Optimist Prime

Here's my theory: Otiz is going to wait until the Boston game to make a move for a new big. He probably wants to see how glaring that hole really is and, depending on how that game plays out, will fill it as he sees fit. If we pull out a convincing victory, he may just sign a waived/vet big. If we win or lose in a close game, and Dwight gets in bad foul trouble and/or we get beat down low, he will probably trade our extra pieces for a quality backup big. If we lose and get beat inside badly, he will pull another major move that may end up including one of our larger pieces. Sound about right?

No thanks. Our 2 spot will be undersized and I don't want Duhon anywhere near the court unless he's jumping out of his seat with three fingers above his head. And is Camby at 10-15 mpg for two years worth trading away JRich's expiring (and another scoring threat)?

Actually, I'd take the 18/6/6. If you think about it, that last assist could be a three, so, statistically speaking, you'll have more point return in that stat-line. This doesn't really have anything to do with your conversation, but, you know, whatever.

This is more thinking out loud here, but I was looking at Earl Clark, and he is only an inch shorter than Gortat and 15 pounds lighter with a very similar build. I wonder if the Magic might try and beef him up some and put him under the basket with Dwight during practice, and see how that works out. His game isn't much different than Gortat's either. He can cut into the basket and sink 15-18 foot jumpers. He has much better hands though, and can take guys off the dribble if necessary. I don't know much about his defense, but it's nothing the 2-time DPOY can't help him with. I don't want to say I'd rather have him than a veteran big that is already an established defensive mind. But some training in the SVG system under Dwight could form him into quite the nice backup C. I mean, look at how Dwight changed from his rookie season. Get this kid in the weight room and banging bodies with Dwight and let's see what happens. If it doesn't go well, we still have time to find another big.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEssOVP6TcQ

RESERVED EDIT: We win convincingly; actually hold the lead in the first half. Jameer goes off. Dwight shuts down Bogut. Gil flirts with a triple double with motivation from Turk's on Monday. Eight guys in double figures again and Clark gets burn time when we are up by 25. BTW, JJ is redickulously skinny in that pic. It's good to see the changes he's made for the better.

You can only tomahawk dunk so many times before they stop giving you 10s across the board. "DIJOO SEE DAT?!?! HE JUMPT IN DA AIR AN PUT HIS HAND UP AN DWEW DA BALL IN DA HOOP!" "For my next trick, I will dunk the ball with one hand from the LEFT side of the rim." But, seriously. If Lebron participates in the SDC, he will be the first player to have a blocking foul called when he misses a dunk. He will make one of two free throws and get 10, 10, 10 and 9 from the judges. The 9 will be because Michael Jordan "would have made that one with his eyes closed."

I wonder who played C for the Bench Mob... Malik "Lockdown D" Allen?

Bear Grylls

From Denton's notes: Van Gundy was none too happy with getting fined for basically suggesting that Howard will have to make some drastic changes in his approach if he wants to reverse his trend of picking up technical fouls at a record rate. Van Gundy, who also leads all NBA coaches in technical fouls with six, said the Coaches Association has the right to appeal fines and suspensions, but that he wouldn’t be ``grovel or apologize or go begging for my money back.’’ Van Gundy said, unlike Howard, he’s never had a technical foul of fine rescinded by the league office. ``We talk to (the media) every day and on game days often three-to-four times and we’re supposed to open up and talk and they want us to be media friendly, but if we say something that they don’t like then they hit us for money,’’ Van Gundy said. ``For me, the easiest way to not get any fines would be to not talk to the media at all, which I’d be fine with. But then they’d fine me for that. We’re supposed to talk (to the media), but I guess we’re not supposed to have any opinions on anything.’’

I remember one possession during the fourth quarter with Gil and Redick at guard where the defense had amazing rotations. I believe the Warriors fed it to the post two or three times, running pick-n-rolls, an spreading the floor (and all at a sprint's pace), and every man knew where to go in seamless fashion. It was a fast paced full shot clock possession that ended in a Monta Ellis (I believe) missed floater in the lane short off the iron. I think Turk got the rebound, but it might have been Dwight. It was the best 20 seconds of basketball I had seen in a while. I saw what kind of team this group can become.

And how can you hate the Bulls unis? They're classics.

I love the new Magic black alts, but I don't really like the font they use on the jerseys. Maybe it'll just have to grow on me. I still think the black pinstripe throwbacks are the best unis out there. I really love the Nuggets' alt jersey's color scheme: Eye sore: Also not a fan of the Hawks alts, though I wouldn't say I hate them. Just too plain imo:

I'm pretty sure he is one of the most hated players among Magic fans over the past three years.

I BELIEVE!!!!

Penny 2.0? I hope he doesn't live TOO much up to that jersey number...

http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/fran_blinebury/12/23/courtney-lee/index.html I know he was a fan favorite from the moment he stepped onto the court. I hope the best for him.

It was definitely intentional. His eyes were locked on to Quinn and he had full control of the ball.

The thing that stood out to me on the stat line is that all of the players got at least one assist (except clark, who only played 3 minutes)! The ball movement was fluid throughout the game, and will only get better as the team chemistry builds.

He's still soft. Left his man open twice on D, resulted in a three and almost another. Looks a little lost out there, understandably. He's playing, but mentally checked out. I'd like to see how not having Dwight effects his rebounding and post game...

"Where's the Magic? A new Magic lineup yielded the same results: The Mavs handed Orlando its 8th loss in nine games." No mention of the fact that it was a three point game with under a minute left after an 11-point 4th quarter deficit. Oh yeah, and this team has yet to practice together. Good grief. A little break, please? I haven't had any time to watch PTI, Sportsnation, Around the Horn and the like... Any word on what those guys are saying? (I'm especially interested in Colin Cowherd's take...)

The only reason I brought this up is because of the fact that it was still a hard fought game against one of the top three teams in the league right now. The headline seems to suggest that the game was never very close, or at least that the Magic had a very underwhelming performance. It came down to the final fifteen seconds. Even a "Magic's late rally stopped short by hot Mavericks" would do. Or "New players need time to adjust, but new-look Magic stay in fight against Mavericks." Whatever. Sometimes my homerism gets the best of me...

As an Asian, I take offense to that. I thought the team, for having not played a game or had any practice and seemingly no real warning of this trade (travel weary/emotionally checked out), that they were pretty cohesive. A few bad assignments on defense and missed opportunities on offense, but Hedo seemed to pick up right where he left off (just needs to finish a bit better) and Gil really looked willing to play his role (though he has yet to find it, he's looking). I think this team still needs to grow on me (I would have wanted to wait until the Boston game to make any moves), but the defense really did impress me and the offense had an off night because of hesitance on the part of our shooters. Keep in mind, we had Malik Allen playing in place of Ryan Anderson at the 4. When Ryan gets back, this team will be back to coming into championship form.

I'll let you know in July.

Wrong forum... :(