Official Speculation Thread (Pt. XXXVII Off-Season Edition)

[The Effect]

I would not be upset with Bynum but I'd rather have Houston's young players and assets.

+1

+2

[cvMagic]

I don't see why Dwight doesn't 'pull a Robinson' and stay injured all year while allowing the Magic to tank. With a high lottery pick and cap space the Magic will have more assets to pull off a long term plan. It worked for DWade (of course he had the patience since he'd already won one championship).

Miami didn't quite Tank though. San Antonio tanked enough to get in the draft lottery. Miami (if you want to call it tanked) still made the play offs. Plus they built their team through Free Angency. You can tank or be pretty good and do that.

Everybody wants to tank on here, but teams put together through Free Angency or Trades have been the strongest teams this last 5 years. And Still will be next year.

Miami
Boston
L.A.
Chicago
Memphis (yes Memphis)
before last season, the Magic.

But again, I'll be a loner on these boards with my perspective.

YOU ARE NOT A LONER.

Tanking is one of the worst methods in building a team.
OKC is the exception not the rule.
The miraculous exception.

Tanking builds a losing mentality amongst the young players on the roster, destroys the fan base (not the die-hards on these boards, but the vast majority that are not here) and creates a scenario where you have to overpay free agents to get them to even consider coming.

Not to mention that the success rate of high draft picks is 50% at best, and that's just for players who actually start long-term...
I think a lot of people have rose-colored glasses of delusion on when it comes to tanking.

Outside of keeping Dwight or landing an extended Bynum, this team is in for a LONG run of bottom dwelling.

[Howard Mass]

The pick Houston got for Kyle Lowry has unusual protection that protects it for the top 1-3 over the next 5 years but also 15-30 which means it has to land at least 4-14 for it to fall out of it's protection.

It's a nice pick.

If Houston throws in there youth, Martin's expiring, The Dallas pick, The Raptors pick and takes on those contracts, it's not equal value but is a good package.

[bigmoe1952]

I don't think the Magic promised Howard ANYTHING. I really think this is a PR stunt concocted by Fegan. I also think Hennigan is going to have a hard time dealing Howard anywhere because DeVos is delusional that they can "win now". Someone needs to tell RDV that "the emperor has no clothes." A title IS NOT going to happen in the near term. I wonder if that's how Henny got the job. By telling RDV he could convince Howard to stay and HeNny could get RDV his title NOW!

[cvMagic]

Darko's been amnestied. Are we under the cap at this point? Could we make a bid (And if we could, would you want to?)?

No

[magic04life]

If these "rumors" are true, and Houston really is willing to take Turkoglu, Duhon, AND J-Rich off our hands, what on earth are we waiting for?

Plus you have to figure we'd get some picks and Lamb and White in return as well.

We should be jumping all over this.

[TheXFactor]

Those sources are as reliable as Jarrod Rudolph

I do think though Houston seems like a likely destination for Howard

No but LA is, the Hou la Orlando rumor makes sense if true.

I can see that.

I think it will come down to if Howard would scare off the Rockets and embracing the bigger market team in LA.

If I were the Rockets, I wouldn't want to mortage the future with all those picks for a rental, who stock is dropping with his limited willingness to play anywhere else besides Brooklyn and a couple others. I doubt the Rockets could get back , what they would offer for Howard in a sign and trade.

[Nyce_1]

If these "rumors" are true, and Houston really is willing to take Turkoglu, Duhon, AND J-Rich off our hands, what on earth are we waiting for?

Plus you have to figure we'd get some picks and Lamb and White in return as well.

We should be jumping all over this.

thing is, no one knows if it's true or what's actually been offered.

[cvMagic]

Ric Bucher just on ESPN said the Rockets don't have the "resources", picks, talent and cap relief to get a Dwight trade done, and it will be hard to find a deal as good as what the Nets were offering

I thought I didn't hear right when he said it. I'm at work and had to do a double-look if this was legit. Dude, along with Broussard, are some of the biggest puppets being used by these agents.

I can't hate though; I'd be an agent puppet if I was getting paid what they get.

i've worked for these networks before.
Producers spoon feed them angles.
they always have to placate the larger markets for ratings.

New York >>>>>>>> Orlando

So... the story is the Magic blew a great deal and the Nets were screwed so it placates the angry New York fan base to keep watching. They don't want to hear sensible facts. they just want to hear they were right and got screwed by a "novice" GM.

[cvMagic]

I ain't ready to shelf Blue & White Ignite! Bring in Bynum and lets GO! Playoffs 2013 BABY!

Im with you, I don't want anything Houston has to offer over L.A.

+!

There is a very real chance that Bynum surpasses Dwight as the #1 center and we all look back at this as one of the best things that ever happened to the Magic.

How many times do you have a disgruntled superstar who wants out and get to land a player at the same position who may end up being even better?

[mcaul55]

I don't see why Dwight doesn't 'pull a Robinson' and stay injured all year while allowing the Magic to tank. With a high lottery pick and cap space the Magic will have more assets to pull off a long term plan. It worked for DWade (of course he had the patience since he'd already won one championship).

Miami didn't quite Tank though. San Antonio tanked enough to get in the draft lottery. Miami (if you want to call it tanked) still made the play offs. Plus they built their team through Free Angency. You can tank or be pretty good and do that.

Everybody wants to tank on here, but teams put together through Free Angency or Trades have been the strongest teams this last 5 years. And Still will be next year.

Miami
Boston
L.A.
Chicago
Memphis (yes Memphis)
before last season, the Magic.

But again, I'll be a loner on these boards with my perspective.

YOU ARE NOT A LONER.

Tanking is one of the worst methods in building a team.
OKC is the exception not the rule.
The miraculous exception.

Tanking builds a losing mentality amongst the young players on the roster, destroys the fan base (not the die-hards on these boards, but the vast majority that are not here) and creates a scenario where you have to overpay free agents to get them to even consider coming.

Not to mention that the success rate of high draft picks is 50% at best, and that's just for players who actually start long-term...
I think a lot of people have rose-colored glasses of delusion on when it comes to tanking.

Outside of keeping Dwight or landing an extended Bynum, this team is in for a LONG run of bottom dwelling.

I need you to clarify a few things...
The bulls drafted Noah, Rose, and essentially Deng, how were they 'put together' through trades and FA? Are you saying the boozer signing is what put them over the top and not drafting Rose/Noah/Deng?
Memphis drafted Conley, Gay, Mayo (essentially) and Pau Gasol (which as an asset, turned into Marc Gasol). I also would not say that team was 'put together' through trades/free agency. Their core pieces were put together through the draft and they added a big piece in Randolph through FA.
How do you think the celtics were able to get Garnett and Allen? By collecting assets through the draft, which they were able to then trade.
LA drafted Kobe/Bynum/Fisher/Marc Gasol (who they flipped for Pau)
Miami is the only team you could make a case for being built solely through Free Agency.
OKC is the only team you could make the case for being built solely through the draft.
The fact of the matter is great teams are typically built through the draft with trading being a by-product of good drafting

[cvMagic]

The Lakers won't take back, more than 1 bad contract, by a swapping Dwight for Bynum, we'll be the same mediocre team with a less talented star. The only FA that will make us a contender is Cp3, and you'll have to pry him away from LA and sell Bynum on Orlando and that's even if you have cap space. Also there is the scare if Bynum might get injured every game he plays. Plus you get no draft picks, and with Bynum here we're in contention for 8th seed, so our pick will likely be mid 1st round. It really does get us nowhere, and I think/hope Hennigan is smart enough to realize this.

this is all speculation. Bynum is a lot closer to Dwight than people realize. Orlando homerism is clouding a lot of judgments here.
The problem isn't the Center position if you get Bynum - the problem is THE REST OF THE TEAM.
You have to have a superstar to attract superstars.
Period.
Bynum gives you that opportunity.
Otherwise - all that cap space is worthless and you end up overpaying a bunch of second tier players just to appease a fan base to show them you're doing something.
That's garbage.
Orlando is not NY. Players don't dream of playing in Orlando. Sorry, but it's true. so if you have a chance to land a superstar - which Bynum is - you do it and don't look back.

Because, If you land a bunch of draft picks, what's the hope?
That you cross your fingers and get a guy as good as Bynum!!
When there's a GREAT chance you end up with a bunch of Odens and Beasleys and Darkos with those picks.

And then what?

[Michael Lucky]

well Bynum would be featured more in the Magic's offense and that's how he keeps better focus on D, so that move would really only help him.

[Nyce_1]

I ain't ready to shelf Blue & White Ignite! Bring in Bynum and lets GO! Playoffs 2013 BABY!

Im with you, I don't want anything Houston has to offer over L.A.

+!

There is a very real chance that Bynum surpasses Dwight as the #1 center and we all look back at this as one of the best things that ever happened to the Magic.

How many times do you have a disgruntled superstar who wants out and get to land a player at the same position who may end up being even better?

Im in the minority but I really feel if we get Bynum, in 2-3 yrs, we'll have the best C in the game. I love Dwight and what he brings nightly, but I guess I have on my Skip Bayless glasses.

[The-Dawson]

I need you to clarify a few things...
The bulls drafted Noah, Rose, and essentially Deng, how were they 'put together' through trades and FA? Are you saying the boozer signing is what put them over the top and not drafting Rose/Noah/Deng?
Memphis drafted Conley, Gay, Mayo (essentially) and Pau Gasol (which as an asset, turned into Marc Gasol). I also would not say that team was 'put together' through trades/free agency. Their core pieces were put together through the draft and they added a big piece in Randolph through FA.
How do you think the celtics were able to get Garnett and Allen? By collecting assets through the draft, which they were able to then trade.
LA drafted Kobe/Bynum/Fisher/Marc Gasol (who they flipped for Pau)
Miami is the only team you could make a case for being built solely through Free Agency.
OKC is the only team you could make the case for being built solely through the draft.
The fact of the matter is great teams are typically built through the draft with trading being a by-product of good drafting

The Lakers didnt draft Kobe the Hornets did who were forced to trade him to the Lakers for nothin

[Ahmadab]

[OOO]

I need you to clarify a few things...
The bulls drafted Noah, Rose, and essentially Deng, how were they 'put together' through trades and FA? Are you saying the boozer signing is what put them over the top and not drafting Rose/Noah/Deng?
Memphis drafted Conley, Gay, Mayo (essentially) and Pau Gasol (which as an asset, turned into Marc Gasol). I also would not say that team was 'put together' through trades/free agency. Their core pieces were put together through the draft and they added a big piece in Randolph through FA.
How do you think the celtics were able to get Garnett and Allen? By collecting assets through the draft, which they were able to then trade.
LA drafted Kobe/Bynum/Fisher/Marc Gasol (who they flipped for Pau)
Miami is the only team you could make a case for being built solely through Free Agency.
OKC is the only team you could make the case for being built solely through the draft.
The fact of the matter is great teams are typically built through the draft with trading being a by-product of good drafting

The Lakers didnt draft Kobe the Hornets did who were forced to trade him to the Lakers for nothin

For nothing? Vlade Divac was a borderline all-star. How many teams would trade a very good 7'1'' center for a mid round rookie out of high school. Just the year before Vlade was traded he was putting up 16/10/4/2. Which is now unheard of for a center. Do your research next time.

[RickB-Orlando]

I need you to clarify a few things...
The bulls drafted Noah, Rose, and essentially Deng, how were they 'put together' through trades and FA? Are you saying the boozer signing is what put them over the top and not drafting Rose/Noah/Deng?
Memphis drafted Conley, Gay, Mayo (essentially) and Pau Gasol (which as an asset, turned into Marc Gasol). I also would not say that team was 'put together' through trades/free agency. Their core pieces were put together through the draft and they added a big piece in Randolph through FA.
How do you think the celtics were able to get Garnett and Allen? By collecting assets through the draft, which they were able to then trade.
LA drafted Kobe/Bynum/Fisher/Marc Gasol (who they flipped for Pau)
Miami is the only team you could make a case for being built solely through Free Agency.
OKC is the only team you could make the case for being built solely through the draft.
The fact of the matter is great teams are typically built through the draft with trading being a by-product of good drafting

You're mistaken on LA, and none of the other juggernauts you are referencing have won anything yet.

[TheXFactor]

Bynum strengths.

-Nice soft touch around the basket with either hand.
-Nice touch to develop a consistant turn around J or a 15 footer.
-Power, dude is huge, he will steam roll you down for better position.
-Post defense.
-Size and length to outrebound anyone, doesn't neccessarily have to be in position to get a rebound.
- Long arms to block anything close to him
- Nasty streak
- Good free throw shooter for a big center.
- hard worker in the off season, hence his muscle mass he gained last season.


Bynum weaknesses.
- Trouble covering ground on pick and roll defense
- Tends to hurry his shot on offense, and forces a shot.
- Struggle with doubles and passing out of doubles but improved later in season.
- Plays with a chip on his shoulder, which is good, but no so good when it gets best of him, either cheap foul or lets emotions get the best of him when he doesn't get his touches.
- Gets caught jogging slowly down the court and not at full speed.
- Doesn't moves his feet well enough caught in the high post to protect the rim.

Short example.

Last year was really his first year when he demanded a double team every time he got the ball. I can only see him evolving even more with passing out of doubles, and being more patient around the rim and make the game easier for him. I would like to see him drop a few pounds for defenses purposes when he does get caught on a defensive rotation and running the floor.

[Ahmadab]

Spurs built through the draft too