| Magic Report Authored by Brian Roberts - April 25, 2005 - 1:28 am
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In this weeks installment we discuss these 4 topics:
-My kingdom for a coach
-Get the draft right
-Free Agency 2005
-Do we trade Steve?
My Kingdom for a Coach
I think in a few years Chris Jent will be one of the top coaches in this league. But for the sake of the team and the fans; he has to get there with another team. It's time John Weisbrod, it's time Mr.DeVos; hire a name. This team could be on it's last leg in Orlando; it's needs some self-esteem. Don't continue wearing the same off-brand coaching outfit; go and buy a brand name. There are plenty out there; pay the extra money and get it done. It's a move that gets results.
1996-97 Philadelphia 76ers Head Coach Johnny Davis = 22 wins. So they go and hire a pro; Larry Brown. 31 wins the next season; and the 2nd round of the playoffs the season after that.
1994-95 Miami Heat Head coaches Kevin Loughery and Alvin Gentry = 32 wins. So they go out and hire Pat Riley. 42 wins the next season, and a playoff berth. 61 wins the season after that and made it far into the playoffs.
2001-02 Memphis Grizzlies Head coach Sidney Lowe = 23 wins. The next season they lost the first 8 games under Lowe; so they hire Hubie Brown. Hubie gets them 28 wins. Then the next season 50 wins and a playoff berth.
It's really simple to see. Look what Mike Dunleavy has done with the Clippers. Look what George Karl has already done with the Nuggets. So the question is; what coaches are there? Here are my top 5 choices. I hope your reading John Weisbrod.
1. Flip Saunders
56% career winning percentage; has coached 686 games. 17 playoff wins.
Other notes: Will be the most wanted coach this summer.
2. Doug Collins
54% career winning percentage; has coached 619 games. 15 playoff wins.
Other notes: Has coached Michael Jordan and our own Grant Hill.
3. Del Harris
55% career winning percentage; has coached 1,011 games. 38 playoff wins.
Other notes: An assistant in Dallas, maybe doesn't want to assist little Avery.
4. Brian Hill
49% career winning percentage; has coached 449 games. 18 playoff wins.
Other notes: Assisting right now; don't see why we couldn't bring him back.
5. Phil Jackson
73% career winning percentage; has coached 1,148 games. 175 playoff wins.
Other notes: Would be #1 as far as coach; but this is really just a pipe dream.
Get the Draft Right
Our draft pick this year baring a lottery miracle will be the 11th overall selection. This range of picks has not been very kind to our team in recent history. No offense to Steven Hunter or Reece Gaines; I'm sure they will have hall-of-fame careers. So, management has to work hard this year. It's pretty known that our main need is at the 2. We need a young guy we can groom into that position. (Sorry DeShawn fans; he's not a long term solution.) As I am writing this draftcity.com has point guard Jarret Jack for us in their mock draft. The other site (non realgm affiliated) has us with swing-man Antoine Wright; who I am a fan of. Other choices at the two could be Rudy Fernandez, Kennedy Winston, Francisco Garcia, Rashad McCants, Monta Ellis, and CJ Miles.
Shooting guard is by far our biggest need; with that I say don't draft one. I'm about to say something; I will use caps to reflect how important it is; DRAFT HAKIM WARRICK. He will probably be best suited in the NBA at the small forward position; where we have Grant Hill and Hedo Turkoglu, making us already probably the deepest team at that position. But you have to draft best available; and all the mock drafts have him going in the late teens. He should be a lotto pick and if we can grab him we need to grab him.
Free Agency 2005
So, if we didn't draft a shooting guard; what will we do? Sign one. All we will have to work with is the MLE. My question, that hasn't really been brought up by the excellent reporters we have in Orlando (by excellent, I mean predictable and simplistic); will we even be using the MLE? Orlando has never been a "big-spender" and us adding more salary only cuts more into the owners pocketbook. With the spending spree that happened last season and the results being not-the-best; will Mr. DeVos even let the team use the exception? If he does here are some top targets who would fit with this team; at all positions.
MLE Worthy: As I mentioned earlier, we should go after the best player in the draft which might leave us weak still at the shooting guard position. So here are the two guys I would like at the two for all or part of the MLE:
1- Bobby Simmons: Been sitting at the end of teams benches for a while; then he hit it big this season with the Clippers.17 points per game along with 6 rebounds. Would be a great fit with this Magic team
2- Keith Bogans: Let's right a wrong and bring Keith back. He was given a huge chance with the Bobcats; but really hasn't stepped up. I would love to see him back in Orlando.
Split the MLE: It might be hard to get real talent in this free agent class with just the MLE. SO a good idea may to split it; this Magic team is already talented and really just needs some good role players; why not go for two?
1- Earl Watson: The Magic have mentioned him as a guy they like. And if there are some trades this summer; we may need another point guard. Watson is a consistent player, and would be great here.
2- Luke Walton: We may be too deep at the 3 to sign him; but he would be a steal. He's only getting 10 minutes per game in Los Angeles; but really has shown signs of a great triple-double player.
3- ZaZa Pachulia: We can right another wrong and bring ZaZa back. He has become a fan favorite in Milwaukee and they want to keep him; which I don't blame them. ZaZa has everything it takes to be a future starting center in this league.
4- Kerry Kittles: Depending on his health; would be a great addition at the two guard; good slasher and good at defense, or as DeShawn Stevenson calls it "nap time."
5- Matt Bonner: Let's bring him back to Florida; would make a much better sub for Dwight Howard than Pat Garrity. I say that because we need someone who can go inside and rebound when Howard is resting. Garrity does shoot three's good; but Bonner can as well and he can bang around better.
We will also have the LLE to spend; if we are allowed to use that here are some great role players we should target:
1- Darrell Armstrong: He says he has some more games left in him; the Magic would be insane not to at least offer him a deal.
2- Matt Barnes: Philly has not really given him a chance since he has come over in the Webber deal. He is young and full of potential and worth giving a low risk contract.
3- Ervin Johnson: Every good team has some big bodies to throw at teams off the bench. Ervin would be great for the LLE. Good shot blocker, and good locker room guy.
4- Jahidi White: (See above) Injuries are a big question though.
5- Bo Outlaw: He might not have any juice left; but he has done great in his small role in Phoenix.
Do we Trade Steve?
Yes. Without a doubt. Steve is a great player, and can lead a team. I think he can even lead a team to the playoffs. That is why we should trade him somewhere where they want to make the playoffs. I want the Magic to do better than that; and I think in the hands of Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson the Magic will. In order to do so we have to hand them the reigns; where Francis is currently hanging on to them. Look at Grant Hill; he knows it's their team; and I would be happy with Steve is he shared the same outlook, but unfortunately I don't think he can. What can we get for him?
Atlanta Hawks: I don't know if they give up their top pick; but if they will go for it.
Dallas Mavericks: Try to bring Marquis Daniels back to Florida. Maybe Francis, Christie, and Stevenson for Daniels, Van Horn, Podkolzine, and a pick. Van Horn's contract could be huge for us.
Denver Nuggets: Francis for Miller and Nene. Weisbrod shot down reports that he had talks with them. I'd like the starting point guard position to go to Jameer, but Andre is great too. Plus, Howard and Nene up front; scary.
Miami Heat: If the Heat don't make the Finals they might be forced into making a big move for another star while Shaq can still get them deep into the playoffs. Francis and Stevenson for Eddie Jones and Dorrell Wright. This would allow Wade to play more off the ball for the Heat and it gives the Magic a 3 point shooting defensive player in Jones along with a project who could be the future shooting guard of the franchise.
Seattle Supersonics: The much talked about Francis for a re-signed Ray Allen deal. If it's available you have to pull the trigger. |
