Official Speculation Thread (Pt. XXV: Offseason Edition)

[InFlames]

Heart n Hustle #1.

[arsenal6106]

I remember there being a huge issue with Pritchard and Penn with how they went around talking about how great they were and how underpaid they were IIRC. It was one of the reasons that they were let go by Portland. Also, have you watched him on ESPN? He just seems arrogant.

About the contractural situation between Lopez and Bynum: would you rather pay Lopez $10 mil (because that's what he'll probably get) or Bynum $16 mil? I would go Bynum all day everyday for the extra $6 mil. While he made that comment in the beginning of the year, I can be quoted as saying that I would rather have Bynum over Lopez, even then. Lopez doesn't play defense and has troubles pulling more than 7 rebounds PER GAME.

On Dec 11, 2012, I would've went with Lopez. . It seems as if Bynum's injury played a major role in Penn's answer. The whole dynamic has changed since then. I wouldn't be
surprised if Penn's opinion has changed also.

I've seen him on ESPN, and I don't think he's arrogant at all.

[thelead]

I remember there being a huge issue with Pritchard and Penn with how they went around talking about how great they were and how underpaid they were IIRC. It was one of the reasons that they were let go by Portland. Also, have you watched him on ESPN? He just seems arrogant.

About the contractural situation between Lopez and Bynum: would you rather pay Lopez $10 mil (because that's what he'll probably get) or Bynum $16 mil? I would go Bynum all day everyday for the extra $6 mil. While he made that comment in the beginning of the year, I can be quoted as saying that I would rather have Bynum over Lopez, even then. Lopez doesn't play defense and has troubles pulling more than 7 rebounds PER GAME.

The interview where he said he'd take Lopez because of his contract was conducted in December, when Lopez was still on his rookie deal. And he mentions the questions with Bynum's knees. No one knew Bynum would play a full season healthy back in December. I think Penn's logic there is sound.

Eh, Lopez was on his rookie deal for one year. You would have to spend big dollars to keep him. If you traded Dwight in December what would saving a few mil on a worse talent accomplish? Especially when a big contract would have to be handed out six months later? I don't see the logic there. A better arguement would have been the injury concern but even then, Bynum's contract wasn't guaranteed anyways so it's not like we would have to be committed for longer 6 months (which also throws the contract issue out of the water).

[ADRajX]

I know it was mentioned earlier, but if Jameer was to opt out on his deal, would anyone here be interested in looking at Tyreke Evans? I could not find the page it was talked about to see what the responses looked like

I know I've stated many times that I'm a huge fan of Evans.. I think he's in the wrong system and work-ethic environment in Sacramento.. I think he can excel in a fresh new setting (like Orlando).. BUT I know a lot of people on this forum are not fans of Tyreke's game.

He could be a nice young explosive star to pair up with Dwight imo.

Do I think we can get Tyreke?... Probably not.

[Def Swami]

I remember there being a huge issue with Pritchard and Penn with how they went around talking about how great they were and how underpaid they were IIRC. It was one of the reasons that they were let go by Portland. Also, have you watched him on ESPN? He just seems arrogant.

About the contractural situation between Lopez and Bynum: would you rather pay Lopez $10 mil (because that's what he'll probably get) or Bynum $16 mil? I would go Bynum all day everyday for the extra $6 mil. While he made that comment in the beginning of the year, I can be quoted as saying that I would rather have Bynum over Lopez, even then. Lopez doesn't play defense and has troubles pulling more than 7 rebounds PER GAME.

The interview where he said he'd take Lopez because of his contract was conducted in December, when Lopez was still on his rookie deal. And he mentions the questions with Bynum's knees. No one knew Bynum would play a full season healthy back in December. I think Penn's logic there is sound.

Eh, Lopez was on his rookie deal for one year. You would have to spend big dollars to keep him. If you traded Dwight in December what would saving a few mil on a worse talent accomplish? Especially when a big contract would have to be handed out six months later? I don't see the logic there. A better arguement would have been the injury concern but even then, Bynum's contract wasn't guaranteed anyways so it's not like we would have to be committed for longer 6 months (which also throws the contract issue out of the water).

Given Lopez's foot injury was unknown, his contract on the rookie deal could have been coveted around to league and could have been flipped for draft picks. I assume that's how he views the situation. No one would argue that a team with Lopez as a starting center would win a championship. I always hoped that if we did the Nets deal, that we'd deal Lopez to move into the lottery, and I think with his production and being on a rookie deal, more teams would have been open to trading for him.

Based on Penn's answers to a lot of questions in interviews I've seen, he sees things in an "asset" and "bang for your buck" world, meaning he always considers the potential for a future move when he makes a present one. That's why I think he goes with the Lopez deal.

[Def Swami]

I know it was mentioned earlier, but if Jameer was to opt out on his deal, would anyone here be interested in looking at Tyreke Evans? I could not find the page it was talked about to see what the responses looked like

I know I've stated many times that I'm a huge fan of Evans.. I think he's in the wrong system and work-ethic environment in Sacramento.. I think he can excel in a fresh new setting (like Orlando).. BUT I know a lot of people on this forum are not fans of Tyreke's game.

He could be a nice young explosive star to pair up with Dwight imo.

Do I think we can get Tyreke?... Probably not.

+1
He needs to be mentored by other veterans that will teach him how to be a professional. He needs to be pushed. I always said Rondo's development was expedited by being surrounded by great professionals. Same can be said for Tyreke in the right situation.

[thelead]

I'll give Penn a chance but I just wouldn't ecstatic about it. I would much rather have Lindsey or Weaver (really wanted Walsh).

[OrlandO]

Wow did anyone watch the pacquiao fight? Judges screwed him so bad. He was ahead on all unofficial score cards by a lot and they gave it to Bradley on a split decision. Crowd booed hard and twitter is in an uproar. I think I'm done with boxing for a while...

[Def Swami]

Wow did anyone watch the pacquiao fight? Judges screwed him so bad. He was ahead on all unofficial score cards by a lot and they gave it to Bradley on a split decision. Crowd booed hard and twitter is in an uproar. I think I'm done with boxing for a while...

I'm still speechless. We get on NBA refs a lot. But I've never seen something more blatantly foul than the judges' decision. This is why boxing's popularity has been in free fall. No one should pay to see any rematch.

[ADRajX]

Given Lopez's foot injury was unknown, his contract on the rookie deal could have been coveted around to league and could have been flipped for draft picks. I assume that's how he views the situation. No one would argue that a team with Lopez as a starting center would win a championship. I always hoped that if we did the Nets deal, that we'd deal Lopez to move into the lottery, and I think with his production and being on a rookie deal, more teams would have been open to trading for him.

Based on Penn's answers to a lot of questions in interviews I've seen, he sees things in an "asset" and "bang for your buck" world, meaning he always considers the potential for a future move when he makes a present one. That's why I think he goes with the Lopez deal.

That's a very good point. I'm almost certain that if Lopez hadn't injured his foot and if Lopez was traded, he would have been flipped to another team for good assets (whether he was traded to Orlando initially, with another team, or excluding our involvement altogether).

Lopez is definitely a strong asset. He may not defend well or rebound at a consistently high level, but he can put up some ridiculous scoring numbers; and he's 7ft tall while doing so. So obviously there has to be some teams out there that value that kind of talent and production, and are willing to deal valuable player(s) for him in a trade. I think you're correct, Penn's quote/logic seem very sound here given the time, situation, and circumstance of the league at the moment. Also nobody knew Bynum would have the stellar season he would have (the durability, all-star birth, and season/playoff/career highs).

[ADRajX]

Wow did anyone watch the pacquiao fight? Judges screwed him so bad. He was ahead on all unofficial score cards by a lot and they gave it to Bradley on a split decision. Crowd booed hard and twitter is in an uproar. I think I'm done with boxing for a while...

I missed it, but I saw them talking about it on SportsCenter.

ESPN seemed shocked by the results too.

It's stuff like this that hurts the sport of boxing.

MMA has surpassed it as the premier fighting sport for the past 6-8 years imo.

[ADRajX]

I'll give Penn a chance but I just wouldn't ecstatic about it. I would much rather have Lindsey or Weaver (really wanted Walsh).

I'm in the "As long as it's not Bower" boat.

Preferably I would like Weaver, Lindsey, or Pritchard over Penn, but since Pritchard is essentially off the market now, my preferential GM ranking is this:

1. Weaver
2. Lindsey
3. Penn
...
....
...
.....
4. ... Bower

[OrlandO]

Wow did anyone watch the pacquiao fight? Judges screwed him so bad. He was ahead on all unofficial score cards by a lot and they gave it to Bradley on a split decision. Crowd booed hard and twitter is in an uproar. I think I'm done with boxing for a while...

I'm still speechless. We get on NBA refs a lot. But I've never seen something more blatantly foul than the judges' decision. This is why boxing's popularity has been in free fall. No one should pay to see any rematch.

The comments on twitter are hilarious. Vince Mcmahon was trending and it had nothing to do with wrestling .

I kind of want to see pacman knock Bradley out in a rematch though... you know he will do everything in his power to make a statement.

[Def Swami]

Wow did anyone watch the pacquiao fight? Judges screwed him so bad. He was ahead on all unofficial score cards by a lot and they gave it to Bradley on a split decision. Crowd booed hard and twitter is in an uproar. I think I'm done with boxing for a while...

I'm still speechless. We get on NBA refs a lot. But I've never seen something more blatantly foul than the judges' decision. This is why boxing's popularity has been in free fall. No one should pay to see any rematch.

The comments on twitter are hilarious. Vince Mcmahon was trending and it had nothing to do with wrestling .

I kind of want to see pacman knock Bradley out in a rematch though... you know he will do everything in his power to make a statement.

I do too, but it wouldn't matter knowing judges' decisions are fixed. The match isn't hard to watch without paying for either

[IGotDaMagicInMe]

And this is why I watched it on a stream. . .imagine how mad youd be if you paid 50 bucks for the ppv, or worse, if you bet on pacman?

[ADRajX]

Wow did anyone watch the pacquiao fight? Judges screwed him so bad. He was ahead on all unofficial score cards by a lot and they gave it to Bradley on a split decision. Crowd booed hard and twitter is in an uproar. I think I'm done with boxing for a while...

I'm still speechless. We get on NBA refs a lot. But I've never seen something more blatantly foul than the judges' decision. This is why boxing's popularity has been in free fall. No one should pay to see any rematch.

The comments on twitter are hilarious. Vince Mcmahon was trending and it had nothing to do with wrestling .

I kind of want to see pacman knock Bradley out in a rematch though... you know he will do everything in his power to make a statement.

I heard the decision of the bout was due to Pacquiao's contract being set to expire soon?... Some shady stuff still happening in boxing.

Btw, I bet Vince McMahon will be thrilled to see his name trending. He's returning to Raw this Monday in an attempt to drive up ratings and possibly spark their annual "big summer angle" to run with for their 1000th Raw episode next month and Summerslam down the line. As Vince always said, "Any publicity, is good publicity." Personally I think the WWE has gone overboard with the whole twitter stuff on their shows, but that's just me.

[thelead]

Don't get me wrong guys, Penn is definitely valuable. I just would like to see him in an assistant GM role or some other bball operations position.

[ADRajX]

Don't get me wrong guys, Penn is definitely valuable. I just would like to see him in an assistant GM role or some other bball operations position.

Yeah I wouldn't mind him as an assistant GM working next to Weaver or Lindsey.

[Def Swami]

Don't get me wrong guys, Penn is definitely valuable. I just would like to see him in an assistant GM role or some other bball operations position.

I definitely agree with this. Regardless of the situation, I am hoping we assemble a good "team." I think Penn's cap expertise in combination with a basketball head like Weaver would be great. Not that I don't trust Penn's basketball knowledge, but I like the idea of not just one person determining the fate of personnel moves. Twardzik doesn't count. He's a bum.

[OrlandO]

Mike Malone or Steve Clifford for head coach?

According to sources the Orlando Magic are expected to put together a list of finalists for their general manager position by next weekend. Former New Orleans Hornets general manager Jeff Bower, San Antonio Spurs assistant general manager Dennis Lindsey, former Portland Trail Blazers vice president of basketball operations Tom Penn and Oklahoma City Thunder assistant general manager Troy Weaver are all under consideration.

Sources also revealed that they have all been asked to consider Golden State Warriors assistant coach Mike Malone and Magic assistant Steve Clifford in their search for a head coach.

Bower is the perceived favorite since he is the only candidate with experience at the position.
Regardless of who gets the GM job, Malone is expected to be the frontrunner for the head coaching position. Bower getting the job would only increase Malone’s chances since the two have a strong working relationship dating back to their days in New Orleans together.

http://www.hoopsworld.com/orlando-magic ... heating-up