Here is just a very tiny snippet from an Insider Article. I was told I was allowed to reference them by ShapeCity. I put my own touch on it in a couple places just in case, for the sake of non-plagiarism or whatever. I put my addenda in []s. It's one of those 2/3rds of the season awards thing. From: http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index..._chris#20060303 "Executive of the Year: Otis Smith, Magic. It's really [OMG LIKE EXTREMELY TOTALLY] too soon to tell, but for now we'll tab Smith for ridding the franchise of Steve Francis' contract and for picking up Carlos Arroyo and Darko Milicic on the cheap. If Trevor ["Balls"] Ariza ever plays to his potential, he'll be a keeper for someone. Runners-up: Jeff Bower, Hornets; Kiki Vandeweghe, Nuggets. [He deserves it just for having to put up with a name like Kiki all his life.]" End snippet. I'm kinda glad we don't have Fran Vasquez now, because he'd take away time from Darko and Mario. He sure turned his resume around, huh? Honestly, I can't think of a better GM this year than Otis Smith, or rather, a GM who pulled off such great lopsided moves. What do you guys think?
I think Brian Colangelo's up there, and I'm not even saying that because he's with the Raptors now. He got Boris Diaw, and 2 first round picks out of Atlanta? Pretty great move, considering Johnson wanted to leave. I think Smith might have the edge after the last month or so. With two trades he completely changed the direction of the team, and has the most promising frontcourt in the league. If only he could forget that Fran pick.
LoL, my bad. I'm thinking of Otis Thorpe: the dude that the Grizzlies gave a 1st round pick for (Darko).
i dont think he deserves praise for the Francis trade. He did rid the team of his contract BUT got very very very little in return. I consider it to be on par with the Vince Carter trade....it was the best available, and even though it wasnt a "sweet" deal, they were necessary deals. Colangelo gets the award in my opinion. Ridding himself of Q. Rich and getting a solid playoff type big man with very solid defense(Thomas) in return, getting Diaw and 2 picks for Johnson, who they probably wouldnt of given that max contract too anyways.
Smith didn't trade Francis for nothing he traded him for about 15 million in cap space and Ariza (solid young player) So basically a player (or players) yet to be named and Ariza. And with Grant Hills contract expiring Orlando will be way under the cap in 07 and should be able to sign anyone they want. So really the Francis trade was a move for the future.
It will be looked at as a great move in a year or two. Of course the darko trade already is paying benefits and that was a move people thought was a bad one at first cuz of the draft pick. Smith has done a good job getting basketball back to orlando. We dont need players with drama, we need strong minded players that perform on and off the court. Players that will represent the city and the NBA. In my mind Smith should be the GM of the year, he pulled of trades that make this team better, now and in the future.
I think he should be GM of the year just by basing it on comparison to how bad the previous GM's have been in Orlando. His good moves should send shock around the NBA and that shock should lead him to GM of the year. (or not )
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TheHighness:</div><div class="quote_post">Smith didn't trade Francis for nothing he traded him for about 15 million in cap space and Ariza (solid young player) So basically a player (or players) yet to be named and Ariza. And with Grant Hills contract expiring Orlando will be way under the cap in 07 and should be able to sign anyone they want. So really the Francis trade was a move for the future.</div> Granted, cap space is nice an all. Toronto will be enjoying theirs that they stole from the Knicks (15mill) in exchange for only a late first round pick. AND we get Antonio Davis to help mature the young guys for half a season. If you ask me Rose and 25th pick for 15mill cap space is a better trade overall then Francis for 15 mill cap space and Ariza, simply becuase Rose trade value is like 1000 times lower than Francis'. Its hard to believe that the Magic couldnt of gotten SOMETHING more for Francis then just cap space and an average young guy in Ariza. I mean he's a guy thats on the edge of being an all-star for most of his career...he's still young, he doesnt have any serious injury problems. I'd have to think you could at least get picks thrown in. Just doesnt seem right....maybe its because the magic felt Francis was nearly worth Tmac, and then a year later decide he's only slightly more worthy than Jalen Rose. Anyways..i stick with my Colangelo opinion. 2 Atlanta first round picks and Boris Diaw in exchange for not having to give Joe Johnson a max contract. Man Boris Diaw alone was worth that.
I think its more that GM's have finally realized that he doesn't fit into a specific opinion. He seemed adamant about playing PG, but didn't fill that role properly.
not to mention the magic gms' didnt want a long contract in return, all the quality players on the knicks have contracts that the magic just didnt want. Why try to get a 15 mill in cap space and then take on another large contract. The magic made the best move that was available. I do agree they waited to long, but they move was def better than gettin crawford in return.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting smokrockz:</div><div class="quote_post">not to mention the magic gms' didnt want a long contract in return, all the quality players on the knicks have contracts that the magic just didnt want. Why try to get a 15 mill in cap space and then take on another large contract. The magic made the best move that was available. I do agree they waited to long, but they move was def better than gettin crawford in return.</div> I agree. A lot of Magic fans were upset about the Crawford + Taylor rumors, myself included, and I was thrilled to hear the deal when it was announced.
