Orlando - no move to Improve team - elite teams make moves

[knappy]

I was hoping to be over my anger with Otis for boning us at the trade deadline and wasting our expiring contract assets that are no longer assets.

I am still pissed that he failed us and didn't make a move - he had a great opportunity and failed us - maybe he was holding out for one option or he doesn't negotiate well - I don't know, but he should have had several scenarios on the table with a move being made, but again he failed us.

Top teams making moves:
1st in the East - Boston - two nice pickups
2nd in the East - Detroit - nice pickup
3rd in the East - Orlando - I like our team - no moves
Other potential playoff teams
Atlanta - good pickup
Cleveland - made some moves
Chicago made some moves

In the West -
Dallas - big pickup
San Antonio - nice pickup
Lakers - big pickup
Phoenix - big move - bad move, but big move
Utah - made a move earlier to help them
Denver - can't remember if any of their deals came together or not

Basically, all the top teams made moves - Orlando probably could have gotten Wilcox for 2 expirings (Garrity and Arroyo or Augustine if we included either JJ or a 1st - which would be a late first round pick) We could have gotten some muscle and a solid player. We had a shot at Thomas as well and we passed on that - it would have been a short term rental probably and he likely wanted to play in TX. We could have maybe picked up a guy like Evans ..... or other players that could have helped - I'm not really up on who that would be.

But, Otis failed us by doing nothing when so many other teams improved and few had assets to trade like we did - assets that were only assets if traded - no they are garbage to be thrown out at the end of the season - in particular Garrity and Arroyo.

I don't hate Otis like I did Brian Hill - and hate is in the context of the person's moves or lack there of in running the Magic organization. I believe that I could do a better job. I wouldn't have sat still at the trade deadline. We needed a piece not a major shakeup.

We still have the possibility of trading Hedo next year and JJ, but JJ should have been gone or our late 1st round pick should have been gone. To pick up a guy like Wilcox next year we would have to give up something real - more than what we could have gotten him for.

I am just really disappointed right now - we could have been at par competing with the elite - not that we would beat them, but we could challenge anyone. I would have been cool with a no move if we got PJ, but the Celtics got him - with a lame ass coach, but likable guy.

I don't know if Stan can work miracles on Cook or others in one season. Any suggestions? I am tired of bashing Otis - I was in section 121 2 games ago in the first row right above the tunnel where Otis stands. I was so tempted to tell him he failed us, but I held back.

Last year I was next to Otis and I said Otis, man you have to help us out you have got to fire Brian Hill - he just kind of glared at me and said nothing.

Otis can't make more mistakes like the mistake made at the trade deadline and the overpaying for Lewis - good pickup, but I think we could have gotten him for less - if he was really lighting it up you couldn't fault him so it is a little unfair to judge in hindsight, but I think we could have gotten him for less - I think it would have taken 80 m though.

I think the 6th year for Lewis wasn't necessary, but I think Otis was afraid to lose Lewis.

Anyway, I am done with my rant. How do I move on and let this go? - Otis did really fail us.

[theTHIEF]

the answer....

37-23

[mhectorgato]

If you give Utah credit (made a move earlier to help them), don't we get credit for Cook/Evans for Ariza?

[Happyfoosball]

I am holding on to the hope that they will keep the draft picks and use them on good players that can help, I also am holding on to the hope that good free agents will sign with Orlando just to play with Dwight in hopes of winning a championship.

[Bensational]

If you give Utah credit (made a move earlier to help them), don't we get credit for Cook/Evans for Ariza?

my exact thoughts.

[Gerhalt11]

Can we maybe put like a 30-day moratorium on all "Otis Smith pisses me off today because..." threads?

[oakfanintheeast]

Utah does not have the glaring weaknesses the magic do. great pg, a banger in Boozer, great D in Brewer and outstanding player in AK and Okur.

[SOUL]

the answer....

37-23

Im satisfied at the rec.. but still man...... i cant said for sure we'd get past 1st round

[yoyo65]

soul no one is for sure that they get past the first round just ask dallas

[SOUL]

soul no one is for sure that they get past the first round just ask dallas

of course.. but either way you still want to improve your team. unless you are the spurs or something and they are still improving theres.. idk, we just have 2 capable big men and thats not gonna help us in the playoffs.. we need at least 4.

[Cammo101]

Boston added 2 senior citizens, Detroit added Theo Ratliff for gods sake. Cleveland added 3 guys who could not get minutes on terrible teams and Joe Smith. The Raptors did nothing. Lets not pretend there is some arms race in the East we are not a part of. It is a bunch of old rehashes that their old teams did not want.

[Max Power]

I tend to think that maybe, just maybe we've beaten this dead horse enough. Who's with me??

[UCFJayBird]

i agree with you Max. And by the way, like another person said, you can't give Utah credit for Korver and not the Magic for the Evans/Cook deal. That was a pretty big deal to us when it happened, but people dismiss it like it was last year.

[karizma87]

these threads are getting old, you don't make a move just for the sake of making one. besides, the money we gave rashard will always ruin many possibilities, and trading garbage around won't make a huge difference. let's just enjoy the team...

[magik9113]

Sonics signed Mike Wilks to a 10 day contract

HE COULDA BEEN OURS

[Kid50]

Boston added 2 senior citizens, Detroit added Theo Ratliff for gods sake. Cleveland added 3 guys who could not get minutes on terrible teams and Joe Smith. The Raptors did nothing. Lets not pretend there is some arms race in the East we are not a part of. It is a bunch of old rehashes that their old teams did not want.

My sentiments exactly.

[MagicMadness]

Sonics signed Mike Wilks to a 10 day contract

HE COULDA BEEN OURS

Another elite team makes a move while Otis just sits on his hands.

We'll be alright. If Otis had made the Ariza for Evans/Cook trade at the deadline instead of in November, people wouldn't be complaining as much. Well, actually they would, because they'd be outraged that Otis gave up a potential stud for two worthless no-names. But others would be pleased that he at least made a move. Obviously, we need another big man, but that's something that can be still be addressed in the offseason. It's not like signing one average big man right now is going to solve all of our problems - at least we're definitely on the right track though (as our record compared to last season shows). Becoming elite takes time. We're in the group right behind the elite. That's telekinesis, Kyle. I mean, that's progress, everyone.

[LBPTarHeel27]

It is upsetting that we didn't send out our expirings for something that can help now and are just letting them go to waist...Especially since I had my heart set on us getting Haslem....but we are heading in the right direction. We have a good shot at being a 50 win team & we are still very young. We have the MLE to go after a solid FA addition & a draft pick that hopefully works out for the first time in a few years. Hell, to get even more optimistic...what if Fran comes over and can contribute? We can't judge what has been done until the trade deadline next season, IMO.

[lovehoops01]

Last summer was important for Otis because he needed to solidify the core and ensure he had a workable unit for the long term. He succeeded in some areas with this, but not in others.

The upcoming summer will be important, too, and maybe more difficult, because now he has to try to operate within the limitations that putting together his core has created. And he potentially could have a lot of roster spots to fill. It has given him some advantages, too, in the sense that he has some good players locked in. Like with many of the top teams, he probably is going to need some help from his most talented players in keeping the talent he wants to retain and improving on the talent that he has. He needs his best players to be good recruiters, too.

I think that, as fans, we should keep in mind that we do have some talented players on this team and we shouldn't run them down and make them feel like we don't believe in them just because we don't feel we have all the pieces we need to win a championship immediately. Don't take for granted what is good about this team or some of the players you do like might not feel appreciated either.

If Otis had been able to do a deal at the deadline to strengthen the team for the long term, it might have made this summer easier, which is why I really hoped he'd be able to pull off a deal. But if he had to give up a lot of assets, like two or more years worth of draft picks, or if he had to give up any players or picks that could have helped the team moving forward for a two-month rental, it might have limited his options even more. Let's not forget...all these teams that made moves at the deadline are not going to be better because they made them. Some of them won't work out, and only one team will win a title.

[AdamTheGreek]

People are assuming too damn much if they think he literally didn't try to make a move.
The Kings wanted too much, Seattle wanted to keep Wilcox and thought that dealing wiht Cleveland/Chicago would be better.