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Otis Smith flies to confront Vasquez
Topic Started: Jan 21 2007, 01:07 AM (430 Views)
Black and Blue
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Quote:
 
Smith Travels To Europe Demanding An Answer From Vazquez
20th January, 2007 - 11:45 am
Florida Today -
Magic general manager Otis Smith traveled to Istanbul, Turkey, and Barcelona, Spain, Thursday and Friday to watch 2005 draft pick Fran Vazquez play.

Vazquez was selected 11th overall by the Magic after giving indications that his dream was to play in the NBA. However, he then signed a four-year contract with a Spanish professional team, ruining Orlando's plans.

Smith is expected to meet with Vazquez on Saturday to demand an answer as to whether he plans to play for the Magic next season or remain in Spain.


Sounds like this is the end of the mess! As stupid as the pick was, it is good to know Otis is done dawdling on Fran's future with the team. This sounds like a movie, the way it is playing out.
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MAGICMANEVAN
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When i saw this i thought "GO OTIS!" because he is finally confronting that coward. Very good initiative by Otis. What a great GM he is, i respect him.
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Punisher
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I'm not gonna get my hopes high on this guy. Fran has to be the worst pick ever by an NBA team. <_<
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Black and Blue
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I agree that this isnt worth getting anyones hopes up. Fran seems to be doing better than he was in Europe, but he sounds very mentally weak which never works in the NBA.
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efenell
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Jan. 21 2007 01:14 AM
When i saw this i thought "GO OTIS!" because he is finally confronting that coward. Very good initiative by Otis. What a great GM he is, i respect him.

Great GM....If he was so great, we would have Danny Granger
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TheFalcon
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I'd put my money on him staying in Spain.
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MAGICMANEVAN
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efenell
Jan. 21 2007 07:50 PM
Great GM....If he was so great, we would have Danny Granger

I hate when people say that. You cant say he sucks at drafting because its not like you knew Granger would be as good as he is today. So lets just stop playing Monday morning QB. ;)
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gomagic33
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In fairness to Otis, it was more Dave Twardzik who drafted Fran than him. We missed out on a lot of talents. David, Green, Granger, I just hope it does not happen again. Twardzik should never be anywhere near a draft war room.
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efenell
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Jan. 21 2007 10:57 PM
I hate when people say that. You cant say he sucks at drafting because its not like you knew Granger would be as good as he is today. So lets just stop playing Monday morning QB. ;)

Sure, youre right, I didnt know Granger would be as good as he was, but a "great GM" sure as hell should have known. I remember Granger was one of the few on our list and him and May were the fans choice. And dont give me that crap that it was Twardzik's choice. Because you know as well as I do that they both signed off on it.
Dont get me wrong, I like the guy (Otis), but just wait until this offseason and next year before you annoint him the next Jerry West or Pat Riley.
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GoMaGicVR6
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this thread makes me laugh.
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MAGICMANEVAN
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efenell
Jan. 22 2007 09:14 AM
Sure, youre right, I didnt know Granger would be as good as he was, but a "great GM" sure as hell should have known. I remember Granger was one of the few on our list and him and May were the fans choice. And dont give me that crap that it was Twardzik's choice. Because you know as well as I do that they both signed off on it.
Dont get me wrong, I like the guy (Otis), but just wait until this offseason and next year before you annoint him the next Jerry West or Pat Riley.

Oh im not annointing him. I think hes a good GM with a smart mind, who just needs a chance. Its not his fault that gay Fran (his g.f. actually) chose to stay in Europe. He (and Twardzik) picked Fran with the obvious expectation that he would play right away. Its not Otis' fault that it didnt happen that way. Lets just not give him such a hard time with something that wasnt his fault. Hes trying to fix the problem that he didnt create. He makes smart GM moves, and doesnt make stupid ones... and he knows what hes doing, from the emails he responded to and from articles.

Also... what do you mean a great GM should have known who will end up being great? It has nothing to do with the GM aside from scouting. Its the player who could play well or crush under the NBA pressures. The GM selects the players (or trades or signs), and then just sits back and watches. If the player buckles under pressure or decides not to come, its not the GMs fault...
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Black and Blue
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gomagic33
Jan. 22 2007 08:05 AM
In fairness to Otis, it was more Dave Twardzik who drafted Fran than him. We missed out on a lot of talents. David, Green, Granger, I just hope it does not happen again. Twardzik should never be anywhere near a draft war room.

Exactly.

This sounds odd, but I firmly believe Otis takes a lot of stock in what fans are thinking. I do think it is primarily coincidence that every move he has done has been totally in sync with the overwhelming feelings on this board (francis trade for ariza, resigning ariza, grabbing darko and arroyo, etc.), but you never know. Maybe it just speaks volumes that Otis does what would obviously be the best choice, and also listens to the voice of the fans.
Twardzik, on the other hand, has gone against what many fans have been hoping for. I don't think it is intentional, but I just think he would rather make the choice himself than taking the fan consensus. Last year, the overwhelming consensus picks people wanted for the Magic were Granger and May. Experts wrote about it, fans wrote about it, ESPN spoke about it...etc. This past year, everyone was saying the Magic should get either Brewer or Carney. Well, both years the Magic draft what many experts consider wild cards.

I dunno. I just love our organization outside of the draft. When Otis goes out to Europe, I think it'll clear his mind that he shouldnt have to do mop up duty with crap picks. I hope Redick proves me wrong (did quite well last game!)
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