ball junkie

Man, the Sentinel has 2 more Billy Donovan to the NBA articles along with this one from the Florida Today. One article was written by Tim Povtak, the other by Mike Bianchi. Povtak is suggesting that a college coach could be successful now because the jobs that are open are decent to good teams. Bianchi is saying that Billy should stay at Florida and retire a legend. Here's the links if you want to read them: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/basketball/magic/...olumn?coll=orl-magic http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/columnists/orl-bi...?coll=orl-sports-col I also just noticed the Sentinel is running a poll about whether Donovan should leave the Gators for the Magic. Fifty-Six percent of the voters said yes. Log on and vote! Anyways, all this speculation has got me wondering. It's true, Donovan hasn't signed an extension yet. In Schmitz blog yesterday when Billy was asked about rumors linking him with the Magic his response was "no comment". Hopefully this week at some point all this coaching speculation will be put to rest and we'll know what the answers are.

quote: Originally posted by nbr3345: quote: Originally posted by ball junkie: quote: Originally posted by nbr3345:He is on the money but a good coach will utilize what he has. Just because and to use the example of Iavaroni, he may come from a run and gun system but does that mean he will apply the same system. Any wise coach knows that two teams are different due to the individuals. A good coach can utilize the talent, far from what I can say about the present! What the bloody hell is happening with this anyway? Or make changes in the roster to employ a style of play that proves successful year after year. Defense wins championships. It may be boring but it's true! As far as the team NBR I have no idea nor do I think anyone else does as to what they are thinking. Hopefully we'll hear something soon. Hope all is well with you. Glad your starting to post again! Sorry Junkie I didn't hear it, lol and as stated I prefer it on here during the off season. To touch on something that I probably didn't make clear enough, I never disagreed with the fact that defense wins championships. My point was in regard to a coach' ability to to instill a game plan that is successful toward the individuals he has. It highlighted that though Iavaroni may come from an up tempo style of play as an assistant of a run an gun run system doesn't mean he can't apply a any style of play to suit the needs of the team if he coaches elsewhere. Any coach should be able to adapt, if he can't I don't know what they are doing coaching at the elite level. I'm not sure if you got my point? I hope this clarify's. Cheers mate NBR, I completely understood what you were saying. My point was if a coach wants to employ a system that has proven successful year after year, defensive minded that execute well in the halfcourt, and the players arent adapting then you could change the roster to find players that can execute that system.

quote: Originally posted by The Ghost of John Gabriel:If the goal is to win a championship, why would we want to model our team after the Suns? Dallas moved from the uptempto run and gun style, it resulted in a Finals appearance, and they should have won the whole thing. They fell to the same style this year, but GS got smoked the next round vs. Utah. Look at the 4 teams remaining. Defensive minded, well executing half court offenses. That's what win championships & that's why Rick Carlyle is a much better candidate than Iavaroni, Billy D., or any of the other candidates being discussed. BINGO GHOST!!! EVERYBODY READ THIS POST BY THE GHOST!!! I'm not saying go get Rick Carlisle but the part about playing up-tempo and teams that do it. I know defense is boring. Offense is fun to watch and very entertaining. PEOPLE, LOOK AT THE STYLE OF PLAY OF THE 4 TEAMS THAT ARE LEFT IN THE PLAYOFFS! THEY ARE EERILY SIMILAR! THE GHOST IS ON THE MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!

quote: Originally posted by Marc Acres 3:16: quote: Originally posted by The Ghost of John Gabriel:If the goal is to win a championship, why would we want to model our team after the Suns? Dallas moved from the uptempto run and gun style, it resulted in a Finals appearance, and they should have won the whole thing. They fell to the same style this year, but GS got smoked the next round vs. Utah. Look at the 4 teams remaining. Defensive minded, well executing half court offenses. That's what win championships & that's why Rick Carlyle is a much better candidate than Iavaroni, Billy D., or any of the other candidates being discussed. I don't want to go running to the extent that PHX or GS does it, but running when the opportunity is there is no different than what Detroit does or SA does. I'm going to play Devils advocate here (again, I don't want a run and gun team because I agree, they don't win championships), PHX lost game 5 by 2 or 3 pts right? (I hate the if game but..) If Diaw and Amare sit their rears on the bench instead of hopping up, isn't it likely that they take game 5? Doesn't that make this a different series? PHX does run like crazy, but they also played VERY tough in this series. I think they have a physical element to that team now and I truely believe that they had a good chance of taking down SA. Marc, Greg Anthony adressed that last night in the post-game wrap. He said some people would say what you have but that through the years the Spurs have proven to be a championship caliber team. I wish I would have taped it because now I can't remember the rest. Anyway, it was very insightful. Anybody else hear his comments?

quote: Originally posted by nbr3345:He is on the money but a good coach will utilize what he has. Just because and to use the example of Iavaroni, he may come from a run and gun system but does that mean he will apply the same system. Any wise coach knows that two teams are different due to the individuals. A good coach can utilize the talent, far from what I can say about the present! What the bloody hell is happening with this anyway? Or make changes in the roster to employ a style of play that proves successful year after year. Defense wins championships. It may be boring but it's true! As far as the team NBR I have no idea nor do I think anyone else does as to what they are thinking. Hopefully we'll hear something soon. Hope all is well with you. Glad your starting to post again!

The one word that I took from your post NBR that was used over and over, "TALENT"! People here think coaching will solve all the problems. I'm a firm believer that we need both. Better talent and coaching. It's 50-50.

quote: Originally posted by nbr3345:aaarrrggghhhh, lol. Maybe I misunderstood, lol. However, without a doubt and I think you'd be inclined to do so. Are you implying anything in regard to our team, lol? NBR, I'll respond to your question with another question. Based on the results of the teams style of play that make-up the NBA's Final Four(Utah, S.A., Detroit, Cleveland), would you rather keep the same roster and play a more up-tempo style of play, which is what Otis is suggesting for Jameer's sake, or would you rather make some changes in the roster to immulate the style of play that seems so successful this post-season? Defensive minded teams that execute well in the halfcourt.

Smack, good post except you left out one thing. Cleveland is number 5 on your defensive team list so I think I'd put them in the same category as Detroit and the Spurs for that argument for defensive minded teams. Utah being the only team that isn't which surprises me since Jerry Sloan is such an old-school hard nosed type coach. I'll even take this one step further. Cavs fans wanted Mike Brown fired mid-season citing an offense that had no imagination. Sound famaliar Magic fans? Brown then changes his starting point guard to Larry Hughes and the team's play improves greatly. He's really not even a point guard although he's doing a darn good job.(lol) Since everyone complains about Jameer(me included) and there doesn't seem to be an opportunity this summer to improve that position why can't we give the starting point guard job to Keyon Dooling? He certainly can't do any worse than Jammeer!? I mean if Larry Hughes can be converted into a point guard why not Keyon?

I like it Debo! I'm not sure how the salary cap rules would apply to it but I like it. Brian Hill has been quoted in the media as saying we need a 2 guard like, "Mike Miller". Also, the media is insinuating that Adelman is close to signing a deal with Houston that will be finalized by next week.

I didn't read it anywhere. I was my opinion on what possibilities the Magic management could be considering. I don't like the idea but at this point "nobody" has a clue what the Magic brass are thinking. My insider source maintains he thinks Brian is coming back, although I haven't spoken to him for a week. He says he has "no" insider knowledge. RDV is locked up tight as a drum! He says it's just a feeling he has. And yeah, your right! If this continues we'll have to pass out deodorizers for everyone on the boards.(lol)

Ghost, thanks for breaking it down. I appreciate your honesty and integrity in this discussion. Nathan Rule, It looks like your right! Numbers don't lie.(lol)

Alright, as I've said often around here I'm not great at computing what works under the salary cap rules and what doesn't. There must be some way to get this deal if Amare is on the block which the sources in this article are insinuating. The article mentions Orlando as a possible destination because we could send back quality young pieces and give the Suns tax room. If Amare makes 13 million next season isn't all we'd have to do is give them back 13 million in salaries of our players? Some of our young guys are talented but who wouldn't give them up to pair Amare with Dwight!? Can someone explain to me in laymen's terms why this deal would never work?(lol)

Yeah, I was just reading that Solution when you posted it. The problem is the Magic seem to be sitting around while all these other teams are interviewing coaches. Maybe they've got a masterplan and are keeping everything hush, hush. Time will tell. Solution, thanks for spacing the paragraphs out. It is much easier to read like that!(smiling)

quote: Avoiding The Tax-man: The Phoenix Suns are now on the clock

I'm not sure where I read it but I know I did. This was in reference to Ivaroni and the Grizzlies. The Memphis job is not that great right now but if they land the 1st or 2nd pick in the up-coming draft lottery that job immediately becomes attractive. Anybody know the date of the draft lottery? It should be sometime this coming week.

quote: Does Brian Hill Get To Keep His Whistle or Not? Posted on May 19, 2007 8:43:17 AM Brian Hill held hostage, Day 17. Our local nightmare is not over. On May 2, we broke the story quoting Magic team prez Bob Vander Weide, "People ask me if Brian Hill will be back as our coach. All I can say is that I have no answer for that right now." How about now? Vander Weide said it might take "two to three weeks" for him to evaluate Hill and the team. It has been about two and a half weeks. The Magic are in media lockdown mode that rivals any White House emergency. Vander Weide did not return a call from the Sentinel on Friday, which is his perogative. GM Otis Smith isn't talking. Hill is saying little, although he is operating as if he will return as coach. Will this be the week Hill is removed from limbo? Or is it the week the coach and the Magic part ways and a coaching search begins? Have the Magic already contacted some candidates? Does Hill know his fate and is simply being the good company man? Is he headed to the front office? What do the players think --- and did any have a hand in Hill's current predicament? Can the Magic match the Bull Gators' war chest for Billy Donovan's services? If the Magic are interested in Phoenix assistant coach Marc Ivaroni, will he bring Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire with him? Speaking of the Suns, has Hill agreed to borrow their playbook to change the offense? Does everything now have to get Dwight Howard's approval now? Will Jordan win American Idol? Stay tuned. Sorry to report basically nothing. Just that VanderWeide won't return phone calls from Schmitz. You guys think that's a good sign or a bad sign? http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_magic/2007/05/does_brian_hill.html

quote: Originally posted by Nyce_1: quote: Originally posted by ball junkie:Disappointed in you Nyce. That's all I got to say. I thought you were more of a quality poster than this. Could it be that some of my posts were valid and that's what upset you? Oh, no; definitely not upset about anything. Just trying to help you see the light, lol. A good majority of the board see and agree that Brian was behind the pick. And what confuses me is that, with this situation, you want nothing but cold hard facts, but with the Vince situation, which is nothing BUT SPECULATION, you're all on board and really believe he will be coming home this summer WITHOUT seeing any facts. I'm just not seeing how in situations alike, you use different logic to form your opinion. I hope I'm making sense. And please don't think I'm trying to be offensive to you; definitely not my intension. First off, if you haven't figured it out already I don't go along with the board just because the majority of it thinks one way. I learned a long time ago to listen to people's opinion but them form your conclusions with your "own" brain. I'm also tired of repeating the same things cause I honestly don't enjoy typing that much. The point I'm trying to make for what I hope will be the last time is people in this thread were implicating Brian Hill "only". I think at this point we can "assume" it was Dave and Brian. I understand what you are saying about being the new man in charge and going with the flow. For the life of me I still can't understand why if your Otis you wouldn't at least talk to the guy or go see him workout. Especially when your name and reputation are on the line. Now to Vince, sure I'd like him to come. Any up-grades to our roster is a welcome site. But no, I'm not convinced he's coming and I'm honestly wavering a bit on who we should try and get. I used different logic in the 2 situations because I tire of seeing Brian be picked on and blamed without proof and I'm honestly not a big fan. It amazes me the number of poster's to this board who think a new coach will solve all the problems. Amazing!

quote: Originally posted by Nyce_1:Junkie, just stop. You're making yourself look bad. Please, just accept the fact that Napolean and Dave were the ones behind the picking of Fran and OTIS had no choice but to go with the flow. Let me ask you this, if you're new on the job, and you have to make a decision, are you going to go with your gut or go with the opinion of someone who's been there a bit longer than you(Brian)and someone else who's displaying the same opinion as that other person (Dave)? And if you're discrediting Ghost's points due to the fact there are no links (which, Solution provided), then why should we credit ANYONE (including yourself) with an "inside source"? Do you believe MagicConfid when he writes "Vince wants to come home?" Do you believe your "source" whenever he/she tells you what's going on within the organization WITHOUT providing any links? What I'm trying to say is you believe what you want, when you want; and, in this situation, your "man-crush" (lol) on Brian Hill is causing you to not see the obvious. NEXT!!! Disappointed in you Nyce. That's all I got to say. I thought you were more of a quality poster than this. Could it be that some of my posts were valid and that's what upset you?

Marc, Alston had decent numbers. But as I'm sure you know there is much,much more to running the point position in the NBA. You have to know when to shoot, pass, player tendancies and I could go on. I'm not sure anybody from an AND1 league would ever understand that. My opinion.

quote: Originally posted by The Solution:emory889, DOES THIS HELP? quote: Originally posted by emory889:I lend no credence to Hill saying he wants a new point guard. This is the same guy that wouldn't start Penny Hardaway until Skiles was traded and the same guy that said Mike Bibby would never be a good point guard. Jameer might not be the answer but I'll wait to see how he does in another coaches system. Knowing Hill he probably doesn't like any of his point guards. quote from The Ghost of John Gabriel: An interesting side note regarding Brian Hill's connection to Mike Bibby and his running issue with scapegoats, I mean point guards... His first year in Vancouver, "the team was a good PG away" and drafted Antiono Daniels with the 4th pick in the draft. After his rookie season, Napoleon put the failures of the team on Antiono Daniels and claimed he wasn't a pure PG. The Grizz essentially gave him to San Antiono and drafted Mike Bibby with the 2nd pick in the draft. After his rookie season!!! The following year, same story. This time Napoleon had designs on replacing Mike Bibby with none other than Steve Francis until the 2nd pick in that draft decided he wanted no part of Vancouver or the PG Killa!!! This guy goes through PG's like Jon Gruden goes through QB's ............................................... ARTICLE ON THE MIRACULOUS IMPROVEMENT AFTER HILL: Hollins is right man for right time for Grizzlies Sporting News, The,

Solution, I am shocked that Otis never saw this guy. You just painted Otis in a terrible way in my opinion. How can you be the GM of an NBA basketball team and not even see a guy that you are drafting? That is un-believably irresponsible for a guy that was not a rookie GM. Wasn't Otis a GM for Golden State before he came here? Also Solution, the links you provided are things that I have already read. There was "nothing" in there that implicated Brian as being guilty. Solution, you are still avoiding the main point. Even if Brian did suggest, which he probably did, to draft Fran it is still Otis responsibility to do his homework. Based on what you have shown me here Dave pushed for Fran but Otis just assumed things. In my job I have in the real world assuming things can get you in trouble sometimes. Solution, if you were in Otis shoes wouldn't you have at least watched him workout or talked to the guy before drafting someone when you are the guy "in charge" of picking a new player for your team? Ghost, you keep saying these things are un-disputed facts. You even mention going to the library and pulling clips from the Sentinel. You also mentioned what sounded like a student intern giving you information. If these things implicating Brian were in the Sentinel could you provide the links? Also, I'm not saying your friend's opinion is a lie. But honestly, you have to admit if your only source is a student intern who was not employed for a very long time if you are me can you see how I would be very skeptical?

quote: Originally posted by The Solution:Read the thread Junkie. quote: FROM The Ghost: These are indisputable facts: On draft night, B. Hill, not Otis, not Dave, took the stage and defended the pick. B. Hill compared Fran to Pau Gasol. Told the media who questioned the pick they would be proven wrong. Claimed the fact Fran had not worked out or been interviewed by the Magic was not a concern because he was friends with Fran's Euro coach. Claimed to have a lot of insight into Fran's game and personality because of this friendship with his coach. Call everything thing else garbage, this is indisputable fact. These were B. Hill words. Solution, this is the last time I'm responding unless you provide sources and links from something other than this message board.

I listened to the post-game show with Tim Legler and I can't remember the other guy. To a man they all said in fairness to Vince and Jason Kidd the New Jersey Nets have "by far" the worst front line in the league. "BAR NONE"! They said the 3 big guns have to do everything and it was really not fair. They were highly critical of the Nets front line suggesting that not only were they not athletic but lacked much energy too!

quote: Originally posted by The Solution:http://orlandomagiczone.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/88910298...933?r=9691087933#969 You can also read the following thread on the matter: "Fran Vasquez was Hill's idea not mine"...Otis Smith.. Solution, Ghost is cool. But he is just a poster like everybody else on here. For the second time...what is the Ghost's source? Please provide links other than a another link from this fan message board. Also, in the link you provided even the Ghost himself didn't put "all" the blame on Brian. He implicated Dave Twardzik and Brian as the ones who wanted to draft Fran. Otis still has a say as others on that thread commented. I still want the sources for proof. So far all you have is a message board that provides speculation by one of it's participants.

quote: Hill Coaching Saga To Drag On! When will it end? Not for at least another week, apparently. The Magic's decision on whether to keep Brian Hill as their coach might not be made until team President Bob Vander Weide (and Grand Rapids, Mi. resident) returns to Orlando --- and that won't be until the week after next. That's the word out of the Magic offices. TV miniseries don't last this long. Good grief, Charlie Brown. I hope they know what they're doing cause this is getting pathetic. Many people are starting to post the same thing. If you're going to fire the guy then lets do it. But don't string the guy out for what looks like maybe two more weeks and then fire him. I have no logical explanation for what they are doing! I just hope and pray that "THEY"(magic management) are handling the situation the best way possible. http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_magic/2007/05/hill_coaching_s.html