Magic GM:" Magic still a contender"

magictreat · Post #1 » by **magictreat** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 4:24 am

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/o ... 3515.story

QUOTE:Known as a straight-shooter brimming with perhaps more confidence than his players, Orlando Magic General Manager Otis Smith was asked if his slumping team is a contender. He answered the question with a question.

"Was Cleveland?" Smith said.

The Cavaliers of the Eastern Conference shockingly rode a 50-32 record and superstar LeBron James into the NBA Finals last season, losing the title series to the San Antonio Spurs in a sweep.

Post #2 » by **FFBlitzace** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 4:26 am

I wonder if he knows that there's a message board out there that takes everything he says and bashes the sh** out of it. Probably not, cause otherwise I think he'd keep his mouth shut by now.

MoGrAdY · Post #3 » by **MoGrAdY** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 4:28 am

^^ I dont lol

magictreat · Post #4 » by **magictreat** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 4:28 am

FFBlitzace wrote:I wonder if he knows that there's a message board out there that takes everything he says and bashes the sh** out of it. Probably not, cause otherwise I think he'd keep his mouth shut by now.

ROTFLMFAO.... :lol:

Post #5 » by **MagicMadness** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 4:34 am

A contender to win our crappy conference.

TooNice00 · Post #6 » by **TooNice00** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 4:38 am

ya never know.

MagicFan3 · Post #7 » by **MagicFan3** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 4:50 am

*facepalm*

AdamTheGreek · Post #8 » by **AdamTheGreek** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 5:21 am

If you get in the playoffs, you're considered a contender, IMO.

Post #9 » by **Bensational** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 6:30 am

AdamTheGreek wrote:If you get in the playoffs, you're considered a contender, IMO.

true. but i think when most people say 'contender' they're talking about a team that's good a high % chance at winning the title. a team that just scrapes in to the playoffs is a wild card.

it goes back to what Jason Willis was talking about with everyone having 'equal opportunities' and stuff. the opportunity is there, it's just harder for some :wink:

Bucs80 · Post #10 » by **Bucs80** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 6:33 am

Contenders:
San Antonio
Dallas
Phoenix
Detroit
Boston

Post #11 » by **craig01** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 1:33 pm

Not a contender as is.

Post #12 » by **damo[23]** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 1:37 pm

Whats good enough for Sly is good enough for me.

lovehoops01 · Post #13 » by **lovehoops01** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 1:43 pm

FFBlitzace wrote:I wonder if he knows that there's a message board out there that takes everything he says and bashes the sh** out of it. Probably not, cause otherwise I think he'd keep his mouth shut by now.

Yeah, every time a reporter called him for an interview, he'd say, "Im sorry. I can't talk to you because if I do, some people will say some bad stuff about me on the message boards.''

mhectorgato · Post #14 » by **mhectorgato** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 5:27 pm

FFBlitzace wrote:I wonder if he knows that there's a message board out there that takes everything he says and bashes the sh** out of it. Probably not, cause otherwise I think he'd keep his mouth shut by now.

He also knows that if he'd say that we're not a contender, people will bash him anyways.

I have no problem if he shows confidence in our team. imo, there are 2 Otises (or is it Otii? ) the public one who says everything is going good and the private one who's on the phone seeing who is available, trying to work deals, etc ...

magicfanejc42 · Post #15 » by **magicfanejc42** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 5:54 pm

mhectorgato wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

He also knows that if he'd say that we're not a contender, people will bash him anyways.

I have no problem if he shows confidence in our team. imo, there are 2 Otises (or is it Otii? ) the public one who says everything is going good and the private one who's on the phone seeing who is available, trying to work deals, etc ...

let's hope there is Otii.... or else we are in trouble.

flyingvee · Post #16 » by **flyingvee** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 6:58 pm

Otis mentions Cleveland. Cleveland has and had what we call power forwards. Gooden and Verajao. We have none.

Hey Otis, lets sign Mugsy Bogues and play him at PF.

Optimus_Steel · Post #17 » by **Optimus_Steel** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 7:06 pm

Dwight says same thing:

"I think we're a contender. We have a great group, but we just need to play hard every night," Magic franchise center Dwight Howard said. "We have to be more physical and bring the intensity for 48 minutes. And defense, that's the biggest thing, because we can score.

"I'm always going to say we are trying to win a championship. I'm not going to stop saying it."

http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.d ... 002/SPORTS

MagicFan32 · Post #18 » by **MagicFan32** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 7:49 pm

Otis is a tool..

We are not winning fifty games with this team.
The east was ALOT weaker last year
If we don't get a good PF, we will not even win the division.

Hairy Midget · Post #19 » by **Hairy Midget** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 7:58 pm

MagicFan32 wrote:Otis is a tool..

We are not winning fifty games with this team.
The east was ALOT weaker last year
If we don't get a good PF, we will not even win the division.

If we just go 7 games over .500 the rest of the way, with our ridiculously easy schedule left, we're at 50 wins.

Then you gotta think about the last 10 or so games of the season where we're going to be beating up on teams resting players or tanking. Doesn't seem that hard at all.

lovehoops01 · Post #20 » by **lovehoops01** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 8:21 pm

Hairy Midget wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

If we just go 7 games over .500 the rest of the way, with our ridiculously easy schedule left, we're at 50 wins.

Then you gotta think about the last 10 or so games of the season where we're going to be beating up on teams resting players or tanking. Doesn't seem that hard at all.

I wouldn't make the mistake of saying the Magic have a ridiculously easy schedule left. They have less travel and fewer road games, but the teams they face for the next 2-3 weeks in particular all are difficult -- Detroit twice, Boston, Cleveland I think, Dallas, even tonight's game against a suddenly powerhouse Portland. They are going to have to hope to get some wins in that stretch that you might not count on.