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SLSI · 11-25-2003, 03:01 PM

The Orlando Magic have signed free agent guard Rod Strickland, General Manager John Gabriel announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal are not disclosed. Strickland will wear #31 and be available for tomorrow’s game vs. Boston. In addition, Orlando has waived guard Derrick Dial.

Strickland (6’3”, 185, 7/11/66) appeared in 47 regular season games with Minnesota last season, averaging 6.8 ppg., 4.6 apg. and 2.0 rpg. in 20.3 minpg. He started in eight outings, averaging 7.9 ppg., 5.8 apg., 1.8 rpg. and 1.13 stlpg. in 24.0 minpg. during that span. Strickland scored in double figures 15 times and dished out 10-plus assists three times. He scored the 14,000th point of his NBA career vs. Portland on Jan. 18.

“Rod (Strickland) brings us some valuable experience and fortifies our backcourt,” said Gabriel. “We’re looking forward to his contributions.”

Originally selected in the first round (19th overall) of the 1988 NBA Draft by New York, Strickland has appeared in 1,017 career games with New York, San Antonio, Portland, Washington, Miami and Minnesota, averaging 13.8 ppg., 7.6 apg., 3.8 rpg. and 1.55 stlpg. in 31.7 minpg. He has also appeared in 52 career playoff outings, averaging 13.4 ppg., 7.5 apg., 4.0 rpg. and 1.08 stlpg. in 30.7 minpg.

Strickland enjoyed his finest professional season in 1997-98, when he averaged 17.8 ppg., a career-best 10.5 apg., 5.3 rpg. and 1.66 stlpg. for Washington. He led the NBA in assists and was named to the All-NBA Second Team. That season, Strickland became the 25th player in NBA history to record 10,000 points and 5,000 assists. He has finished in the league’s top six in assists six times during his career. Strickland was also named to the NBA’s All-Rookie Second Team in 1988-89.

-SLSI-

reHEATed · 11-25-2003, 03:02 PM

good move. They really need a true point guard to come in and distribute when Lue is struggling

Starbury03 · 11-25-2003, 03:03 PM

About time they did something I really like rod and think he can produce well and should be a good playmaker but he isn't the savior. He will be a good backup but people keep saying how bad Lue plays then he might start.

**JNice** · 11-25-2003, 03:48 PM

Great pickup. Gaines is definitely not ready for minutes backing up at PG.

I wouldn't doubt Strickland will be starting at some point later in the season ..

**MJG** · 11-25-2003, 03:59 PM

Excellent, excellent move. I've always been a big Rod fan, and I'm happy he's landed somewhere that he'll be able to contribute and play a key role.

**HKF** · 11-25-2003, 04:04 PM

Well at least Rod will start helping them win 30% of their ball games.

This move changes nothing for the Magic. There is a reason Rod has played for nearly half the teams in the NBA, the guy has a bad attitude (and he is a NYC guy).

**MacDanny 6** · 11-25-2003, 04:47 PM

Hey, I'll take 30%. It's better than our current winning percentage which is 7%!!!!!

**HKF** · 11-25-2003, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Franco 5!
Hey, I'll take 30%. It's better than our current winning percentage which is 7%!!!!!

True that.

**JNice** · 11-25-2003, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Franco 5!
Hey, I'll take 30%. It's better than our current winning percentage which is 7%!!!!!

30%? Hmm, that sounds familiar... oh yeah, that is about what most of the guys on the team are shooting .. now I remember.

lw32 · 11-26-2003, 10:30 AM

Sure, Rod Strickland is a solid pick up for us...but really, what are we looking for here? The Magic are not a championship caliber team, so adding a Veteran will only help for so long. The Magic can not continue to sign veterans to try and improve, I hate to say it but possibly rebuilding is a sounder long term solution. Horace Grant, Patrick Ewing, Shawn Kemp, Rod Strickland all have a similarity...they are all over 30 and have all been a Magician in the past seasons. Sure, Rod Strickland is an improvement...but only for 2 years probably. Yeah, we do have an average age of 25 years old and we are one of the youngest (3rd?) in the L, but nowadays age is not really a question because you have guys like Tracy who come out at 18. That would give them 7 years of experience, players no longer come out of college at 22. So a 25 year old could technically be a vet.
I applaud the Magic for trying SOMETHING to rejuvanate energy within the club, but I question the decision to bring suspect veterans year after year. Does anyone else have these concerns, or am I just being skeptic and paranoid?

**JNice** · 11-26-2003, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by nba_playa!
Sure, Rod Strickland is a solid pick up for us...but really, what are we looking for here? The Magic are not a championship caliber team, so adding a Veteran will only help for so long. The Magic can not continue to sign veterans to try and improve, I hate to say it but possibly rebuilding is a sounder long term solution. Horace Grant, Patrick Ewing, Shawn Kemp, Rod Strickland all have a similarity...they are all over 30 and have all been a Magician in the past seasons. Sure, Rod Strickland is an improvement...but only for 2 years probably. Yeah, we do have an average age of 25 years old and we are one of the youngest (3rd?) in the L, but nowadays age is not really a question because you have guys like Tracy who come out at 18. That would give them 7 years of experience, players no longer come out of college at 22. So a 25 year old could technically be a vet.
I applaud the Magic for trying SOMETHING to rejuvanate energy within the club, but I question the decision to bring suspect veterans year after year. Does anyone else have these concerns, or am I just being skeptic and paranoid?

Strickland was by no means signed as a long term solution. But right now, they need to win some games. Point blank. Strickland looked good in limited mins tonight and without knowing any of the guys or the offense. Maybe he can teach some of the other guys some things .. like entry passes. Man was it nice to see 3 or 4 solid passes down low from someone.

lw32 · 11-27-2003, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dee Bo!

Strickland was by no means signed as a long term solution. But right now, they need to win some games. Point blank. Strickland looked good in limited mins tonight and without knowing any of the guys or the offense. Maybe he can teach some of the other guys some things .. like entry passes. Man was it nice to see 3 or 4 solid passes down low from someone.

Dee Bo,
Do you know the length of Stricklands contract? It just seems that we ALWAYS sign veterans to teach our younger guys, but end up playing them...or they end up being a bad pick-up. I have questions about Stricklands character, but I'm desperately hoping he can turn us around...14 in a row, I didn't think ANY team in the NBA would be that bad...let alone our Magic!

**JNice** · 11-27-2003, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by nba_playa!

Dee Bo,
Do you know the length of Stricklands contract? It just seems that we ALWAYS sign veterans to teach our younger guys, but end up playing them...or they end up being a bad pick-up. I have questions about Stricklands character, but I'm desperately hoping he can turn us around...14 in a row, I didn't think ANY team in the NBA would be that bad...let alone our Magic!

Well, I dont think the team is as bad as their record. But right now, it is all about confidence and they've basically gotten caught in a snowball effect. I know they'll turn it around, but it might be too late. If they don't, then Orlando should be able to draft someone that can help. At the top of the draft next year there will be a couple of really good points and a whole lot of big men.

Strickland probably has signed a contract through the end of the season. No longer than that. Gabriel was quoted saying he expects Strickland to be with the team the rest of the year.

I think he is already the best passer on the team.

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