
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MAGICMANEVAN
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Black and Blue
Jan. 4 2007 04:03 PM
AMEN!

Twardzik is completely, COMPLETELY useless.

I thought the trading up scenario sounded good, or even perhaps a package that sent a second rounder and Diener for a higher first round pick....but then I realized this is Twardzik. We should trade all of our picks away just to keep him away from touching our team. :yes:

Oh please, its not his fault Fran didnt come over. But were still a great team so who cares. We have 2 second round draft picks so either way hes gonna draft for the team, we might as well trade for a first rounder for better talen. This is a deep draft and whoever he drafts for us will be a contributer. But we dont need two players, especially from the 2nd round, so combining the two for 1 makes sense.
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Black and Blue
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MAGICMANEVAN
Jan. 4 2007 09:26 PM
Black and Blue
Jan. 4 2007 04:03 PM
AMEN!

Twardzik is completely, COMPLETELY useless.

I thought the trading up scenario sounded good, or even perhaps a package that sent a second rounder and Diener for a higher first round pick....but then I realized this is Twardzik. We should trade all of our picks away just to keep him away from touching our team.  :yes:

Oh please, its not his fault Fran didnt come over. But were still a great team so who cares. We have 2 second round draft picks so either way hes gonna draft for the team, we might as well trade for a first rounder for better talen. This is a deep draft and whoever he drafts for us will be a contributer. But we dont need two players, especially from the 2nd round, so combining the two for 1 makes sense.

I was being overdramatic for comedic purposes, but you have to admit that his past two draft years have done little to solidify our team in positions we needed dire help in. If you look at how Brewer is doing in Utah, you can see one of the many that got away this past year. Twardzik picking two second rounders (and not having the pressure of getting a first round guy and messing up again) might be the best possible thing for him to keep his job.
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MAGICMANEVAN
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Keep his job? Why so hard on him? Its not his fault that Fran is another Doug Christie and listened to his ugly girlfriend...
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