State of the Magic

[drsd]

I basically agree with everything in the original post, in whole or in parts.

Let's look at the in-parts option.

Is there any question that if the Magic had an identical starting four and exchanged Evans for a Maggette that the Magic would be a better team? Or what about another big on the FA market? Small changes proposed individually make the Magic better. Coupled, perhaps it's even better.

The Magic are below the Pistons, but not by a lot. The next year was always meant to be the year where GM Smith would assemble the winner. That Orlando won the South East this year is some sort of cherry on the cake of his design plan.

[TheRevTy]

The whole point of the OP was that while I thoroughly appreciate our current team and current success, we are somewhat trapped into our current roster, which means playing someone out of position.

I guess we'll have to see how we do in the playoffs, I just posted it now because, well, there isn't another game until Saturday, so things look to be kind of boring round here.

We have to figure out if we want to commit to not getting the max out of Shard. He is obviously better as a SF. He is playing incredibly well, better than I expected, but could be better. Plus, do we try and resign Hedo in 2 years? All questions that I don't envy the man responsible to answer. That was the point.

[TooNice00]

all i know is if dwight takes the same leap next year as he did this year we will be a lot better based on that alone and rank right up there with the pistons and boston. Just perfecting his hook shot would make him so much better.

[JJ_Canuck]

I got to agree with you lovehoops01...I guess we are getting ahead of ourselves.

[ivDT]

I got to agree with you lovehoops01...I guess we are getting ahead of ourselves.

i don't see how.

this is a message board, where any of several topics pertaining to the magic are meant to be discussed.

whether it's our last game, our next game, the playoffs, the offseason or the 95 finals, people will talk about it and they're well within their right to do so.

that's how these boards work.

[SD2042]

^^ We really are jumping ahead too quick. Everybody knows the Magic have some issues that need to be address during the offseason. And hopefully they will get some of those issues ironed out.

There is something I think everyone should think about concerning the offense from the Magic's bench. The team really don't have that consistant offensive punch coming off the bench like a shooter or scorer. What I'm thinking here in theory is what if the Magic take the road of sliding Shard back to the SF spot, have Hedo come off the bench providing the offense punch, and draft, trade or sign a PF to put next to D-12? Would that work in theory?

[drsd]

Several are suggesting quick jumps. That can only mean that some expect a quite successful post-season. I for one hope you all are correct!

[TheRevTy]

While I agree that moving Hedo to the bench seems a viable option, that still means in order for both he and Rashard to get significant minutes, one would have to play out of position for a good percentage of time. The only reason it works for Manu or Ben Gordon to come off of the bench is they actually have a bench, or lesser stater, quality player playing ahead of them in the depth chart.

[BadMofoPimp]

I would love for the Magic to get rid of Nelson and get a legit PG and keep Arroyo or Dooling as a backup. Then, get rid of most of the bigs that are backups and get a decent PF to rotate with Lewis. If they can add a starting caliber SG, I am all for it also.

[mattyBoi]

I think a main potential problem, that almost happened recently...Is what happens if Hedo gets hurt? We have no back up SF...And if you say just move Rashard back to SF...Then we end up having no PF

Here is what i think should happen...

Resign Dooling
Resign Mo
Try and deal Bogans/Reddick
Sign a SG with MLE
Draft a SG/SF...Maybe Douglas-Roberts?
Sign a PF with the LLE...Maybe Kurt Thomas?
Try and get Fran if possible
Bring back Battie

This IMO would put us over the top.

[TheRevTy]

Maggette can play SF... just sayin'...

[lovehoops01]

I would love for the Magic to get rid of Nelson and get a legit PG and keep Arroyo or Dooling as a backup. Then, get rid of most of the bigs that are backups and get a decent PF to rotate with Lewis. If they can add a starting caliber SG, I am all for it also.

So in other words, you want a whole new team except for Dwight, Rashard, Hedo and Arroyo/Dooling (pick one). That's an extreme makeover for a team that is likely to win 50 games, isn't it? And how, exactly, do you expect to see all that accomplished?

[lovehoops01]

-= original quote snipped =-



i don't see how.

this is a message board, where any of several topics pertaining to the magic are meant to be discussed.

whether it's our last game, our next game, the playoffs, the offseason or the 95 finals, people will talk about it and they're well within their right to do so.

that's how these boards work.

Yes, I know it's how the board works and that we CAN talk about anything we want to. But is the point to enjoy the journey of how the team improves and see it enjoy some success? Shouldn't we focus on what is going to happen in the playoffs?

Or is the goal here just to keep continually remaking the team and not caring how they do on the court? And if that's the case, why just do it on the Magic board? I mean, we all could sit around and make lists of all our favorite players and propose that(fill in the blank team) brings in 15 new players two or three times a season. Or how about just doing it every day on our PlayStations or XBox 360s?

If the point isn't to see the team grow and have some success, what is the point? There wasn't a day that went by starting with the end of last season up through the trade deadline when we didn't talk about what changes the Magic need to make. In the meantime, they have gone from a 40-win team that barely made the playoffs to a team that is going to be seeded No. 3 in the East and could win around 50 games. No, that is not the be-all, end-all, but shouldn't we try to enjoy it a little?

The Magic can't do anything to make the team better for at least a couple months now. There is no trade deadline coming up. The draft is almost three months away. Free agency even longer. There will be loads of time to talk about changes later unless they go really deep in the playoffs. And if that happens, then how many changes should be made?

[BassMaster]

I agree that the Magic need an all around banger who can help Howard on the boards. There are a large number of big men in the draft this year so maybe the Magic can pickup a good player at the PF slot.
I also agree that the Magic need help at the PG slot as well. Nelson is not a starter and right now is showing problems with concussions which could end up shortening his career.
I don't see the Magic getting a PG of the kind of caliber that would help them get into the championship in the draft. They need to fill the big man slot first then try and find a capable PG in the free agent market who can play defense to help the team and be their if and when Nelson gets hit in the head again.
With all of that I am very proud that the Magic played better then all of the experts predicted this year and hope to see better things in the playoffs and next year. Go Magic!!

[ivDT]

Yes, I know it's how the board works and that we CAN talk about anything we want to.

see, for some strange reason, hoops, i don't think you do.

But is the point to enjoy the journey of how the team improves and see it enjoy some success?

sure. what does that have to do with any of this, though?

Shouldn't we focus on what is going to happen in the playoffs?

focus?

why would anyone who understands the whole message board concept want us to collectively "focus" on, well, any one thing?

again, this is a message board, not a phone conference where discussing one subject prevents you from discussing another at the same time.

and hoops, there are already threads where you can discuss the playoffs.

you know that.

you also know that you can start your own threads if you're interested in talking about something that you feel isn't being discussed enough.

if people want to read what you have to say or discuss what you want to discuss then they'll join you.

honest.

you won't even have to play gatekeeper or go into other posters' threads and chide them for their lack of "focus" to get them to do it either.

...stuff about XBox's, 40 ounces and 50 cent snipped...

[lovehoops01]

I'm not chiding anyone. I guess I'm wondering why. Everyone has said they want a winner for so long. Now they have one, and all they want to talk about is next season. There are two threads here on the first page that discuss the playoffs and five talking about next season. That would seem to indicate that more people are interested in next season than this season.

[TheRevTy]

As I stated previously, I posted this now because I knew there would be a lull in things to talk about, what with there being such a large gap between games. Another reason is our previous game was a glaring example of the issue we face. This thread isn't just me playing NBA Live and wanting stars on our team. This is me seeing an issue of having two all-star caliber players at the same position who are limited by playing different positions. I proposed a solution.

I have always wanted a winner. Now I want to know how we sustain winning and then win even more.

If you need further proof that this is an issue, there is an article in the Orlando Sentinel about the very same thing with very interesting quotes from Otis that echo my sentiments. But I guess he should be sipping mai tais, soaking in this winning season, huh?

[TooNice00]

It is because people think this team is constructed "poorly" and want to talk about fixing it to a "championship level." Many seem to believe the magic are done growing and are limited to improvement as is. You can't forget this is SVG's and rashard's first year with the magic, dwight howard is going to get a lot better, jameer may still improve, tony battie has missed the whole season, and it is obvious our overall chemistry could use some work. No team knows they are at championship level till they actually win one.

[eyriq]

-TheRevTy

Are you talking about that article today in the Orlando Sentinel where Otis talks about Lewis playing "some" at the 4 next year but really being optimal at the 3? I read that too, and it certainly puts things in perspective for what the Magic may do in the draft and in free agency. Personally I like some of the starting 2's available this offseason but if we can bag a starting 4 through a trade or the MLE than more power to Otis. That leaves us with a whole new bag of unknowns though since Hedo will either start at the 2 or come off the bench and we don't know how he'll respond. As you know I'd just rather leave Lewis at the 4.

[TheRevTy]

Yeah, Lewis at the four has been effective, at least, but the knock on the system is that it won't work in the playoffs. While I'm not sure I believe that, I do wonder how long we could continue using this method and being effective. Eventually, banging inside will wear Rashard down, physically and emotionally. And last time I checked, we are giving him a pretty nice chuck of cash for a very long time. Do we maximize his value and utilize him to the best of his ability? Do we wait until Hedo expires and then try and resign him, thereby having two high-priced SF's on our team? Essentially, while I appreciate the success our current team has delivered, I am looking to max out value and productivity. I don't think our current lineup does that.