Official Speculation Thread (Pt.LX Offseason Edition)

[Jiwol]

After I read Shaq's autobiography, I think we should get rid of BBD as soon as possible. He's ego is monstrous and has no clue of how to play the team ball. We all saw his selfishness. He has heart, no doubt, but he keeps thinking he's the star of this team. We don't need anyone to hamper the development of our youngins. If we are to trade one of our three veterans (himself, Meer or AA), he'd easily be my choice. Maybe he can prove me wrong, but I'd like that to be on some other team... Anyone else had read Shaq's book an has the same opinion?

[orlando1214]

After I read Shaq's autobiography, I think we should get rid of BBD as soon as possible. He's ego is monstrous and has no clue of how to play the team ball. We all saw his selfishness. He has heart, no doubt, but he keeps thinking he's the star of this team. We don't need anyone to hamper the development of our youngins. If we are to trade one of our three veterans (himself, Meer or AA), he'd easily be my choice. Maybe he can prove me wrong, but I'd like that to be on some other team... Anyone else had read Shaq's book an has the same opinion?

I have not read Shaq's autobiography, what did he say about Big Baby in it? I assume it had something to do with him being selfish, immature, and a bad teammate. Honestly, not saying Big Baby wasn't like that, but I truly believe the young Baby from the Celtics who played with Shaq is not the same Baby that's on this team today. As much as I hate the guy, I think KG straighten him out. He always talks about him being a mentor to him, and I remember him saying how he still talks to him to this day and ask for advice.

He obviously still jokes around and can be an idiot sometimes, but it does seem like he takes his leadership job seriously from what I've seen. Who knows what goes on behind close doors, but I'm really not worried about Davis hampering the development of the young guys. I do agree that at times Baby thinks he's better than he really is and his future probably isn't with the Magic, but for the time being I'm not too worried about him.

[MagicStarwipe]

Ever since BBD has gotten here I've been of the opinion that he is all talk. He says the right things, but he doesn't actually follow through on any of it. Whether it be playing team ball, being a leader on and off the court or getting in better shape.

[Jiwol]

“Big Baby” Davis kept looking me off and taking it himself. Doc is shouting at him to go inside, but he won’t. So Doc calls timeout and draws up a play for me. I go out there, and I back Andrew Bynum way under the rim. I’m loose, I’m ready. I’ve got Bynum under the basket and again, Baby won’t give me the ball. So I go up to him and say, “If you ever miss me again I’m going to punch you in the face.” I was hot.

Two nights later we’re playing in Sacramento and here we go again. I take three shots the entire game and again I’ve got my man isolated underneath the basket, and Baby ignores me and takes a jump shot. So the next time we’re in the huddle I let Baby have it.

I tell him, “Pass the [expletive] ball inside.” He comes back at me a little bit and now I’m really heated. All hell is breaking loose. We’re going back and forth. Doc is standing there and he’s not saying a word. The message is pretty clear: Work this out yourselves. I tell Baby, “You’re a selfish player. Everyone on this team knows it.” Hey, all the fans knew it. He takes shots when he shouldn’t.

Not only that. Shaq mentioned BBD's low IQ on the court. Will try to find a quote.

[J the Drafter]

Maybe Glen is expendable with Maxiell here, but his Glen's knowledge of how to play defense and modest scoring ability really helped the team compared to Nicholson's inability to play D and McRoberts' difficulty scoring (as well as unremarkable defense, I want to say, but I can't recall).

[J the Drafter]

We also had the easiest schedule in the entire nba up to the point where BBD went down. So yeah, we were close to .500 but it was against the bottom lottery teams. In other words, when we played the better talent, BBD probably wouldn't have won us more than 2-5 games. Now, if you think Baby would have helped us beat teams like SAS, MIA, NYK, IND, CHI, GSW, LAC, BKN, BOS, OKC, etc (which were the type of teams we played without BBD) I don't know what to tell you.

You need to take another look at the Magic's schedule during their ten-game losing streak. Here are the teams we lost to:

Toronto Raptors
Utah Jazz
New Orleans Hornets
Washington Wizards
Toronto Raptors
Miami Heat
Chicago Bulls
New York Knicks
Portland Trail Blazers
Denver Nuggets

The trouble with losing Glen is that the Magic were forced to depend on McRoberts and Nicholson to anchor their interior offense and defense. Nicholson couldn't handle defensive responsibilities, while McRoberts could barely score. (I believe people said McRoberts wasn't great defensively, but I don't know how to compare Glen and Josh myself. McRoberts' defense certainly didn't compensate for his poor scoring.)

[Catledge]

Consider how bad Moe Harkless was in the first half of the season and how bad Dequan Jones was all season, how much better Vooch was in the last month of the season as compared to the first month, and how we didn't have Harris for the first half of the season. Now add injuries to our three key vets, and I don't see how people think we're not going to be any better this year. It's one thing to say we're not good enough to make the playoffs, but to think we're basically going to be at the same level as last year strikes me as outlandish.

[cedric76]

Consider how bad Moe Harkless was in the first half of the season and how bad Dequan Jones was all season, how much better Vooch was in the last month of the season as compared to the first month, and how we didn't have Harris for the first half of the season. Now add injuries to our three key vets, and I don't see how people think we're not going to be any better this year. It's one thing to say we're not good enough to make the playoffs, but to think we're basically going to be at the same level as last year strikes me as outlandish.

Don't listen to the tanking lover

Sent from my HTC One using RealGM Forums mobile app

[thelead]

We also had the easiest schedule in the entire nba up to the point where BBD went down. So yeah, we were close to .500 but it was against the bottom lottery teams. In other words, when we played the better talent, BBD probably wouldn't have won us more than 2-5 games. Now, if you think Baby would have helped us beat teams like SAS, MIA, NYK, IND, CHI, GSW, LAC, BKN, BOS, OKC, etc (which were the type of teams we played without BBD) I don't know what to tell you.

You need to take another look at the Magic's schedule during their ten-game losing streak. Here are the teams we lost to:

Toronto Raptors
Utah Jazz
New Orleans Hornets
Washington Wizards
Toronto Raptors
Miami Heat
Chicago Bulls
New York Knicks
Portland Trail Blazers
Denver Nuggets

The trouble with losing Glen is that the Magic were forced to depend on McRoberts and Nicholson to anchor their interior offense and defense. Nicholson couldn't handle defensive responsibilities, while McRoberts could barely score. (I believe people said McRoberts wasn't great defensively, but I don't know how to compare Glen and Josh myself. McRoberts' defense certainly didn't compensate for his poor scoring.)

4 out of those 10 are playoff teams. So, BBD helps us win what? 3 out of the other 6? We wouldn't win all of them. So, instead of going 0-10 we go 3-10. Like I said he helps but he isn't going to make THAT much of a difference. Hell, you could argue adding Aldrigde (instead of BBD) wouldn't get us more than a 8 or 7 seed. I don't see how BBD is THAT good; and I was for bringing him in when Dwight was still here. He is a solid role player, but lets not get carried away; he isn't a game changer. If he was, teams would be giving up lottery picks for a player like that only making $6 mil per.

[thelead]

Consider how bad Moe Harkless was in the first half of the season and how bad Dequan Jones was all season, how much better Vooch was in the last month of the season as compared to the first month, and how we didn't have Harris for the first half of the season. Now add injuries to our three key vets, and I don't see how people think we're not going to be any better this year. It's one thing to say we're not good enough to make the playoffs, but to think we're basically going to be at the same level as last year strikes me as outlandish.

IF we stay healthy AND we don't trade any vets, we'll be much better. Unfortunately, much better than the worst isn't all that great. We won 20 games last year. IF all goes well (for those that want to win and lessen their chance on acquiring a franchise player in the draft) I can see us winning 32 games. That is a HUGE improvement but not nearly enough to get into the playoffs.

Face it, you don't hear Rob or Vaughn talking about playoffs, do you? They don't even mention it.

Now, if we land a franchise player in next years draft, I guarantee they BOTH will be talking about playoff aspirations RIGHT AFTER the draft.

[arsenal6106]

2.5 pages left..hmmm that should be a good for another 2 days.

[in-limbo]

Around 31 wins is a good guess, my concern is that we would have a couple over achievers and get that number a bit higher. Of course this is pending our vets being healthy, and we all know that wont happen. Even 31 wins is purgatory if you ask me.

Are there any high picks we could even consider getting by some other means than sucking. If we could get say the 4 or 5 and take Smart I would be good to go into free agency. It would be nice to be able to hope for wins next year.

Who thinks running our current squad out there will get us a top 5?

[Driguez]

So... OT, but how about tonight's Breaking Bad episode... **** about to get real, I have a feeling this being the last season it will be pretty damn epic.

[J the Drafter]

IF we stay healthy AND we don't trade any vets, we'll be much better. Unfortunately, much better than the worst isn't all that great. We won 20 games last year. IF all goes well (for those that want to win and lessen their chance on acquiring a franchise player in the draft) I can see us winning 32 games. That is a HUGE improvement but not nearly enough to get into the playoffs.

Face it, you don't hear Rob or Vaughn talking about playoffs, do you? They don't even mention it.

Now, if we land a franchise player in next years draft, I guarantee they BOTH will be talking about playoff aspirations RIGHT AFTER the draft.

It's more about Nicholson and McRoberts being that bad, actually. We lost against the Bulls because the team was getting burned inside until the coaching staff adjusted to cut that play off. We lost to the Nuggets because Vaughn had to make a choice between Andrew's scoring and Josh's defense (Vaughn chose poorly, by the way, but that's for another time). Glen can anchor the team on offense and defense, which not one of our other active power forwards was capable of. We saw how much of the scoring load Davis took upon himself, and even if he wasn't too efficient, he was still able to put up points when the defense forced him to make plays. McRoberts doesn't truly have that ability. Nicholson does, even better than Davis, but calling Andrew's defense spotty is charitable.

[OrlandO]

Harrington possibly signing with Wizards soon... guess no contenders wanted him

[MagicFan32]

We're not a playoff team but we will be better next year, especially with all the teams intentionally trying to be bad. no way do we have the worst record unless we get massively injured b/c Philly will be horrible. I wouldn't be holding onto BBD and Afflalo much past the new year unless alot of things go right, i'd consider 30 wins a step in the right direction, without jeapordizing our position in the draft much. anything in the top 6 right now is golden imo

[orlando1214]

So... OT, but how about tonight's Breaking Bad episode... **** about to get real, I have a feeling this being the last season it will be pretty damn epic.

Yeah it was, that ending scene was crazy intense! I agree that these last few episodes are going to amazing!

[Force9024]

Al Harrington nearing deal with Wizards per WT.. Hmm interesting I figured he had Heat Spurs Clippers or Rockets written all over him...

[The Real Dalic]

I'm still waiting on the news on Hedo. I'm hoping we waive him or buy him out.

[MagicStarwipe]

Al Harrington nearing deal with Wizards per WT.. Hmm interesting I figured he had Heat Spurs Clippers or Rockets written all over him...

Dude was so desperate to get out of Orlando, just so he could sign with the Wizards?