Shine88

quote: Just like at Disney World back at their home in Orlando, it is good to arrive plenty early for the Orlando Magic show as it travels around the NBA landscape. Not only is it the only time you will see grown men and women wearing Superman costumes in homage to Dwight Howard, but you will also see one of the most humble NBA teams as they prepare for battle. As the gigantic speakers of the American Airlines Center here in Dallas play the same hip-hop tunes they always do before games, players wax and wane with the songs, lip-syncing the chorus and high-fiving each other. One of the songs talks about swagger and was written by Jay Z, himself closely related to the NBA and privy to the swagger that often surrounds it. "We have no ego", explained Hedo Turkoglu after a narrow two-point victory against the Dallas Mavericks. "Look at this locker room. We are happy that we won, but even if we lost there would be no finger-pointing. We just go back out and try again the next night. In order to play your best, there is no place for egos." And if you do look around the locker room, you see Mickael Pietrus trying to steal one of Hedo's towels, you hear Dwight Howard's singing in the shower, and you finally get the joke that both Turkoglu and ALL bearded journalists are indeed nicknamed 'Turk'. http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=10625 Edit:4 paragraphs only on links please.

quote: Stephen Jackson has signed a three-year contract extension estimated at $28 million. Otis should give Hedo the same deal.

quote: Just like at Disney World back at their home in Orlando, it is good to arrive plenty early for the Orlando Magic show as it travels around the NBA landscape. Not only is it the only time you will see grown men and women wearing Superman costumes in homage to Dwight Howard, but you will also see one of the most humble NBA teams as they prepare for battle. As the gigantic speakers of the American Airlines Center here in Dallas play the same hip-hop tunes they always do before games, players wax and wane with the songs, lip-syncing the chorus and high-fiving each other. One of the songs talks about swagger and was written by Jay Z, himself closely related to the NBA and privy to the swagger that often surrounds it. "We have no ego", explained Hedo Turkoglu after a narrow two-point victory against the Dallas Mavericks. "Look at this locker room. We are happy that we won, but even if we lost there would be no finger-pointing. We just go back out and try again the next night. In order to play your best, there is no place for egos." And if you do look around the locker room, you see Mickael Pietrus trying to steal one of Hedo's towels, you hear Dwight Howard's singing in the shower, and you finally get the joke that both Turkoglu and ALL bearded journalists are indeed nicknamed 'Turk'. http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=10625 Edit:4 paragraphs only on links please.

Hollinger Rank Rating Record Margin SOS Rec (L10) Mar (L10) SOS (L10) Streak H/A Div Conf Prev Rnk Prev Rat 13 102.172 7-3 +5.70 .395 7-3 +5.70 .395 Won 3 6/4 1st 3rd 14 101.805 Last Game: @CHA, W 90-85 | Next 2: TOR (Tues), @IND (Fri) Full Schedule | Injuries | Transactions | Hollinger Stats JetsfanfromFL: Let the Dwight Howard for MVP discussions begin!

quote: Originally posted by Drunk on Mystery: quote: Originally posted by truth393:So let me guess, the Chalmers comment is directed toward me. Nothing I wrote was "directed" at anyone. Everything was a problem I've seen repeatedly, not just once. Anything you wish to extrapolate from it is up to you, but had I wanted to name names, I'd have done so. Oh I see, you just want attention

quote: Originally posted by gporter:This game would be close, but Calderon is out, so we win by 10+ quote: Will Solomon made the most of Sunday's injury-start in place of Jose Calderon, finishing with 15 points, 11 assists and two 3-pointers in Sunday's win over the Heat. Don't sleep on Solomon.

So let me guess, the Chalmers comment is directed toward me.

quote: Originally posted by KillingInTheNameOf: quote: Originally posted by DontPushMe:While we definitly should give Otis props for making a good move, we should also question his judgement for targeting Chris Duhon before Pietrus. Duhon has been playing well for the Knicks. I've felt both players would be excellent fits for us for several years. While I question the order Otis pursued them, Duhon is a solid PG whether people realize it or not. I'll be real interested to see how his matchup plays out against Jameer this season. I agree. I wish we have enough for both of them, because I'm getting sick of seeing AJ.

quote: Originally posted by Marc Acres 3:16: quote: Originally posted by truth393: quote: Originally posted by Marc Acres 3:16:Backup PG, SG, Center who cares, if they hate him up there and don't want him around why would it be different here? If they've hated him every where he's gone and didn't want him around why would stop number 5 in his career be any different? He doesn't need to be a starter to be a disruption. Who cares, if the Knicks hated him, the Knicks hated Randolph too, and look at the season he's having. Yeah, and they have been looking at trading him 1. To get him off the cap and 2. Because he's a black hole. The Knicks are trying to rid themselves of the head cases and bad contracts that Isiah amassed. If we pick up someone at an position of need I would hope that we would put the effort to aquire someone into getting a player that bring a bunch of trash with him for the 15-20 mins a game he will give us. If the Knicks wanted Randolph off the cap that bad, they would've accepted the Clippers offer this summer.

quote: Originally posted by Marc Acres 3:16:Backup PG, SG, Center who cares, if they hate him up there and don't want him around why would it be different here? If they've hated him every where he's gone and didn't want him around why would stop number 5 in his career be any different? He doesn't need to be a starter to be a disruption. Who cares, if the Knicks hated him, the Knicks hated Randolph too, and look at the season he's having.

quote: Originally posted by Mr Charisma: quote: Originally posted by gporter: quote: Originally posted by TheRevTy: Derek in Palm Beach, FL: PLease tell mw that Otis Smith is developing a plan to solidify the Magic's PG rotation. AJ has looked pathetic, and you can guarantee that Jameer will miss 10-15 games. On the same topic, why weren't the Magic interested in Lindsey Hunter? Bill Ingram: AJ has lost his scoring touch - that's for sure. He has had big nights, but overall now much of a weapon. He made some nice moves last night and just couldn't get the ball to drop. Otis has been shopping, but having a hard time getting the right deal. He's old . . .they think too old. We'll see how he does in Chicago. What does he mean, "We'll see how he does in Chicago"???? He's talking about Lindsey Hunter, who now plays for the Bulls. Here's the one that threw me for a loop: quote: I think C-Lee (feature coming today) is a solid bench guy for them long-term, but you're right - they need to move JJ and get a scoring pg and they need one more piece off the bench - a three, perhaps - before they're ready to stand pat this season. Fortunately, other conversation led me to believe that he intended to say "four", not "three". Nah, he said if Battie can stay healthy, that we already have our four, but I think we already have our three in Richardson.

quote: Originally posted by Marc Acres 3:16: quote: Originally posted by SmackDaddy: quote: Originally posted by Marc Acres 3:16:But how do you explain the improvements once he leaves? You provided the answer yourself. He was traded for Nash and for Kidd. Pretty simple to determine why his teams improved after his departure when you consider that both of those players are sure thing hall of famers. I understand that, but isn't he supposed to be an elite PG(or was before he started to decline)? More importantly doesn't he believe himself to be an elite PG? All 3 of those players put up fantastic stat's, what is it that Nash and Kidd have that he does not? Stat wise he would be an upgrade over any one we've had for a very long time but there is something off about the guy. His teammates hate him. We've all seen the quotes that have come out of NY about how much they don't like him. I don't think I've ever seen a former teammate of his come out and defend the guy. I mentioned it before but D'Antoni's system is dependant on good PG play, what does that say about Marbury when they have a system that needs a point and they don't even want him practicing with the team. How much better did this team play once Francis was sent away? Isn't Marbury basically the same guy? We're talking about signing him as a backup PG, it not like he would be are starting PG, he would be a nice addition to our bench. Also D'Antoni never really saw Marbury as a PG for his system, he saw Marbury as a SG.

quote: Originally posted by gporter: quote: Originally posted by TheRevTy: Derek in Palm Beach, FL: PLease tell mw that Otis Smith is developing a plan to solidify the Magic's PG rotation. AJ has looked pathetic, and you can guarantee that Jameer will miss 10-15 games. On the same topic, why weren't the Magic interested in Lindsey Hunter? Bill Ingram: AJ has lost his scoring touch - that's for sure. He has had big nights, but overall now much of a weapon. He made some nice moves last night and just couldn't get the ball to drop. Otis has been shopping, but having a hard time getting the right deal. He's old . . .they think too old. We'll see how he does in Chicago. What does he mean, "We'll see how he does in Chicago"???? He was referring that toward the Lindsey Hunter question.

Nice thread JD. I think this will be a good game.

quote: The Magic would love for assistant coach Patrick Ewing to return next season and help continue all-star C Dwight Howard's progress. Ewing, in the final season of his contract with the Magic, has aspirations to be a head coach. "We'd like Patrick to come back -- no question," General Manager Otis Smith said. "We like not just what he does with Dwight, but what he does for all of our guys." quote: Smith likes the continuity Ewing would provide for the 22-year-old Howard, plus the fact that Ewing doesn't allow for shortcuts. "Patrick has been there, done that," Smith said. "So there can be no excuses." Hopefully, Ewing will resign back with the Magic, but I think D'Antoni will try to offer Ewing the assistant HC job again next summer, and I think Ewing might accept the offer this time.

quote: Originally posted by TheRevTy:Here's a question: If we get a distributor for the 2nd unit, who does he distribute to? Bogans? Battie? It's not like there's a ton of offensive firepower there that just needs someone to organize it, it's that our entire bench is glue guys. Well, you need something to glue together for glue to be effective. SVG has always played either Hedo or Shard, with the 2nd unit for scoring.

quote: Originally posted by Mr Charisma:I don't get Ingram's obsession with a scoring PG. Isn't that what Jameer is? And he states that Jameer is a Top 20 PG in the league as though it is quite an accomplishment. Is that really all that impressive, seeing as how that suggests that there are more starting PGs that are better than him than there are that are worse? I agree we need a PG, but a defensive stopper and a decent ball distributor seems to me to be a more glaring need. Opinions? I agree. That why I would love to make a trade for Sergio Rodriguez, he's definitely a good ball distributor, and would run the second unit alot better than AJ.

I think Stan is trying to use Lee this season, like he used Keyon Dooling in the past.

quote: Adjusting from life as a college star at a mid-major program to a rookie in the NBA is about as easy solving a Rubik's Cube blindfolded. Doing so while learning to play a new position makes the task all the more daunting. Make the change to point guard, which is widely considered the most difficult and important, position on the floor and you find yourself in the shoes of Orlando Magic first round draft pick Courtney Lee. After a stellar career at Western Kentucky, the Magic, as well as several other clubs, had their eye on the 6'5" shooting guard heading into the 2008 NBA Draft. Despite their best efforts on draft night, the Houston Rockets couldn't trade up to steal Lee out from underneath Orlando and Otis Smith, the Magic General Manager, got his guy with the 22nd pick overall. A proven scorer, albeit against less than the best competition, at the college level, Lee also came into the NBA with the desire and ability to become a strong perimeter defender and head coach Stan Van Gundy has taken notice of his rookie's skills on both ends of the floor. "I think he's sort of different from what you'd expect out of rookie guards," Van Gundy said, "because I think he's ahead at the defensive end of where he is at the offensive end and that's pretty rare in this league, particularly for guards. He's done a great job defensively, both on the ball and in our team concepts. He's just got to get more of a comfort level offensively because he's still a little bit tentative." Edit: Sorry I need 4 paragraphs with a link for articles.

quote: Originally posted by fan for too long:http://games.espn.go.com/nba/features/traderesult?playe...9~16~16~16&te=&cash= I believe this trade would work for both teams. Incoming: Mike Miller, Rodney Carney and Rashad McCants from Minnesota. Outgoing: Hedo Turkoglu, JJ Redick, and Brian Cook. We get more Athletic and Miller could be just as good a facilitator as Hedo. McCants would be the PG scorer off the bench and Carney would be a more athletic wing player than Cook. Tell me why this could not be done. McCants would be a nice addition, but he isn't a PG.

quote: Adjusting from life as a college star at a mid-major program to a rookie in the NBA is about as easy solving a Rubik's Cube blindfolded. Doing so while learning to play a new position makes the task all the more daunting. Make the change to point guard, which is widely considered the most difficult and important, position on the floor and you find yourself in the shoes of Orlando Magic first round draft pick Courtney Lee. After a stellar career at Western Kentucky, the Magic, as well as several other clubs, had their eye on the 6'5" shooting guard heading into the 2008 NBA Draft. Despite their best efforts on draft night, the Houston Rockets couldn't trade up to steal Lee out from underneath Orlando and Otis Smith, the Magic General Manager, got his guy with the 22nd pick overall. A proven scorer, albeit against less than the best competition, at the college level, Lee also came into the NBA with the desire and ability to become a strong perimeter defender and head coach Stan Van Gundy has taken notice of his rookie's skills on both ends of the floor. "I think he's sort of different from what you'd expect out of rookie guards," Van Gundy said, "because I think he's ahead at the defensive end of where he is at the offensive end and that's pretty rare in this league, particularly for guards. He's done a great job defensively, both on the ball and in our team concepts. He's just got to get more of a comfort level offensively because he's still a little bit tentative." Edit: Sorry I need 4 paragraphs with a link for articles.

Hollinger chat start at 3.

quote: The Magic would love for assistant coach Patrick Ewing to return next season and help continue all-star C Dwight Howard's progress. Ewing, in the final season of his contract with the Magic, has aspirations to be a head coach. "We'd like Patrick to come back -- no question," General Manager Otis Smith said. "We like not just what he does with Dwight, but what he does for all of our guys." quote: Smith likes the continuity Ewing would provide for the 22-year-old Howard, plus the fact that Ewing doesn't allow for shortcuts. "Patrick has been there, done that," Smith said. "So there can be no excuses." Hopefully, Ewing will resign back with the Magic, but I think D'Antoni will try to offer Ewing the assistant HC job again next summer, and I think Ewing might accept the offer this time.

quote: Count Dallas In: Mavericks' owner Mark Cuban tossed the Mavericks into the discussion regarding Knicks' guard Stephon Marbury. Marbury has been given permission by the Knicks to seek out interest from other teams, with the stipulation that a buyout could be worked out if Marbury were to head to a Western Conference team. The Mavericks have been really struggling and Cuban told reporters not only was he a "big Marbury" fan that he knew "several" teams would have interest in Marbury if he was indeed bought out by the Knicks. Cuban was quick to reverse his commentary when he realized he was commenting a player still under contract to another team, something he is not permitted to do. It is clear if Marbury is looking for a new home, the Dallas Mavericks can and would take a chance on him. So it look like he won't be signing with no teams in the east.

1st place in our division