Soul Bro

VC benched. Wow.

Nathan, I think Jareth was wanting to see the promo sheet. Are you going to post it?

I believe SVG will be back

Great posts!!! At the very least, this team needs someone who can penetrate and create his own shot. I anticipate that Otiz will go hard after one of these players: 1. Chris Paul -- From what I heard second hand from someone VERY close to Otiz, Otiz was seriously discussing a deal with NO in the Fall for Paul. With the NO ownership change, my guess is this option is now off the table. 2. Joe Johnson -- Rev's guy said we were/are interested. Would they do a sign-n-trade with us instead of losing him for nothing to NY, NJ, etc? 3. Dwayne Wade -- Pipe dream but one Otiz really likes. The players I believe Otiz would be open to trading: 1. VC -- This is obvious and could give another team long-term cap relief. 2. Tat -- Very tradable. ATL and OKC are just two of the teams that would like to have a true center like Tat. 3. Jameer -- If Paul is an option, bye-bye Jameer. 4. Lewis -- Ain't happening b/c of his contract ... unless for Arenas (boo). 5. Everyone else not named Dwight.

I am curious what you guys think is the big hurdle with the Magic. Is it an issue of having the wrong system with the stretch power forward in Lewis? Or is it an issue of having the wrong players, like Nelson, Lewis, or someone else? My answer is, "yes," but if I had to lean one way it would be the system. I want the Magic to play a traditional line-up precisely for the playoffs against Celtics and the Lakers. I am curious what the rest of you think.

quote: Originally posted by Knappy: quote: Originally posted by habib11:He just can't consistently create his own buckets. All year his games been dependant on Dwight getting double teamed and the ball movement and open looks that created. The Celtics almost never double team Dwight. Its great when he's able to drop 30 on them like tonight but when he's not getting doubled it hurts so many guys, especially Shard. Outside of Nelson/Carter everybody was brought in because they fit in around Dwight and their games depend on him. I have no idea how Shard was able to average like 25 ppg back in Seattle, these days its like he just can't create his own buckets more than once or twice a game. And we should also give KG some credit whose been playing some great D on him. His problem is the growth on the chin - he has to shave that s*it off if he expects to ever play well again - same with Jameer if he still has that stubble on his chin. Made me lol

quote: Originally posted by Ramsde68: quote: Originally posted by Soul Bro: quote: Originally posted by Ramsde68: quote: Originally posted by Soul Bro:The next couple of games will be telling. Would Otis make a big trade this summer if we get beaten? Outside of Dwight, this team is taking a smack down, though still keeping it close. Lewis especially is being seriously worked over by KG and company. KG is averaging 9 points in this series after averaging 20 on Cleveland. Is that what you call getting worked over? His defense has been fine. His shot simply isn't falling which you could say the same thing about Jameer, Vince, and Pietrus as well. From what I've seen, Lewis' help defense has been terrible. Plus, I'd take KG's 9 pts and 10 bds over Lewis' 5.5 pts and 5.5 bds any day. Now others are not stepping up either, but he is paid to be the man. He is paid to be the man and yet he is never given the ball like he is the man. Have they attempted to post Rashard up at all in this series? Has more then 5 plays been called for him in the last two games? I've said for seasons that this team both under and over utilizes Rashard. They underutilize one of his greatest strengths as a deadly scorer (posting him up) then over utilize his other one (three point shooting) to make the Magic's system of spread everything out for Dwight. I think that is a very valid point, though I'm guessing the length of Boston is keeping SVG from doing that.

Forget Fisher, we need someone with more "win." Our next back-up pg ...

quote: Originally posted by GhostAnime:Who would he mentor then? Nelson? What does Fisher know about being a traditional point guard when all he's done was shoot 3's and play off of other people? Do you really think he's a difference maker? I sure don't. We don't know any actual 'advice' he would give that would even be relevant. You're right. I don't know if he'd have any actual advice but my guess is he would be able to model good preparation and draw from his experience to share helpful insights with the guys.

quote: Originally posted by GhostAnime:Doesn't mean it works. I mean, are you completely forgetting that Jason Williams on this team? He's got a ring too. Honestly I feel like anybody that does do this just try to come up with some cliche phrase or excuse on why to get some useless guy for cheap. Then when you ask them "how is he going to bring you closer anymore than a guy with talent will?" nobody says anything. Is Foyle useless? If so, why's he on this team? AJ? IMO, a guy like Fisher could be a great mentor, especially b/c he's been a team captain with stars before and has multiple rings. Would he bring charges, etc.? That's missing my point completely.

quote: Originally posted by GhostAnime:He wouldn't suddenly make the magic win a championship. I still don't understand your point. what's he going to tell us that we don't already know in terms of how to win a championship? how to take charges? give me a break. you are still making up nonsense. Non-sense. Hmmm. Not really. Teams do this all the time.

Would I want Fisher on this team if he were cheap and willing to fight for the back-up pg role? Sure. My bigger point is that the "mentors" and "vets" of our team don't know what it takes to win (AF, AJ, JW, VC and RL). It'd be nice to have that winning (championship) experience on the team.

This team is so close to being the best. I wish we had a player or two that had actually won the whole thing (we don't, do we?). I'm warming to the idea of signing Fisher as the back-up pg for next year. He is old but knows what it takes to win.

quote: Originally posted by Ramsde68: quote: Originally posted by Soul Bro:The next couple of games will be telling. Would Otis make a big trade this summer if we get beaten? Outside of Dwight, this team is taking a smack down, though still keeping it close. Lewis especially is being seriously worked over by KG and company. KG is averaging 9 points in this series after averaging 20 on Cleveland. Is that what you call getting worked over? His defense has been fine. His shot simply isn't falling which you could say the same thing about Jameer, Vince, and Pietrus as well. From what I've seen, Lewis' help defense has been terrible. Plus, I'd take KG's 9 pts and 10 bds over Lewis' 5.5 pts and 5.5 bds any day. Now others are not stepping up either, but he is paid to be the man.

The next couple of games will be telling. Would Otis make a big trade this summer if we get beaten? Outside of Dwight, this team is taking a smack down, though still keeping it close. Lewis especially is being seriously worked over by KG and company.

Diddo, need help

"I'm leavin', on a jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again, oh baby, I hate to go." -Lebron

LOL at Shaq!!! Well done, big fella. My guess is he asks for a buyout b/c his ego is far too big to be on an average team. Lebron, enjoy your courtship. I personally think you'll end up in NY but we'll see.

Buh-bye, Cleveland. There is NO WAY Bron stays.

Either way, we play a bloodied, tired lot in the ECF. My only fear is that Dwight comes out flat in our first game.

quote: Originally posted by bhnole:I think Lebron realizes that Danny Ferry really has no idea what he is doing. For the last 5 years all he is done is pick up over-rated or over hill players that other teams no longer want. Shaq and Jamison couldn't even get their former teams in the playoffs last year. Another problem is Mike Brown is an awful game coach to the point that Doc Rivers is coaching circles around him. Completely agree. Without Lebron the Cavs are a hurtin' bunch.

quote: Originally posted by UBBALLER8: quote: Originally posted by Soul Bro:Adam Morrison is gonna be a stud in the NBA. Fail You mean to tell me he won't be Larry Bird II? quote: Similarities: Larry Bird or Wally Szczerbiak? He has been a scorer his whole career, and nothing will change in the NBA. If he is on the right team, with the right coach, he will have an excellent career in the league. Look for him to go no lower than No. 5 in the 2006 draft. http://insider.espn.go.com/nba...layer?playerId=18840

"Hmmm ..."

I really dislike the arrogance of Lebron and Shaq, so to see them lose in humiliation is a thing of glory.

quote: Originally posted by MagicAtic:Premature statement with Boston's historic meltdowns throughout the season. Remember, we were down to Boston 3-2 and we came back and won the series. Stop spoilin' the fun, MA!!!