Arrest not dissuading the Magic

Discussion in 'Orlando Magic' started by Truemaster14, Jul 8, 2003.

  1. Truemaster14

    Truemaster14 JBB JustBBall Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Magic will not let Darrell Armstrong's arrest dissuade them from trying to re-sign him, General Manager John Gabriel said Tuesday.

    "Absolutely not," Gabriel said. "We're going to decide to re-sign Darrell Armstrong for the same reasons that other teams have interest in acquiring him."

    Those reasons include that the 35-year-old Armstrong still can play and, until Monday, had established himself as one of the team's foremost solid citizens.

    Armstrong was arrested early Monday after a physical confrontation with a female police officer outside a downtown nightclub. He was charged with battery of a law-enforcement officer and resisting arrest without violence.

    Armstrong became a free agent July 1 and has been working toward getting a new contract. The Magic hope to re-sign him, probably to a two-year deal, but there will be competition for his services. Cleveland, Miami, Washington and Atlanta are among the teams that have expressed interest in Armstrong, who averaged 9.4 points and 3.79 assists last season.

    But the Magic have an interesting decision to make. Armstrong is beginning to slow, and his scoring average fell below double figures for the first time in five seasons. A shoulder injury, which later required surgery, hindered him during the regular season.

    Last week, Armstrong expressed concern that the Magic had fallen out of love with him because of his age. He also pondered what it would be like to play for another team. The Magic, who want to get younger and bigger at the point, drafted Reece Gaines in the first round last month and had free agents Speedy Claxton and Antonio Daniels in for visits during the first week of free agency.

    Teams cannot sign free agents until July 16. If Armstrong somehow does not return to Orlando, it will be solely a basketball decision.

    "He's family," Gabriel said. "We will always support him."
    </div>

    http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/bask...ports-headlines
     

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