ball junkie

The sooner you people come to grips with it the better. Our problems are 50-50, coaching and personnel. It's just the truth. Don't bother trying to change my opinion cause your waisting your time. I talked to an assistant of Todd Lewis last night. He's the guy who does the Sports for WKMG News. He was sitting right next to John Gabriel. The real John Gabriel! Not the one who comes on these boards. I asked him point blank the question about Phil Jackson coaching this team he said maybe 2 more wins.(lol) He went on to lament what I've been saying, our problems stem from both coaching and personnel. He said our team leads the league in turnovers and is very poor at shooting foul shots. He also said he'd love to have Rick Carlisle. Mr. Gabriel was gone before I had a chance to speak to him. I've spoken to him before cause he's very friendly. I know what you guys response will be. Give me a different offense and we'll get different results. I totally disagree. It doesn't matter what offense you run, Jameer still has to quarterback the team. Something that I don't think he can do. He would still have to make decisions, get others involved, feed the post no matter what offense we ran. Here's another observation from last night. I listened intently cause I saw the thread yesterday about booing Brian. When his name was announced I had to strain to hear a very faint booing sound. Unless you were aware of it you wouldn't have known it. Again, Hill lacks in making adjustments but most of the venom towards him comes from this board. I have never seen a Magic crowd so energized for the home team. It was refreshing! I did hear one person who was drunk in the bathroom after the game say(yell,LOL) Brian Hill sucks. He said we've got the college player of the year just sitting on the bench. Another drunk yelled out, but Redick can't play no defense! All of the people that were sitting around me all said the same. Personnel and Coaching, 50-50. All the guys that work with me say the same thing, 50-50, coaching and personnel. This board is the only place that thinks "everything" is Brian's fault. I totally agree with you guys about making adjustments. I have been just as fustrated as the next guy. Our personnel also causes much of the problem.

quote: Fri Apr 27, 2007 2:24 pm Post subject: MAGIC'S HOWARD UNHAPPY WITH LACK OF SHOTS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Orlando Magic franchise center Dwight Howard said a lot Friday about his frustration level by saying very little at all. When I asked Howard point blank if he was frustrated about his lack of shots in the Magic

quote: Originally posted by SmackDaddy:Actually, the very nature of the title was referencing the sheer volume of posts that once flooded this board supporting B Hill, for winning Coach of the Month, for leading us to the Atlantic Division lead, for coaching our team to 1st in team defense in the league, etc, etc, etc. Now those posts are far out numbered by fans that wish to see justice served. No more excuses about injuries or youth or the quest for a new arena or any of that crap. We weren't supposed to win the championship this season, but we were supposed to be quite a bit more competitive. If it wasn't for an incredibly weak schedule to open the season and even weaker schedule to close the season, we could very easily find ourselves in the draft lottery. Am I upset, yes. Am I trying to understand why in the world anyone in their right mind (and I believe you are in your right mind, although teetering lol) would support B Hill. Also, unless you are Vanderweide incognito, please stop saying that B Hill will be back as a matter of indisputible fact. I've told you I beleive he will be back because we have a very loyal ownership group and irresponsible managerial team, but to say he will definitely be back and the matter is not up for discussion is ludicrous. I look forward to receiving your reply once you are not torn by work. Smack,my man. You can discuss it all you want with your fire Brian buddies. As I said earlier I don't waist time talking about something that at this time is a moot point. As Rafael said, there's no sense in getting worked up about it. There's time for that later. If you guys want to continue hashing it out help yourself. Personally, until Otis comes out and says Brian is fired then we all have no choice but to accept it and move on. As I said, if that's what you guys want to do? Help yourself. I will have nothing further to say on this thread. Find someone else to argue with Smack.

Not looking to start an argument Smack? The very nature of the title would suggest different. Brian will be back next year. I don't dwell on things I can do nothing about. Two of the 5 threads you gave examples of were started by me. The other 3 were blogs. I changed the title of one(Hey, Coach Hill bashers) since Hill gets bashed for not making changes. He didn't and I have posted more than once how I disappointed I was. Smack, you of all people should know I post articles and blogs to give the readers here something to talk about. I've been doing it for quite some time. You said I'm not looking to call you out. But you did Smack. That's okay. I can deal with it. As I said earlier I plan to respond in full when I'm not getting work related pressure. Oh, and I still stand by my thread about Phil Jackson. Spoke to a person of reputation about this very subject last night. I'll speak more about it later. He said Phil would have gotten 2 more wins!(lol)

Smack, I have no idea what thread your talking about since you referenced my name. My thread was about calling Hill an idiot etcetera. I have many thoughts which I plan to share when I get time. Work is busy right now. Calling people out Smack? I have never said I am a Hill supporter. I just don't spend every stinking minute wallowing in misery about it like some people on these boards do. Please try to get your facts straight before calling someone out. Or do you need to do some self-esteem boosting since you've been saying since the beginning of the year that Hill basically sucks and now you can gloat about it that I was right. Bad coach or not, last night's loss bothered me. A lot! I hate when my team losses, especially in a time like the playoffs when it's crucial. Bad coach or not, I love the Magic! That's what bothers me about some of you. I think your happy we lost.

I honestly think some of you guys hate Brian Hill so much that you pull for the team to lose. And I've seen numerous threads indicating such. That is pathetic and wrong. I'm not trying to get anybody to change their mind. Don't care how you feel cause it's "your perrogative". I'll state again the team is more important than any coach or player. Right now instead of continually bashing Brian you should be trying to find something positive to say about our players since this our first playoff game in 4 years. I don't know about you guys but I don't want this team leaving town! There's a thread on the board right now about where our franchise may end up. But if we win tonight don't come in here posting we won cause Brian Hill did what I've been saying he should be doing all along. That is laughable. If your gonna keep crticizing then don't change, even when we win. And yes Emory it does work both ways. If we lose there is always gonna be blame. It's just that you guys put everything on Brian and I don't. He is the main one responsible but as I've said before Phil Jackson would have a hard time getting these guys into the second round.

quote: Originally posted by MagicFanBen: quote: Originally posted by ball junkie: quote: Originally posted by MAGICFAN365:i don't think people HATE brian hill. his coaching style has not really worked on a consistent basis, if at all. you ask us to put the team before one person which in this case is the coach. and i know i do but i will tell you brian hill is control of who plays as the coach and everyone can see that he is making OBVIOUS mistakes with who his starters are/how many minutes they play and HIS "ROTATION". i mean do you think that the team is making these decision? jj saying he does not want to play at all because nelson is the starter so he can take my minutes? i mean the coach can not make the shots but he can make the adjustments to put the players that can contribute to the team in. NO REAL MAGIC FAN "PULLS" FOR OUR TEAM TO LOSE. I'm sorry, but I've seen guys on these boards admit they hope we lose to get the coach fired. And I've seen it numerous times too. I'm gonna say it again, that is "pathetic" and I would seriously question any one who considers themselves to be a Magic fan and wants the team to lose because of the coach. I can't wait for tonight to read up on the boards. If we lose I know it's gonna be in attack Brian Hill mode. If we win, all the guys that have been constantly harping on the coach will have to change their tune, won't they? If we win Brian must have done "something right". In my eyes there is nothing Brian Hill can do that is right. He may draw up a last second play to win the game, but we should not have been fighting for that last second shot had he managed his players and the game better. You can not take 1 win and say Coach Hill was a good coach. I can take every win this season and break it down and show you how bad of a coaching job Coach Hill did. Seriouly Junkie, your vision is very clouded if you can not see it. When we went 13-4 many were not happy then because of the lack of PT for Darko, Trevor and JJ. 3 guys that will be the future. As long as we continue to go with the vets and they win it for us we are only hurting our future and its potential. This is why we will see our young players go to another team and thrive, because they did not get a chance here. If every coach treated his players like Hill does, Hedo, Battie and grant Hill would have never made a name for themselves before coming to the Magic. They were once rookies too and their coach was smart enough to see it was important to develop them. Heck Hedo got big minutes from the beginning backing up Peja. It is something JJ should have got this season. Just like the Bucks have been starting Bogut since he was drafted. He is no better than Darko, but he may develop faster because he is given more of a chance. Just wait until travis starts lighting it up for the Suns next season. You will really hear some people moaning then. How do you think the Hawks feel watching Diaw thrive in P***nix??? He never had an opportunity in Atlanta. Go read the message board of the Knicks. Larry Brown did not play trevor and cut Matt Barnes. Now listen to them belly ache. Ben, I agree with what most people say about Brian and his shortcomings. I'm talking about pulling for the team to lose cause you hate the Coach! That is just flatout wrong!!!

quote: Originally posted by MAGICFAN365:i don't think people HATE brian hill. his coaching style has not really worked on a consistent basis, if at all. you ask us to put the team before one person which in this case is the coach. and i know i do but i will tell you brian hill is control of who plays as the coach and everyone can see that he is making OBVIOUS mistakes with who his starters are/how many minutes they play and HIS "ROTATION". i mean do you think that the team is making these decision? jj saying he does not want to play at all because nelson is the starter so he can take my minutes? i mean the coach can not make the shots but he can make the adjustments to put the players that can contribute to the team in. NO REAL MAGIC FAN "PULLS" FOR OUR TEAM TO LOSE. I'm sorry, but I've seen guys on these boards admit they hope we lose to get the coach fired. And I've seen it numerous times too. I'm gonna say it again, that is "pathetic" and I would seriously question any one who considers themselves to be a Magic fan and wants the team to lose because of the coach. I can't wait for tonight to read up on the boards. If we lose I know it's gonna be in attack Brian Hill mode. If we win, all the guys that have been constantly harping on the coach will have to change their tune, won't they? If we win Brian must have done "something right".

quote: Originally posted by futuremg:Are you kidding me? ball junkie you missed the whole point of that article. Did you just read the last line? It was about Redick not Battie. Negativity was in your whole response. Cause that's what's all over this board and has been since last night, negative threads! It makes me crazy! The team is always bigger than the coach or players.

Man, that is great news! Battie with a gurantee!! I can't stand all this negativity on this board. It's funny after a Magic win how quiet this board becomes. You guys need to put your hatred of Brian Hill aside and realize that the Magic team will always be "way" more important then any coach or player ever will be. Here's to hoping for a win tonight to quiet the crowd. Lastly, anybody that's pulling for the Magic to lose cause they hate the coach, I'm gonna say it, "that's pathetic"!

quote: Originally posted by bhnole:Junkie, I know you are not a Brian Hill fan, but have gotten tired of all the negativity and bashing. It does get old, but this series has highlighted every reason that Brian's coaching drives the fans nuts. Hedo and Grant have played near perfect, usually we beat anyone when that happens. But the mismatches with Jameer and Battie have allowed Detroit to make runs and get big baskets whenever they need them. Maybe you don't take them out as starters, but why not sub earlier? Our starters have been soundly beaten in the 1st and 3rd quarters of both games and they are the main reasons why. I had tried to refrain from the bashing since it is a near certainty that he is coming back. But watching him replay his mistakes from every playoff series he has lost (by sweeps) is just too much to bear. I am in total agreement Bhnole. If we get down tonight and Brian doesn't at least attempt something different to change the flow of the game I am going to be one disappointed Magic fan. It will be to much to bear for me also. Just hoping and praying that we can somehow salvage this game tonight to give us Magic fans just a glimmer of hope heading into next season. Hey, I thought I'd mention this too. I didn't get to go to the message board get-together on Saturday night. Maybe someone can start a thread to organize a little get together at the arena tonight. I know we disagree and fuss sometimes on these boards but I consider everyone on these boards to be the "truest" Magic fans! Maybe we could meet in front of Scott Skiles banner or anywhere as far as I'm concerned. The game doesn't start till 8:00 so there would be plenty of time before the game starts or at halftime to meet and chat about the game or whatever. What do you think?

Nice Dav, I like it! I'll be looking for you.

quote: Originally posted by SmackDaddy:Junkie, you've been asking that question for a week now. When are you going to start asking the questions of our coach, instead of the members of this board? Trust me Smack, if I had access to Brian I would definitely ask. Speaking of access, last summer I got invited to the Magic's summer league held at the RDV Sportsplex which was closed to the public. All the Magic brass were there checking out the players. During halftime or in between games there was a lot of discussion between coaches from the 8 different teams that were represented at the league. I had about a ten minute conversation with Dave Twardzik. During my conversation with Dave, Coach Hill stopped momentarily to say something trivial to Mr. Twardzik. If I knew then what I know now I probably would have tried to engage Brian in a basketball coaching philosophy discussion(lol). I mostly talked with Twardzik about J.J. Redick. Back in July last summer J.J.'s health pretty much dominated most of the discussion on these boards.

I have to admit when getting home just now and reading this I was very disappointed and just started scratching my head. I mean if we start this game tomorrow and immediately get down on the scoreboard he absolutely has to do something different. Now, I haven't gone as bonkers on the coach as some of you have in this thread. Just food for thought though: The guys that have been ripping Brian's head of in this thread I wonder what you'll post tommorrow if we somehow find a way to win the game?

quote: Three keys for Magic Here are three ways the Magic can get back in their first-round series against the Detroit Pistons: 1. Lineup changes. Desperate times call for drastic measures. Move Grant Hill to point guard, insert Trevor Ariza at a wing and start Darko Milicic. It would give the Magic five players 6-foot-8 or taller to disrupt Detroit's offense. 2. Run more. GM Otis Smith said that from his view the Magic are playing right into the hands of the Pistons when they walk the ball up court. Detroit is deadly in half-court sets, but somewhat vulnerable against athletic, fast-breaking teams. Also, Smith would like to see the Magic disrupt Chauncey Billups more to keep Detroit from comfortably setting up its offense. 3. Play J.J. Redick. The rookie has yet to see any time in the first two games largely because the Magic worry about his defensive deficiencies. But by putting him on the floor opposite of Hedo Turkoglu, it would space the floor better for Dwight Howard to operate inside. _ John Denton, FLORIDA TODAY The 1st adjustment I really like! I was disappointed on Monday when Brian didn't try Dooling and Grant in the backcourt. We have to do something to disrupt them. They are "way" to comfortable. Not bad though, Grant at point, Trevor at the 2 guard, Hedo at the 3, Darko at the 4 and Dwight. How would our bench look then? Who doesn't want to see adjustment number two?(sarcasm) At times this year we have run. But not enough. I'm sure a lot of people will get excited about the third suggestion and playing Redick! Honestly, as I'm sitting here visualizing that it looks awesome. Your always gonna worry about your defense with Redick but with Grant at the point and or Dooling you could definitely get away with it. The spacing thing is what gets me excited. With Turk playing the way he is and Redick's deadly shot it would have to give our big guys more room. Come on Brian Hill! Please try something different? Give us Magic fans just a glimmer of something to build on for next year. http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/...04250368/1002/SPORTS

quote: Three keys for Magic Here are three ways the Magic can get back in their first-round series against the Detroit Pistons: 1. Lineup changes. Desperate times call for drastic measures. Move Grant Hill to point guard, insert Trevor Ariza at a wing and start Darko Milicic. It would give the Magic five players 6-foot-8 or taller to disrupt Detroit's offense. 2. Run more. GM Otis Smith said that from his view the Magic are playing right into the hands of the Pistons when they walk the ball up court. Detroit is deadly in half-court sets, but somewhat vulnerable against athletic, fast-breaking teams. Also, Smith would like to see the Magic disrupt Chauncey Billups more to keep Detroit from comfortably setting up its offense. 3. Play J.J. Redick. The rookie has yet to see any time in the first two games largely because the Magic worry about his defensive deficiencies. But by putting him on the floor opposite of Hedo Turkoglu, it would space the floor better for Dwight Howard to operate inside. _ John Denton, FLORIDA TODAY The 1st adjustment I really like! I was disappointed on Monday when Brian didn't try Dooling and Grant in the backcourt. We have to do something to disrupt them. They are "way" to comfortable. Not bad though, Grant at point, Trevor at the 2 guard, Hedo at the 3, Darko at the 4 and Dwight. How would our bench look then? Who doesn't want to see adjustment number two?(sarcasm) At times this year we have run. But not enough. I'm sure a lot of people will get excited about the third suggestion and playing Redick! Honestly, as I'm sitting here visualizing that it looks awesome. Your always gonna worry about your defense with Redick but with Grant at the point and or Dooling you could definitely get away with it. The spacing thing is what gets me excited. With Turk playing the way he is and Redick's deadly shot it would have to give our big guys more room. Come on Brian Hill! Please try something different? Give us Magic fans just a glimmer of something to build on for next year. http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/...04250368/1002/SPORTS

Brian Hill Sucks! Brian Hill is an Idiot! Brian Hill is a Loser! Fire his Azz! Brian Hill doesn't no how to make rotations! He didn't play my favorite player! Now nobody has to make any other posts tonight cause I just covered everything that will be said in the next two hours.

quote: Originally posted by Drunk on Mystery:While I've tried to keep my nose clean of this debate until after the postseason, I think it's important to note ,Junkie, that, at least in this thread, you threw down the gauntlet. You wrote a post mocking a group of people, that includes a great number of board members. Then, when NBAMagic47 listed specific members by naming Gabe, Knappy, and Fansince90, you quoted his post and agreed with, effectively validating message board head hunting. I'm not going to say how I feel about this issue again. I've done it at least 20 times on this board. I will say that if someone wants to write about why they think Bhill is a crappy coach, and has something, such as substitution statistics or whatever, I think they're opinion is justifiably valid, in the sameway I'd be valid in saying "Jameer is shooting terribly!" if I could quote specific numbers to back up that claim. Thank you all, and good night. Drunk, you've hit the nail on the head. I'm gonna try for the last time to explain where I'm coming from. First off I never called anybody's name out. When NBAMagic47 posted I was agreeing with him that the Fire Brian bashers were gonna make this board hard to read the next couple of days. Me personally did not specifically call anyone's name out. Now, as I've stated before I have done some coaching. I was an assistant at a Polk County high school that one a Florida state championship in the year 2000. That year we had some struggles and lost some key games during the regular season before peaking at the right time and winning the championship. Whe we lost some of those key games there were fans in the stands that were literally standing behind the bench and screaming things like, your an idiot, your a moron, you need to be fired. Most of it was directed to the head coach although it bothered me greatly also. I might add the head coach's family would always sit right behind the bench too. His wife and 3 little children would get to hear these idiotic people insult their daddy and husband re-peatedly. You know what else. We pretty much summized that the people that were the most vociferous were the ones that had failed in there own lives trying to be something in sports or whatever. Fustrated people taking it out on the coach. And in a small city where everyone knows everyone you know what the truth is. There are rules on this forum for name calling. I have spoken with Marc Acres about it through PM. He doesn't like it either. Insults to Brian's intelligence. I realize nobody here knows Brian personally, me included. I still don't like it when anybody calls anybody a moron or an idiot. That's just me. I realize that this isn't going to stop any of it. It will continue, the Brain Hill insults I have referred to. After spending this season reading these forums and particularly after Magic losses my fustration got the best of me. I apologize to those I have offended. By all means, if you want to have an intelligent discussion disecting the coaches strategy I'm all for it. I in fact enjoy it! I was honestly disappointed Brian didn't use Grant and Keyon in the backcourt like John Denton suggested he might do. I hope this helps you all understand where I'm coming from.

quote: Originally posted by SmackDaddy:But are they legitimate complaints? Because you're acting like they are not Smack, one more time. It gets monotonous. Everybody understands Hill's weaknesses. It's been re-peated one hundred million times on these boards. There's nothing anybody can do. Hill is coming back. The sooner we all learn to deal with it the better. Again, what is everybody gonna do? Just keep repeating the same things over and over? This place would get pretty boring like that.

quote: Originally posted by SmackDaddy:I know where you're coming from because we've talked about it at length. But some of the other guys on here may not understand where you're coming from. You're a little harsh on guys that have a legit gripe with coach hill. Here's the thing, nobody else is even thinking about what the Magic are going to do after this season. This season isn't over yet and you're talking like it is. You're also putting a lot of faith in the words of Otis who is very polished at deception. IMO, if Otis tells me that B Hill is coming back 100%, I think that translates into 50/50 odds. The other thing is, just because Magic management says B Hill will be back doesn't mean that everyone should be happy with it. And not a single fan among us is happy that we're down 0-2. Did we expect to win one or both games, probably not. But the realization of two losses is something all together different. I don't think there's a person on this board I've ever been harsh with. Sure people have a right to complain. And I have a right to express that it drives some of us nuts! Smack, just scan over the the top ten threads in this Magic forum. Now read my opening post again. I rest my case.

quote: Originally posted by SmackDaddy:Seriously Junkie. You can't condemn Magic fans for being critical of B Hill, especially when you post the Denton blog earlier in the day that indicates B Hill made mistakes in game one and plans on making adjustments that should correct those mistakes. Those adjustments did not occur. AT ALL!!! We played the exact same rotation and experienced the exact same results. No big surprise there. I am surprised however, that you want to continue to roast Magic fans for roasting our coach. Brian Hill deserves to be skewered and turned over a fire. Smack, see my post on Gentry's thread. What are you gonna do? Hill is coming back. Otis and Magic management have fully backed him. I'm saying let's re-tool the roster this summer and see what happens. I don't care if people complain about the coach Smack but it gets old! Every game we lose it's the same posts over and over and over again. We have a young roster with talent but holes. I kind of think Brian Hill's hands may be tied a little with Jameer too. I posted it on another thread. Jameer is the captain of the team who is up for a contract extension this summer. How would that look in his contract negotiations if he was benched for the playoffs? Do I like it? No! I know you know what I'm getting at Smack.

Here's another thing for all the coach bashers. Otis and Magic management have fully backed Brian Hill. He is definitely coming back next year. Answer me this question, does this mean we are gonna have to listen to all you guys ripping on Coach Hill all summer and into next year? You know when you rip Brian you are ripping Otis and the whole Magic management. If you feel like that you may as well get off the Magic boards!

quote: Originally posted by SmackDaddy:How about this as an alternative Junkie: Why don't you tell us what adjustments/substitutions B Hill made that made a difference in your opinion? Smack, we talked about this on the phone. I've already admitted I was disappointed Hill didn't use the Grant-Dooling backcourt more. Come on Smack! Admit it! We don't have a point guard and especially so in this series! Jameer is getting roasted! We don't have a wing scorer who can break down defenses. I'm not ready to throw Brian Hill to the curb till we get a "much" better roster on our team. I'll evaluate in full at that time. He has proven when he has great players he can at least get us to the finals. We definitely need someone else to take us to the promised land. I feel sure the Magic organization will do this. Not only does our roster have holes, it is a "young" team with holes! Let's everybody try to put things into perspective.

quote: Originally posted by richnba:Junkie do u agree with the assumption tha tDetroit is not playing this series hard? It seems everyone is saying this, we have lost now both games by 8 and everyone is saying it is because Detroit isnt playing hard whic hI think is bs, wat is ur opinion on this Rich, I think they're playing hard when they have too. Every time the Magic get a little to close for comfort the Pistons put their foot on the peddle again. Problem is sometimes that can come back to bite you in the butt! Hopefully Thursday night! I still feel good about our team with Dwight to build around. He's still quite young and inexperienced. He's gonna be a monster! When we get a ligitimate shooting guard that can break down defenses every person who is still on our team is gonna benefit three times over, meaning their jobs will become so much easier. I still hate losing to the dadgum Pistons! I don't care if they are way better than us.

quote: Originally posted by NBAMagic47: quote: Originally posted by ball junkie:Brian Hill Sucks! Brian Hill is an Idiot! Brian Hill is a Loser! Fire his Azz! Brian Hill doesn't no how to make rotations! He didn't play my favorite player! Now nobody has to make any other posts tonight cause I just covered everything that will be said in the next two hours. the fire brian hill cry babies are starting to come out already, there has been a knappy sighting a ghost of gabriel sighting and fansince90 has a new name. it is going to be a tuff couple of days reading these forums. Exactly my point NBAMagic47! I love coming here to talk and read about Magic basketball with others. But when you read the same negative posts that basically repeat the same things over and over and over again that any person logging on to this site who is possibly suicidal might just go ahead and do it!(j/k)