Official Speculation Thread (Pt. XLIX"Reg. Season"Ed.)

[OrlChamps2030]

Look, there is no doubt that rich 20 year olds want to live in big cities but IF Otis built a champion who the hell cares what Dwight did afterwards. Again, it also doesn't help when small markets have cheap owners that trade away their talent before they have to pay them (PHX and Utah come to mind). They literally have owners that have had to take out loans to pay players... We're very fortunate to have an owner with DEEP pockets. I believe we have a very good chance of building a contender here and we now have the right guys making decisions. I believe if Henny and his crew had what Otis had to work with, starting in 2004, we would have a championship by now.

According to that list you posted Small Market cities are essentially pointless. Not to mention all the players on that list that weren't even drafted by the team they won a championship with.

Here's another fun fact: 100% of the superstars the Orlando Magic have ever had got traded or left the team.

If we go by "history" then the only way the Orlando Magic can become a contender is by moving to Mexico City. That's a MAJOR market right there. Mexico Magia?? I can get used to that.

[thelead]

Look, there is no doubt that rich 20 year olds want to live in big cities but IF Otis built a champion who the hell cares what Dwight did afterwards. Again, it also doesn't help when small markets have cheap owners that trade away their talent before they have to pay them (PHX and Utah come to mind). They literally have owners that have had to take out loans to pay players... We're very fortunate to have an owner with DEEP pockets. I believe we have a very good chance of building a contender here and we now have the right guys making decisions. I believe if Henny and his crew had what Otis had to work with, starting in 2004, we would have a championship by now.

According to that list you posted Small Market cities are essentially pointless. Not to mention all the players on that list that weren't even drafted by the team they won a championship with.

Here's another fun fact: 100% of the superstars the Orlando Magic have ever had got traded or left the team.

If we go by "history" then the only way the Orlando Magic can become a contender is by moving to Mexico City. That's a MAJOR market right there. Mexico Magia?? I can get used to that.

So why are you a fan again? You're saying tanking doesn't work because we'll just lose our star but you think we can sign one from another team if we're patient enough with our cap space??? How do we contend with the "get swept in the 1st round and have patience" plan in this small market?

[Cigamodnalro]

SAS is a good example of a past small market dynasty, and OKC is a good example of a potential future one. The cards ARE stacked against smaller markets (stars like the glitz, glamor, and marketing potential of big cities), but that doesn't mean you can't make it happen. And I think, in time, we will

[OrlChamps2030]

Look, there is no doubt that rich 20 year olds want to live in big cities but IF Otis built a champion who the hell cares what Dwight did afterwards. Again, it also doesn't help when small markets have cheap owners that trade away their talent before they have to pay them (PHX and Utah come to mind). They literally have owners that have had to take out loans to pay players... We're very fortunate to have an owner with DEEP pockets. I believe we have a very good chance of building a contender here and we now have the right guys making decisions. I believe if Henny and his crew had what Otis had to work with, starting in 2004, we would have a championship by now.

According to that list you posted Small Market cities are essentially pointless. Not to mention all the players on that list that weren't even drafted by the team they won a championship with.

Here's another fun fact: 100% of the superstars the Orlando Magic have ever had got traded or left the team.

If we go by "history" then the only way the Orlando Magic can become a contender is by moving to Mexico City. That's a MAJOR market right there. Mexico Magia?? I can get used to that.

So why are you a fan again? You're saying tanking doesn't work because we'll just lose our star but you think we can sign one from another team if we're patient enough with our cap space??? How do we contend with the "get swept in the 1st round and have patience" plan in this small market?

I'm not saying we would FOR SURE lose our star but there are so many variables to "tanking" that it is not the simple and low-risk method you are making it out to be. The odds would say that most teams that tank end up being in the dumps for a while.

I also never said I expect us to sign a star from another team. I expect us to trade one of our shooting guards and draft players in the 7th-12th range over the next 2 or 3 years. Maybe make a signing in the 8 mill - 12 mill range if it fits a glaring position of need. Build a team similar to the Nuggets or 2004 Pistons that plays D and is a tough match up.

Here's a fun fact: out of the last 22 first picks in the draft only one of those players won a chip with the team that drafted him. (Tim Duncan)

To me posting that list of the past 15 NBA champions or whatever it was you posted exemplifies major market bias more than anything.

[Cigamodnalro]

Redick winning over the Wolves fans

We should definitely pursue Redick, whether it's at the deadline or in the off-season.

[thelead]

I'm not saying we would FOR SURE lose our star but there are so many variables to "tanking" that it is not the simple and low-risk method you are making it out to be. The odds would say that most teams that tank end up being in the dumps for a while.

I also never said I expect us to sign a star from another team. I expect us to trade one of our shooting guards and draft players in the 7th-12th range over the next 2 or 3 years. Maybe make a signing in the 8 mill - 12 mill range if it fits a glaring position of need. Build a team similar to the Nuggets or 2004 Pistons that plays D and is a tough match up.

Here's a fun fact: out of the last 22 first picks in the draft only one of those players won a chip with the team that drafted him. (Tim Duncan)

To me posting that list of the past 15 NBA champions or whatever it was you posted exemplifies major market bias more than anything.

The NBA has changed though. A team like the Nuggets are never going to beat the new super teams in the nba. They may beat one in a series but they're not getting through 2 or 3 on the road to a championship. You have to build a team with at least one star if not two. There has to be a plan to get those type of players.

[Cigamodnalro]

Big cities like New York can sell a player on the city as much as or even more so than the team. Orlando will have to sell the player on the CULTURE. Still very possible, just a different dynamic. See OKC, recently named one of the ten most depressing cities in the country, and still able to retain its stars.

[OrlChamps2030]

I'm not saying we would FOR SURE lose our star but there are so many variables to "tanking" that it is not the simple and low-risk method you are making it out to be. The odds would say that most teams that tank end up being in the dumps for a while.

I also never said I expect us to sign a star from another team. I expect us to trade one of our shooting guards and draft players in the 7th-12th range over the next 2 or 3 years. Maybe make a signing in the 8 mill - 12 mill range if it fits a glaring position of need. Build a team similar to the Nuggets or 2004 Pistons that plays D and is a tough match up.

Here's a fun fact: out of the last 22 first picks in the draft only one of those players won a chip with the team that drafted him. (Tim Duncan)

To me posting that list of the past 15 NBA champions or whatever it was you posted exemplifies major market bias more than anything.

The NBA has changed though. A team like the Nuggets are never going to beat the new super teams in the nba. They may beat one in a series but they're not getting through 2 or 3 on the road to a championship. You have to build a team with at least one star if not two. There has to be a plan to get those type of players.

Didn't the 2004 Pistons beat the original super team? And didn't the Mavs beat a super team?

The thing is man, you don't plan for stars. The Bobcats did last year, and they failed pretty hard. Stars just happen. Imagine if the Thunder had the #1 pick and drafted the consensus #1 player (Greg Oden). The Bulls definitely didn't plan to land Rose. The lotto is a lottery for a reason.

I'm not saying that "tanking" doesn't work. I am moreso saying that there is not a "formula" to land a star and become a contender like you are claiming.

[OrlChamps2030]

Big cities like New York can sell a player on the city as much as or even more so than the team. Orlando will have to sell the player on the CULTURE. Still very possible, just a different dynamic. See OKC, recently named one of the ten most depressing cities in the country, and still able to retain its stars.

I'm not saying that Orlando WILL lose their star; just that it is another variable along with many others that come with "tanking".

[thelead]

I'm not saying we would FOR SURE lose our star but there are so many variables to "tanking" that it is not the simple and low-risk method you are making it out to be. The odds would say that most teams that tank end up being in the dumps for a while.

I also never said I expect us to sign a star from another team. I expect us to trade one of our shooting guards and draft players in the 7th-12th range over the next 2 or 3 years. Maybe make a signing in the 8 mill - 12 mill range if it fits a glaring position of need. Build a team similar to the Nuggets or 2004 Pistons that plays D and is a tough match up.

Here's a fun fact: out of the last 22 first picks in the draft only one of those players won a chip with the team that drafted him. (Tim Duncan)

To me posting that list of the past 15 NBA champions or whatever it was you posted exemplifies major market bias more than anything.

The NBA has changed though. A team like the Nuggets are never going to beat the new super teams in the nba. They may beat one in a series but they're not getting through 2 or 3 on the road to a championship. You have to build a team with at least one star if not two. There has to be a plan to get those type of players.

Didn't the 2004 Pistons beat the original super team? And didn't the Mavs beat a super team?

The thing is man, you don't plan for stars. The Bobcats did last year, and they failed pretty hard. Stars just happen. Imagine if the Thunder had the #1 pick and drafted the consensus #1 player (Greg Oden). The Bulls definitely didn't plan to land Rose. The lotto is a lottery for a reason.

I'm not saying that "tanking" doesn't work. I am moreso saying that there is not a "formula" to land a star like you are claiming.

That, I agree with. But listen, how many stars have the cavs drafted in the last ten years? How many have they signed? I'm just saying the chances are much higher with the lottery than with free agency; especially being in a small market.

[msmoore66]

The thing is man, you don't plan for stars. The Bobcats did last year, and they failed pretty hard. Stars just happen.

Good point right there.

[OrlChamps2030]

The NBA has changed though. A team like the Nuggets are never going to beat the new super teams in the nba. They may beat one in a series but they're not getting through 2 or 3 on the road to a championship. You have to build a team with at least one star if not two. There has to be a plan to get those type of players.

Didn't the 2004 Pistons beat the original super team? And didn't the Mavs beat a super team?

The thing is man, you don't plan for stars. The Bobcats did last year, and they failed pretty hard. Stars just happen. Imagine if the Thunder had the #1 pick and drafted the consensus #1 player (Greg Oden). The Bulls definitely didn't plan to land Rose. The lotto is a lottery for a reason.

I'm not saying that "tanking" doesn't work. I am moreso saying that there is not a "formula" to land a star like you are claiming.

That, I agree with. But listen, how many stars have the cavs drafted in the last ten years? How many have they signed? I'm just saying the chances are much higher with the lottery than with free agency; especially being in a small market.

Well I'm not necessarily sure the Cavs "planned" for Kyrie (they really need to thank the Clippers for their incompetence) but I can agree with that for the most part.

I see what you're saying and I agree with it. My point is though lets not assume tanking assuredly gets you success and lets not assume drafting in the 5-12 range automatically means you're destined for mediocrity. I think you have to judge each team on their own and not just how you see the "trend" because the "trend" would say that small market teams have little-to-no shot at becoming a contender.

I think we should let things play out. As far as I'm concerned for this team there is no "recipe for success". There is no "recipe for success" for the NBA in general; or there would be a lot more parity. Lets see how Rob does wherever we end up in the draft before we instantly claim we are going in the wrong direction.

[KillMonger]

Well that Harrington rumor was interesting for a spell, How can someone just spout something like that with no indication of any truth to it? Bad information or is he just throwing anything to the wall to see what sticks?

[thelead]

Well I'm not necessarily sure the Cavs "planned" for Kyrie (they really need to thank the Clippers for their incompetence) but I can agree with that for the most part.

I see what you're saying and I agree with it. My point is though lets not assume tanking assuredly gets you success and lets not assume drafting in the 5-12 range automatically means you're destined for mediocrity. I think you have to judge each team on their own and not just how you see the "trend" because the "trend" would say that small market teams have little-to-no shot at becoming a contender.

I think we should let things play out. As far as I'm concerned for this team there is no "recipe for success". There is no "recipe for success" for the NBA in general; or there would be a lot more parity. Lets see how Rob does wherever we end up in the draft before we instantly claim we are going in the wrong direction.

I trust Henny actually even though I would prefer to tank a little better then we are right now. I just don't want to be a playoff team. That gives us zero chance to land a top 3 pick and guarantees us to be swept. All in all though I don't think we come close to making the playoffs anyways, so I do think we're going in the right direction. I also think that Hennigan was hedging his bets with the youth and vets; not wanting to field a team that might not win any games. Once the youth shows more promise we may see a vet or two shipped out for more picks anyways. Or at least, I hope anyway.

[Def Swami]

Steve Kyler ‏@stevekylerNBA
#awkward - kid in hallway sees Magic CEO Alex Martins & says "Hey Alex. Are you gonna trade JJ?" Martins walks away and says "I don't know"

[KillMonger]

Steve Kyler ‏@stevekylerNBA
#awkward - kid in hallway sees Magic CEO Alex Martins & says "Hey Alex. Are you gonna trade JJ?" Martins walks away and says "I don't know"

Kyler again huh? Any way if it's true then i would think that's about an honest answer as you're going to get, you have to see what they offer first might be able to get a homerun deal

[Showbiz Bear]

As much as I'd like to keep JJ, as much as I'd love him to retire a Magician, I also want him to play for championships. He deserves it, in my opinion.

Trade him to a contender for cash, or prospects, or picks, whatever.

[Cigamodnalro]

Tyreke Evans not playing tonight #conjecture #kneeinjuryirrelevant

[_DudeItsMagic_]

Steve Kyler ‏@stevekylerNBA
Magic CEO Alex Martins clarified that kid in hallway didn't ask if JJ Redick would be traded. Kid asked if JJ was coming out of locker room.

ROUGH DAY FOR KYLER #EPICFAIL

[Cigamodnalro]

Steve Kyler ‏@stevekylerNBA
Magic CEO Alex Martins clarified that kid in hallway didn't ask if JJ Redick would be traded. Kid asked if JJ was coming out of locker room.

ROUGH DAY FOR KYLER #EPICFAIL

LOL. Just wow.