ORLANDO

by **tempo** on Tue Aug 17, 2004 9:31 pm

how do you fair there offseason moves? i think they have majorly improved, francis in my opinion is gunna rip up the east and howard i feel is going to establish himself in his first year but we'l have to c. i think if grant hill can play like 20 -25 minutes per game this looks like decent squad.

by **Matthew** on Tue Aug 17, 2004 9:34 pm

I'm not sure about dwight howard, i wouldnt be suprised if he has darko-itis this season. Francis should be alright, but tear it up in the east? the east has better guards than the west imo. But i do agree that the magic's success hinges on grant hill..

Bluesky · by **Andrew** on Tue Aug 17, 2004 10:32 pm

I find myself underestimating the Magic after the Tracy McGrady trade. I expect them to struggle until I remember they do have some talent left. For some reason I seem to forget they received Mobley and Francis in return, drafted Dwight Howard and could possibly see Grant Hill play most of the season (though they shouldn't count on it).

Playoffs? No, I wouldn't expect so. It would be quite an achievement if they could finish the regular season as one of the top eight teams in the East. With Grant Hill healthy and playing at least 25 minutes a game showing glimmers of the player we once knew, they will probably hover around the 8th seed but will be beaten out before the season is over.

by **Stevan** on Tue Aug 17, 2004 11:23 pm

After what Andrew just said, with the Begley curse and everything, I'll say that the Magic will win 60 games and get top seed in the east!

Who knows with the Magic, this offseason has created so many questions! Will their rookie suck? Will Grant Hill play? How will Francis and Mobley fit in? Who else do they have? Tough to predict, I'll risk the haemmoroids (sp?) and sit right on the fence, and say the Magic are going to be middle of the pack! (y)

Bluesky · by **Andrew** on Tue Aug 17, 2004 11:29 pm

My "gift" only works during the playoffs as far as I know.

It will be quite a story if Grant Hill returns and somewhat resembles the player he used to be now with T-Mac demanding a trade and being sent to Houston.

by **tempo** on Tue Aug 17, 2004 11:32 pm

well i dont think the francis and mobley fitting in is the issue, theyve played together for mutliple seasons and we know francis and mobley is a border line good to all star player on his day. why would howard be like darko? his had a decent summer league and dont forget his a big man which in the east (even with shaq) is hard to find

theres to many pesimistics

always

by **hmm** on Tue Aug 17, 2004 11:35 pm

....................................

by **Amphatoast** on Wed Aug 18, 2004 6:16 am

they will do well this year...they playing in the east where the bottom playoffs teams are kind of a throw up still..and they will get Pat Garrity back..he will make his impact off the bench with them 3s.

by **air gordon** on Wed Aug 18, 2004 8:06 am

i thought orlando's moves were decent. tmac had the team by the nads and you seldom get equal value when trading a superstar.

hedo's is good insurance option at SF. now go find some sack, mr turkoglu

mr cambyman.. what do you mean darko-itis for howard? my guess is that battie and declerq will be splitting minutes at center, leaving garrity, m bradley, and howard fighting for minutes at PF

i think that bogans guy is good too

i think they'll be in contention for 7th or 8th spot

by **Matthew** on Wed Aug 18, 2004 9:44 am

Darko-itis: Not ready for minutes even though being such a high pick.

by **Matt** on Wed Aug 18, 2004 3:53 pm

Maybe there should also be "Chandleritis" and "Curryitis" too

by **Matthew** on Wed Aug 18, 2004 4:12 pm

If EG was still a mod he would no doubt say:
Don't go off topic

by **FanOfAll** on Wed Aug 18, 2004 5:03 pm

Call me crazy, but as of today, I have them in the playoffs. Why? No, check again, I'm no homer here. Nah I'm not in love with Francis, Mobley, Johnny Davis, or Weisbrod. The main reason why I think they'll make the playoffs is depth. Tremendous depth, especially in the backcourt. Let's look at their lineup:

Cato/Battie/DeClerq
Howard/Battie/Garrity
Hedo/Stevenson/Augmon/Garrity
Mobley/Bogans/Francis (when he and Nelson are on the floor at the same time)/Stevenson
Francis/Nelson

The weak link? Big man. If Battie has knee problems again and Howard doesn't pan out, they're in trouble. But I'm gambling Battie plays at least 50 games and Howard is a contender for ROY (but doesn't win it).

Another reason to like this team? Francis slashing to Mobley, Hedo, Bogans, Garrity for 3? That is dangerous. Not to mention Battie and Howard for mid-ranged jump shots. Pity they don't have Rudy T as coach here. He loves player x doing action x and kicking out to a jump shooter (ala the Dream surrounded with shooters and similar idea with Francis being the slasher).

by **Matt** on Wed Aug 18, 2004 5:17 pm

Maybe Hill will play. Sure they are dangerous from 3 but no post player (remember the Bucks and the big 3). It's not gonna get them far, I don't know what to expect for Howard.

by **FanOfAll** on Wed Aug 18, 2004 5:44 pm

Matt wrote:Maybe Hill will play. Sure they are dangerous from 3 but no post player (remember the Bucks and the big 3). It's not gonna get them far, I don't know what to expect for Howard.

I forgot about Hill. That is indeed another weak spot, no post play. As well as lack of chemistry out there, besides Francis + Mobley.

by **Matthew** on Wed Aug 18, 2004 5:53 pm

Yeah the big 3 only took milwalkee one quarter away from the nba finals..

Dwight Howard won't be that good in his first season imo. If they took emeka, i'd agree and say they would be in good shape for the playoffs, especially with nelson. But I don't see howard doing that much his first season.. battie has cato behind him, so even if battie is injured, it wont effect the magic that much. Hill is the key.

by **FanOfAll** on Wed Aug 18, 2004 6:06 pm

TheCambyManVol3 wrote:Yeah the big 3 only took milwalkee one quarter away from the nba finals..

Dwight Howard won't be that good in his first season imo. If they took emeka, i'd agree and say they would be in good shape for the playoffs, especially with nelson. But I don't see howard doing that much his first season.. battie has cato behind him, so even if battie is injured, it wont effect the magic that much. Hill is the key.

I'd wager Cato will start. Losing either would huge for the Magic. That would leave them with only one real center who can actually play (meaning DeClerq doesn't count here), and Garrity to backup a rookie. That's serious trouble.

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