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All Star Weekend proved that shaking things up can prove beneficial, given the chance to succeed.
The Dunk Contest and Three-Point Contest did not topple its predecessors, Bare Naked Ladies and Fergie…..performed, even the pregame introductions drew the ire of many fans and media alike.
But the game itself, did not. A resounding vote of approval was had by all, as LeBron James and Kevin Durant teamed up to lock down teammate and West Captain Steph Curry.
The weekend as a whole was a success, though adjustments going forward will be needed.
Meanwhile, in Orlando, the Magic have done their own part to shake things up.
The Orlando Magic sent point guard and former lottery selection Elfrid Payton to the Phoenix Suns for what likely will become a 31-40 pick at the top of the second round.
Was it enough?
What exactly is the value of a second round pick in today’s NBA? Eight players remain in the NBA from the second round of the 2014 NBA Drafy, five from 2013. The likelihood of a second round pick becoming a contributor is small, but the promise of a “lucky break,” and “scouting,” was enough for the Magic to break with their floor general. While a disaster defensively, Payton continued incremental improvements on the offensive side of the floor, averaging 13.5 points, 6.4 assists, 4.2 rebounds in just 29 minutes per game on 52.4% from the field and 38.4% from three. In a vacuum, these are impressive numbers, though his positive minus nets him a whopping -5.0.
So was a second round pick enough to give us his Bird Rights and restricted tender? The market promises to be soft this offseason, and the likelihood of him earning a seven-figure annual salary has become more than debatable if we’re talking three years or more guaranteed.
Meanwhile the Magic found more value in Mario Hezonja’s Bird Rights than a second round pick which was said to have been offered!
Aaron Goldstone, Will Ogburn and I discuss this topic and so many more including the great ‘What if?” regarding Tim Duncan, the ever improving Shelvin Mack and D.J. Augustin pair, the propensity to tank, injury updates on Vuc, Isaac, and Gordon and many more.
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