<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Magic power brokers By Brian Schmitz | Sentinel Staff Writer Posted June 24, 2003 The Orlando Magic's recent track record in the NBA draft begs this burning question: Just who was responsible for selecting Jeryl Sasser, whose jump shot should be banned in 45 states? You won't see a lot of hands shoot up in a room full of Magic executives, coaches and scouts. Maybe some fingers will be pointed when Sasser is mentioned, but nobody really wants to make a confession without a clergyman or a security guard standing by. Sasser's selection in 2001 has clanked off the rim, symbolic of the Magic's misfires the past two years. With another draft approaching Thursday night, it's fair to wonder who calls the shots and how decisions are ultimately made, even when the pickings are as slim as Sasser's calves. The Magic have said they reach draft decisions by committee, which, of course, shields some people from being hit with fruit when picks go bad. Here's the committee and the chain of command: Chief Operating Officer John Weisbrod, General Manager John Gabriel, Coach Doc Rivers, Player Personnel Director Gary Brokaw and the lead field scouts (Tom Jorgensen and Sam Foggin). Weisbrod said that, beginning with this draft, the philosophy is changing -- meaning Rivers and his staff might not have quite the same clout anymore. They'll get the floor more when it's time to discuss free agents. Ultimately, Weisbrod said, the draft decisions rest at Gabriel's feet. Realistically, though, Gabriel generally delivers Rivers the draft picks the coach likes. If they work out, everybody's happy. If they don't, it's Gabriel's fault. In the 2001 draft, Rivers wanted a big guard -- even with little Tony Parker, now a star in San Antonio, available -- and agreed to choose the 6-foot-6 Sasser with the 22nd pick. But it's Gabriel who gets ripped on the sports-talk shows when Sasser can't throw it in the ocean from a boat or when the 15th pick, Steven Hunter, collects cobwebs on the bench. That's pretty much how it works at every NBA outpost. Here's how it works with the Magic at draft time: Similar to all NBA teams, Gabriel, Brokaw and the scouts principally attend college games and international games, stockpile draft information and pass it on to Weisbrod, Rivers and Rivers' staff. Then, after the Magic's season ends, everybody evaluates the team's biggest needs and which players might be available when the Magic pick. It is at this point, when the coaches become involved, where the process has veered a little off-course in the past, Weisbrod said. Rivers and his coaches, busy during the season, haven't kept track of the draft the way their team colleagues do. But then the coaches join the fray weeks before D-Day, accompanying the braintrust to Chicago for a draft combine and evaluating college talent in individual workouts. Fresh opinions fly and views are voiced between the people who have spent months judging the talent and the coaches who have a few weeks to acquaint themselves with the talent. Weisbrod said the people judging the talent the longest should hold more sway. "Coaches aren't out there scouting guys," Weisbrod said. "We've put way too much emphasis on what's happened in Chicago and in the private workouts. Neither are good indicators." That might explain the picks of Sasser and Hunter, whose draft stock soared late. "We'll put more emphasis observing the last [college] season and less on what was observed over a month and a half," Weisbrod said. Rivers says he agrees "100 percent" with Weisbrod's observation. "Coaches don't see these guys all season. We see tape and see them in two-on-two workouts, but there's nothing like watching guys live for a year or longer," Rivers said. "I have to let the staff lead me. [Memphis General Manager] Jerry West says he doesn't draft a guy his coach doesn't want. I think you have to guide a guy." It's Gabriel's job to guide Rivers, who said, "Gabe wouldn't draft a guy unless I agree. At the end of the day, I think he'd go my way. I've heard some coaches will say, 'You can draft him, but I won't play him.' I've never been that stubborn." Weisbrod believes Gabriel is "accommodating" to Rivers and his coaches. "We're usually all on the same page," Gabriel said. "There are disagreements along the way, but it's best that everybody's on the same page. Doc is respectful of the process. "I know through experience that if a coach doesn't have the time to play them, you probably don't want to go that route." </div> damn no love for sasser, trumaster is gonna be mad. it's true though, picking sasser was a bonehead move, i had honestly never heard of him when we picked him. . oh well hindsight's 20 20. well hopefully they can prove that they do have a brain and draft someone who will be good.
yeah, but doc has to coach the player, both need to agree on who they pick instead of gabe just choosing whoever doc wants.
they werent saying anything when sasser had 26 points. Or when steven hunter had that great stretch of games.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting "truemaster14":</div><div class="quote_post">they werent saying anything when sasser had 26 points. Or when steven hunter had that great stretch of games.</div> i still think that they shoulda played both these guys more in the playoffs. sasser coulda contained billups and hunter would get experience and hopefully have a really good series, instead they played an injured garrity too long.
Who exactly is sasser? if this guy can't get court time at the PG spot on the magic..well that shows how bad he is.Unless he is a rookie?
sasser is SG, with amazing defense and a average offensive game. he can play offense he just doesent get enough touches or playing time behind tmac or giricek.
i heard of sasser he started a game against the raptors he was horrible he was suppost to be good coming out of college but was a bust.
When Jeryl Sasser plays 30+ minutes he averages 15.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 2.75 steals, 75% on Free Throws, and 53% FG's.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting "truemaster14":</div><div class="quote_post">When Jeryl Sasser plays 30+ minutes he averages 15.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 2.75 steals, 75% on Free Throws, and 53% FG's.</div> i wouldn't go that far. he's got amazing defense, he has SMU's college record for scoring. he has the goofiest shot ever. so he's like ben wallace, without the minutes and size and he's almost as good defensively.
when has he ever played 30+ minutes once? is that what you are basing it on? the kid seems like a bust... <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">so he's like ben wallace, without the minutes and size and he's almost as good defensively.</div> Are you serious?
But you said he is almost as good on defence as ben.....that is messed up....if he was good enough at it..he would of played....
