<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">While Tony Battie's re-signing with the Magic might not have enthralled the masses, it did tip the club's hand in the 2007 free-agent derby. They're in position to go after a superstar. And there's really only one lead horse in the race. The prize: LeBron James. Battie agreed to take a pay cut in '07 so the Magic could have cap room to pursue a maximum-salaried free agent. The vault flies open with Grant Hill's expiring contract coming off the books as well. James will tip his own hand this summer as a restricted free agent. If he doesn't sign an extension with the Cleveland Cavaliers, it means he has decided to shop around. And Cavs Nation will be in a panic. Should he become available, the Magic will take their shot at recruiting him, dreaming of pairing LeBron with Dwight Howard. The odds against James leaving his native Ohio and signing for less somewhere else -- the Cavs can offer him the most money -- are huge. Although the Magic did come close to luring Tim Duncan in 2000, they shouldn't waste too much energy on James. They should turn their attention instead to rising forward Chris Bosh. Out of all the free agents who could be available in '07 from the draft class of '03 -- James, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony -- Bosh would seem to be the most attainable. He plays in Toronto. Enough said. Nothing against Toronto. Lovely city . . . for hockey. Bosh is 6 feet 11, with terrific small-forward skills and would be the perfect complement to the hammer that is Howard. Orlando could boast three of the best young big men in the league: Howard, Darko Milicic and Bosh. Of course, Orlando's previous plans to bring aboard stars (see Hill and Tracy McGrady) haven't worked out. Maybe they should target a player on the next rung and try to capture some Detroit Pistons chemistry. Restricted free agents are almost impossible to pry away from their teams. Some of the others are Chicago Bulls point guard Kurt Hinrich, Milwaukee Bucks point guard T.J. Ford, Dallas Mavericks forward Josh Howard and Phoenix Suns forward Boris Diaw. The list of attractive unrestricted free agents is short -- and hardly jaw-dropping. There's New Orleans Hornets forward Desmond Mason, Raptors guard Mike James, Milwaukee Bucks forward Jamaal Magloire and Mavs forward Jerry Stackhouse, to name a few. With little cap room as they gear up for '07, the Magic aren't expected to open their wallets for free agents this summer. They might only use a portion of their mid-level exception, which can start at about $5 million to $6 million. The club will look for shooting guards and/or small forwards. Al Harrington will most likely command more than the mid-level, leaving Bonzi Wells, Tim Thomas, Rasual Butler and Matt Harpring as names on the market.</div> Source
That would be so cool. I don't think it's going to happen though. Just think about D12 and LeBron together. That's like an instant Championship
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">He plays in Toronto. Enough said. Nothing against Toronto. Lovely city . . . for hockey.</div> There's no denying Brian Schmitz's superior logic.
I wouldn't like to see Bosh in Orlando cause Orlando is set at PF and C for the future (Darko and Dwight) unless they move Bosh or Darko to SF.I think none of those 3 guys would like to come off the bench in 2007
I think the most likely is Dwayne Wade to be honest with you. He's used to Florida and Shaq wants to own part of the Magic. He might retire after next year and bring his buddy Wade with him. After saying that, I think we get 2 quality players rather than 1 superstar.
Wade to Orlando: Wont Happen 100% Bosh to Orlando: Wont happen 100% James to Orlando: Eventhough i would love to see James and Dwight Howard team-up, i really doubt it that this will happen. I think the cavs will try to keep Lebron even if they have to give him as much money possible. I would try to bring in either Paul Peirce or Vince Carter in 07 (with both of them becoming FAs)
The problem with orlando is its never been that an attractive city for stars, they've had shaquille o'neal, penny hardaway and tmac leave and what did they get in return for them?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Johnnybrasco:</div><div class="quote_post">The problem with orlando is its never been that an attractive city for stars, they've had shaquille o'neal, penny hardaway and tmac leave and what did they get in return for them?</div> Don't... say things that you don't know anything about. Orlando is one of the most attractive cities for stars.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Johnnybrasco:</div><div class="quote_post">The problem with orlando is its never been that an attractive city for stars, they've had shaquille o'neal, penny hardaway and tmac leave and what did they get in return for them?</div> LOL..Orlando is one of the top attractice cities for stars. Everyone wants to play in Florida..hell who wouldnt? btw i forgot to mention in my last post, that another possible player that the Magics can go after is Rashard Lewis.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting PlaTsanity:</div><div class="quote_post">LOL..Orlando is one of the top attractice cities for stars. Everyone wants to play in Florida..hell who wouldnt? btw i forgot to mention in my last post, that another possible player that the Magics can go after is Rashard Lewis.</div> Trust me I live in Florida and there is a BIG difference between Miami and Orlando. I don't see any of them laning there because Miami will most likely sign Wade to a long term deal after this season and Shaq will probably play out his contract if possible.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The problem with orlando is its never been that an attractive city for stars, they've had shaquille o'neal, penny hardaway and tmac leave and what did they get in return for them?</div> I usually don't post in the Magic forum, but i felt compelled to reply. Check yourself, Orlando is one of the most attractive cities from in the US. From amusement parks and entertainment, to low-priced housing, and the obviously beautiful weather, Orlando is a place any player would like to live. The reason past superstars left were not because of city and even then, the management isn't half-bad nowadays. But with that said, i dont believe ORL will land any big-name stars like Bosh, Wade or James.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting authentiq:</div><div class="quote_post">I usually don't post in the Magic forum, but i felt compelled to reply. Check yourself, Orlando is one of the most attractive cities from in the US. From amusement parks and entertainment, to low-priced housing, and the obviously beautiful weather, Orlando is a place any player would like to live. The reason past superstars left were not because of city and even then, the management isn't half-bad nowadays. But with that said, i dont believe ORL will land any big-name stars like Bosh, Wade or James.</div> Just to add, no state income tax is a nice perk as well.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting authentiq:</div><div class="quote_post">I usually don't post in the Magic forum, but i felt compelled to reply. Check yourself, Orlando is one of the most attractive cities from in the US. From amusement parks and entertainment, to low-priced housing, and the obviously beautiful weather, Orlando is a place any player would like to live. The reason past superstars left were not because of city and even then, the management isn't half-bad nowadays.</div> I get pissed off at similar arguments about Toronto too. They just don't make sense, and usually come from people who have no knowledge of the city. Weak assumptions.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting authentiq:</div><div class="quote_post">I usually don't post in the Magic forum, but i felt compelled to reply. Check yourself, Orlando is one of the most attractive cities from in the US. From amusement parks and entertainment, to low-priced housing, and the obviously beautiful weather, Orlando is a place any player would like to live. The reason past superstars left were not because of city and even then, the management isn't half-bad nowadays. But with that said, i dont believe ORL will land any big-name stars like Bosh, Wade or James.</div> Here is a list of former Magic players who still have homes here: 1) Shaq 2) T-Mac 3) Steve Francis 4) Drew Gooden 5) Darrell Armstrong 6) Troy Hudson Even when they don't stay with the team, they stay with the city. Players really seem to dig this city.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting authentiq:</div><div class="quote_post">I usually don't post in the Magic forum, but i felt compelled to reply. Check yourself, Orlando is one of the most attractive cities from in the US. From amusement parks and entertainment, to low-priced housing, and the obviously beautiful weather, Orlando is a place any player would like to live. The reason past superstars left were not because of city and even then, the management isn't half-bad nowadays. But with that said, i dont believe ORL will land any big-name stars like Bosh, Wade or James.</div> I didn't mean it like that, what i meant to say is orlando has a bad track record with big names stars like i listed earlier. they've let go alot of big name guys with little in return.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Johnnybrasco:</div><div class="quote_post">I didn't mean it like that, what i meant to say is orlando has a bad track record with big names stars like i listed earlier. they've let go alot of big name guys with little in return.</div> It's a completely different group of people running the team now, too. Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson just extended their deals. I think it's a strong indicator for the franchise taking a step in the wrong direction by locking up those two this early.
Well, of course LeBron coming to Orlando would be a dream come true but I don't think it'll happen. Our lineup would be: PG - Jameer Nelson SG - Draft Pick SF - LeBron James PF - Dwight Howard C - Darko Milicic That's an extremely talented, young team. It looks like that team could get deep in the playoffs and contend for a title.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Orlandoman:</div><div class="quote_post">Well, of course LeBron coming to Orlando would be a dream come true but I don't think it'll happen. Our lineup would be: PG - Jameer Nelson SG - Draft Pick SF - LeBron James PF - Dwight Howard C - Darko Milicic That's an extremely talented, young team. It looks like that team could get deep in the playoffs and contend for a title.</div> If this lineup really happens, they would be like the 70's Pistons. Undefeatable.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Orlandoman:</div><div class="quote_post">Well, of course LeBron coming to Orlando would be a dream come true but I don't think it'll happen. Our lineup would be: PG - Jameer Nelson SG - Draft Pick SF - LeBron James PF - Dwight Howard C - Darko Milicic That's an extremely talented, young team. It looks like that team could get deep in the playoffs and contend for a title.</div> draft pick RULES
