<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Marcus Fizer, the fourth pick in the 2000 NBA Draft, and Corie Blount, who didn't play at all last season because of bone spurs in his ankle, are among the players the Magic are hoping to add to their roster before the start of training camp Oct. 4 in Jacksonville. Assistant general manager Otis Smith said the Magic would like to have a 20-man roster when camp begins. They currently have 13 players with guaranteed contracts. Fizer -- who had a 30-point, 20-rebound game against the Magic in 2004 while with the Chicago Bulls -- was most recently with the Milwaukee Bucks. Blount, who will turn 37 in January, and John Thomas, who played in 44 games with the Minnesota Timberwolves last season, were mentioned by Smith as potential additional big men the Magic might invite. Although Smith called a report that the Magic have extended a non-guaranteed offer to guard Felipe Lopez "a little premature at this point," he didn't rule out the oft-injured guard's chances of providing some depth behind Jameer Nelson. "I think he would be a good camp guy," he said.</div> Source Very interesting. We want to add seven players before camp starts. I doubt any big names will be added but hopefully we can get some nice role players in here so they can compete for backup roles. I wouldn't mind adding Fizer because he could be a nice backup. I'm not to crazy about Coris Blount just because of his age. We already have a couple veteren big men so there is no reason to add another one to our roster.
The interesting thing that I see is the Felipe Lopez part about adding depth behind Jameer Nelson. Does that mean Nelson is starting and Francis/Dooling will be used as SG's?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting GatorsowntheSEC:</div><div class="quote_post">The interesting thing that I see is the Felipe Lopez part about adding depth behind Jameer Nelson. Does that mean Nelson is starting and Francis/Dooling will be used as SG's?</div> Yeah I also found that interesting. It could be some clue of what the Magic plan on doing next season or just a clueless writer. I'm hoping we keep Keyon Dooling at the point guard position since having one undersized shooting guard (Steve Francis) is bad enough.
I think adding Fizer would be a nice move, anytime you can get size that can score its a good thing. This would give another rebounder to go along with howard. Strength is going to be key for us in the front court now that the east is deeper than ever. We need to be able to battle down low. With another year on dwights belt we should be pretty solid if we can get Fizer.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting GatorsowntheSEC:</div><div class="quote_post">The interesting thing that I see is the Felipe Lopez part about adding depth behind Jameer Nelson. Does that mean Nelson is starting and Francis/Dooling will be used as SG's?</div> Couldn't the Magic just be adding more depth by means of a third string point guard. Lopez can't be any more than that. Fizer can be a good addition depending on his determination. He's a tough and athletic player, albeit undersized, and he might flourish playing in an uptempo offense with Francis and Nelson. Blount, meanwhile, doesn't have anything left in the tank. I saw him two seasons ago with Toronto and he already looked bad then, so I doubt that a few years after that he'd be anything. IR player at best.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post">Couldn't the Magic just be adding more depth by means of a third string point guard. Lopez can't be any more than that. Fizer can be a good addition depending on his determination. He's a tough and athletic player, albeit undersized, and he might flourish playing in an uptempo offense with Francis and Nelson. Blount, meanwhile, doesn't have anything left in the tank. I saw him two seasons ago with Toronto and he already looked bad then, so I doubt that a few years after that he'd be anything. IR player at best.</div> Yeah, but it would say Nelson/Dooling or Nelson/Francis rather than behind Nelson. It sounds like Nelson officially has the spot.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting GatorsowntheSEC:</div><div class="quote_post">Yeah, but it would say Nelson/Dooling or Nelson/Francis rather than behind Nelson. It sounds like Nelson officially has the spot.</div> Gators, I know ur worried about size and that's understandable but I think our defense won't be te problem, Deshawn will still get minutes. I think if Jameer gets the starting spot insteada jerking im around it's much more of a commitment to the future, insteada slightly above mediocriy this year and continued mediocrety for a while to come. We'll see what happens. whatever, I'm willing to say the future is bright, cause the future is Dwight!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TheGreatK-Bob:</div><div class="quote_post">Gators, I know ur worried about size and that's understandable but I think our defense won't be te problem, Deshawn will still get minutes. I think if Jameer gets the starting spot insteada jerking im around it's much more of a commitment to the future, insteada slightly above mediocriy this year and continued mediocrety for a while to come. We'll see what happens. whatever, I'm willing to say the future is bright, cause the future is Dwight!</div> Naw, I wasn't complaining about him starting. I was just trying to see if they had named a starter, I hadn't heard anything yet about naming one officially. I just thought it was kinda odd that they said we needed more depth a PG, when we have 3(maybe 4 with Diener) capable guys to run the point and Hill could even run it for a couple mins a game if needed. I also thought it was odd that only Jameer's name was mentioned, since all I've heard was that Jameer/Dooling were gonna duke it out for the spot. I was just wondering if they made it official that Jameer is starting and Dooling/Francis will be the SG's. It's not that I'm worried about Jameer's size or D, I know he can play. It's just he won't be able to guard the SG's and I know Francis won't be able to guard most of them. I just think that it will kill our D to have both them in together for 20 mins a game. Who knows though. I will respect our decision regardless and pray that it works out, no matter which way happens. Don't get me wrong, you probably think I hate Jameer. I like Jameer, he is a fun player to watch and will be a good player and will be in the league for a long time, but I just don't see where he fits in with our organization and I would rather try to trade him for a SG now, while his value is high(he could pull a Drew Gooden and get 0 value after next year), because I honestly don't see him resigning with us as long as Francis is still on the team and I think Francis is gonna be a Magic for a long time. I just don't think it's fair to Jameer when he has all that talent to be a career benchwarmer. I would rather get a good player in return for Jameer then let him walk, like Shaq and some of the others.
I think we will have to see how they play together, size is a big issue but at the same time if we played good team defense that will work itself out. Miss matches will always occur in the NBA, its a matter of what the pros and cons are. If jameer is just gettin torched because of size then yea we will have a problem. If we can play to the individual strengthens of each player on offense and play decent defense we should be able to play both francis and nelson for a good amount of mins. I think we have a solid squad that if they play as team on both sides of the ball they will be able to do good this season.
I always liked Marcus Fizer although he never lived up to his draft day selection he is a slightly above average player. Make no mistake about it he may not average 18 points a game, but if he is hot he can very well hit a short range jumper, and crash the boards, filling up the statistic sheet. Is he a good fit for Orlando? I believe he is the best fit of all the free agents mentioned. Should he surprise the team, and perform well in training camp lets say earn himself a starting spot it would allow us the versatility to move Howard to center and start Fizer at power forward, while at the same time keeping that offensive spark (Hedo) as the sixth man. I am not crazy about Lopez he is just a player who?s career has been whittled with injuries, and I think the Magic have had enough problems with players like that in the past notables being Hill, Christie, Cato, etc. If were that concerned that we need yet another point guard to add to the rotation Jay Williams is still on the market. Though he is not the tallest point guard he is the highest talent level left on the market at that spot. In my opinion the Magic missed their shot to get the big guard that can play both slots when they did not make a play for Mckie, nor Anderson those where the two players who could have addressed that need. At this point in the free agent market with such little talent left I would look to sign a player with talent if I have a roster opening. He may surprise you.
Gators, I think your right, Jameer and Francis can't stay together in the long run because they're both starters. I think the Magic were gonna make a choice between them, I'm just really not sure who they choose.
whoa, I like the possibility of Orlando adding Blount and Fizer..both have height and can rebound...Blount is a nice defender and Fizer can score inside...I think the Magic should have Nelson and Diener at the point and have Francis and Dooling at the 2...thats some superior quickness and athleticism in the backcourt...and plus u have shotblockers available in cato and Battie...
