<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Orlando Sentinel - The Orlando Magic haven't made the playoffs since 2003, but their young star is predicting a championship from the team. "I think our team has the chance to go all the way. We got all the tools," Dwight Howard said, straight-faced. "I think this year we can go all the way. All the way to the championship."</div> A little bold.
Oh boy. Setting the bar pretty high if you ask me. It's good to see he's confident but a comment like this is going to put A LOT of pressure on our guys.
He used words like "there is a chance we can go all the way. We have the tools." I would be pretty surprized if the Magic make it past the Heat, or if they beat a team like Chicago, New Jersey, or Cleveland. But who knows how Orlando will develop over the season, I guess its too far away to talk much about.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting SkiptoMyLue11:</div><div class="quote_post">He used words like "there is a chance we can go all the way. We have the tools." I would be pretty surprized if the Magic make it past the Heat, or if they beat a team like Chicago, New Jersey, or Cleveland. But who knows how Orlando will develop over the season, I guess its too far away to talk much about.</div> Truth be told we have the potential to beat out the teams listed. I don't think we can go all the way, too bold and placing the pressure on the team this coming season is not a good start before the start. But regardless, I do think we can make some noise if we get in the playoffs but nothing as far as a title.
I think Howard is going to have an amazing season in 06/07, i dont know why maybe just a gut feeling but he seems as if he is now certain of his ability to dominate inside like only a small few have, he knows how capable he is.
If Dwight would have said that the Magic are making the playoffs, then that would have been fine. Saying that they are going all the way, that's ridiculous.
I like the confidence that he has in the team. I like the fact that he is becoming more of a vocal leader, but he's going to have to go out there and prove it on the court. This is just a motivation ploy, he is using this to hopefully get everyone else to work even harder to get to that level. He is not going to let anyone slack off. It's amazing how mature this kid has become on and off the court and he is not even 21 yet. He is the bonafide leader on our team and he is starting to take charge. He knows more about his team then we do, so who knows, we might be a huge surprise this season and be better than most of us expect(maybe JJ is better than we think or Darko will emerge as a legit all-star center or something like that). I'm not saying I'm expecting us to go all the way or anything, but if we play the way we did at the end of last season and continue our development then we could be a Top 5-10 team in the NBA this season. We have developed great chemistry and now with everyone getting an entire offseason to work out and get some work, we're only going to continue to improve.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting GatorsowntheNCAA:</div><div class="quote_post">I like the confidence that he has in the team. I like the fact that he is becoming more of a vocal leader, but he's going to have to go out there and prove it on the court. This is just a motivation ploy, he is using this to hopefully get everyone else to work even harder to get to that level. He is not going to let anyone slack off. It's amazing how mature this kid has become on and off the court and he is not even 21 yet. He is the bonafide leader on our team and he is starting to take charge. He knows more about his team then we do, so who knows, we might be a huge surprise this season and be better than most of us expect(maybe JJ is better than we think or Darko will emerge as a legit all-star center or something like that). I'm not saying I'm expecting us to go all the way or anything, but if we play the way we did at the end of last season and continue our development then we could be a Top 5-10 team in the NBA this season. We have developed great chemistry and now with everyone getting an entire offseason to work out and get some work, we're only going to continue to improve.</div> I agree fully. He didn't pop his mouth off and guarantee a championship or anything like that. You guys gotta realize that he was just saying that he believes just like i believe that they have everything they need to become a championship team. Why can't they do it this year? You guys dont remember 94-95 when nobody thought that they would be in the finals? A 3rd year kid (like dwight) named mr. O'Neal led them to the promise land. Don't think that what Dwight said was ridiculous... every team in the NBA has one goal... and that's to win a championship, that's what they work for. They don't talk about building for the future like we do... they build for this year and they work towards one goal. I'm not saying that they will make it that far... but Dwight is just saying what anybody else in the NBA would say to a reporter in an interview. I never assume that the Magic will do anything less than a championship. All we can do is hope.
It's never bad to have high expectations of yourself because if you push yourself hard enough to work towards it you'll still be great.
The problem is, this team doesn't have much experience in the playoffs. It would be Dwight's first time too. I'm not saying they can't do it, I'm just saying its not likely.
I mean, seriously do you want your star player to say that he would be satisfied just making the playoffs? I don't think this is really a big deal. They asked him a question about how far does he want to go and he said championship. Big surprise. I think most of the fans would be happy with the playoffs to let the young guys gain playoff experience, but you don't want to hear your star player saying it.
That's a little too much. I know with Howard you can go far, but the team is very young with very little experience.
I think you need to make the playoffs winning like 50 games first, then in the post-season, you say we can go all the way. Coming off not making the playoffs, you just can't say that. Unless Howard becomes one, they don't have a good enough primary scorer on their team to go all the way. Nelson is nice, but he can't carry them like that, so it will depend a lot on him even if they're are to do so. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I mean, seriously do you want your star player to say that he would be satisfied just making the playoffs? I don't think this is really a big deal. They asked him a question about how far does he want to go and he said championship. Big surprise. I think most of the fans would be happy with the playoffs to let the young guys gain playoff experience, but you don't want to hear your star player saying it.</div> I don't think it's a big deal if your star player expects just playoffs. When your team hasn't gone anywhere yet, it's not bad to say, "we're looking to make the playoffs, and we'll go from there, but our ultimate goal is to win it all."
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting og15:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't think it's a big deal if your star player expects just playoffs. When your team hasn't gone anywhere yet, it's not bad to say, "we're looking to make the playoffs, and we'll go from there, but our ultimate goal is to win it all."</div> That probably would have been the better thing to say... but he didn't get a chance to type it out and write an essay on why he thinks they can make the championships... it was during an interview so i think he was just saying what was on his mind and didn't really sit there and put a lot of thought into it like it was a barbara walters interview... <div class="quote_poster">Quoting GatorsowntheNCAA:</div><div class="quote_post">I mean, seriously do you want your star player to say that he would be satisfied just making the playoffs? I don't think this is really a big deal. They asked him a question about how far does he want to go and he said championship. Big surprise. I think most of the fans would be happy with the playoffs to let the young guys gain playoff experience, but you don't want to hear your star player saying it.</div> Amen... Well Said... I think you are the only one in this thread so far that is on the same page as i am... Thank you Gators...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting GatorsowntheNCAA:</div><div class="quote_post">I mean, seriously do you want your star player to say that he would be satisfied just making the playoffs? I don't think this is really a big deal. They asked him a question about how far does he want to go and he said championship. Big surprise. I think most of the fans would be happy with the playoffs to let the young guys gain playoff experience, but you don't want to hear your star player saying it.</div> Wait, I thought the star player for the Magic was JJ Redick? You can't put much stock into this quote. I'm sure it was taken completely out of context by the writer. September is a dead month for basketball talk, and this writer is obviously reaching to get some buzz right before preseason. Most players and teams will tell you prior to the start of the season, we are here to win a title this year.
What a knucklehead! he hasn't played in one playoff game, how does he know if they have the tools to go "all the way" or not. i'm sure that until you've been in the playoffs, you probably have no clue at how it is to play in them. this is not good leadership. good leaders respect their opponent and are humble. very few people know how to lead yet stay humble - but Steve Nash and Dwayne Wade are 2 good examples. you wouldn't have caught them saying stuff like that when they were playoff virgins i guarantee it. with that said I like Dwight and I have no bad feeling towards him. I hope his team does well, but "all the way" - keep smoking the peace pipe brotha! LMAO
Howard is gonna be AMAZING. i wouldnt doubt that team at least being in the finals within the next 3-5 years.
I see something good coming from Magic's this season. Not the championship, but more than others expect. Howard will be great.
