Official Speculation Thread (Pt XV, Mods Close)

[BadMofoPimp]

Instread of Like, just have "Agree" and "Disagree" button then to make it unique to RealGM. Your Welcome -BMP

[arsenal6106]

Instread of Like, just have "Agree" and "Disagree" button then to make it unique to RealGM. Your Welcome -BMP

[ADRajX]

Instread of Like, just have "Agree" and "Disagree" button then to make it unique to RealGM. Your Welcome -BMP

and don't forget to make the check out to BMP

[ADRajX]

I hope Part XVI lasts all the way up until Thursday and is the last one I have to make until the mid-summer off-season (FA, Draft, Training Camp).. I'm ready to move on from all this and at least have a good idea of what direction this team is going to take.

Edit* Btw... I think in Part 12 or 13, I said to NoLimit that Part XVII (17) is the last thread that I predicted something might go down (near the actual deadline)... I might end up being right.

[Bensational]

I wish we would have played Gortat at the 4 next to Dwight (form a twin towers front-court), but I know that goes against spreading the floor and the stretch-4 offense SVG likes. I just wonder "what if" sometimes though.

I wanted to see that but the fact is that Gortat is not a good enough outside shooter to play alongside Dwight. Although quick for a center he is a lil slow footed to guard the PF's. I think Dwight and Gortat would get in each other's way too much if they play heavy minutes together. It could work in short stints against some teams. I know it worked well against the Celtics in a 4th quarter come from behind win. But long term, the lack of spacing would be awful and Dwight would not want Gortat getting in his way.

Those were my concerns as well... but I thought if Gortat and Howard played together long enough, they are smart enough players to figure out how to make it work... I think if Gortat stayed on the weakside elbow of Dwight (who's on the low block after setting the high-screeen), the offense would still work, and kept the integrity of the spacing. Gortat can nail those elbow/mid-range jumpers, and he can set off the ball and on the ball screens for our guards from there and the high block.

If Gasol and Bynum can co-exist together, I think Gortat and Howard could have made it work somehow... the old "high-low offense" is a tried and true play for C's and PFs in basketball. I wish we could've seen some of it

i'm sorry, this isn't directed at Prorl, but i generally can't stand this myth that a Gortat/Dwight front court couldn't work just because 1) Gortat can't stretch the offense, or 2) he's too slow footed. that's BS and too many people say it.

for starters, our PF doesn't NEED to stretch the defense for Dwight to be successful, it's just how Stan chooses to play it. if Gortat were in and his man were doubling on Dwight, he's capable of hitting shots from the elbow, he's capable of setting screens, and most of all - the double team is an ADVANTAGE for us!!! it means we've got a man open. get Hedo/Jameer to pop inside to the top of the key for an outlet pass from Dwight, and then they can kick it down to a wide open Gortat on the weakside low post for an open layup/dunk/easy bucket. or, get Gortat to set a screen for one of the 3 3pt threats we have on the court so Dwight can find them on an outlet pass. that move alone should neutralize the double teams because Gortat's man will need to stick with him to cover the switch on the screen, or risk letting Lewis/Carter/Jameer/JJ have a wide open look from 3. or, just as easily, Dwight's got the option to drop the ball over the hands of the defenders for Gortat to put it in.

secondly, Gortat doesn't need the footspeed to match PFs. we play a defense that has Dwight roaming to cover the man with the ball/the strongest option. any PF that is a threat of torching us is most likely going to be met by Dwight anyway, so all Gortat needs to do is anchor the paint whilst Dwight roams - and we all know he does that EXTREMELY well.

Dwight and Gortat COULD have worked well together, but Stan favors his stretch 4 too much, and is too stubborn to give something like that a real try.

[Bensational]

Instread of Like, just have "Agree" and "Disagree" button then to make it unique to RealGM. Your Welcome -BMP

or just have a "This" or "Not This" button.

haha.

[ADRajX]

New article from JB at OS
Magic CEO: No decision has been made yet as trade deadline approaches - Josh Robbins
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/o ... 0717.story

...In the meantime, Martins continues to speak with Howard in an effort to convince Howard to remain with the team.

On Friday, Martins met with Howard and at least one of Howard's key advisers...

God bless Alex Martins. Dude seems to have his stuff together. I feel more confident with him calling all the shots.

[Bensational]

Steve Kyler ‏ @stevekylerNBA
Stan Van Gundy said during his pregame he is "expecting" this to be the team on the 16th... he admitted Otis has ran scenarios by him.

yeesh... well looks like we're going all in on the "take a chance this summer" strategy. I'm starting to feel this way too. I think Denton mentioned the same thing this morning.

lol at Otis running scenarios by Stan.

*Otis holds up picture of current roster

Otis -do you like this team, or...

*Otis holds up another picture of current roster

Otis - this team?

*Stan shrugs

Otis - i like this team

*Otis walks away, nodding to himself.

[ADRajX]

Instread of Like, just have "Agree" and "Disagree" button then to make it unique to RealGM. Your Welcome -BMP

or just have a "This" or "Not This" button.

haha.

How about a Yay or Nay button? lol

[ADRajX]

Steve Kyler ‏ @stevekylerNBA
Stan Van Gundy said during his pregame he is "expecting" this to be the team on the 16th... he admitted Otis has ran scenarios by him.

yeesh... well looks like we're going all in on the "take a chance this summer" strategy. I'm starting to feel this way too. I think Denton mentioned the same thing this morning.

lol at Otis running scenarios by Stan.

*Otis holds up picture of current roster

Otis -do you like this team, or...

*Otis holds up another picture of current roster

Otis - this team?

*Stan shrugs

Otis - i like this team

*Otis walks away, nodding to himself.

... then troll smiles when he walks away

[TheDarkKnight]

if we don't make a move and then struggle in the Playoff he is gone Guaranteed

[BadMofoPimp]

Groundhog day. That would suck. At least this thread would live.

[ADRajX]

Groundhog day. That would suck. At least this thread would live.

I'm just happy I'll have a good 3-4 months (after the deadline) off until I bring (bump) this thread back during the summer off-season... I need a break lol

[BelgianMagic]

I will be incredibly disappointed if our team is exactly the same on March 16th

And even more disappointed if Otis is still the GM at the start of next season

[PeePee la Fritz]

I will be incredibly disappointed if our team is exactly the same on March 16th

And even more disappointed if Otis is still the GM at the start of next season

I'll riot! Occupy Amway. It's not fair that you get paid that much money to be terrible at your job. And not just considered terrible by some, but universally thought of as awful and the butt of most jokes by fans, pundits, and peers.

[Def Swami]

If they're bringing back this same team, then Alex must be doing a hell of a job selling Dwight on the future of this team. I still think upgrading our SF position with Gerald Wallace would propel us to Chicago's level. Jameer, the 2 guards, Dwight, and Ryan have been playing great as of late. A high energy, defensive minded SF would serve our team well in the playoffs.

[ADRajX]

If they're bringing back this same team, then Alex must be doing a hell of a job selling Dwight on the future of this team. I still think upgrading our SF position with Gerald Wallace would propel us to Chicago's level. Jameer, the 2 guards, Dwight, and Ryan have been playing great as of late. A high energy, defensive minded SF would serve our team well in the playoffs.

I'm really confident in Alex Martins bro... if anyone can do it, it's him!

[trebone]

Agreed watching the game tonight its apparent we need a sf upgrade hedo for Wallace would be great

[BelgianMagic]

Keep Dwight? Not if the Magic could trade him to Chicago

The Orlando Magic would like to seriously engage the Bulls in trade talks for Dwight Howard, but the All-Star center's apparent reluctance to make a long-term commitment to Chicago has all but killed the discussions, league sources told CBSSports.com.

The feeling among rival executives remains that the Magic seem intent on rolling the dice and keeping Howard for the rest of the season, hoping a long playoff run, emotional ties to Orlando and an extra year and $29 million they could offer would persuade him to stay beyond this season. But the move would be highly risky, given that Howard has refused to publicly commit to the Magic -- a stance that sources view as a strong sign that he'd leave as a free agent if he isn't traded.

"He's telling everyone he's leaving," one league source said Sunday.

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/ken-b ... to-chicago

[EasternMagic]

CHI is now emerging as ORL's favorite trade partner. http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/ken-b ... to-chicago