From nbadraft.net <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">2003-2004 Record: 36-46 2004-2005 Projected Record: 37-45 Key Additions: Keyon Dooling G (Heat), Travis Diener G (Draft), Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje C (FA). Key Losses: Fran Vasquez PF (Spain), Doug Christie (Mavericks). Projected Starters: Jameer Nelson PG 6-0 190 2/9/82 St. Joeseph's '04, Steve Francis G 6-3 200 2/21/77 Maryland '99, Grant Hill SF 6-8 225 10/5/72 Duke '94, Dwight Howard PF 6-11 240 12/8/85 '04, Kelvin Cato C 6-11 275 8/26/74 Iowa St. '97. Reserves: Stacey Augmon GF 6-8 210 8/1/68 UNLV '91, Tony Battie FC 6-11 240 2/11/76 Texas Tech '97, Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje C 7-0 255 5/20/78 Georgetown '01, Travis Diener PG 6-1 175 3/1/82 Marquette '05, Keyon Dooling PG 6-3 195 5/8/80 Missouri '00, Pat Garrity F 6-9 240 8/23/76 Notre Dame '98, Brandon Hunter 6-7 255 11/24/80 Ohio '03, Mark Jones G 6-6 215 5/25/75 Central Florida '98, DeShawn Stevenson G 6-5 210 4/3/81 Washington Union '00, Hedo Turkoglu GF 6-10 220 5/19/79 Turkey '00. In the list of most lopsided trades in NBA histroy, the Francis/Mobley/Cato for Tracy McGrady deal last off-season was already a lock for the top ten. But when the Magic dealt Mobley to the Sacramento Kings straight-up for Doug Christie then waived Christie under the amnesty clause (meaning that they still have to pay his salary and absorb his cap hit), that vaulted it to the top five, possibly top three. Mention this to fans in Orlando and it makes them angrier than anything, with good reason. That's not to say there aren't positive developments in Orlando this season. Fortunately, they have Dwight Howard's sophomore season to look forward to. After a better-than-any-reasonable-expectations rookie season, this kid appears to have franchise player written all over him. Just wait until he learns some post moves. Anything's possible from Howard. Unfortunately, the man who'll be doing the majority of the ball-handling/shooting for the Magic is Steve Francis. Don't get me wrong, I like Stevie. He's a talented guy who can score on anyone. But he has an awful track record when it comes to involving the big man. His shoot-first, shoot-second mentality is the worst possible fit alongside Howard. With any luck, Grant Hill will be healthy enough to play the majority of the season and show these guys how to play team basketball. One of my favorite storylines last season was the improbable and inspiring resurgence of Grant Hill. The fact that he was struck down in his prime with a variety of debilitating ankle injuries proves that the basketball gods aren't always fair. But if he can repeat what he did last season and maintain his health for an 82-game season, the game of basketball (and Dwight Howard's career) will be better for it. Jameer Nelson might be ready to assume starter's minutes at the point guard slot, thereby allowing Francis to permanently move to shooting guard where he belongs. After one of the best college point guard careers of the past decade, Nelson had a solid rookie campaign and showed a nice on-court rapport with Howard. The aforementioned Kelvin Cato will start alongside Howard up front. He's a bruiser who'll do all the dirty work down low. He doesn't have much of an offensive game, but he's paid to rebound, defend the other team's best post player, and keep Howard out of foul trouble. The first guys off the bench for the Magic will be Keyon Dooling and Hedo Turkoglu. Dooling was acquired from the Miami Heat and will push Nelson for the starting point guard spot. He's three inches bigger than Jameer, but consistency issues will likely keep him in a backup role. Turkoglu is a remarkably versatile scorer. Few 6-10 players handle the ball and shoot like Turkoglu. But his lack of toughness and consistency have kept him from achieving his full potential. He's still a nice scoring spark off the bench. Orlando used their 11th selection in the 2005 draft on Spain's Fran Vasquez to help beef up their front-court. A few weeks after the draft, Vasquez informed them that he'd be playing this season in Spain, leaving them with a hole behind Howard and Cato. The Magic will rely on oft-injured Tony Battie and oft-crappy Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje (the best name in the NBA) to provide big-man depth. Rookie Travis Diener was a safe second-round selection. His shooting, toughness, and leadership should result in some playing time this season. But his lack of size/athleticism will keep him from competing with Nelson and Dooling for the starting point guard slot. Head coach Brian Hill has his work cut out for him this season if he wants to lead this team to the playoffs. Unless Grant Hill can stay healthy and Howard quickly evolves into an All-Star, expect to see Orlando in the lottery once again.</div> It is almost the same as mine.
Still hating on the Francis/Tmac trade? It was great for us before the Cat trade. Still better to get a star and servicable center then nothing. I still say great trade. Tmac would have left.
