Orlando Magic News for December 1st: Otis Smith Not in a Hurry to Make Any Moves

by Ben Q Rock on Dec 1, 2008 6:21 PM EST in News Comment 7 comments

Quick bullets before today's game against the Celtics. GameThread should be up at 2:45. On with it:

Otis Smith tells John Denton he's not in a hurry to add more players, despite the fact that the Magic's three best guards are currently injured:
"Like I have told (coach) Stan (Van Gundy) and (CEO) Bob (Vander Weide) I'm probably the most patient person around and I'm willing to give the situation time," Smith said. "It gives the kids (Redick and Lee) time to play and we'll see what they can do. You'd rather these injuries happen now than late in the season, but we'll be OK."
I actually agree with Otis' approach, for the most part, but he should at least waive Mike Wilks to open up a roster spot for somebody. Wilks is out for the year and his contract is guaranteed whether he's on the team or not, so there's no harm in officially cutting him loose to make room for a player who might actually, you know, see the floor.
Dwight Howard discusses his first career triple-double in his latest blog entry on NBA.com. He also posts photos of him in costume as Sho Nuff and Tyrone Biggums.
Bucks Diary looks at the NBA's best starting lineups and bench units on a +/- per minute basis. Orlando has the 4th-best starting unit and 17th-best reserve unit. What does it say about this team that I was impressed that the reserve ranking was as high as 17th?
In this weekend's NBA Dime at ESPN.com (Box #5), Marc Stein says he does not yet consider the Magic on the same level as Boston and Cleveland in the Eastern Conference. His argument is that Orlando hasn't actually beaten anyone, which is a pretty fair assessment, actually. Winning on the road is great and all, but it doesn't actually prove anything.
UPDATE: Henry Abbott names Orlando as a potential destination for Stephon Marbury once the Knicks free him:
The Magic are without Jameer Nelson for a few games. Mike Wilks is out all season. Keith Bogans is out as well. The result is talk of a rookie shooting guard getting time handling the ball.

All the statements are true, and Marbury would indeed fill a need in Orlando. The problem is that Otis Smith does not gamble on guys with character issues, and explicitly ruled out signing Marbury last July. I have just as good a chance of suiting up for the Magic this year as Stephon Marbury does.

See you at tip time.

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I don’t think we’re on the same level as the Celtics. I’ve not actually paid any attention to the Cavs though so I have no idea how we rank against them.

He’s right, though, we haven’t beaten anyone.

by eltharion_doa on Dec 1, 2008 9:21 AM EST reply actions

You can only win who you play on the schedule.

I don’t care what team you are, it’s tough to start a season 14-4, you can only play who the schedule makers assign you to play. Regardless of how good your team is, you can’t tell me it’s easy to win back to backers, especially on the road as they did last week. Regardless of who the Magic beat in the regular season, they won’t get any respect until they beat someone credible in the postseason. Look at last years numbers, they were 2-1 in the season series against Boston and they either split or beat the season series with Cleveland and Detroit as well. BSPN or any other major media outlet will not recognize Orlando as a powerhouse until they win a credible playoff series. They could be the quietest 60 game winner EVER if they pull it off this season.

by DieSlowKeyshawn on Dec 1, 2008 11:29 AM EST reply actions

I agree. It's not the Magic's fault they haven't played anyone yet

The key, I think, is that nobody has really written Orlando off. The jury’s still out on them because they haven’t had a chance to prove themselves.

Third Quarter Collapse: An Orlando Magic blog at SB Nation

by Ben Q Rock on Dec 1, 2008 11:50 AM EST up reply actions

But, IMO they did prove themselves last year

when they got off to a 17-4, or was it 19-4 start? Which included a thrilling Hedo Turkoglu buzzer beater against Boston in Orlando and they didn’t receive any love then, it’s the shame of being a small market team, there just isn’t regular season love until something extraordinary happens in postseason.

by DieSlowKeyshawn on Dec 1, 2008 12:07 PM EST up reply actions

Everyone is so quick to praise the Cavs

But since when do one trick ponies ever cross the finish line? The year they made it to the finals they beat a porous Pistons team in one of the weakest conferences ever. They then preceded to get mopped up by the Spurs. If they don’t get another star they won’t be a threat to win anything. I like the Magic as a contender much more than the Cavs.

'Coach, Dwight is a nice guy. Dwight don't hit anybody. But Superman will knock the crap out of you.' - D12

by Eyriq the Red on Dec 1, 2008 12:35 PM EST reply actions

Seriously...

~~the Cavs~~ LeBron has played/won/lost against the same “caliber” teams as the Magic, yet is praised as the second coming.

Whatever. I do, unfortunately, think the Magic will lose tonight. Half our team is injured and the Celtics are very high on their own greatness to allow another game to get away from them. :-/ But they’ll give ’em a fight. I hope.

by TheGiantSquid on Dec 1, 2008 12:53 PM EST up reply actions

Signing Marbury?
I read an article about 3 weeks ago about 2 fallen (All) Stars- Stephon Marbury and Steve Francis. It analysed of the two, which would be the better pick up.

Steph still has the skills of a NBA starter, but is nuttier than a squirrel turd and while Stevie’s attitude has levelled out and he has become a lot more humble, his injuries have taken their toll BIG TIME.

There was no clear winner, as each downfall is a big one. Don’t think Steph would be a good fit tho. Too big a cancer (and i was one who believed the Magic should have pursued Ron Artest this year!)

by FLYNN47 on Dec 1, 2008 7:25 PM EST reply actions