Hey Coranor I understand that it is the organization picked him and that fran as a human must do whats best for himself. The point I was making is dont make it seem like you want to play here and then backout so late. If he made this decision soon after the draft then the Magic could have made a stronger free agent push. I doubt it but atleast they could have. Fran put us in this situation more than the GM's, that what i was trying to get at.
Don't misunderstand me, I don't think our Co-GMs are too blame for everything. Fran handled the situation wrong as well but our GMs didn't talk to him before the draft and not much after it, they mainly talked with his US agent. Besides, there is rumour going on that they knew about the possibility of him not coming to Orlando three days prior to his final decision. All I say is, they should have done more research prior to drafting him (he wanted to join Real Madrid in January and was about to sign a 6 year deal without an NBA buy out clause, you don't think about something like this but his current team prevented this, not to talk of his contract situation which was completely new to them when they drafted him) and should have had at least one in depth interview with him where they also talked about those things. It's clear that his agents wouldn't have mentioned those things. And I'm now pretty sure there wasn't much communication between the two sides after the draft: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"Should we have sent someone to live with him following the draft? I don't know," Magic President Bob Vander Weide said Friday. "Right now, we need to build a relationship with this kid, extend an extra hand."</div> Source, Orlando Sentinel Vander Weide is talking about building a relationship, well this should've happened right after drafting him, if not already should've started before. As I know now, Twardzik saw him 8 times in Europe play but never really talked with him. If he had been interested in him and liked his play, I would've made sure that I start building a relationship then. Our two GMs are going to fly on Monday to Europe for a face to face talk with him and start building this relationship. I don't think this is enough, they should take a few people from the team with them, coach Hill, Grant Hill, Dwight, Hedo and Kasun are names that come to my mind who could help building this relationship and showing him how to overcome some of the concerns he mentioned (American way of life, not fulfilling the expectations) Okay, it's not like he's going to be our saviour but he is expected to play a major role even in his rookie season. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Best Kept Secret:</div><div class="quote_post">The Magic situation is unique however. Unlike the Spurs who could afford to wait on Ginobli, because he was a second round pick. Fran was a lottery pick, and the main reason for lotteries is to help teams get success right away. Also the Magic need to win not necessarily a championship, but playoffs hopefully second round or they might not be the Orlando Magic much longer when Fran finally does come over they might be the Kansas City Magic or something towards that nature. The future of this franchise depends on their success in the upcoming seasons.</div> That's what I don't understand. I would have drafted a local hero, an exciting player, someone with a little hype not someone who is totally unknown. In short, someone who could've drawn more attention and more audience.
We are going to Spain! <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Orlando Sentinel - Dave Twardzik and Otis Smith, co-assistant general managers of the Orlando Magic , are expected to leave for Spain on Monday morning, hoping for a face-to-face meeting and a possible change of heart with first-round draft pick Fran Vazquez. The Magic used the No. 11 pick in last month's NBA draft to select Vazquez, a 6-foot-10 power forward. They were confident they could sign him for this season. Vazquez was equally confident about joining the team when he visited Orlando the day following the draft, which he attended with the other top picks in New York. Vazquez, though, stunned the Magic and his American agent this week by telling reporters in Spain that he would play at least another season in Europe before joining the NBA. By drafting him, the Magic retain his NBA rights indefinitely. "Should we have sent someone to live with him following the draft? I don't know," Magic President Bob Vander Weide said Friday. "Right now, we need to build a relationship with this kid, extend an extra hand."</div> Source
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Swish15:</div><div class="quote_post">We are going to Spain!</div> See my post above yours. The problem is that it's not us but it sounds more like only Twardzik and Smith are going and I don't think they'll be enough to convince him or show him how much he is needed over here and that he shouldn't be worried about his concerns and what else. I think at least our coach and at least one other player (Hedo/Kasun as Europeans, Grant Hill as our team captain or Dwight Howard as someone who did the difficult jump from highschool to the NBA and had a lot of pressure on his shoulders, one of those would do) should join them and help to convince him.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Coranor:</div><div class="quote_post">See my post above yours. The problem is that it's not us but it sounds more like only Twardzik and Smith are going and I don't think they'll be enough to convince him or show him how much he is needed over here and that he shouldn't be worried about his concerns and what else. I think at least our coach and at least one other player (Hedo/Kasun as Europeans, Grant Hill as our team captain or Dwight Howard as someone who did the difficult jump from highschool to the NBA and had a lot of pressure on his shoulders, one of those would do) should join them and help to convince him.</div> Oops didn't see that. Yeah if we got players to go over there and show how much it would mean for him to come to Orlando would be great. I'm not sure what our GM's can say other then beg him to come back.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Lakers1:</div><div class="quote_post">That was the worst pick in nba Draft History since Darko was taken No.2....You guys had a solid draft last year..What happened?</div> Vazquez hasn't even played in the NBA yet, what the hell are you talking about? Have some patience, when he comes back, he should be very polished and make a quick impact right away. Plus, Dwight Howard is going to be a monster this year, play Kasun more minutes also.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Swish15:</div><div class="quote_post">Danny Granger is a small forward and Wayne Simien would have been way to high of a pick at #11. We would have been criticized even worse picking Simien. I heard on another forum that several Magic personnel will be flying to Spain on Monday to meet with Fran Vazquez. He hasn't signed a contract with Real Madrid so there is still a chance we can change his mind. </div> Oh yeah, sorry your right Granger is SF, but he was more of a power forward in college. But anyway if the Magic drafted Simien instead of Fran they would be getting something instead of nothing, which is always good.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TwinTowers:</div><div class="quote_post">Oh yeah, sorry your right Granger is SF, but he was more of a power forward in college. But anyway if the Magic drafted Simien instead of Fran they would be getting something instead of nothing, which is always good.</div> It's not like Fran Vazquez is never coming back. Most likey, he will return in a few years and play for us.
Wow. He didn't even go to Real Madrid. So Fran not only screwed us over, he screwed over Real Madrid as well. Nice guy... <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">In today, the Basketball Malaga S.A.D. and Akasvayu Girona has reached an agreement for the crossing of the player Fran V?zquez. Also, the Akasvayu communicates that it has reached an agreement with the mentioned player for next the four seasons. Both clubs show their satisfaction by the agreement alcanzado.El new player of the Akasvayu Girona showed the following thing: "I thank for to the Unicaja club and all its fans the treatment received during my stay in this wonderful city. I go with much illusion to a project of very serious future that is forming an equipment that in a short period of time I am convinced that he will be a great one in Liga ACB ".</div> Source It's official now. I guess it saves our two GM's some time now that we don't have to fly to Spain. What a classy guy, screwing over two teams that both thought he was coming to play for him. What a jerk. Oh and Akasvayu Girona signed him to a 4 year deal so by the time he comes over, if he does, he will be 26. Man this sucks.
After thinking about it, we are making a huge deal about the 11th pick. We havent even seen him play yet, he could turn out to be another steven hunter for all we know. Maybe it is better he goes gets minutes over there and work on his body. I think we have enough players that can play so we dont really need him. The positive side to this is that we dont have to worry about putting a rookie in and messing up and losing games. Atleast this way we can save some of the money and sign a free agent that didnt get drafted or anyone else. The glass is half-full, not half-empty.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting smokrockz:</div><div class="quote_post">After thinking about it, we are making a huge deal about the 11th pick. We havent even seen him play yet, he could turn out to be another steven hunter for all we know. Maybe it is better he goes gets minutes over there and work on his body. I think we have enough players that can play so we dont really need him. The positive side to this is that we dont have to worry about putting a rookie in and messing up and losing games. Atleast this way we can save some of the money and sign a free agent that didnt get drafted or anyone else. The glass is half-full, not half-empty.</div> I guess you can find positive things about nearly everything and you're right we're making a huge deal about this 11th pick and yet it's just the 11th. But there are several reasons for why: 1. This clearly shows that our GMs are not doing their job as they should do. 2. There were still decent projects available to pick. 3. We just wasted a pick, one more guy could've got a job/guaranteed contract in the NBA 4. The Magic need more community support in order to stay in Orlando. 5. The Orlando Magic as a team and Twardzik as a GM of the Golden State Warriors have a history of bad draft picks and bad management decisions, we are desperate for a better management. On a side note, management already starts to ease things: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"I'm still satisfied we picked a kid who will help us improve in the future," Vander Weide said. "He's a talent. I'm just dissatisfied he won't be in a Magic uniform tomorrow. . . . In the meantime, we will fill that spot, and people will like the team we put on the floor this season."</div> Source and more, read the whole thing. Even Orlando Sentinel helps them: No. 11 picks rarely help early
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Swish15:</div><div class="quote_post">It's not like Fran Vazquez is never coming back. Most likey, he will return in a few years and play for us.</div> Few years, since most 11th picks aren't drafted on potential we can't use the "p" word on this guy. The Magic were in the Lottery, right. So with a high Draft choice they want someone to come in and make an impact or at least somewhat of an impact ala Simien. Plus he probably won't be getting much better in Spain where he has been playing his whole life already.
Sports Commentary: Vazquez debacle a pain in Spain for Magic GMs <div class="quote_poster">Quoting smokrockz:</div><div class="quote_post">After thinking about it, we are making a huge deal about the 11th pick. We havent even seen him play yet, he could turn out to be another steven hunter for all we know. Maybe it is better he goes gets minutes over there and work on his body. I think we have enough players that can play so we dont really need him. The positive side to this is that we dont have to worry about putting a rookie in and messing up and losing games. Atleast this way we can save some of the money and sign a free agent that didnt get drafted or anyone else. The glass is half-full, not half-empty.</div> There's a comment on Orlando Sentinel about the failure of our two GMs which also suggests that they're not doing their job the way they should, here are some quotes: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Magic talked to Vazquez's coach and agents, who said the 19-year-old was gung-ho for the NBA. They talked to U.S. players in Europe, who said he was eager to cross the Atlantic. Apparently, there was only one guy they didn't talk to. At least not nearly enough.</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Lottery stakes are simply too high to let anything get lost in translation. Yet the Magic didn't insist on the usual pre-draft workouts/interviews.</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">All this again calls the Magic's competence into question, which is a question we'd hoped to avoid. This is a new front office. But the more things change, the more you wonder if there's something screwy in the Amway products at RDV.</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Whether it's bum luck or bad decisions (John Weisbrod would have drafted a Spanish hockey player), the tolerance for mistakes has worn pretty thin.</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The point is, Smith and Twardzik shouldn't even be having to make today's trip. And if this is a sign of things to come, the Magic will be better off if they don't come back.</div> Full Article
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The point is, Smith and Twardzik shouldn't even be having to make today's trip. And if this is a sign of things to come, the Magic will be better off if they don't come back.</div> That's very harsh but true. If our general managers can't even handle scouting a few players and being prepared for a draft then how can we trust them throughout the rest of the season. Since the Magic missed the playoffs, we had tons of time to look at prospects and workout players but we took a chance on an international guy we had never seen. A bad decision and lack of preperation ruined our draft.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TwinTowers:</div><div class="quote_post">Few years, since most 11th picks aren't drafted on potential we can't use the "p" word on this guy. The Magic were in the Lottery, right. So with a high Draft choice they want someone to come in and make an impact or at least somewhat of an impact ala Simien. Plus he probably won't be getting much better in Spain where he has been playing his whole life already.</div> So are you saying we should have taken Simien at 11, before we took Vazquez? The same Simien that fell to 29? The same Simien who wasn't even a top 5 prospect according to Vitale at the PF position, the same position that Vazquez was #1 in PF? Also give me one #11 pick that wasn't drafted on potential. At #11 there normally are NO SURE PICKS(just look at the draft history of the 11th pick). Why can't we use the p word? He has good potential. The more playing time you get the better you will be. Vazquez will be getting more playing time overseas then he would here, so why do you say he won't be getting much better in Spain? That was a weak explanation why he won't be getting better in Spain. So does that mean Sean May won't be getting much better here, because this is where he had been playing his whole life?
^^ Yes, that Simien. I'm saying that we should of taken Simien at 11, everyone is saying that he was a steal, so why wouldn't we taken him at that spot. Vitale doesn't know what he's talking about he is just famous because of his punch-lines and being loud. Trajon Langdon and Bonzi Wells weren't drafted on potential. Vazquez did not have potential, all of the draft experts were saying about him "what you see is what you get". What point are trying to make by saying NO SURE PICKS. Sorry I didn't explain it enough. Vazquez is playing at the same level of competion he has been playing against for a while and May is playing at level with and against the best players in the world.
He was a steal at 29, there's no way he would have been picked top 20. That's really dumb that we would pick him that early. I was probably the person that was the most against picking Warrick and May at our spot, but I would have picked them WAY before I picked Simien. I think he will be a solid pro, but picking him over Vazquez would have been dumb at the time. Would you say Dwight Howard was drafted based on potential? Every single pick is based on potential. If they knew that what Langdon brought then was all they were gonna get the Cavs wouldn't have taken him in the 2nd, much less the first in the lottery. They were expecting Langdon's potential to be higher than his actual skills which is why they took the chance on him. Basically my point of the no sure picks thing is that you are acting like all the guys you mentioned are sure picks. Even Bogut was drafted based on potential to be great, who knows he could be the biggest bust in this draft. Just think of the Kandi man and Joe Smith, both #1 picks.
