Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
NOTE FROM THE FORUM OWNER:

We had a long, enjoyable run, and I would like to thank every Orlando Magic fan who contributed to our small community on the web. This message board will be left online as an archive into the thoughts and minds of a group of Magic fanatics who lived through a 21-win season, the drafting of Dwight Howard, and an eventual NBA Finals appearance. You can also visit the original MagicMadness Forum at http://orlandomagic.proboards.com.

Special thanks to our Staff Members: Black and Blue, MAGICMANEVAN, and NYCMagicFan!

MagicMadness
Forum Owner
Add Reply
Time for some guys to step it up
Topic Started: Jul 7 2007, 05:51 PM (520 Views)
MAGICMANEVAN
Member Avatar
#1 Magic Fan
Staff Members
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/bask...story?track=rss
Quote:
 
The Orlando Magic's team photo this season will be without shooting guard Grant Hill and most likely without power forward Darko Milicic in the frame.

So what does the big picture look like for the Magic?

They currently are thin at guard and need two more big guys, but General Manager Otis Smith said he likes how his team is shaping up. He still is looking to add pieces through free agency or trades while trying to re-sign Milicic -- a long shot.

Hedo Turkoglu, who played small forward last season, could move to the starting role at off-guard.

That could give the Magic a big lineup of Turkoglu at 6-10, Lewis at 6-10, power forward Tony Battie at 6-11 and center Dwight Howard at 6-11. They'd all have to look around to find point guard Jameer Nelson, all of 5-10.


Trevor Ariza, a promising third-year 6-foot-8 small forward, also factors into the mix, likely becoming Lewis' backup.

Smith expects Nelson to have a better season, Ariza to blossom and Redick to fully unveil his threat as a shooter.

Devean George and Chucky Atkins (former Magic player) are two free-agent guards who still could be available.

Smith still hopes to bring back Milicic by working a sign-and-trade deal with Lewis' former team, the Seattle SuperSonics, or making other trades to address needs. Dooling, forward Pat Garrity and point guard Carlos Arroyo -- Nelson's backup -- all have expiring trade-friendly contracts.

Some free-agent bigs on the market: Veterans Joe Smith, Jamaal Magloire and Melvin Ely. The Magic also have Polish center Marcin Gortat -- acquired in the 2005 draft -- playing on their summer-league team.

"We like our team; we like the way it's shaping up," Smith said. "We're not sitting here crying. We would have liked to have had Grant back, but now maybe our younger guys will have to step up and other guys will have to show some leadership."


So they are suggesting a lineup like this:
PG -Nelson
SG- Hedo
SF- Lewis
PF- Battie
C- Dwight
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
dxwwf3
Member Avatar
Legend
How huge of a defensive liability would Hedo be at the 2? Some teams would KILL us with that lineup.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
The Archduke
Member Avatar
Sixth Man
Not really sure about Hedo at the 2. Offensively it would work, but defensively? Ugh. Don't think it's a great idea. Situationally, maybe, but not as a starting five.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
MAGICMANEVAN
Member Avatar
#1 Magic Fan
Staff Members
Well it could be used during games for a bigger lineup and more potent offense. It would give us alot more diversity among players and potential lineups we could use.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
True Magic
Member Avatar
The Franchise
I don't want Turkoglu starting. JJ please. Size isn't everything.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
MAGICMANEVAN
Member Avatar
#1 Magic Fan
Staff Members
What do you guys think about the FAs suggested in the above article: Devean George and Chucky Atkins, Joe Smith, Jamaal Magloire and Melvin Ely, Marcin Gortat. I wouldnt want George, hes too old and not productive. Atkins would be a great scorer off the bench and a good pickup. I would like to get Gortat on the team this season but who knows the chances of that happening. Joe Smith isnt the player he used to be, plus the sixers want him back. Jamaal Magloire... isnt much better than Cato. Ely.. no.. no hes not the type of big guy we want. Hes doesnt get alot of blocks and hes a bad rebounder.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
The Archduke
Member Avatar
Sixth Man
MAGICMANEVAN
Jul. 8 2007 09:57 AM
What do you guys think about the FAs suggested in the above article: Devean George and Chucky Atkins, Joe Smith, Jamaal Magloire and Melvin Ely, Marcin Gortat. I wouldnt want George, hes too old and not productive. Atkins would be a great scorer off the bench and a good pickup. I would like to get Gortat on the team this season but who knows the chances of that happening. Joe Smith isnt the player he used to be, plus the sixers want him back. Jamaal Magloire... isnt much better than Cato. Ely.. no.. no hes not the type of big guy we want. Hes doesnt get alot of blocks and hes a bad rebounder.

Yes to Atkins
No to George
Yes to Smith (won't happen though)
Yes to Magloire (if no Darko)
No to Ely
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Ben Q Rock
Member Avatar
3QC
Magloire and Smith would be decent fill-ins for the next few seasons while the youngsters develop.
Devean George is Keith Bogans, and we already have one of those.
CHUCKY! :yes:
Melvin Ely... not so much. :no:
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
TheFalcon
Member Avatar
Air Gortat
Yes to Magloire.
Yes to Smith.
No to Devean George.
No to Melvin Ely.
Yes to Gortat.
Hell yes to Atkins.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Ben Q Rock
Member Avatar
3QC
Devean George agreed to re-sign with the Mavs, which is good for us.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
The Archduke
Member Avatar
Sixth Man
Ben Q Rock
Jul. 8 2007 08:35 PM
Devean George agreed to re-sign with the Mavs, which is good for us.

Well, only good if Otis was looking hard at him.

I still fail to comprehend the search for a 2, especially considering that outside of Wallace, no one out there is an improvement. Ariza, Redick, Bogans, and Dooling can hold down that position better than anyone available.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
MAGICmanSAM
Member Avatar
God is LOVE
Talking about Wallace. I think if Darko falls out of the picture, it's not a bad idea to pursue Gerald Wallace.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
The Archduke
Member Avatar
Sixth Man
MAGICmanSAM
Jul. 9 2007 12:36 AM
Talking about Wallace. I think if Darko falls out of the picture, it's not a bad idea to pursue Gerald Wallace.

It's be a coup, but unlikely. I think Wallace sticks around in Charlotte, and they'll be pursuing him HARD to keep him from coming to a division rival.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
MAGICMANEVAN
Member Avatar
#1 Magic Fan
Staff Members
We most likely cant get him anyway, we wont have enough money for him too even if we do a sign and trade with Seattle. Plus he is reportedly up for a 60 million dollar deal from the Bobcats. Because if we want to keep Darko we wont have enough for Wallace. And even if Darko leaves and we do the sign and trade and use the money for Wallace, we still have a hole at PG from letting Arroyo and Dooling go. So we would still have to spend even more to get a PG to back up Nelson. Thats why we better get Watson in the deal if we do a sign and trade.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Black and Blue
Member Avatar
Have You Hugged Your Van Gundy Today?
Staff Members
I'd hate for us to have Hedo as SG. Sure, we'd be tall, but that doesn't necessarily translate well with a high octane transition offense. Hedo has trouble holding onto the ball too, so I'd prefer someone else at that position.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
« Previous Topic · Orlando Magic Locker Room · Next Topic »
Add Reply