I saw a few other forums doing this (Sixers and Rockets) and I thought it would be a cool idea since there isn't much to discuss until the draft and season come around. Here is what you do. I will post a question a question starting with What if... and the person who posts next will answer the question in detail and post another question at the end of their post. I will start it off, What if the Magic never traded Tracy McGrady, Juwan Howard, Reece Gaines and Tyronne Lue to the Rockets for Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley and Kelvin Cato?
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">What if the Magic never traded Tracy McGrady, Juwan Howard, Reece Gaines and Tyronne Lue to the Rockets for Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley and Kelvin Cato?</div> I don't think that they would have made the playoffs. Steve Francis comes with too much baggage and probably would have ended up being a distraction in some way or another (although I know Trip is going to disagree). It was a risky trade because they weren't getting a legit Point Guard in return, but Bob Sura and Mike James turned out to be great at running the point. What if the Rockets drafted Latrell Sprewell instead of Robert Horry in 1992?
Hm, Voodoo you're in the Orlando Magic Forum, not in the Houston Rockets? I know that thedude already answered it, but I think you could expand it slightly and I kind of disagree with him. I really think T-Mac would've liked this team and would've improved his attitude and would've tried to do the best, just forgetting the dreadful season before. Maybe management didn't do enough player aquiring wise during the offseason, but I think T-Mac would've been impressed by how good Dwight is and what potential he has. We still wouldn't have had a decent C or a starting material PG at the start of the season, this could've been an advantage for Nelson, maybe he could've started right from the beginning and Lue backing him up and Hill taking over PG duties from time to time. Dwight would've have gotten much more involved offensively, since there wouldn't be a duo of Cuttino and Mobley taking about 40% of the shots. Maybe, at the end of the season, we still wouldn't have made the playoffs, but I think, with a few more moves, this team would be better than our current roster. What if we never traded Webber for Penny and three first round draft picks?
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Hm, Voodoo you're in the Orlando Magic Forum, not in the Houston Rockets?</div> Ah, that explains a few things. The Houst Rockets banner at the bottom of the forum threw me off, as well as the fact that there is the same thread in the Rockets forum.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Voodoo Child:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't think that they would have made the playoffs. Steve Francis comes with too much baggage and probably would have ended up being a distraction in some way or another (although I know Trip is going to disagree). It was a risky trade because they weren't getting a legit Point Guard in return, but Bob Sura and Mike James turned out to be great at running the point. What if the Rockets drafted Latrell Sprewell instead of Robert Horry in 1992?</div> What are you talking about? Francis is the best player in the league and could probably get to the playoffs by himself. How dare you say that Houston wouldn't have made the playoffs? If Houston never drafted Horry, they might not have won a title at all. Cassell and Horry's clutch plays were instrumental to their two titles. Back on topic. What if The Magic had trade McGrady in a package deal for Shawn Marion and Joe Johnson?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Coranor:</div><div class="quote_post">What if we never traded Webber for Penny and three first round draft picks?</div> I think we would have had a hole at the PG position and the team wouldn't have been as good. Penny and Shaq took us to the Finals and were a great duo for a few years. They put up similar stats when they were in their primes but Penny was better for our offense because he averaged about 8 APG. That helped Shaq get better and become one of the best players in the league. What if the Magic never traded Cuttino Mobley for Doug Christie? Would the Magic have made the playoffs?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post">What if The Magic had trade McGrady in a package deal for Shawn Marion and Joe Johnson?</div> Magic Lineup After Suns-Magic trade PG- Jameer Nelson/ Tyronne Lue SG- Joe Johnson/ Deshawn Stevenson SF- Shawn Marion/ Grant Hill PF- Dwight Howard/ Juwan Howard C- Tony Battie/ Andrew DeClerq I don't think this lineup would have been better because we would have one of our better players, Grant Hill, on the bench we might not have made some trades or signings that we made (Battie, Nelson, Hedo). I think I like the lineup we had last year better. Also, we would have given the Suns a great lineup of Nash, McGrady, Richardson, Amare and Jake Voshkul. Other then the C position they would be stacked and probably would be in the Finals right now. What if the Magic didn't trade Cuttino for Doug? Would we have made the playoffs?
I think so. That rattled everyone on the team, especially Francis and Cato. Also, we lost 16 points per game from him. What if Hedo and Grant hadn't gotten injured during the stretch run?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting MagicFan3:</div><div class="quote_post">What if Hedo and Grant hadn't gotten injured during the stretch run?</div> I think the Magic would have won a few more games but I don't think they would have made the playoffs. The Nets and Cavs were both ahead of us by a few games and were playing strong. The Nets went on some crazy winning streak and I think it would be have been very hard for us to catch up the them and Cleveland. What if the Magic never drafted Dwight Howard and picked Emeka Okafor instead?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting MainMan:</div><div class="quote_post">what if they never changed the arena to the td waterhouse centre and left it as the Orena</div> You have to answer the question I said first. What if the Magic never drafted Dwight Howard and picked Emeka Okafor instead?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Swish15:</div><div class="quote_post">You have to answer the question I said first. What if the Magic never drafted Dwight Howard and picked Emeka Okafor instead?</div> If we drafted Okafor the T-mac Trade might never have happened (although it's still likely) and if it did we probably would have been almost an identical team, perhaps slightly better this year but i don't think as good for years to come. What if we traded Steve Francis for Bibby instead of Mobley for Christie
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TheGreatK-Bob:</div><div class="quote_post">If we drafted Okafor the T-mac Trade might never have happened (although it's still likely) and if it did we probably would have been almost an identical team, perhaps slightly better this year but i don't think as good for years to come. What if we traded Steve Francis for Bibby instead of Mobley for Christie</div> I think we would have been a great team with Bibby, Mobley, Hill, Dwight and Battie. Bibby would give us another three point shooter in the starting lineup and would give us a great scorer to play with Hill and Mobley. I think we would have scored like the Kings but would have had better defense with Dwight and Tony down low. I think we would have made the playoffs and been a good team. I doubt we would have got past the Heat in the first round but we still would have made the playoffs. BTW, Now that I think about it, making the first round and getting knocked out in the first round is worse then not making it at all since you won't get a lottery pick. Just a way to look at it. What if the Magic never traded a future first rounder to the Nuggets for Jameer Nelson?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Swish15:</div><div class="quote_post">What if the Magic never traded a future first rounder to the Nuggets for Jameer Nelson?</div> we'd lost more games than we had...more turnovers I guess. Dwight might not play so well (Nelson set him up loads of great play and this pair of rookies work well). Christie + Francis in the backcourt What if Francis says HE WANTS TO BE TRADED next week???
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Devilz:</div><div class="quote_post">What if Francis says HE WANTS TO BE TRADED next week???</div> We would start shopping him right away. If it was before Tuesday that he announced that he wanted out I think we would see him being traded for players and picks. I'm assuming he would wait until after the draft since usually players get mad when they see the team going after their position in the draft (a SG in this case). I think we would see him shipped out for a power forward since Dwight is going to play center this year. Like I said in the other thread, I would like to see the Magic bring in Carlos Boozer for Francis since both teams would benefit and the salary cap isn't to far off. I think this would be a great addition to our team and would help us in the playoffs. What if the Magic did get Boozer? How would we do next year?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Swish15:</div><div class="quote_post">What if the Magic did get Boozer? How would we do next year?</div> Boozer sucked this year, due to injury. He will be another good addition to the team, in the paint, if he is 100% fit. Magic will make lots of defense plays, alley-oops next year, getting around .540%, making the playoff, Nelson will has great numbers in assists per game NEXT YEAR... one problem is, Cato + Boozer + Battie + Howard + Kasun, too many big men so, WHAT IF...this new GM is as stupid as the previous one, what will happen to the team?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Devilz:</div><div class="quote_post">Boozer sucked this year, due to injury. He will be another good addition to the team, in the paint, if he is 100% fit. Magic will make lots of defense plays, alley-oops next year, getting around .540%, making the playoff, Nelson will has great numbers in assists per game NEXT YEAR... one problem is, Cato + Boozer + Battie + Howard + Kasun, too many big men so, WHAT IF...this new GM is as stupid as the previous one, what will happen to the team? </div> Then we will swap lineups with the Hornets and trade away all of our young players. Seiously though, we would be screwed and be in the same boat as we were when we keep guys for a year and then ship them off before the we at their full potential. Hopefully we have learned from past mistakes and will be smarter when making trades. What if the Magic never hired Brian Hill and instead hired former Wolves coach, Flip Saunders? Would we be better off?
Probably not since he would have to much attention on him. I think Brian Hill is a good fit for the team and the city. We really need to bring back some old Magic to get this organization on track. I think a coach is a coach unless its Phil, Pop, or Brown. Everyone else is just a coach. When you think the last 6 teams to win were one of them. Could Saunders build howard into KG sure. But im sure howard can do that on his own. The BIG ONE... What If we never lost Shaq?
^ if we never lost Shaq, it's easy, Lakers wont win any championship but for the Magic, we'll win at least one, I think. next, a funny one: What if...the Magic change the owner and want to change a team name...into something like Orlando Mana, Orlando Karma etc??
