Sat Jun 19, 2004 5:54 pm
ESPN Analyst STUART SCOTT Reporting From Magic Training Camp
Preseason predictions on the 03-04 Magic by ESPN Analyst Bill Laimbeer
Sat Jun 19, 2004 7:06 pm
Sat Jun 19, 2004 8:06 pm
Sun Jun 20, 2004 4:04 am
Sun Jun 20, 2004 4:22 am
Sun Jun 20, 2004 1:19 pm
103
100
Johnny Davis On Magic Victory: "Coming into this game, I thought that we had the better team, and we proved it tonight. Tracy came up big for us and so did Hill despite his 2nd quarter injury. If we can get production like this all year, we will be a contender in this league.
Allan Houston on McGrady performance: "There is no doubt he had a good game but neither me, nor my team was playing the best possible defense we could play. He would come of the pick and roll and get an open look every time and we weren't getting a hand in his face. He killed us with his perimeter shooting, but I guess tonight was his lucky night.
Tracy Mcgrady on performance tonight:"Tonight, was obviously a good night. I was gettin' alot of touches and Lue was doin' a good job of feedin me the ball. I was just feelin hot you know what I'm sayin? So I told my teammates during a timeout to just let me do the work and 57 points was the result."
ESPN Analyst Bill Laimbeer On Game: "This was one of the sloppiest games I've ever seen. Turnover after turnover, it was unbelieveable, none the less, the Magic came out on top and they did it with dominance, even though they only won by 3 points. The whole game they didn't let the Knicks have the lead but don't let that decieve you. The Knicks played a good game, despite McGrady's spectacular performance, Houston had a game of his own scoring 29 points and keeping the Knicks in the game, but no one is talking about him. All in all, I don't think this loss will phase the Knicks, but I think it greatly boosts the confidence of this Orlando Magic squad."
McGrady taking it to the rack for 2 of his 57 points
Tim Thomas slamming it home late in the 4th Quarter
Stephon Marbury hitting a long range Three-pointer to spark a 10-2 knicks run
Sun Jun 20, 2004 7:35 pm
98
97
Johnny Davis on Magic loss:"Of course it's always tough to accept a loss, but in this case I still feel we were the better team. We beat ourselves tonight, mostly in the 4th quarter. I guess they thought we had the victory and they just stopped playing and let our guard down. That is what cost us the game, not the three pointer that Davis hit. Hopefully we can fix this problem because we've got a tough game against the Pistons coming up and if there is one game I want to win, it's that one"
Baron Davis on hitting the game winning three pointer:"It actually wasn't planned for me to take the shot, we were supposed to get Jamal (Mashburn) open and let him take it. We couldn't get him open and I had the ball so I threw it up and it went in. I'm not going to sit here and say that I knew it was going in, it was a prayer and it just happened to be answered."
Grant Hill on 2nd quarter injury: "Right after the play happened, I knew that it wasn't anything serious, I still had full movement of my arm. It just stung a little bit. Wesley just caught me with a knee to the forearm and I didn't even see it coming. I put some ice on it and sat out the third quarter. I told our trainer, Ted Arzonico, that I was ready to come back about half way through the third, but him and coach (Davis) agreed that I should wait until the fourth. It was nothing major, just a bruise and I'm fine now."
David Wesley on 4th quarter injury:"I was going up for a layup and Grant (Hill) came up with me and pulled my arm back. I'm pretty sure that it wasn't intentional for kneeing him in the 2nd quarter. All I did was hyperextend it and I'll still be starting next game.
ESPN Analyst Greg Anthony on tonight's game:: "Once again McGrady comes up big for the Magic, but I guess it didn't help seeing the Magic got the loss. I hope this game teaches the Magic a lesson and that is don't quit playing until that final buzzer sounds. The Magic had a 9 point lead with 1:30 to go in the 4th quarter. What happens? The Hornets go on a 10-0 run in that last 1:30 to win the game. The Magic can not quit playing, they did the same thing in their game against the Knicks and almost lost that one. I don't care if you're up by 2 or up by 30, you can't stop playing. The Magic also have to learn to guard the 3. Baron Davis hit 6 three pointers in this game. That's more then all of the Magic players combined! Magic should of had this game easily but like Johnny Davis said, they beat themselves and hopefully they learn something from tonight's game.
Sun Jun 20, 2004 7:58 pm
Stuart Scott With
Johnny Davis on possible trade.
GET:
GETS:
Mon Jun 21, 2004 4:50 am
GETS:
GETS:
Former Magic PG Tyronn Lue on being traded to Milwaukee:"You know, it's always tough to accept the fact that your team doesn't want you anymore, but you just got to move on. I'm excited to play in a new state. Don't get me wrong though, I still got alot of respect for Johnny Davis and he's just doing his job. Now I have to do mine and go play twice as better to show him that he made a big mistake."
Former Bucks PG on being traded to Orlando:"I'm very excited and happy to be going to a new team. I wasn't getting as much playing time in Milwaukee as I felt I should of been and I felt like I wasn't benefiting the team any so I had to go. I'm glad to be playing for a coach like Johnny Davis and I'm ready to play and show him that he made a good choice and I think against a team like the Pistons is the best time to show him."
Mon Jun 21, 2004 11:42 am
106
108
Magic head coach Johnny Davis on Win:"Tonight was a great night, although we didn't play good in the first half, we battled back and got into the contest. I'm really proud of my guys tonight, they hung with one of the best teams in the NBA and we got the win. I'm really proud of TJ Ford. He made the quick adjustment to our offense and he ended up being the deciding factor in this game, hitting the last bucket to put us up by two and put us up for good. He's a great addition to this team and I think he's going to have a great year.
Pistons head coach Larry Brown on Loss: "It's tough, and we have some work to do after tonight. I think that we thought coming in, that we had this game in the bag, and we were wrong. Orlando came out in the second half and played their butts off and they were the better team. My hats off to Johnny Davis and his squad for their hard work, but we're definately going to learn from our mistakes and hopefully come back here and get a win.
TJ Ford on first game with Orlando:"It was a great experience, and TD Waterhouse Centre is a great atmosphere, and to come out and beat a team like the Pistons in my first game is a great feeling. In the first half I was getting the looks I wanted to so I was mostly trying to get it to my teammates, then in the second half I got a few open looks and knocked down some shots. It feels good to be on the winning side of things and I think I've found my home."
Chauncey Billups on team's performance:"We had a good game, there is no question, but the Magic had a better game. That's the way it goes. You just have to accept the losses and move on, although we shouldn't of lost this game. We were up by 12 at one time and we let the creep back into the game by playing some lazy D. We were letting (Tracy) McGrady get to many open looks and he would hit shot after shot. If we could of got some more support from Rip (Hamilton), we could of easily won this game."
Richard Hamilton on tonight's performance and McGrady D:"Tonight was just an off night, ya know? Everyone has them, but it doesn't help when you got Tracy (McGrady) in your face everytime you go for a shot. If I couldn't get a shot I tried to look for someone that was open and that's about all I could do. I feel worthless, only scoring 6 Pts. for my team, when I know I could of done alot better."
ESPN Analyst Bill Laimbeer on tonight's game: "What a GAME! This was one of the most exciting games I've watch this season. Double Overtime, it doesn't get much better than that. Unless you're the Detroit Pistons. The Pistons should be beating themselves in the head right now for even letting it get to the first overtime. Until the third quarter, Detroit HAD THIS IN THE BAG! They had at one time a 12 point lead, and they did what alot of teams do, get lazy. I thought Detroit was a more disciplined team than this but they proved me wrong. But you can't just say that it was Detroit's fault that Orlando won this game because it wasn't. The Magic stuck in this game the whole time, and after the first quarter, played great defense. McGrady held Hamilton to just 6 points and Drew Gooden had 13 Defensive rebounds, against two of the toughest rebounders in the league, Ben and Rasheed Wallace I might add. I think what really put the dagger in Detroit though, is when Prince fouled out. He had just hit two deep two's in a row, both with Hill in his face. I think that was the deciding factor and that's why the Magic came out on top."
ESPN Analyst Greg Anthony on Game: "Bill, for once, I totally agree with you. The Magic didn't even have a shot of winning this thing until the Pistons started playing lazy basketball. Seven turnovers in the 4th quarter which consequently, let the Magic tie the ballgame up. If the Pistons would of kept playing till the END of the game. They would of got the win.
Mon Jun 21, 2004 12:24 pm
Mon Jun 21, 2004 1:34 pm
95
116
Magic head coach Johnny Davis on win:"Well, we got a good look at the Knicks in the first game we played them and we saw how they ran their offense and defense. We set our offense the best that we possibly could against the defense they ran. And it worked. McGrady had 53 pts. I told my players that if he kept hitting shots, keep getting him the ball. And on the defensive side, Gooden and Howard combinde for 24 Rebs. They were in the game until the 4th quarter then we started hustling a little more and getting alot of fast break points of turnovers. I think we had like 14 fast break points or something like that in the final 4 or 5 minutes. That's what our offense is mostly based on is the fast break so if we can keep executing like we did tonight then we are going to have alot of success."
Knicks head coach Lenny Wilkens on loss:"Of course I'm disappointed. I mean coming into the 4th quarter we had a shot to win this thing. It's really frustrating when your players just stop playing and there's nothing you can really do except stand on the sideline. They're definately going to hear about it at the next practice."
Tracy McGrady on tonight's performance:"I was shooting the ball well tonight, plain and simple. Also (Allan) Houston was playing tight defense so I was making him pay. I'm suprised he didn't learn anything from the last game when I posted 57 on him. But it's their loss, not mine and I'm just glad that we came out on top."
Knicks PG Stephon Marbury on tonight's game:"I'm very suprised about tonight. After last game I thought that we would have this team figured out seeing last game we only lost by 3. We were looking for a win coming into this game and we felt that we were the better team but the Magic proved us wrong. I don't think anyone should under estimate this team because they have suprised us and so far it seems like they can beat anybody."
ESPN Analyst Bill Laimbeer on tonight's game:"OH MY GOD! What happened to this Knicks, last time we saw them, they played well against the Magic and tonight they come out and get beat by 21 points. The Knicks should be embarassed in my opinion. If you have two players score over 30 points and you can't win the game, there's something wrong and you need to take another look at the players on your team. But I will say this, It doesn't help when one player scores more then half of the points your whole team scores. I'm talking about Tracy McGrady. This guy is really out to prove something this year and it's that he really is the best player in the league. Alot of people think he is a whiner for getting Doc Rivers out of Orlando and that he's a ballhog. Untrue! He not only scores alot of points but he is a disciplined passer as well, and has had more then 5 assists every game. But hell, if he can shoot 24 for 36 in every game, I'd give him the ball everytime."
ESPN Analyst Greg Anthony on tonight's game:"I disagree Bill. The rumors are true, Tracy McGrady is a whiner and ballhog. Doc Rivers should of never been let go from Orlando. That was one of their biggest mistakes, no disrespect to Johnny Davis, because he is a great coach no question, but Doc Rivers was the best coach the Magic had in a good ten years. He's the one who led them to the playoffs, not Tracy McGrady. And you're forgetting Bill, McGrady doesn't always shoot 24 for 36 from the field. Even when he isn't shooting well, he will still take shot after shot and that hurts the Magic. Don't be suprised, down the road if you see McGrady packing his bags for someone else who is a team player."
Mon Jun 21, 2004 2:37 pm
111
81
Magic head coach Johnny Davis on loss:"Tonight, we played really sloppy basketball. 38 turnover is uncalled for and so is shooting 38% from the field, or something like that. We weren't taking smart shots and that's what cost us. I mean look at the numbers. They were taking smart shots, we weren't. And that is how they beat us. That's all I have to say.
Kirk Hinrich on tonight's performance:"Coming tonight I knew we had to play our asses off to stay in this game, and at the Point, I'm the leader, so I lead. I was feeling good and the shots I was making felt good and they were going in. But you can't give all the credit to me. Jamal (Crawford) played good. So did Marcus (Fizer). It was a team effort and not just a one man show.
Bulls head coach Scott Skiles on tonight's victory:"We played great basketball tonight, probably the best I've seen these guys play. Every shot was falling, we were getting alot of rebounds and playing defense. That's the key to victory. I hope that we can keep this up and get a few more wins. Coming off a game like this you get a little momentum going and hopefully it helps us to win against some big teams like the Magic.
ESPN Analyst Bill Laimbeer on tonight's game: "WHAT THE...I'm speechless. Is this even the same Magic team. I mean this was painful to watch. For once I actually feel bad for a team. 38 turnover by the Magic, that makes me want to throw up. They also couldn't hit a shot to save their life shooting 31/85 from the floor. I've never seen a game where a team has shot that bad. The one thing the Magic did do right was make the Bulls look good. The Bulls capatalized on every missed oppurtunity by the Magic . They also were passing the ball, something the Magic weren't doing. Thats why 4 of their 5 players were in double figures. Terrible game for the Magic, and a great game for the Bulls. Hopefully we never see another performance from the Magic like this again.
Mon Jun 21, 2004 10:07 pm
Mon Jun 21, 2004 11:04 pm
Tue Jun 22, 2004 12:45 am
Tue Jun 22, 2004 4:55 am
Tue Jun 22, 2004 6:28 am
85
73
Magic head coach Johnny Davis on loss: "Tonight we looked good, in my opinion. Until the fourth quarter we were the better team, but the problem is, to win, you have to be the better team until the end of the fourth quarter and that we were not. I honestly don't know what happened. They just started shutting us down in every aspect and were making us turnover the ball alot and that led to alot of fast break points for them. I'm a little disappointed but we have Memphis coming up and we have to go in there with alot of confidence if we want to win. So we're going to put this behind us and just move on to the next game."
T'Wolves head coach Flip Saunders on win: "I'm proud of my guys tonight. I told them before the game that we had to play hard to win this game because Orlando is a tough squad. And sure enough, they played as hard as they could all game and it paid off. I think we kind of caught them (Magic) off guard with our aggresive D in the fourth quarter and we started forcing alot of turnovers which turned into fast break points, which is a plus seeing we have the quicker team. I don't know if this same strategy will work against them again, but when we play them, hopefully we can come out on top.
T'Wolves PF Kevin Garnett on tonight's performance:"I didn't think I was going to play this good, I just came off a game where I shot like 30%, so I didn't have any idea that I would shoot this good. But that's why I'm the MVP of this league and not Tracy McGrady. So any one else that has any doubts, look at tonight's game to see who the MVP is."
ESPN Analyst Bill Laimbeer on tonight's game:" I can't believe this, two losses in a row for what I thought was a top team in the NBA, then they get beat by the Bulls and T'Wolves in back to back nights. Everything that could of went wrong in the fourth quarter, did. Twelve turnovers and they only made 6 shots in the quarter! They also comitted 9 fouls to Minnesota's 1. Minnesota totally dominated the fourth and they deserve the win in my eyes. I think that Magic are also making a mistake by starting Juwan Howard, how old is this guy, 40 or something like that. Right now, he can't shoot, he's not getting as many rebounds as he should be, and he just can't run the court anymore. Everytime there was a fast break in this game, Howard would be on the oppisite end of it. In my opinion, either get rid of him, or start someone else, plain and simple."
ESPN Analyst Greg Anthony on tonight's game:"Well you're right, Howard is getting two old and the Magic need to take another look and see what he is adding to the team. In my opinion, he's adding nothing except for extra missed shots, and just an extra body on the floor. If you have a starter in the lineup that doesn't score a single point in a game, there's something wrong and you need to make a change real quick."
Tue Jun 22, 2004 11:36 pm
Wed Jun 23, 2004 2:56 pm
Wed Jun 23, 2004 3:58 pm
72
77
Magic head coach Johnny Davis on loss:"Well it's really tough to digest another loss, especially when we were ahead in the 4th quarter again. I hope this doesn't become a habit because if we want to make it to the playoffs we can't be losing games like this, meaning playing lazy D or no D at all and just basically giving up. Just look at the stats, we were the better team, shot better from the field, more rebounds, and better from the free throw line but it is tough to win when you only get production from two of your guys (Hill and McGrady). Something's going to have to change but I just wish I knew what happened to the Magic team that started out the beginning of the year."
Rockets head coach Jeff Van Gundy on win:"Uhh, the Magic played a great game, no question. But the difference was, we played in the fourth quarter, I don't know what they did. Yao Ming really showed what a dominant center he is going to be and Cuttino (Mobley) came up big hitting four three pointers. Three of those in the fourth quarter, so that was a big boost for us. I'm really just proud of all my guys tonight. We haven't got the season started on the right foot but hopefully this is our turn around."
Magic SF Grant Hill on tonight's game:"It's really frustrating. I mean these are the games that you want to win most are the ones on the road, because these are the ones that give us momentum to know that we can beat a team anywhere, any time. But it's hard to win a game by myself. In the fourth quarter it seemed like I was the only one on the court, I was getting no support and I was the only one hitting shots. I can only do so much and I hope this doesn't continue."
ESPN Analyst Bill Laimbeer on tonight's game:"I really can't believe this Orlando Magic team right now. They come into this season beating teams by 20 and McGrady posting 50 points and now what has happened. They can't even finish games. The Magic might as well of pulled all their players off the floor in the fourth quarter because that's what it seemed like had happened. Just a terrible game, Howard again, NO POINTS! Where are the Magic going with this guy, no where. To me he is dead weight in this franchise and the Magic need to look on getting a replacement real soon because Howard is not working out. You can not say that a person that in the last two games averaged 0.0 pts. is helping your team. If I were the GM, I would go out and look for a young, not so much dominating now, but who has the potential to become a great player in this league, because the Magic have the bench players to offer is all a matter of who they would like to fill the spot. This loss isn't all the Magic's fault, because Houston did play some basketball tonight. Mobley, 4 for 5 from downtown with 18 pts. and Ming and Francis combined for about 3/4ths of the teams points. That's dominance and that is why the Rockets got the win."
Wed Jun 23, 2004 4:45 pm