Chocolate City Jordanaire wrote:payitforward wrote:hands11 wrote:I like what Orlando is doing....
They should be back in the playoffs in 2-3 years. And in a perfect storm, maybe sooner.
Yep. In one year, from what looked to the world like a total disaster -- losing Howard via what everyone thought was a horrible trade -- their new, young GM has turned the Magic into an incredibly interesting franchise with an absolute *ton* of young talent.
Word is they have been trying hard to trade Glen Davis. Even if they don't, next year they'll have 11 guys under contract for @ $37m. Wow. Oladipo, Vucevic, Harris, Harkless, Nicholson, O'Quinn, Lamb -- a terrific set of young talent. Add Osby maybe. And of course more to come next draft.
If they decide to go "all in for mediocrity" like a certain team I know, what would keep them out of the playoffs next year, given the $$ they'll have to spend on FAs. My guess is they won't do that.
The only problem with having all that young talent is THERE are only 240 minutes to go around. At SF and PF there are 96 minutes, total.
How can young, talented players develop when they can't all play? Harris is rock-solid, and about the closest thing to a breakout star at SF/PF. Harkless and Nicholson play SF and PF, respectively, but they're going to be pressed for minutes. A healthy Glenn Davis is a starter at PF. Vucevic is their C. O'Quinn is a nice rebounder but he's going to need someone to go in order to get PT. The rookie Osby has a nice game, and he's going to probably end up leapfrogging guys on the roster, young guys. No matter how ORL does it, someone is not going to get the minutes. What complicates it is when young guys are battling other young guys for minutes on a losing team.
At least the Wizards roster has some nice balance of veterans and youth now. I wish the 2011 drafted youth were more talented, and that Seraphin was a worker on the boards. We don't IMO have an abundance of talented youth.
Orlando will have the same challenge the Wizards had before adding more vets though they do actually have some. Its all in how they make the transition just like what the Wizards are going through now. It may be easier for them though since the have a difference set of young talent. ie. no Nick or McGee.
The Wizards had to transition out of young talent to new young talent. Orl has VO, Tobias and Nikola right off the bat who all three will likely remain starters. Orl is closer to what the Wizards were last year maybe. Al could really help them get this going.
As for us not having an abundance of young talent. I think Wall, Beal and Otto is pretty abundant and we still need answers on Ves, Kevin and Singleton. That's plenty for now. Two mostly sure things. One rookie top 3 pick who looks to be a all around solid player, and 3 youngs that needs to prove it or lose it this year.
I'm keeping an open mind on Ves, Kevin and Singleton. They get this year to prove what they have. Last year was needed for the team to move forward but it did change the game on them in mid song. Now they have had an off-season to adjust to the bar getting raised on them. They deserve that benefit of the doubt in my book.
