what if we actually DO get Fran next season...

[otownflava21]

think about it, he's the player we need right now. the PF who can (hopefully) play some defense and can hit the midrange j. he can definitely help as a good roleplayer on the team whether coming off the bench or starting.

that will leave us to use the full MLE on a shooting gaurd(which we also need), considering we'd be stocked up in the front with dwight, vasquez, battie, foyle, and cook.

how much of an improvement will that be if Fran joins or team next season?

[oakfanintheeast]

isn't he a very soft player? IF he is, i'm not sure he will help very much.

[otownflava21]

dont think so...

correct me if im wrong people, but if i recall correctly he is actually a physical type of player...rough...blocks shots here and there...and is capable of being a solid defender. i guess he can hit the midrange j, possibly extending it to 3 point range. either or we have his rights and he is a 7 footer who at least is NOT a scrub.

[Bucs80]

This guy isn't even one of the best players in Euro League. How would he do in the NBA?

And once again, this guys caused to much heartache for us. I say we should just dump him all together.

[otownflava21]

maybe he made the right decision by staying in europe to solidify his game...didnt ginobli or somebody do the same thing?

[DiplomaticMagic]

isn't he a very soft player? IF he is, i'm not sure he will help very much.

He had 17 blocks in one game.

He's better fit for NBA due to his power.

[goflyakite]

Circumstances were way different, otown...the Magic spent a valuable lottery pick on Vasquez. Ginobili was a second rounder with very little risk in terms of a pick if it worked out or not.

[MJallday59]

Rumor has it that he's sucking in europe right now to ensure a buyout. Whether or not it's true remains to be seen.


Honestly I'd like to send out

Fran Vasquez/Hedo Turkoglu/Brian Cook/1st round pick for Lamarcus Aldridge+Steve Blake

I read on ESPN that portland might actually shop him this summer pending Greg Odens return...I know this may be wishful thinking but hey, a guy can dream right?

[Cammo101]

Rumor has it that he's sucking in europe right now to ensure a buyout. Whether or not it's true remains to be seen.


Honestly I'd like to send out

Fran Vasquez/Hedo Turkoglu/Brian Cook/1st round pick for Lamarcus Aldridge+Steve Blake

I read on ESPN that portland might actually shop him this summer pending Greg Odens return...I know this may be wishful thinking but hey, a guy can dream right?

No way Portland would trade Aldridge. The player we need right now is not Vazquez, it is Battie.

[darthcheech2000]

-= original quote snipped =-



No way Portland would trade Aldridge. The player we need right now is not Vazquez, it is Battie.

Battie would be great right now. Everytime Foyle touches the ball I get sick to my stomach. Battie would let Howard rest alot more. In some games howard is pulling in way to many minutes and he could get worn out come playoff time. Not to mention The olympics this summer.

[SpaceCoastGator]

Battie comes back healthy & solid and Fran comes over & is decent...our starting PF is still gonna be Rashard Lewis[/b]. Under normal circumstances, D12, Ra$hard and Hedo are gonna get 37 plus minutes

Howard & Rashard with Battie, Cook and maybe Fran and maybe auggie or draft pick...we need to stop talking about our front court. All of our focus should be on what trade, free agent signing (MLE) or draft pick can improve our back court.

[drsd]

The Magic could have next year:
PF: Lewis, Vazquez, Gortat, Augustine, Cook
C: Howard, Battie, Foyle

Looking at that, there are three guys that are combo bigs in Battie, Vazquez, and Foyle.

Augustine will be released.

Gortat and Vazquez would fight for minutes.

Foyle and Battie would rotate subbing Howard.

Cook would sub for Lewis.


Conclusion: the Magic will not go after a FA big. And the roster is as above as long as Lewis starts at PF.

[Big Aaron]

A lot of people say because Fran is not good in Europe, he'll not work in the NBA.

How do you know? Ever thought that it's his style that doesn't work in the European game, but would in the NBA?

Euroball is a totally different animal to the NBA. I think Fran's game would translate well to the NBA. Not superstar-well, but still well enough to be a solid contributor to the Magic cause.

[cedric76]

i can't wait to have our frontcourt line healthy

PF: Lewis,battie,cook,fran
C:Howard,battie,foyle

PG:Nelson,dooling, rookie (or Duhon)
SG:Evans,bogans,JJ
SF:Hedo,lewis,bogans

[richboy]

A lot of people say because Fran is not good in Europe, he'll not work in the NBA.

How do you know? Ever thought that it's his style that doesn't work in the European game, but would in the NBA?

Euroball is a totally different animal to the NBA. I think Fran's game would translate well to the NBA. Not superstar-well, but still well enough to be a solid contributor to the Magic cause.

This has been studied in the past. John H did a big article on it. Simply put though if your not productive in Europe your not going to be productive in the NBA.

I think the longer Battie doesn't play the better he gets in the minds of fans. Last I remember Battie was horrible. I would say that his defense is the only aspect of his game that has any use. Seems like the longer he doesn't play the better he getting.

Let me ask you if your Boston or Detroit and the Magic sign Fran V and bring back Battie is that making you shake.

[drsd]

Simply put though if your not productive in Europe your not going to be productive in the NBA.

This is often not true. Young players for example are essentially never played. As well, teams are generally formed around mobile bigs (like Gortat). Only Serbian and Croatian basketball uses the big-lug approach.

If Vazquez evolves into the next Adrew DeClerq, he will probably find a roster slot in the NBA.

[Typhoon20]

Championship baby !!!

[craig01]

I am not a believer in FV either.

Shoot, the guy is about 25 and should be showing signs of producing near his potential by now.

And guess what? He's not.

If he finds his way here or even into the NBA, expect little or nothing out of him.

I think he's only exploring his NBA options because he was exposed in Europe.......

[SpaceCoastGator]

Back up 4 and 5 - that's only 20 to 25 minutes a game, with D12 & RL getting 37 plus each). Battie > Foyle...definitely. Opportunity for Rashard to prepare for playing the 4 all season. Opportunity for Cook to further step up (continue to improve in SVG's system and hopefully at least a little work on better d & getting stronger). Maybe Fran in the mix pushing for minutes would be a good problem. Oh and Dwight, he might get a little better, too.

Our three best players are on our starting front court...so the front court -not so much a problem problem...however, we can't make the next to the next level with out back court help. Of course, we'll probably be getting post screaming for Chris Webber, PJ Brown, the Davis bros, etc for the another year.

[craig01]

FV = Stromile Swift with less talent.

In other words.......a box of rocks.