Poor drafting the cause for Magic's fall? - Basketball Forum : Professional and College Basketball Forums

**Basel** · 05-29-2012, 09:48 AM

Quote:

The Orlando Magic's fall was sudden and hard. The team went from a perennial contender to a postseason afterthought trying to hold onto its superstar at all costs (no matter the cost or the missteps along the way). Orlando is desperate for any kind of help right now. Especially cheap help.

The cheapest way to get that kind of help is through the draft. Rookie contracts are relatively small commitments and extremely cheap. Having a player that can produce at around $3 million per year with the various team options and what-not, plus the added trade value that comes with being a young player.

If there is one thing the Magic have sort of forsaken in the run toward and the fall from championship contention, it is these type of players.

If Orlando is going to rebuild in any capacity, the draft has to regain a high priority.

Maybe it lost its priority because Stan Van Gundy has a tendency to trust veteran players more. Maybe it lost its priority because the team was enamored with certain types of players in a never-ending quest to surround Dwight Howard with a championship roster. One thing is clear, now that the Magic are falling off their perch and are playing with an uncertain future, every failure is under the microscope.

None moreso than the draft. When you look at the teams that made it deep in this year's playoffs, the draft is a big commonality among them. The Spurs drafted Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili. They also selected George Hill (who played for Indiana), Gary Neal and Danny Green. Similarly, the Thunder drafted Kevin Durant, Serge Ibaka and Russell Westbrook. Boston made a draft day deal for Rajon Rondo and selected Paul Pierce (oh so long ago). Miami's lack of depth might be caused by Miami's committment to those big salaries and their inability to replenish their team with young players.

http://orlandomagicdaily.com/2012-ar...ll-052012.html

**Knicks4life** · 05-29-2012, 09:54 AM

The Magic were contenders for like 2 years, the Spurs did not draft Neal and Green.

**RollWithEm** · 05-29-2012, 10:37 AM

I am not ready to give up on Daniel Orton, yet. Also, Courtney Lee and JJ Reddick both turned out to be quality rotation players. Is the Fran Vasquez thing really their fault? Of course they did draft Dwight Howard as well as Anderson Varejao as a second rounder.

Are they really that bad at drafting?

**Knick Killer** · 05-31-2012, 05:21 PM

The Thunder also drafted this guy named James Harden...he's kind of a big deal.

LA68 · 08-09-2012, 11:41 PM

They continue to build a system that doesn't work. One in and four out shooting jumpers is too stagnant and predictable. And you saw last playoffs when you lose that "one in" guy and you have 6'6" baby trying to play the post.

Ask yourselves, who really is the penetrator on this team ? The scorer ? Because if Jameer is that person then , who sets the offense ? Hedo ? Do you really think those two are the basis of a top tier team ?

Lately, seem they have been collecting mediocre players. You can only use five at a time yanno ! Who now is the leader ?

Mr. Hobbes · 08-10-2012, 03:31 PM

It's not only poor drafting that hurt them; it's their incompetent management. You can mostly blame Otis Smith. There's the Rashard Lewis debacle, there's the Billy Donovan debacle, there's the Howard/Van Gundy debacle, and there's the half decade of complacency. They kept a mediocre PG and assumed he could take them to the top, resigning him even after years of failure.

They were the 04 Pistons without Rasheed Wallace; they were the Allen/Pierce Celtics before KG. They were ok with that, so now they get to be ok with this.

LOL

ATLien · 08-10-2012, 03:49 PM

Whenever the Magic are in the lottery, they get the #1 pick. They'll be fine.

chilltown · 08-11-2012, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chan

It's not only poor drafting that hurt them; it's their incompetent management. You can mostly blame Otis Smith. There's the Rashard Lewis debacle, there's the Billy Donovan debacle, there's the Howard/Van Gundy debacle, and there's the half decade of complacency. They kept a mediocre PG and assumed he could take them to the top, resigning him even after years of failure.

They were the 04 Pistons without Rasheed Wallace; they were the Allen/Pierce Celtics before KG. They were ok with that, so now they get to be ok with this.

LOL

There was an Allen/Pierce Celtics before KG?

Ronnie · 08-11-2012, 08:31 PM

To me the Magic have had a crappy FO/ownership since the beginning. Not with draft picks per say because they have always been money when it comes to their top picks (minus that Euro guy in 2005 or 2006, can't remember the year, but they took him in the lottery and he never played a game for them). Where they have had issues is over paying their players and over paying incoming FAs or just completely getting it wrong (Grant Hill any one). They also lack BIG TIME in trades.

This new debacle of a trade (lets just call it one of the worst trades in sports history) is just a long stream line of crap. I truly feel sorry for the real Magic fans. You, like many other teams, deserve so much more, especially when your franchise drafts great at the top, only to see them leave you high and dry years later with nothing to show for your cheers.

Mr. Hobbes · 08-12-2012, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chilltown

There was an Allen/Pierce Celtics before KG?

It's a figure of speech. Quit being a smartass.

hobojoe · 08-12-2012, 04:07 PM

Drafting has not been a big problem in the Dwight Howard era. They drafted Dwight and traded for Nelson on draft night, both obviously were good moves. Picking Fran Vazquez sucks, but the other first rounders weren't bad. Redick has turned into a solid pro, Courtney Lee at 22 was a starter on a Finals team and Daniel Orton was the 29th overall pick. What else do you expect at 29? Landry Fields was the only player taken after Orton who has made any sort of impact in the NBA at all, it's not like they took Orton in the lottery.

hroz · 08-21-2012, 01:11 AM

Magic have been fine drafters its the incompetence of management.

Lewis's contract should never have been that long.

I think they also did the two worst deals this offseason the trade of Howard for junk (i wouldve preferred to make him play a season over the junk they got)
And the Jameer contract.

Lopez's contract is worse but on a team that wants to make a statement in their new home its to be expected they would overpay.

If I was Magic management and the deal they got was the best deal on the table.
I wouldve
a) traded Howard Duhon (possibly Richardson) to Lakers for Bynum and Laker's 1st round pick next 2 years. (1st choice if I could get that)
b) Kept Dwight for another year and let home walk.

This way fans still turn up to watch this year.
Making Turk's contract an expiring come offseason.
Making Richardson and Davis a year shorter contract next season.

This would also mean they would suck in 13/14 when Bynum or Howard walked that's fine. The 2014 draft is meant to be a lot deeper.
Plus now the Magic would have another late teens/early 20s draft pick of their own and Laker's pick(possibly).

Then I would offer a sign and trade to anyone for more draft picks and expirings. If they dont want it thats fine. Youve survived one more season of Turk Richardson Davis and Duhons stupid contracts. (Pretty much saved by Dwight/Bynum)

LA68 · 10-01-2012, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hroz

Magic have been fine drafters its the incompetence of management.

Lewis's contract should never have been that long.

I think they also did the two worst deals this offseason the trade of Howard for junk (i wouldve preferred to make him play a season over the junk they got)
And the Jameer contract.

Lopez's contract is worse but on a team that wants to make a statement in their new home its to be expected they would overpay.

If I was Magic management and the deal they got was the best deal on the table.
I wouldve
a) traded Howard Duhon (possibly Richardson) to Lakers for Bynum and Laker's 1st round pick next 2 years. (1st choice if I could get that)
b) Kept Dwight for another year and let home walk.

This way fans still turn up to watch this year.
Making Turk's contract an expiring come offseason.
Making Richardson and Davis a year shorter contract next season.

This would also mean they would suck in 13/14 when Bynum or Howard walked that's fine. The 2014 draft is meant to be a lot deeper.
Plus now the Magic would have another late teens/early 20s draft pick of their own and Laker's pick(possibly).

Then I would offer a sign and trade to anyone for more draft picks and expirings. If they dont want it thats fine. Youve survived one more season of Turk Richardson Davis and Duhons stupid contracts. (Pretty much saved by Dwight/Bynum)

Your plan makes a hell of a lot more sense than what they did do. They should have hired you !

They did the worst possible thing. Take back contracts with multiple years that no one wants. So you can't get rid of them and they can't expire.

Stuck in mediocrity for at least 2 or 3 years.

05-29-2012, 09:54 AM	#2 (permalink)
Knicks4life Too Big To Fail Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 8,132 Rep Power: 3012647	Re: Poor drafting the cause for Magic's fall? The Magic were contenders for like 2 years, the Spurs did not draft Neal and Green. __________________ "Winning is the most important thing in my life,after breathing. Breathing first, winning next"-George Steinbrenner

05-29-2012, 10:37 AM	#3 (permalink)
RollWithEm Never Argue with a Fool Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: New Orleans Posts: 28,003 Rep Power: 5962494	Re: Poor drafting the cause for Magic's fall? I am not ready to give up on Daniel Orton, yet. Also, Courtney Lee and JJ Reddick both turned out to be quality rotation players. Is the Fran Vasquez thing really their fault? Of course they did draft Dwight Howard as well as Anderson Varejao as a second rounder. Are they really that bad at drafting? __________________ But that's just me. RWE's Random Questions: (Close Friends, Virginity, Home-Schooling, Wiretapping, Cheating, Piracy) RWE's Movie Rankings: (Coen Brothers, Stanley Kubrick, Top 90 of the 90's) RWE's Underground Update - RWE's SciFi Corner RWE's Smash Central - RWE's Culinary Cul de Sac 2015 FRSL Champion New Orleans Jazz Lawson - Thabo - Thad - Brow - Big Al - Manu - Jayson

05-31-2012, 05:21 PM	#4 (permalink)
Knick Killer -LIFETIME MEMBER- Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Age: 20 Posts: 9,398 Rep Power: 8494693	Re: Poor drafting the cause for Magic's fall? The Thunder also drafted this guy named James Harden...he's kind of a big deal. __________________

08-09-2012, 11:41 PM	#5 (permalink)
LA68 Star Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 2,626 Rep Power: 899004	Re: Poor drafting the cause for Magic's fall? They continue to build a system that doesn't work. One in and four out shooting jumpers is too stagnant and predictable. And you saw last playoffs when you lose that "one in" guy and you have 6'6" baby trying to play the post. Ask yourselves, who really is the penetrator on this team ? The scorer ? Because if Jameer is that person then , who sets the offense ? Hedo ? Do you really think those two are the basis of a top tier team ? Lately, seem they have been collecting mediocre players. You can only use five at a time yanno ! Who now is the leader ?

08-10-2012, 03:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
Mr. Hobbes Legend Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 19,469 Rep Power: 21474863	Re: Poor drafting the cause for Magic's fall? It's not only poor drafting that hurt them; it's their incompetent management. You can mostly blame Otis Smith. There's the Rashard Lewis debacle, there's the Billy Donovan debacle, there's the Howard/Van Gundy debacle, and there's the half decade of complacency. They kept a mediocre PG and assumed he could take them to the top, resigning him even after years of failure. They were the 04 Pistons without Rasheed Wallace; they were the Allen/Pierce Celtics before KG. They were ok with that, so now they get to be ok with this. LOL __________________ don't edit me bro

08-10-2012, 03:49 PM	#7 (permalink)
ATLien Icon Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 45,729 Rep Power: 21472363	Re: Poor drafting the cause for Magic's fall? Whenever the Magic are in the lottery, they get the #1 pick. They'll be fine.

08-11-2012, 08:31 PM	#9 (permalink)
Ronnie Rookie Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 21 Rep Power: 0	Re: Poor drafting the cause for Magic's fall? To me the Magic have had a crappy FO/ownership since the beginning. Not with draft picks per say because they have always been money when it comes to their top picks (minus that Euro guy in 2005 or 2006, can't remember the year, but they took him in the lottery and he never played a game for them). Where they have had issues is over paying their players and over paying incoming FAs or just completely getting it wrong (Grant Hill any one). They also lack BIG TIME in trades. This new debacle of a trade (lets just call it one of the worst trades in sports history) is just a long stream line of crap. I truly feel sorry for the real Magic fans. You, like many other teams, deserve so much more, especially when your franchise drafts great at the top, only to see them leave you high and dry years later with nothing to show for your cheers. __________________

08-12-2012, 04:07 PM	#11 (permalink)
hobojoe Legend Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 22,076 Rep Power: 7326019	Re: Poor drafting the cause for Magic's fall? Drafting has not been a big problem in the Dwight Howard era. They drafted Dwight and traded for Nelson on draft night, both obviously were good moves. Picking Fran Vazquez sucks, but the other first rounders weren't bad. Redick has turned into a solid pro, Courtney Lee at 22 was a starter on a Finals team and Daniel Orton was the 29th overall pick. What else do you expect at 29? Landry Fields was the only player taken after Orton who has made any sort of impact in the NBA at all, it's not like they took Orton in the lottery.

08-21-2012, 01:11 AM	#12 (permalink)
hroz All-Star Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 6,783 Rep Power: 1396404	Re: Poor drafting the cause for Magic's fall? Magic have been fine drafters its the incompetence of management. Lewis's contract should never have been that long. I think they also did the two worst deals this offseason the trade of Howard for junk (i wouldve preferred to make him play a season over the junk they got) And the Jameer contract. Lopez's contract is worse but on a team that wants to make a statement in their new home its to be expected they would overpay. If I was Magic management and the deal they got was the best deal on the table. I wouldve a) traded Howard Duhon (possibly Richardson) to Lakers for Bynum and Laker's 1st round pick next 2 years. (1st choice if I could get that) b) Kept Dwight for another year and let home walk. This way fans still turn up to watch this year. Making Turk's contract an expiring come offseason. Making Richardson and Davis a year shorter contract next season. This would also mean they would suck in 13/14 when Bynum or Howard walked that's fine. The 2014 draft is meant to be a lot deeper. Plus now the Magic would have another late teens/early 20s draft pick of their own and Laker's pick(possibly). Then I would offer a sign and trade to anyone for more draft picks and expirings. If they dont want it thats fine. Youve survived one more season of Turk Richardson Davis and Duhons stupid contracts. (Pretty much saved by Dwight/Bynum) __________________ ROCKETS NBA CHAMPIONS 1993-1994 1994-1995 2012-2013

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