Hollinger [ESPN}: "a spectacular piece of card playing by Magic general manager Otis

[ReeceGaines 0]

http://tinyurl.com/mylmfw

 

quote:

One of the fun games-within-a-game of free agency is the poker match. Knowing who's serious, who's bluffing, who's just trying to up the ante and what's in everyone else's hand is just as important in this game as it is at the tables in Vegas.

 

We saw a perfect example today, as a spectacular piece of card playing by Magic general manager Otis Smith left the Mavericks slack-jawed, while once again illustrating the dangers of signing offer sheets early in the free-agent period.

 

Smith shocked nearly everyone by matching Dallas' five-year, $34 million offer sheet to Marcin Gortat, the Polish backup center who is unlikely to play more than 10 minutes a game next season because he's backing up all-world center Dwight Howard. Fans haven't seen much of Gortat because he's stuck behind Howard, but the dude can play -- he's mobile, rebounds well and can score. But between salary and luxury tax, Gortat will cost the Magic close to $12 million this year, which is nearly a maximum salary.

 

When Dallas presented the offer sheet, Smith said he wanted all seven days to make up his mind and would have taken eight if he could have. But don't believe him. He knew exactly what he was going to do all along.

 

John Hollinger writes for ESPN Insider. To e-mail him, click here.

 

EDIT- When Posting articles only post the first 3 or 4 paragraphs and a link, not the whole thing. Thanks

[ReeceGaines 0]

http://tinyurl.com/mylmfw

 

quote:

One of the fun games-within-a-game of free agency is the poker match. Knowing who's serious, who's bluffing, who's just trying to up the ante and what's in everyone else's hand is just as important in this game as it is at the tables in Vegas.

 

We saw a perfect example today, as a spectacular piece of card playing by Magic general manager Otis Smith left the Mavericks slack-jawed, while once again illustrating the dangers of signing offer sheets early in the free-agent period.

 

Smith shocked nearly everyone by matching Dallas' five-year, $34 million offer sheet to Marcin Gortat, the Polish backup center who is unlikely to play more than 10 minutes a game next season because he's backing up all-world center Dwight Howard. Fans haven't seen much of Gortat because he's stuck behind Howard, but the dude can play -- he's mobile, rebounds well and can score. But between salary and luxury tax, Gortat will cost the Magic close to $12 million this year, which is nearly a maximum salary.

 

When Dallas presented the offer sheet, Smith said he wanted all seven days to make up his mind and would have taken eight if he could have. But don't believe him. He knew exactly what he was going to do all along.

 

John Hollinger writes for ESPN Insider. To e-mail him, click here.

 

EDIT- When Posting articles only post the first 3 or 4 paragraphs and a link, not the whole thing. Thanks

[CaliMagicFan 0]

Hollinger summed up my feelings perfectly. If DeVos is up for paying the cash, why wouldn't you? If you can spend the money to have a great insurance policy for your best player, you do it. O-Tiz is the mack.

[Drain-O 369]

May want to shorten that up a little......

 

Good article though!

[PrOdigy ReBoRn 0]

Wow.....

 

It seems like as this team matures...

 

the ownership and management has too...

 

Holy Sh$%!

We are acting like the team I believe in!

 

Go Magic!

[PorkSlap 13]

Surprisingly good article. Otiz is the man.

[Osprey 199]

Sweet. But I don't think we're done for the summer.

[EvilGeniusTD 2]

Dang

[Anthony Engel 0]

nice read...thanks

[Berto 338]

Veryyyy niceeee.

[Guardian 6]

All I can say is that I have learned to trust Otis. He is turning out to be a ruthless gm. Got to love it. Go Magic!!!

[Bun B 0]

I love it. Mad props to the front office and especially Otis. They are willing to win at all costs. Its every fan's dream.