Orlando Magic Media Availability: Aftermath of Marcin Gortat's Return; Brandon Bass Speaks
Look out, Dwight Howard.
Help is on the way, in the form of a familiar face and an unfamiliar face. Today's news has been very interesting, if you're an Orlando Magic fan. Brandon Bass arriving to the RDV SportsPlex, today, to officially introduce himself to the local media wasn't a surprise. However, finding out that general manager Otis Smith decided to match Marcin Gortat's offer sheet from the Dallas Mavericks was a surprise. Got it? Good.
-
Orlando Magic, offer sheet, Marcin Gortat, Dallas Mavericks
Josh Robbins provides the rundown of what Marcin Gortat returning to the Orlando Magic means for everyone involved.The Orlando Magic haven't just opened their checkbook this offseason.
They've done the equivalent of leaving their ATM card on a busy sidewalk, with the PIN number written on the front.
Unwilling to let a young center walk away for nothing and eager to return to the NBA Finals, the Magic announced Monday that they have matched the Dallas Mavericks' five-year, $34 million offer sheet to restricted free-agent Marcin Gortat. -
Marcin Gortat is "very disappointed" that the Magic matched his offer sheet
Guy Zucker, Gortat's agent, comments on the team re-signing Marcin:"His reaction naturally was that he was disappointed, because clearly he signed the offer sheet with Dallas with the intent of going to Dallas, which for him represented a tremendous opportunity to potentially start with an excellent team," Zucker said. "He’s a competitor, but he’s also realistic enough to know that the chances that he will start ahead of Dwight Howard are extremely, extremely low. He saw that Dallas made a tremendous commitment money-wise but also basketball-wise to making him a starter for their team for the next five years. He had been very excited about signing the offer sheet, and he was he understandably very disappointed today when I called him and told him they decided to match.
"If you’re a competitor, you’d like to get a chance to measure yourself as an equal to other players, and he felt confident that given the opportunity he could prove himself to be a legitimate NBA starting center." -
When Mavs raise the stakes on Marcin Gortat, Magic turn the tables
John Hollinger of ESPN.com offers his thoughts on the move.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. [...]
In fact, it's quite likely they sprinkled some leaks indicating that they wouldn't match; surely it was believable given their status as a luxury-tax team in an old arena in a small market. Why pay so much more for a secondary piece?
But if they already knew they were matching, it was a brilliant stroke, because it allowed them to get a second player at a discount price. Remember, Gortat isn't the only big man Orlando inked this week -- the Magic also signed Brandon Bass to a four-year, $18 million deal. And Bass, you'll surely remember, played for the Mavericks last season. -
Bass perfect fit for Magic
Brandon Bass states how he feels Orlando is a perfect fit for him.
I was able to ask the Magic's new signee a few questions, briefly, during the news conference.
Click after the jump for the full transcript.
What about the Orlando Magic appealed to you?
I mean, just about the team being so successful and I just thought it was perfect for me. It'd be a perfect fit for me to join this team so that was mainly the decision.
You're an LSU guy, what was it like being drafted by New Orleans?
It was great in the beginning, but then it didn't turn out so good.
Was the lack of playing time an issue?
Yeah, I didn't play at all. Dallas was the best thing since signing here.
I know that your agent stated that you weren't necessarily looking to start. What type of role are you looking for with the team?
Just be someone that can come in and help, instantly, so it don't matter if I start or come off the bench. I just want to be able to help and I know I can.
At some point, Ben or I will post the entire transcript of the news conference. Stay tuned.
0 recs |
35 comments
|
Comments
Wow what a great team guy
I’m already impressed
by Souwantmyname on Jul 14, 2009 1:16 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I'll say that Brandon is very soft-spoken person.
The fact that he turned down less money from other teams to play here should speak volumes.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
by erivera7 on Jul 14, 2009 1:32 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I would say typo.
I’m sure he meant “turned down more money from other teams”…
Let's observe a moment of silence for CLee, Skip to my Lou, Batman, and The Michael Jordan of Turkey... *cry*
by malars on Jul 14, 2009 9:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
More money, yeah. Whoops.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
by erivera7 on Jul 14, 2009 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pretty interesting
that we have a frontcourt w/Howard, Gortat, Bass and Anderson….with Gortat being the oldest at 25. If all these guys stick around it should be interesting to see them grow over the next couple of years.
by Lee for three on Jul 14, 2009 1:55 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
sick.........that's all i have to say........just plain sick
Just one man's opinion...
....."running mac games as if your name was Scott Skiles".....
by hwyatt3 on Jul 14, 2009 3:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Brilliant... just plain brilliant!
Hat’s Off to Otis!
From all inferences, I get the impression that Otis knew all along that he would match the offer. This was a very well-timed, slick job!!!
Now, we have options galore…
Never had so much fun… in the off-season!
Can’t wait for the start of the new season.
by manny55 on Jul 14, 2009 3:44 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Feel bad for Marcin, he'll never start in his prime (unless traded)
FREE GORTAT!!!
"Shoot first, ask questions last" Rafer Alston
by DieSlowKeyshawn on Jul 14, 2009 8:36 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
freegortat(dot)com?
"Shoot first, ask questions last" Rafer Alston
by DieSlowKeyshawn on Jul 14, 2009 8:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Let's start it after we won a championship with him on the roster.
by Dzogi on Jul 14, 2009 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
by erivera7 on Jul 14, 2009 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wonder if Otis has burned bridges with Dallas and Cuban with this move...
…or if Cuban appreciates what a sly business move Otis turned on him?
Let's observe a moment of silence for CLee, Skip to my Lou, Batman, and The Michael Jordan of Turkey... *cry*
by malars on Jul 14, 2009 9:13 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
It's just business
Cuban’s a smart guy, he knows the way the game is played.
by eltharion_doa on Jul 14, 2009 9:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I refer you to Eddy's sig:
“Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement.” – Michael Corleone
by Ben Q Rock on Jul 14, 2009 9:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'll refer you to another Godfather quote.
It’s strictly business. Nothing personal.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
by erivera7 on Jul 14, 2009 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'll do you one better with Forrest Gump.
Sh!t happens!
Life's too short. Be a fan. Magic, Cards and Rays! What a winning combo.
by hevchv on Jul 15, 2009 10:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ok, brandon bass sounds awesome.
I’m really curious about Gortat. Will he be on the Magic after Dec. 15?
by The Stan 'Stache on Jul 14, 2009 9:38 AM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs
anyone else see anything wrong with this statement
“Dallas was the best thing since signing here. "
"I'd hate to leave right when the getting is good." -CC
by Matt Bishoff on Jul 14, 2009 9:46 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I knew what he meant to say.
Dallas was the best thing before coming to Orlando.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
by erivera7 on Jul 14, 2009 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i know what he meant too
just found it funny
"I'd hate to leave right when the getting is good." -CC
by Matt Bishoff on Jul 14, 2009 10:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wonder if he'll still be bitter for not playing for the Mavs next June
…when he has a ring on his finger
"Shoot first, ask questions last" Rafer Alston
by DieSlowKeyshawn on Jul 14, 2009 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You're saying that Gortat will find a nice Orlando girl to settle down with and get married?
Even though the Hippopotamus lacks a stinger for a tail, a truly wise man would rather be sat on by a bee. ~ Banacek
by funny80sguy on Jul 14, 2009 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
hahahaha.........nice
Never trust a fart
by AB's triple double on Jul 14, 2009 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
LOL
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
by erivera7 on Jul 14, 2009 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bass isn’t a starter in this league, I liked him in Dallas, but it isn’t worth it to keep a back-up to our best player for so much. Man, Otis Smith looked like he was doing good until he decided to match for Gortat. Could of kept Turkoglu instead of Gortat and Bass.
by Why on Jul 14, 2009 1:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Paying Hedo $10 M a year until he's 35 would have been awful, especially in comparison to retaining Gortat ($37 M until he's 30) and Bass ($18 M until he's 28)
Youth movement!
Third Quarter Collapse: An Orlando Magic blog at SB Nation | Brandon Bass: "I just play hard."
by Ben Q Rock on Jul 14, 2009 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Youth Movement!!!
Life's too short. Be a fan. Magic, Cards and Rays! What a winning combo.
by hevchv on Jul 15, 2009 10:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What remains to be seen, however,
is if Gortat will accept his bench role as willingly as before, when he had a good chance of being a starter in Dallas. Does anyone else foresee any issues with this?
"Fun fact: Larry Hughes, who couldn’t stay healthy if all his human parts were replaced with bionic implants, is out for the next four weeks with a bruised leg. Do you think that Willis Reed ever reads about all these players missing time with bruises and sprained fingers and throws up in his mouth a little?"
by Diosnomeama on Jul 14, 2009 2:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Marcin will be willing to come back and play behind Dwight Howard.
I don’t foresee any problems with Gortat ..
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
by erivera7 on Jul 14, 2009 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Like Otis said yesterday:
Guys who have good character, once they get in the gym, their character fall back into form. Courtney is not happy about the trade going to New Jersey, but his character will carry him through so I’m not overly concerned about that part. Once he gets back into the gym, you have a tendency to earn your time.
Third Quarter Collapse: An Orlando Magic blog at SB Nation | Brandon Bass: "I just play hard."
by Ben Q Rock on Jul 14, 2009 3:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
That's a long-winded way of saying no, but thanks.
"Fun fact: Larry Hughes, who couldn’t stay healthy if all his human parts were replaced with bionic implants, is out for the next four weeks with a bruised leg. Do you think that Willis Reed ever reads about all these players missing time with bruises and sprained fingers and throws up in his mouth a little?"
by Diosnomeama on Jul 14, 2009 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs




















