Come back to Detroit Darko. Seriously, come back, lol. We need a young big man, and he'll finally see minutes. We just probably wont have enough to sign him though.
Until Otis makes some sort of move to acquire a legit frontcourt partner for Dwight, this is a lateral move IMO.
Great signing by the Magic, but wow you guys are really overrating Darko to the point where it's making me sick. There's no way someone that averaged 8 points and 5 boards a game should even be considered to get $8 million or $9 million. Do not overpay Darko, all that is going to happen is that you are going to look back in 5 years and just feel that he's making like $12 million too much. Did I mention he is one of the biggest busts in recent memory? We're talking about the same Darko, right?
<div class="quote_poster">C.K. Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Great signing by the Magic, but wow you guys are really overrating Darko to the point where it's making me sick. There's no way someone that averaged 8 points and 5 boards a game should even be considered to get $8 million or $9 million. Do not overpay Darko, all that is going to happen is that you are going to look back in 5 years and just feel that he's making like $12 million too much. Did I mention he is one of the biggest busts in recent memory? We're talking about the same Darko, right?</div> You'd have to actively watch him like many Magic fans. He was often benched and/or not given time by Brian Hill, and he is the perfect compliment to Dwight. You also have to take into account that Darko was doing the BEST against Detroit in the playoff series. When given time, he can and will produce, especially alongside Dwight. I remember when Darko finally got time because Battie went down with an injury. I think it was against Portland; he made Randolph looks like a fool. It was like watching a fat kid try to run after a Krispy Kreme donught. Darko was torching him. It was also the day he got career highs IIRC.
Fran Vazquez isn't coming to Orlando next year. There was a report that he was going to but days later there was another report saying that he is going to finish out his contract overseas before even thinking about coming to the NBA. About this signing, I really like that we brought a top notch free agent in. We finally have our scorer next to Dwight. Rashard can take you inside and out and he stretches the defense with his shot. He is going to help Dwight Howard a lot and I'm really excited about bringing him in. He can be our go to guy and we don't have to watch Jameer attempt all of our game winning shots anymore. I think Otis knows what he's doing and he'll work out of a sign and trade or bring in a replacement for Darko. It's not like we have no big men (like New Jersey). We still have a young dominant big in Dwight and while I'll miss Darko, there's nothing we can really do about it.
<div class="quote_poster">C.K. Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Great signing by the Magic, but wow you guys are really overrating Darko to the point where it's making me sick. There's no way someone that averaged 8 points and 5 boards a game should even be considered to get $8 million or $9 million. Do not overpay Darko, all that is going to happen is that you are going to look back in 5 years and just feel that he's making like $12 million too much. Did I mention he is one of the biggest busts in recent memory? We're talking about the same Darko, right?</div> Here are some reasons why Magic fans overrated Darko(and I admit I overrate him) 1) Brian Cardinal is making 6 mil a year to get 4 and 2 a game and not even play in most games. Are you saying he's not even worth that much? We were paying Kelvin Cato 8 mil a year to be a stiff. Big men's salaries are always overinflated. 2) Darko was our most consistent player in the playoffs. He was the only player to score double digits in all 4 games. Dwight Howard couldn't do it, Hedo TUrkoglu couldn't do it, Jameer Nelson couldn't do it, Neither could Grant Hill. Not only that but he was playing very well on defense and getting stronger on the glass. 3) I keep saying it, but don't back it up with stats, here are Darko and Dwight's stats in games that Darko starts alongside Dwight. Tony Battie went down and missed from February 7th to March 12th. <u>Darko Milicic's stats</u> 16 games, 502 minutes(31.375 a game), 157 points(9.8 a game), 113 boards (7.06 a game), 34 blocks(2.1 a game) on 63-148 (42%). Keep in mind that this is basically the first chance that Darko has ever gotten in the NBA. <u>Dwight Howard's stats</u> 16 games, 570 minutes(35.6 a game), 313 points(19.56 a game), 187 boards(11.687 a game), 33 blocks(2.06 a game) on 117-180(65%). You look at that and say not too much of an improvement, but you look at Dwight Howard's game log in that span and the span immediately following Battie getting reinserted into the starting lineup and this is what you find.... Dwight Howard put up over 20 points in 10 out of the 16 games, including over 25 in 6 of those. In the 17 games that follow to end the season, Dwight put up over 20 in only 3. All 3 were over 30 points. Dwight had 16 other games over 20 points the rest of the year in the first 49 games with Tony Battie starting. So out of the 66 games that Tony Battie started, Dwight scored over 20 points only 19 times. While he scored over 20 10 out of the 16 games that Darko started. Do you think that was just coincidence? 4) Darko is 22 years old. He's 7 foot with very good defensive skills, a good mid range jump shot, and good passing ability for a guy of his size. 5) If we let him walk for free then we basically traded the 15th pick in this draft for Carlos Arroyo. 6) Look at the past players that the Magic have either traded or let walk and then you will realize why Magic fans don't want to see them lose another promising young player like Darko again. Shaq, Chauncey Billups, Ben Wallace, Corey Maggette, Tmac, Drew Gooden, and Mike Miller to name a few. 7) Tony Battie would have to start again and we wouldn't have any depth at big man what so ever. Pat Garrity would then be our backup PF/C. Worst part about it is that we wouldn't have any more cap room what so ever to go after another PF/C for higher than the minimum.
This is a really good signing by the Magic. Howard needs someone that can shoot. This will only open up the lane for him. Now all Orlando needs a PG and they will be a force in the east
<div class="quote_poster">GatorsowntheNCAA Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Here are some reasons why Magic fans overrated Darko(and I admit I overrate him) 1) Brian Cardinal is making 6 mil a year to get 4 and 2 a game and not even play in most games. Are you saying he's not even worth that much? We were paying Kelvin Cato 8 mil a year to be a stiff. Big men's salaries are always overinflated. 2) Darko was our most consistent player in the playoffs. He was the only player to score double digits in all 4 games. Dwight Howard couldn't do it, Hedo TUrkoglu couldn't do it, Jameer Nelson couldn't do it, Neither could Grant Hill. Not only that but he was playing very well on defense and getting stronger on the glass. 3) I keep saying it, but don't back it up with stats, here are Darko and Dwight's stats in games that Darko starts alongside Dwight. Tony Battie went down and missed from February 7th to March 12th. <u>Darko Milicic's stats</u> 16 games, 502 minutes(31.375 a game), 157 points(9.8 a game), 113 boards (7.06 a game), 34 blocks(2.1 a game) on 63-148 (42%). Keep in mind that this is basically the first chance that Darko has ever gotten in the NBA. <u>Dwight Howard's stats</u> 16 games, 570 minutes(35.6 a game), 313 points(19.56 a game), 187 boards(11.687 a game), 33 blocks(2.06 a game) on 117-180(65%). You look at that and say not too much of an improvement, but you look at Dwight Howard's game log in that span and the span immediately following Battie getting reinserted into the starting lineup and this is what you find.... Dwight Howard put up over 20 points in 10 out of the 16 games, including over 25 in 6 of those. In the 17 games that follow to end the season, Dwight put up over 20 in only 3. All 3 were over 30 points. Dwight had 16 other games over 20 points the rest of the year in the first 49 games with Tony Battie starting. So out of the 66 games that Tony Battie started, Dwight scored over 20 points only 19 times. While he scored over 20 10 out of the 16 games that Darko started. Do you think that was just coincidence? 4) Darko is 22 years old. He's 7 foot with very good defensive skills, a good mid range jump shot, and good passing ability for a guy of his size. 5) If we let him walk for free then we basically traded the 15th pick in this draft for Carlos Arroyo. 6) Look at the past players that the Magic have either traded or let walk and then you will realize why Magic fans don't want to see them lose another promising young player like Darko again. Shaq, Chauncey Billups, Ben Wallace, Corey Maggette, Tmac, Drew Gooden, and Mike Miller to name a few. 7) Tony Battie would have to start again and we wouldn't have any depth at big man what so ever. Pat Garrity would then be our backup PF/C. Worst part about it is that we wouldn't have any more cap room what so ever to go after another PF/C for higher than the minimum.</div> That's all fine and dandy, but don't be fooled by the playoff contract push. Darko has no fire and is only in the NBA for the fame and money. Howard kills himself every night to win. Darko could care less as long as he gets paid. Don't get me wrong the kid as skills, but I'd rather have the raw talent and win at all cost attitude of a Howard then a 5 tool guy with no passion in Darko
<div class="quote_poster">Cdub100 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">That's all fine and dandy, but don't be fooled by the playoff contract push. Darko has no fire and is only in the NBA for the fame and money. Howard kills himself every night to win. Darko could care less as long as he gets paid.</div> You're going on an assumption with no foundation. Everytime Darko has gotten significant minutes, regardless of contract, he has produced. He was barely utilized in Detroit, and Brian Hill is a dolt for bringing him off the bench without even running many sets for him.
Getting Lewis is good for any team. He is a solid player and will score no matter what. He takes the place if Grant Hill, which is great because Lewis is younger, more athletic, a netter ball player, gets more board and dimes. So it upgrades them for sure. No matter what stats you thorugh at me about Darko, to be he is nothing compared to his draft class. You can say he never got the time or whatever, he will still never be like Bosh, LeBron, Wade, Carmelo, Hinrich and so on. Even Josh Howard is better and he was the last pick in the 1st round in that draft. So to me Darko = Bust.
<div class="quote_poster">GatorsowntheNCAA Wrote</div><div class="quote_post"> btw, how did Milwaukee get on this list? We were better than them last year and us adding Shard will make more of an impact in them adding Yi and they likely will lose a more productive player last year in Mo Williams then Darko was for us. I still think something else has to happen and I'm going to refrain from making anymore comments about how we stack up, but I could see us jumping Milwaukee, Washington, and New Jersey depending on our next move. Not to mention that with Detroit seemingly actively shopping Rip Hamilton, does that mean that Detroit's done being a top team?</div> Milwaukee is a better team, however they were just decimated with injuries last year. No doubt they are a playoff team. Michael Redd only played 53 games, Charlie didn't even play 40 I don't think, Bobby Simmons sat out the whole year. I don't think Orlando can jump over NJ either who gets Krsitic back from injury and returns Jefferson as well. Detroit can probably still be a top team if they lose Rip because Rodney Stuckey will probably give them some sort of production. Not enough to fully cover the loss, but he'll hold his own. Amir Johnson will probably start to get more minutes as well and he is a real good looking guy at the power position. If they lose both Rip and Chauncy, though, then they will fall. Washington will probably stay in the position they are at keeping Caron, Gilbert, and Jamison. Really with all the injurie plagued team last year in the East (and the amazing fall of Indiana) Orlando just plain got lucky to get into the position they got into. Unless everyone is injured again (which can happen) then I think they are on the outside looking in.
<div class="quote_poster">Master Shake Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Getting Lewis is good for any team. He is a solid player and will score no matter what. He takes the place if Grant Hill, which is great because Lewis is younger, more athletic, a netter ball player, gets more board and dimes. So it upgrades them for sure. No matter what stats you thorugh at me about Darko, to be he is nothing compared to his draft class. You can say he never got the time or whatever, he will still never be like Bosh, LeBron, Wade, Carmelo, Hinrich and so on. Even Josh Howard is better and he was the last pick in the 1st round in that draft. So to me Darko = Bust.</div> No one is saying that he's better than any of the players in his draft class(other than Reece Gaines! Go Magic drafting! ) Magic fans realize that he will never be that good, but really what does that have to do with the Magic though? The Magic didn't draft him at #2 overall. The Magic traded the 15th pick in this years draft for him. You can say he's a bust and I won't disagree with you, but the Magic got him for relatively cheap. I would certainly say that he is worth Rodney Stuckey right now at this stage of their careers and that's what Magic fans compare him to.... Rodney Stuckey and Kelvin Cato.
<div class="quote_poster">sunsfan1357 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Milwaukee is a better team, however they were just decimated with injuries last year. No doubt they are a playoff team. Michael Redd only played 53 games, Charlie didn't even play 40 I don't think, Bobby Simmons sat out the whole year. I don't think Orlando can jump over NJ either who gets Krsitic back from injury and returns Jefferson as well.</div> Milwaukee is a good team when healthy I'm not questioning that. I'm not sold on Bobby Simmons yet, but I do like Charlie V who always torches the Magic. The duo of Dwight/Shard is better than the duo of Bogut/Redd. I'm also assuming that Milwaukee also loses at least 2 out of their 3 PG's that are FA's right now. I just think they have too many questions right now to be put ahead of the Magic, but again this is probably better to discuss once the rosters are pretty much final, there are still a lot of things that can happen in FA. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Detroit can probably still be a top team if they lose Rip because Rodney Stuckey will probably give them some sort of production. Not enough to fully cover the loss, but he'll hold his own. Amir Johnson will probably start to get more minutes as well and he is a real good looking guy at the power position. If they lose both Rip and Chauncy, though, then they will fall. Washington will probably stay in the position they are at keeping Caron, Gilbert, and Jamison.</div> I didn't see enough of Stuckey to really put a good judgment on him, but if they lose Rip I don't see them being at the top level that they were. I think it's too much to have to depend on Stuckey to make an immediate impact. I think they'd drop to a bottom half of the playoffs team that if they get an injury or 2 they could drop out of the playoffs entirely. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Really with all the injurie plagued team last year in the East (and the amazing fall of Indiana) Orlando just plain got lucky to get into the position they got into. Unless everyone is injured again (which can happen) then I think they are on the outside looking in.</div> Magic have upgraded a lot just on coaching alone, Brian Hill was AWFUL. Then if you add another potential all-star player to the development of Dwight I don't see why we would really miss the playoffs with 2 all-stars and a young core of role players around them. The East will be much more dangerous this year. This is really the only time that I can look at nearly every team in the East and think that they can legitimately make the playoffs. The bottom feeders from this year... Milwaukee(already touched on that injury wise), Boston, Charlotte, Atlanta, and New York have all improved a lot. Indiana and Philadelphia are 2 question marks, but Indiana still has JO(for now) and Granger and Philly was red hot at the end of last year. This should be a fun season!
Magic and Sonics Working out Sign and Trade <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Rashard Lewis agreed to a "maximum contract" with the Magic, his agent Tony Dutt said Tuesday. Lewis made the decision late Monday night after meeting with Magic officials in Orlando. "He had a comfort and a gut feeling and he feels they have a championship core, and that's what he wants to do is win a championship," Dutt said. The terms of the deal are still being worked out. He's expected to receive a deal in the range of $15 million per season. The Magic wouldn't comment Tuesday, citing league rules that an agreement cannot be announced until July 11. Orlando can only sign Lewis to a five-year contract, while Seattle could sign Lewis to a six-year deal. Dutt said the Magic and Seattle are in discussions about a sign-and-trade deal that would give Lewis that sixth-year, help Orlando clear some salary and give Seattle something in return. "That he's going to Orlando doesn't change the fact that he had good years in Seattle," Dutt said. Lewis opted out of the final two years of his contract with Seattle in late May, leaving behind a guaranteed $21 million.</div> Source This would be awesome. I would be so happy if they work something out.
Sounds like Seattle is interested in talking to us about it. Hopefully we package a couple of 1sts with some expiring contracts to save some money to resign Darko. Dwight sounded like he really wanted Darko to stay in Orlando. PG-Jameer/Dooling SG-Ariza/JJ/Bogans SF-Shard/Hedo PF-Darko/minimum FA C-Dwight/Battie A lineup of that with our new coaching staff should be good enough to help us compete to get out of the first round this year and be Eastern Conference contenders for several years after that.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">John Denton just said on 740 that it looks 80% that it will be a sign and trade. As of now its Shard and Watson for all our expirings. We send Garrity, Dooling and Arroyo. Then we use our cap room for Darko only at 7mill tops for 4/5. years. Were trying to move Hedo by another trade.</div> Someone from Realgm is listening to 740 and posted this.... If that is true, then I like this even more. We get a backup PG and Shard, while still having just enough cap to sign Darko or some other big.
We get Earl Watson?? Man that's crazy because he's a good player. Also Shard. I see the team doing pretty good if they also resign Darko. PG:Nelson SG:Redick SF:Shard PFarko Cwight That team looks pretty good. We also have some depth. Turkoglu being a 6th man unless we could trade him for someone like Chris Wilcox. Also, possibly Grant Hill returning. The team is looking good. The East has improved greatly but with the Magic having a young core, they should succeed. I'm not saying 1st or 2nd seed, but look for 5-6 seed or maybe 4th.
<div class="quote_poster">Shard Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I'm not sure why some of you guys are against the signing. He's just getting into his prime and will add 20+ppg right off the bat. He's an all-star, kiss the ground he walks on.</div> I'm sure all the Magic fans like his production and the scoring ability he brings but 15 million a year for a guy who had a career year of 22/6 is clearly overpaying. Not to mention that by the end of that contract Rashard will be 33-34 making something around 18 million a year.
I don't see how Orlando retains Darko. Orlando has no more rights on him because of the Lewis signing. Also I'm hearing Orlando also had to relinquish all of their cap exemptions to get Rashard, so there's no more MLE. That would mean all you can sign are minimum contracts, and of course Darko isn't going to be gotten for that.
And it sounds like you've burnt any bridges with Darko and his agent: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">One day after coming to a verbal agreement with free agent Rashard Lewis, the Orlando Magic withdrew their qualifying offer for restricted free agent Darko Milicic on Tuesday. In effect, the move means the Magic have renounced their rights to Milicic and he becomes an unrestricted free agent. Milicic's agent Marc Cornstein said the move took him by surprise. He said Magic GM Otis Smith called him earlier in the day to tell him the team wanted to keep Milicic and would begin exploring ways to make it happen. "I think it is unfortunate how dishonest and deceitful Otis Smith and the Orlando Magic have been in the process," Cornstein said. "However, I think it can be a good thing for Darko. I believe Darko is the most coveted free agent in the market now. We are excited to get a fresh start with a team that truly believes in him." Said Smith of the Magic's decision: "Our goals remains the same: to sign a free agent and try to retain Darko. It hasn't changed."</div> <div align="center">Source: ESPN.com</div>
