Ryan the Magic Fan

New York is only a half game ahead of us currently right now and we have the second worst record in the entire league. The team is a complete and total dysfunctional mess. There is of course a chance that they could put it together and get in if they went on a hot streak, but I don't see it. As for your second point you probably are right, but I think most will rate a pick that nets Wiggins or Parker much higher then Embiid or anyone else in the draft. I know I would. Cut the pick in next years, but I still would give up AA and BD to do the swap and insure the two most talented wing prospects since Melo and James on the same team.

So looking at it now. Were the season to end today we would have the 13th pick in the draft from Denver, and the odds at the 2nd best pick in the draft from the lottery. I don't see anyone being worse the Milwaukee, so we can guess that's the ceiling. Denver is really not looking good, lost 8 of the last 10. Say they stay on that slide? Drop into the 8-10 range. It could be very likely we walk away from this draft with a combo of Wiggins/Parker with Smart or another 5-10 pick. Even better if Henny can package that Denver pick with AA and Davis to get us even higher. Mega pipe dream alert that will never happen but it's fun to think. Denver and New York keeps falling big time. Lottery time rolls around and We get pick number one. Denver get's New York's #2. We get Denver's #3. We offer a new trade to Denver where they get AA back, Davis, the #3 pick, and next years first rounder. We get the number #2 pick. Get both Wiggins AND Parker. We collectively lose our minds. LeBron, Wade and Bosh realize their time is coming. The New York Knicks cry.

Eh... I've always been of the thought that to be an all-star your play should also either A) elevate the play of those around you and be part of a successful team or B ) failing that you have to be so far above everyone else in the league at your position that it would be truly inconceivable for that player to not be on the all star list. AA meets neither of those to me. His numbers are good. Very good. But their not astounding or incredible. He is not far and away the best SG currently in the league, nor would I even say he is in the top 3. And let's face it the Magic are horrible. He's simply getting his on a bad team. He's not carrying the team single handedly to win's every night, or playing the part of a good captain pointing the talented young players in the right direction.

We need to hurry up and trade Afflalo. We stay at this will make the playoffs and be drafting outside of the top 14. That would be the worst.

You should negative rep yourself for even mentioning this. The mere thought of that happening is terrifying. I mean... That would be like drafting Fran Vasquez when Danny Granger and David Lee are available... Oh god.

I severely doubt any GM would seriously consider taking Smart over Parker or Wiggins (I can see it over possibly Embiid, Randle or Exum though if they really are not sold on those 3, still would be not smart, but at least it wouldn't be absolutely moronic.) I bet all the noise is carry over from last year. They loved Smart then, they still love him now. But does that mean they would pass by a potential franchise player? Doubt it. If anything I would not be surprised if the noise is due to the Magic trying to use the Nuggets pick, AA and Baby to try and pry a pick away from someone in the 5-8 range to get Smart.

Thats what I'm thinking Drafting Smart over Wiggins, Parker, Embiid, Randle or Exum? Fire Henny. PAIRING Smart with one of those listed players? Give the man an extension for life.

That would be terrifying for the entire league. That much young talent on one team? Every one of those players if they hit their ceiling have a chance to be all-stars. I was thinking more this though. Henny manages to parlay our second first round pick into a 6-10 pick. We get the number 1 or 2 pick in the draft and take either Parker or Wiggins. Then it would be PG: Smart SG: Oladipo SF: Parker/Wiggins PF: Harris C: Vucevic Wouldn't be nearly as good on d as the team you listed above. But an absolutely incredible amount of stud young talent. Plus I think more realistic. I honestly would not doubt Henny at all in being able to land another pick in the 6 or 7 range and snag Smart. Getting Embiid along with both Parker or Wiggins? Yeah... That aint happening, but we can all dream.

Or we can all pray that Henny pulls off some wizardry with his second pick and assets and parlays it into another Top 6 pick and we can get Embiid AND a stud wing. Yeah I know it will never happen. But we can all hope. Till then cheer for the Nuggets and Knicks to loose everything!!! Then we get the #1 and #3. Imagine waking away with 2 out of Parker, Wiggins, and Embiid. That would be... just bananas. And again will never happen.

Vaughn learning from Popovich. Don't give out information so opponents can know it.

Let me guess defensive reasons? We would be pretty weak in interior defense. I just see Love as perfect on the offense side because he could stretch the floor for Vuc but also play in close. Who would you put next to Love? Would be kind of awesome if Henny could swing a trade for another high top 10 pick and snag Embid with some combo of our 2nd first rounder and other assets.

I can't think of any PF's either. However Kevin Love could be available after next season if he exercises his player option. I couldn't imagine another roster with more young promise then the first one you mentioned there. He might not be a defensive stalwart, but he could play next to Vuc, and Orlando would pretty much control the glass against everyone.

USA avoided the group of death last year but not this time. Jeez what a grinder... Africa's best team. The best team in the Americas. The best team in Europe (sorry Pedrosa, I have to give the nod to Germany over your boys, and over Spain as well). And then the #5 ranked team in the world. 2 very good teams are not gonna make it out of that group.

It's about time we got someone who gets way with Traveling 9 out of 10 plays.

Been a crazy journey the last several years hasn't it?

When are you coming? Because a UCF game would right now be very worth spending an evening at.

At least you admit it is irrational.

I've been thinking the same thing since last year...

Man I've been so absent from these forums lately, I forgot how refreshing it was to read actual discussion on this board. I'll stay away from the Vaughn discussion and instead turn back to the players. Is anyone like me and after only two games is already sick of watching Afflalo trying to play like he is Kobe. Even when he was shooting 50 percent last night I still winced with how much he dominated the ball. I really hope they are just giving him so much burn so he can be traded.

Who is gonna play PG if both Moore and Jameer are traded? Price? Replace Jameer with Afflalo and now your talking. More attractive piece anyway.

With any luck if they can get the franchise fee squared away before the end of the year, and lets face it the MLS sent their President to campaign on our behalf, OC might actually be able to join in time for the 2015 season. Either way who cares. Orlando is finally getting another major league team. Ooooo I can't wait till we play Vancouver. I still have friends from when I lived there who were talking so much smack about our "little league" team. Already looking forward to see City smack them down.

Went to the game tonight, and I gotta say, while we have some truly atrocious jump shooting, I love the way our young guns play the passing lanes and go for blood when a ball handler is in trouble. There was no slow down at all and the moment a turnover happened it was attack, attack, attack on the fast break.

UC freaking F baby! This man is probably now on some NFL radars after tonight:

4 Injuries to my top 4 draft picks... Ugh. And then two games so far lost by one point. The fantasy gods they are cruel.

Unless Muschamp can get the Gators offense crap together, FSU is gonna roll Florida this year. This Jameis kid is legit. He is the second best QB in Florida. Number one belongs to this sexy man: