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

[OrlDave]

No way are some of you possibly putting Dwight on Lebrons level. Are you serious? Dwight does not turn every team into a contender. He doesn't have that offensive talent. Come on now. Focal points of championship teams have largely been offensive powerhouses in history. Dwight is not even close to an offensive powerhouse.

'
Wow dude. First, most of the title teams have been a top 3 defensive team as well. That is why the Pheonixes and Dallases of the world have had such a hard time. 2nd if Dwight isn't as good as advertised then explain the Magic's success the last few years.

[MagicFan101]

I'll root for the Magic, just not Dwight. If he does something good I will just yell "good job member of the Orlando Magic".

That said, keeping him is an absolutely awful idea. He is wildly overrated. We would be doing ourselves a favor if we head in a different direction.

Hopefully people like you don't attend games.

At the end of the day, 99% of these players are nothing more than uneducated monkeys here for our entertainment. It would be foolish of us to expect rational thought or strong decision making from such primitive creatures. It is understandable to be frustrated with the current offseason, we all are, but once the season starts anyone wearing an Orlando Magic uniform will be getting cheers from all of the true Orlando fans.

Lmao get out of here with that crap. Is this guy even serious? 99% are uneducated monkeys? Nice talk. Hopefully people like you are banned from attending games.

What about that statement is incorrect? It is a generalization sure, but sadly this is the norm. A lot of these guys never attended college. Many who did, struggled to qualify academically and left after just a year with sad grades in remedial classes. As a university professor who has taught many athletes at a number of universities I believe I have a better sense of this than most here.

[jezzer45]

the only reason why i dont want howard back is because i want the magic to tank hard next year and the following year. if howard stays orlando will get the 15-20 pick again which wont alter the chances of winning a ring.

[OrlandoMajinBuu]

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/get ... ready.html

[mhectorgato]

I'll root for the Magic, just not Dwight. If he does something good I will just yell "good job member of the Orlando Magic".

That said, keeping him is an absolutely awful idea. He is wildly overrated. We would be doing ourselves a favor if we head in a different direction.

Hopefully people like you don't attend games.

At the end of the day, 99% of these players are nothing more than uneducated monkeys here for our entertainment. It would be foolish of us to expect rational thought or strong decision making from such primitive creatures. It is understandable to be frustrated with the current offseason, we all are, but once the season starts anyone wearing an Orlando Magic uniform will be getting cheers from all of the true Orlando fans.

(even though I understand the context, I haven't seen gif in a while)

Is that you Hooman Hamzehloui?

[OrlandoMajinBuu]

I'll root for the Magic, just not Dwight. If he does something good I will just yell "good job member of the Orlando Magic".

That said, keeping him is an absolutely awful idea. He is wildly overrated. We would be doing ourselves a favor if we head in a different direction.

Hopefully people like you don't attend games.

At the end of the day, 99% of these players are nothing more than uneducated monkeys here for our entertainment. It would be foolish of us to expect rational thought or strong decision making from such primitive creatures. It is understandable to be frustrated with the current offseason, we all are, but once the season starts anyone wearing an Orlando Magic uniform will be getting cheers from all of the true Orlando fans.

Is that you...Otis Smith ?

[eyriq]

I'll root for the Magic, just not Dwight. If he does something good I will just yell "good job member of the Orlando Magic".

That said, keeping him is an absolutely awful idea. He is wildly overrated. We would be doing ourselves a favor if we head in a different direction.

I'd be stoked if we ended up keep Dwight Howard on a long term contract. We'll be able to add pieces around him once we star clearing cap while adding good players through the draft.

I won't hold my breath though, imo if this latest attempt fails they'll move forward with a trade. Rockets will only wait so long before they start inking their rooks.

Problem is we are adding pieces around Dwight. Thats the core issue with all of this that so many people ignore. Dwight isn't good enough.

Dwight anchored a finals team with an Alston|Lee back court...

[MagicFan101]

Hopefully people like you don't attend games.

At the end of the day, 99% of these players are nothing more than uneducated monkeys here for our entertainment. It would be foolish of us to expect rational thought or strong decision making from such primitive creatures. It is understandable to be frustrated with the current offseason, we all are, but once the season starts anyone wearing an Orlando Magic uniform will be getting cheers from all of the true Orlando fans.

(even though I understand the context, I haven't seen gif in a while)

Is that you Hooman Hamzehloui?

I don't believe I said anything about race. Actually I have often found that African American students hog the best grades in my classes. They seem to want it more than the average white kids who are still being spoon fed from mommy and daddy.

It isn't entirely the fault of these athletes. They have been told that they will be super stars and rich since they were 10. It was easy for that to slack off in the classroom.

[Magic#1]

Alex Kennedy @AlexKennedyNBA
Rob Hennigan and staff will travel to L.A. later this week. They'll try to persuade Dwight Howard to return to Orlando: http://t.co/qs9nFY6w

After months of drama, Dwightmare ending may be anticlimactic. The Orlando Magic will try to persuade Howard to return: http://t.co/qs9nFY6w

If true, let this be the last hurrah. Show him that Orlando does love him, and that Hennigan and Co. do have a plan for the future. If that doesn't convince him and he still wants out, then ship him out. I don't think it would hurt to talk to Dwight face-to-face one more time. If he still acts like a crybaby and says nothing will change his mind, then deal with it.

[MagicTownBaller]

If there are no offers that are any good, I would tell Dwight, "You opted into your contract for a reason. If this is your last season with us, let's make it a memorable one. Let's win it all this year." Then, I would continue to build around him for this season.

[Def Swami]

No they don't. All reports say he's asking ....

Anything after the bold part doesn't matter. If you believe all reports, then Dwight would be in Brooklyn right now; or was it LA? Agents and other "sources" leak any info to guide their own agendas or manipulate public opinion where it suits them. We have no idea what Rob has truly asked or what has truly been offered.

Exactly my sentiments.

[Neon1]

At the end of the day, 99% of these players are nothing more than uneducated monkeys here for our entertainment. It would be foolish of us to expect rational thought or strong decision making from such primitive creatures.

You sir, Are an idiot.

[Def Swami]

I'd be stoked if we ended up keep Dwight Howard on a long term contract. We'll be able to add pieces around him once we star clearing cap while adding good players through the draft.

I won't hold my breath though, imo if this latest attempt fails they'll move forward with a trade. Rockets will only wait so long before they start inking their rooks.

Problem is we are adding pieces around Dwight. Thats the core issue with all of this that so many people ignore. Dwight isn't good enough.

Dwight anchored a finals team with an Alston|Lee back court...

I was just about to say something to this extent.

[MagicFan101]

At the end of the day, 99% of these players are nothing more than uneducated monkeys here for our entertainment. It would be foolish of us to expect rational thought or strong decision making from such primitive creatures.

You sir, Are an idiot.

lol, I do love irony.

[MagicFan101]

If there are no offers that are any good, I would tell Dwight, "You opted into your contract for a reason. If this is your last season with us, let's make it a memorable one. Let's win it all this year." Then, I would continue to build around him for this season.

We can't do that. If Dwight walks, Orlando is stuck with bad contracts and limited financial flexibility. There would be enough experience on this team for Orlando to win some games and fall closer to the #7-10 pick than the #1-5 we would likely acquire by shipping out Dwight with JRich or Turk and playing out the season with primarily rookies.

We can start rebuilding next year summer with a couple of solid rookies, a top pick and cap space or struggle to breath for two more years before finally bottoming out.

[BrianEvansfor3]

I don't believe I said anything about race. Actually I have often found that African American students hog the best grades in my classes. They seem to want it more than the average white kids who are still being spoon fed from mommy and daddy.

You sure you aren't racist?

[Def Swami]

If Hennigan has a plan, then I support him trying to keep D12. Get him some help on the court and the guy will stay. But if there's nothing he can do, might as well just trade him before training camp and get started on the tanking and rebuilding. I'll let Hennigan make that assessment instead of me, given he's the GM.

Also, D12 is a great player, but as great as he is, he needs a Robin. He needs some help from the perimeter. No one on our team can create off the dribble, for themselves, or anyone else. D12 has lacked the consistent, perimeter scorer in 8 years of his career. Monta fits the bill. Monta/D12 isn't winning a championship alone, but it's a good foundation. It's so difficult to find scorers like that in the league and if you have the opportunity to pair one with a dominant big, you got a chance to build something very good.

If we're saying that D12 will never win a championship or be a player to build around, then who is? Are we really saying the league is now KD and LBJ and nothing else? I don't buy that. There is potential to build a good team around him if he buys into it. We just need guys who excel at their roles and can be depended on.

[jonskilly]

I just don't see this trip to LA being of any value. Dwight won't sign an extension, he will only sign a new deal once it expires (something I think the CBA did wrong). Orlando has done nothing to persuade Dwight that we're trying to finish the puzzle and add the remaining pieces we need to compete for a championship. We're likely going in to the season with a rookie head coach.

What will exactly come out of this meeting? Dwight saying "Fine, I'll play the season and see where we're at the end of the season" and then he just bolts, leaving us high and dry? Or what if he says "I'll sign a new contract with Orlando at end of season" but ends up changing his mind (really?) and not doing it?

We either need to be OK with taking a risk and potentially lose him for nothing, or we need to trade him before the deadline for the absolute best package we can get (unless we take on ridiculous contracts, like Brook Lopez).

We'll see how it goes... but I don't think many people should get their hopes up.

[Blue_and_Whte]

At the end of the day, 99% of these players are nothing more than uneducated monkeys here for our entertainment. It would be foolish of us to expect rational thought or strong decision making from such primitive creatures.

You sir, Are an idiot.

Typical. Blurting out prejudice statements from the safety of their computer. Smh.

[mhectorgato]

Also, D12 is a great player, but as great as he is, he needs a Robin. He needs some help from the perimeter. No one on our team can create off the dribble, for themselves, or anyone else. D12 has lacked the consistent, perimeter scorer in 8 years of his career. Monta fits the bill. Monta/D12 isn't winning a championship alone, but it's a good foundation. It's so difficult to find scorers like that in the league and if you have the opportunity to pair one with a dominant big, you got a chance to build something very good.

If we're saying that D12 will never win a championship or be a player to build around, then who is? Are we really saying the league is now KD and LBJ and nothing else? I don't buy that. There is potential to build a good team around him if he buys into it. We just need guys who excel at their roles and can be depended on.

I guess the debate is this: Is Dwight Batman or is he Robin?

Is he the guy that can take over a game?

No question he impacts the game defensively.

In a critical juncture in a critical game who do go to get you the points? Would he typically the first choice?

Nothing wrong with being Robin. Scottie Pippen is a top all-time player and a phenomenal all-around player, but he didn't have the "it" factor to lead a team like MJ did, imo.