<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't want to sound like Chicken Little here, but Kansas City Mayor Kay Barnes announced a plan earlier this week to build a new $250 million downtown arena in hopes of attracting an NBA or NHL team. Prediction: In the next year, Orlando will have to decide whether to build the Magic an arena or face the prospects of team owner Rich DeVos standing up at a podium and belting out the old Wilbert Harrison tune.</div> Full Story
Don't even think about this people , next season we will lose in the easter semifinals in a game 6 with this lineup during the whole season. PG - Grant Hill(12ppg 7apg 4rpg) , T-Lue(9ppg , 4apg , 2rpg) SG - T-Mac (26ppg , 5apg , 6rpg) , DeShawn Stevenson (11ppg , 2apg , 3rpg) SF - Pat Garrity(11ppg , 2apg , 2rpg) , Keith Bogans(10ppg , 3apg , 5rpg , 2nd all nba defensive team, mvp in rookie vs soph game.) PF - Drew Gooden(18ppg , 12rpg , 2apg , MIP award) , 2nd Rounder or Trade C - Emeka Okafor (13ppg, 14rpg, 3bpg ,Rookie of the year , 2nd NBA all defensive team), 2nd Round or Trade (No DeClerq or anybody else , a veteran Center to help Okafor..that can rebound , play defense.) T-Mac will sign an extension and if we are an upset we will go to the finals instead of dying in game 6 of the eastern conference semifinals then Orlando will build a big Arena for Orlando and for the other season we will Make the finals and beat the Suns in the NBA Finals.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Don't even think about this people , next season we will lose in the easter semifinals in a game 6</div> Even in a weak eastern conference, that'd be one hell of a turn around in one year.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting hagrid:</div><div class="quote_post"> Even in a weak eastern conference, that'd be one hell of a turn around in one year.</div> Impossible is Nothing.
I think we can reach the 2nd round next year, depending on if we could trade Juwan instead of Gooden, and the draft. Tmac would have to just shut his mouth and let his play do the talking. Johnny Davis would have to get over his love with Declerq, Lue and stop playing Declerq 20+ mins and Lue 40 mins. We will have better chemistry this year and more experience. We are in a really weak division, so if we win the division we will likely be a 3 seed. Don't say it's not possible, because you saw what the Heat did this year with a draft pick and a FA signing. There's no way Garrity will start over Bogans. Grant Hill won't be healthy the whole season. I'd be happy IF he plays 50 games. I just hope he will be avaliable for the final stretch run/possible playoffs. Don't be surprised if we get Okafor and Ben Gordan in this upcoming draft. We will probably package Gooden for around the 6-7 pick to pick Gordan if he's still avalaible. (I would like Okafor and Gordan, but I want them by trading Juwan and a future 1st for that pick(not sure if that would work)) Which would help chemistry.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Impossible is Nothing. </div> Agreed, anything can happen. <font color="DarkRed"><font size="1">however, let's just say I'm not going to be running to my bookie to get odds on that one</font></font>
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TMac_OwNz:</div><div class="quote_post">Don't even think about this people , next season we will lose in the easter semifinals in a game 6 with this lineup during the whole season. PG - Grant Hill(12ppg 7apg 4rpg) , T-Lue(9ppg , 4apg , 2rpg) SG - T-Mac (26ppg , 5apg , 6rpg) , DeShawn Stevenson (11ppg , 2apg , 3rpg) SF - Pat Garrity(11ppg , 2apg , 2rpg) , Keith Bogans(10ppg , 3apg , 5rpg , 2nd all nba defensive team, mvp in rookie vs soph game.) PF - Drew Gooden(18ppg , 12rpg , 2apg , MIP award) , 2nd Rounder or Trade C - Emeka Okafor (13ppg, 14rpg, 3bpg ,Rookie of the year , 2nd NBA all defensive team), 2nd Round or Trade (No DeClerq or anybody else , a veteran Center to help Okafor..that can rebound , play defense.) T-Mac will sign an extension and if we are an upset we will go to the finals instead of dying in game 6 of the eastern conference semifinals then Orlando will build a big Arena for Orlando and for the other season we will Make the finals and beat the Suns in the NBA Finals.</div> Wishful thinking eh? What makes you think Grant Hill is worthy of a starting position at point guard? Sure he can run the floor well but how do you even know if he's going to return in full strength? I guess you don't realize that he has screws keeping his ankle together, and that has deteriorated his skills. He won't return as the same player, and it's that simple. You can say 'Impossible is nothing' or whatever else, but it's just facts. He's aging, and he'll never return to the game as the Piston All-Star we once loved. Pat Garrity is a one-dimensional player, and I think he's better coming off the bench. He lacks defensive skills, and is only good for knocking down a couple of 3's. Inserting him into the starting lineup makes Orlando even weaker than they already are on the defensive end. I will admit he works well with McGrady, as it's easy for Tmac to dish him the ball while he stands by the three point line. The future of Drew Gooden has been looking cloudy these days. Next season it's evident that Orlando cannot return with Howard and Gooden together, or we'll have another year like this past season. IF Gooden plays his natural position as a PF next year, he could possibly break out. Otherwise look for him to grow unhappy playing out of position, or coming off the bench. Who says we will even nail the first pick? A quote from the Orlando Sentinel sure caught my attention. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm no mathematician, but it seems downright dumb for the worst team in the NBA (the Magic) to have a better statistical chance (35.6 percent) of getting the fifth pick in the upcoming draft than getting the first pick (25 percent). </div> Then of course you run into the risk of Oakfor as a center. We really won't know if he's capable of playing center until we see him play. And would if he's better off as a PF? Then what do we do with Drew Gooden? I know you were just trying to think positive, but our starting lineup still won't be the greatest thing. Compare us to the other teams in the eastern conference, and most of them will still be better than us. I'll just name off a few. Now obviously these teams won't return next season with the same players, but unless they dramaticlly rebuild, they should all have a better season than Orlando. New Jersey Nets, Detriot Pistons, and the Indiana Pacers for obvious reasons. Miami Heat: [Brain Grant, Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, Dwyane Wade, and Eddie Jones.] That starting lineup alone could beat us due to the simple fact that Wade is emerging into one of the leagues bright stars. Debate McGrady and how he is one of the bright stars, but Wade plays with more team effort. I believe it was Doc Rivers who said Wade has not only made Miami a playoff contender, but when in the lineup, a dangerous one. Cleveland Cavaliers: [Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Carlos Boozer, Ira Newble, Lebron James, and Jeff McInnis] After barely missing the playoffs, the Cavs have a full season under their belt with Lebron. Having a core consisting of Lebron, Boozer, and Z, their future looks bright. Milwaukee Bucks: Probabaly the biggest surprise last season, the Bucks proved their critics wrong. With TJ Ford running the point, things look pretty good up in Milwaukee. New York Knicks: Now that Isiah Thomas has reshaped the Knicks, they will be playing a full season with their newly acquired players. The only advantage Orlando has is playing in a new, even weaker conference next season.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Ice:</div><div class="quote_post">Wishful thinking eh? What makes you think Grant Hill is worthy of a starting position at point guard? Sure he can run the floor well but how do you even know if he's going to return in full strength? I guess you don't realize that he has screws keeping his ankle together, and that has deteriorated his skills. He won't return as the same player, and it's that simple. You can say 'Impossible is nothing' or whatever else, but it's just facts. He's aging, and he'll never return to the game as the Piston All-Star we once loved. Pat Garrity is a one-dimensional player, and I think he's better coming off the bench. He lacks defensive skills, and is only good for knocking down a couple of 3's. Inserting him into the starting lineup makes Orlando even weaker than they already are on the defensive end. I will admit he works well with McGrady, as it's easy for Tmac to dish him the ball while he stands by the three point line. The future of Drew Gooden has been looking cloudy these days. Next season it's evident that Orlando cannot return with Howard and Gooden together, or we'll have another year like this past season. IF Gooden plays his natural position as a PF next year, he could possibly break out. Otherwise look for him to grow unhappy playing out of position, or coming off the bench. Who says we will even nail the first pick? A quote from the Orlando Sentinel sure caught my attention. Then of course you run into the risk of Oakfor as a center. We really won't know if he's capable of playing center until we see him play. And would if he's better off as a PF? Then what do we do with Drew Gooden? I know you were just trying to think positive, but our starting lineup still won't be the greatest thing. Compare us to the other teams in the eastern conference, and most of them will still be better than us. I'll just name off a few. Now obviously these teams won't return next season with the same players, but unless they dramaticlly rebuild, they should all have a better season than Orlando. New Jersey Nets, Detriot Pistons, and the Indiana Pacers for obvious reasons. Miami Heat: [Brain Grant, Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, Dwyane Wade, and Eddie Jones.] That starting lineup alone could beat us due to the simple fact that Wade is emerging into one of the leagues bright stars. Debate McGrady and how he is one of the bright stars, but Wade plays with more team effort. I believe it was Doc Rivers who said Wade has not only made Miami a playoff contender, but when in the lineup, a dangerous one. Cleveland Cavaliers: [Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Carlos Boozer, Ira Newble, Lebron James, and Jeff McInnis] After barely missing the playoffs, the Cavs have a full season under their belt with Lebron. Having a core consisting of Lebron, Boozer, and Z, their future looks bright. Milwaukee Bucks: Probabaly the biggest surprise last season, the Bucks proved their critics wrong. With TJ Ford running the point, things look pretty good up in Milwaukee. New York Knicks: Now that Isiah Thomas has reshaped the Knicks, they will be playing a full season with their newly acquired players. The only advantage Orlando has is playing in a new, even weaker conference next season.</div> We can only wait and see what Grant Hill will do next season. I was going to put Bogans as a Starter but a lot of people forgot what Garrity can do , when you have a guy like T-Mac and 1 of the best 3 pt shooters in the league it really gives you more options in the long run..add that a defensive minded and good rebounder Center(I know we have to see him play in the nba) and a PG with a lot of experice even tough he has 3 screws holding his ankle together and a PF that could be a 20 - 10 guy and I think you have a pretty decent team , Bogans is going to be a top 5 defender someday and obviously also has range but he will be our starter when Garrity is gone , either him or Bogans as starters I think it would kinda be the same results maybe more rebounds and defense from Bogans but more 3's from Garrity if 20 - 10 prospect and all-star T-Mac are not working. What are the other teams that might get 1 - 5 (excluding Charlotte) , Bulls , Wizards , Clippers , Orlando: Bulls - Already have a Center and might not even want Dwight Howard just because he is from High School , they don't need a PG either so they will probably pick either Howard or Deng. Wizards , Might or Might not but I think they really need a SF aswell to be a complete team , Deng or Howard. Clippers , they need a PG or anything else but I think they are really developing this guy which I forgot his name because I hate him but he was in the Rookie game. Bobcats..they could take him because they need the best they can get at 4 so if Orlando gets 5 you can kiss good bye Okafor and try to trade after it , so I would say unless we get number 5 we will still be available to draft Okafor. Other teams next season will still be strong/stronger , Miami , Bucks , Cavs , Knicks ...those teams are scary when you also add Nets , Pistons , Pacers..scary but that only means the east might be better than the west or at least compete a little more ..We don't know what the future holds..but from what I see coming I think at least a better season than this Horrible season will happen.
There will be at least 1 opening for a playoff spot with the Hornets moving to the West. We should be able to beat up our division, will give us a lot of wins. The PG on the Magic probably only brings the ball up about 50-60% of the time and Tmac brings it up the rest, so with Grant Hill that shouldn't be too much of an option. Grant Hill sees the floor so well though, that's why I think he would be a good option. We don't really need Grant Hill to be anything near his all-star years. We just need him to hit a couple of timely shots and pass the ball around. If he plays 50 games and avgs 10 pts and 5 apg in like 25 mins. I would be stoked. That's all I really want him to do, just stay on the court. I'll agree with Ice on Garrity. Garrity won't start. Garrity can just hit open 3's. We need defense at the SF position. Garrity is perfect coming off the bench for about 15 mins(give him more if he's on fire) and on the floor down the stretch, when opponents are double/triple teaming Tmac. Bogans can hit the open 3 too, while giving us defense and better rebounding.
Heres my lineup, take it however you want. PG: LUE (thats right Lue) SG: Hill SF: Mac PF: Garrity C: Howard If you want to see Hill run point, let him offset it with T-Lue. Garrity HAS TO start IMO he's the defence spreader it will take alot of weight off of the other guys especialy T-Mac. If we get Okafor lets for ONCEE let him come off the bench and get a chance to develope, even if its increased minutes. Lastly Hills a better player BUT T-Lue's a better PG.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Coli:</div><div class="quote_post">Heres my lineup, take it however you want. PG: LUE (thats right Lue) SG: Hill SF: Mac PF: Garrity C: Howard If you want to see Hill run point, let him offset it with T-Lue. Garrity HAS TO start IMO he's the defence spreader it will take alot of weight off of the other guys especialy T-Mac. If we get Okafor lets for ONCEE let him come off the bench and get a chance to develope, even if its increased minutes. Lastly Hills a better player BUT T-Lue's a better PG.</div> wow , really ..different.. that will be a really small line up we will get owned. our PF is Garrity? he can only shoot 3s ok that could be a plus since other PF wont come out and defend even though Garrity will get owned in the paint since he doesn't have that good of a defense plus he is not that tall.. Howard will also get owned in the post...Hill at SG? and T-Lue starter? Wesbroid already said he will be here next season but as a backup pg and he is very happy with that.... What happened to our #1 draft pick all american , closer to Tim Duncan , defensive minded , best big man since a few years , excellent shot blocker starting Center..?off the bench? We traded Gooden instead of Howard??
Alright, this is what I say. PG-Draft pick or Hill or Stevenson SG-Tmac SF-Bogans or Stevenson PF-Gooden C-Okafor(Basically anyone but Declerq) Juwan can't play Center, Garrity definetely can't defend other PF's and why start him over guys like Okafor and Gooden, and Juwan at PF, I'd rather have Stevenson start at PG than Lue. Don't get me wrong, I understand completely Garrity is important to our team, but he is only a shooter. We have proven that we can score, we need defense. Start the game with defense, then let Garrity, Lue come off the bench provide energy and light up the opposing teams 2nd teams. Bench is one area that we got killed in last year. Tmac would get taken out and we would immediately lose 8-10 pts.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TMac_OwNz:</div><div class="quote_post">wow , really ..different.. that will be a really small line up we will get owned. our PF is Garrity? he can only shoot 3s ok that could be a plus since other PF wont come out and defend even though Garrity will get owned in the paint since he doesn't have that good of a defense plus he is not that tall.. Howard will also get owned in the post...Hill at SG? and T-Lue starter? Wesbroid already said he will be here next season but as a backup pg and he is very happy with that.... What happened to our #1 draft pick all american , closer to Tim Duncan , defensive minded , best big man since a few years , excellent shot blocker starting Center..?off the bench? We traded Gooden instead of Howard??</div> I'm only posting Onc... twice in this "rate my lineup" thread.
Hey Isnt Miami in our division? Yeahhh, Uh any chance of us winning the division went out the window when Miami got good with Wade and Odom.. So a playoff spot is going to have to come the hard way.. Unless the Magic do some serious rebuilding and actually gel unlike last year.. I dont see us making the playoffs..
I don't see KC getting the Magic, but uhh...getting to the Eastern Conference finals next year? Doubt it. Next year is going to be a year where there are going to be a lot of new faces on the team and they are going to all have to get used to playing with each other. I think that getting to the second round isn't out of the question, but they aren't going to kill everyone next year.
