RealGM

Last year I had the feeling they just squeaked in. It was good that Dwight got the playoff expeirence but the year wasn't that great. This year they won a series and they played Detriot a lot tighter and it's pretty clear that all they need to do to get better is add some size and cut down on turnovers. This team is improving. I'm happy.

Agreed.

Any objective fan has to accept that most teams learn to win titles in stages. This was the next stage - 'winning a playoff series.'
Next season I'd like to see us a more well-rounded contender who plays the mental game better.

amen

Step 1: Steal underpants
Step 2: ?????
Step 3: Profit

Cigamodnalro wrote:Step 1: Steal underpants
Step 2: ?????
Step 3: Profit

Underpant gnomes!! A true classic.

Honestly as long as we got into the second round as was happy with the sesaon. I think heading into the off-season we need to add another big body to play alongside dwight and add a defensive PG like Chris Duhon, and cut down TO

Cigamodnalro wrote:Step 1: Steal underpants
Step 2: ?????
Step 3: Profit

lol

I love that episode.

I dont think orlando threw out 120 million to Lewis just to win one playoff series, and have somethign to " build on".

Oh, were we supposed to win the finals this year or something with a new coach and a new FA playing out of position?

Of course, everybody wants to go to the finals. We're not in "rebuilding mode" but 2nd round is nothing to shake your head at.. we didn't get there the last 5 times.

A sweep by the Pistons would have killed whatever we accomplished this year. We dodged that, so I'm happy.

By the way, I'm new. What's up?

again, you don't bring in a 100 million dollar player to win one playoff series. they were going for it this year.

This is a point that has divided us the whole season. Not only did we throw 120 million to player that wasn't an all-star (last year nor this year) but we paid 120 million to a guy to play out of position. I think this roster overachieved, won 52 games which is good for the regular season but once again in the playoffs we could not match up to the Pistons who won in 5 games, 3 of those without Billups. I still see half the camp favoring the Hedo-Rashard duo, and the other half knowing that we need a PF to get by Detroit or even Cleveland next if we wind up playing them.

Who do you bring in? A healthy Carter would be great and would offset Turks ballhandling, he'd play SG allow Lewis to play his position and let Battie play PF. Or go with Redd, whom I hear has a lot of negatives. Maggette? There's really no good PF out there, I mean even if we were able to pry away a Brand, we can't compete with an Evans/Bogans platoon at SG. Just specultion, food for thought. I'm sure we'll hear hundreds of scenarios this offseason.

Hindsight is always 20/20. You have no idea if Carter would of helped as much as Rashard. Or if he would of been injured.

and oak I disagree completely.. teams going for it all this year are the Phoenix, Dallas, and Bostons of the world. 5 very close games against Detroit and we could of been in the ECF, which in my opinion would be incredible as we don't have much of a bench and our small/crappy backcourt. If "going for it" means wanting to win, then yes.. but not to take the cake this year

The core of Dwight/Lewis/Nelson is definitely something to grow on. I love what Stan got out of this team, the identity they developed, and the heart they showed in setting a record for road wins. Hedo is now a hugely valuable asset, so whether he is locked up and added to the core or traded will tell a lot. It will also be interesting to see how Otis handles all the players leaving and with what he replaces them. You can be sure it will be more of the stretch in out and pound it in mentality, which I think is winning basketball and the right approach for this team. Go Magic!

Soul wrote:Hindsight is always 20/20. You have no idea if Carter would of helped as much as Rashard. Or if he would of been injured.

and oak I disagree completely.. teams going for it all this year are the Phoenix, Dallas, and Bostons of the world. 5 very close games against Detroit and we could of been in the ECF, which in my opinion would be incredible as we don't have much of a bench and our small/crappy backcourt. If "going for it" means wanting to win, then yes.. but not to take the cake this year

Orlando signed a player in the off season for 100 plus million dollars. If they weren't going for it this year, ( with seriously capping their team)... how could you not be pissed at smith?

Signing a player to that much money is pretty much equal to trading all your young talent.

oakfanintheeast wrote:again, you don't bring in a 100 million dollar player to win one playoff series. they were going for it this year.

As always I think your way off. Its not they traded for Shaq, where you would literally only have a few yrs. Our team is still very young and as long as Dwight is in Orlando our window is open. I think they wanted it this yr but this team wasnt built to win RIGHT NOW or else, we still have a future.

oakfanintheeast wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



Orlando signed a player in the off season for 100 plus million dollars. If they weren't going for it this year, ( with seriously capping their team)... how could you not be pissed at smith?

Signing a player to that much money is pretty much equal to trading all your young talent.

Nor do you judge a signing in 1 season. Nor do you pay him 100 million for 1 season. Nor do you judge a signing when the team has holes and lack of depth.

That said, his Detroit series was underwhelming - perhaps due to match with a bigger 4 all series long. Regardless of the reason, it would have been nice - win or lose - if he came through in Game 5.

well, now they know they can be competitive with a powerhouse like detroit. they just need to upgrade a bit to get them over the hump, whether that'd be with signing players or developing players.

If Smith thought they couldnt win now, why would they sign a guy now, when they could have waited two-ish years for someone better to become a free agent, and Dwight would be more developed?

Smith had to have some notion that Lewis would put them over the top this year.

i don't think they would have any cap space two-ish years from now with Dwight and Jameer's new deal, and there's no guarantee a better FA gonna be available unless you possess a crystal ball.