Orlando Magic News for July 15th: Unlikely Contract Incentives, NBA.com's Southeast Division Outlook, and More

by erivera7 on Jul 15, 2009 5:51 PM EDT in News Comment 15 comments

Unique, unlikely performance-based contract incentives
J.E. Skeets of Ball Don't Lie takes a look (via Dave D'Alessandro of The Star-Ledger) at the oddest performance-based incentives in the NBA.

* Adonal Foyle gets $500,000 if he wins MVP, and another $500K if he wins MVP of the NBA Finals. [...]

* Rafer Alston gets an additional $325,000 if he makes the All-Star team.
Shocker: NBA.com crowns Orlando Magic as Southeast Division's team to beat
Tania Ganguli points out that NBA.com has listed the Orlando Magic as the team to beat in the Southeast Division next season. No surprise there.
Magic out to ensure a title run
George Diaz talks about how Orlando has made a concerted effort to swing for the fences during the off-season.

Question the logic of embracing Vince Carter and rejecting Hedo Turkoglu.

Rip the team for trading emerging star Courtney Lee.

Worry about the possibility of Marcin Gortat turning into a disgruntled employee sitting on his big contract instead of trying to earn it.

But don't dare question the Orlando Magic's aggressive pursuit of an NBA title. The team is making significant roster changes despite falling only a few games short of the big bling last season.

I'm loving this. You should, too. How many professional franchises — pick any sport — are trying to sell mediocrity to paying customers? How many owners are too cheap to sign quality players? How many times have you been disappointed by front-office buffoonery? [...]

The Magic definitely dig the long ball. They want it all. Now.
Howard Trying To Motivate V.C. With Dunk Talk?
Bethlehem Shoals of The Baseline examines Dwight Howard's comments about playfully challenging Vince Carter to a dunk contest.

Most likely this is just Howard goofin' around, and doing his best to, as usual, get attention in the canniest way possible. What if, though, he's trying to light a fire under Carter, and encourage him to not only lay off the jumper and get in the lane (he’s done a better job of that in recent seasons), but also to recapture some of the ferocity of years past? I don't think players anymore quake in their Nikes when they see Carter coming at them.

Even this late in the SG's career, it doesn't have to be that way. But whatever, I'll settle for a little bit of team-sanctioned guerilla video from practice. It would light the internet ablaze. I hope someone in the PR department is reading this -- we would go to bed clutching that code if we could.
UPDATE: Via the Magic:
The Wells’ Built Museum will unveil an exhibit on the Orlando Magic [tomorrow], featuring historic photos, jerseys and other items of interest from the franchise. Magic General Manager Otis Smith, the first African-American general manager for the Magic, Magic Community Ambassador Nick Anderson, the first African-American player drafted by the Magic and Director of Player Development Morlon Wiley, the first African-American player signed by the Magic, will be featured in the exhibit.

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Adonal Foyle for M-V-P!!!

by CityShrimp on Jul 15, 2009 7:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Apparently The Polish Hammer graced 1080 The Team with his presence today all the way from Poland...

…and The Puns are Starting to Bore Me captured the conversation. Some highlights:

Regarding his agent’s comments:

Well really I did not say I wanted to play for the Dallas Mavericks. Huge opportunity to play longer minutes and chance to develop more than I would for Orlando. Kind of hard with the decision and at the end of the day its basketball and I respect Otis Smith. I will do everything to win the games and prove I am a good player and hopefully this time we will win the Finals.

Regarding possibly being traded:

Well the one thing I was expecting was that I was going to play for one team. The situation is going to be really hard to me. I am going to try and develop my game and compete for minutes. If they try to trade me I will understand it is a business. If they decide to trade me I will be ready.

Regarding possibly starting at PF:

I definitely believe. I am ready to play as a 4 guy. I have to get a couple of habits. A position where I am running everyday. I have to work on moves and habits. I feel like I can shoot from outside and help this team. I can cover guys and cover up mistakes.

Let's observe a moment of silence for CLee, Skip to my Lou, Batman, and The Michael Jordan of Turkey...

Welcome Back Polish Hammer and Welcome Vinsanity, Ryan Anderson, and Brandon Bass!!

by malars on Jul 15, 2009 8:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That's great to hear.

Thanks for the info.

by thermodynamic on Jul 15, 2009 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

great stuff.........thanks..........

he has come a long way from his previous nickname the polish robot…..hopefull he can continued to progress…..if becomes a viable power forward……..wow………….

Just one man's opinion...

....."running mac games as if your name was Scott Skiles"....

by hwyatt3 on Jul 16, 2009 1:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for sharing.

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 16, 2009 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is why "Character Guys" are important.

by ggrant on Jul 15, 2009 9:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Correct, and that's why Otis isn't really worried about Marcin.

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 16, 2009 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gortat Needs to prove himself:

Gortat is a sought after commodity based on the fact that very little centers are left to sign, Orlando did the right thing matching up gortat’s contract we no longer have to worry about a backup center I don’t know maybe when he develops he might be worth the money he’s asking for now, last season he showed sparks of brilliance so we’ll see. Orlando should be smart and try and go after Lamar Odom and try for Von Wafer.

by Iceberg_Slim on Jul 15, 2009 9:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The Magic don't have the money to go after Odom.

$10 million in the luxury tax is the team’s absolute limit.

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 15, 2009 9:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've been saying the same thing he is all along

If he is as good as we think he is he will find a way to earn minutes. Either by playing hard at the center so that we can trade him for a great layer or by learning the skills it takes to be a power forward.

I’m telling you he has the ability to become a good offensive player. He is the furthest thing from a lumbering oaf as a center. If he works on his jumper and develops a go-to post move it will be hard not to play him at the 4. I mean he’s only 2 years in the league, saying that he’ll never be a good power forward is presumptuous don’t you think.

I love Gortat for everything he brings to the team. Its the Magic’s coaching staff job now to help him become an all around great player. If they can do that than the Hammer will won’t be nailed to the bench

by Souwantmyname on Jul 15, 2009 10:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm confident Gortat will do his best to continue to develop as a player so he can play more.

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 16, 2009 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

U can bet your life.

He came way too far to stop now.
From little Poland to mighty NBA,way to go MG!!!

by Dzogi on Jul 16, 2009 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I love Foyle

If there is anyone that actually deserves that bonus its Foyle for all the charity work he does for his country and for the United States. Seriously one of the truly great guys of the league

by Souwantmyname on Jul 15, 2009 10:46 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

I don't think that Alston thing is THAT much of a stretch.

I mean, maybe now that he’s not a starter. But when the contract was signed? He wasn’t an All-Star caliber player then, but he was a solid starter. I could easily see them saying, “all right, if Rafer raises his game a couple notches and makes the team, we’ll give him a bonus.”

Of course, when he signed the deal, he was in the Western Conference… home of Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Tony Parker, and Steve Nash. So it would have to be SEVERAL notches.

But consider what happened this year in the East — you had Devin Harris, you had Jameer (who was hurt), and then… who? Well, of course they ended up with Mo Williams for some reason, but I seem to recall a lot of scrambling, and a lot of basically average point guards being held up as candidates. (Chris Duhon?) If Rafer has been in the East for the first half of that season, I wouldn’t have been shocked to hear his name tossed about in the company of those guys.

Of course, Rafer has now played on the two East teams that already HAVE legit All-Star point guards, so things don’t look good for him. Still…

Yeah, and we broke your damn shot clock too.

by 3.3seconds on Jul 16, 2009 2:07 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs