June 2004 Archives

The Tracy McGrady for Steve Francis deal is finally done. We were also able to get rid of Juwan Howard's big contract, Tyron Lue and Reece Gaines. The Magic picked up Cuttino Mobley and Kevin Cato. I would expect both the be moved before the start of the season.

So, as far as our roster currently stands: Grant Hill, Pat Garrity (who are both coming back from injuries, Steve Francis, Jameer Nelson, Dwight Howard, Keith Bogans. Everyone else is still up in the air if they will be back. 

Players on the trading block or free agents include DeShawn Stevenson, Drew Gooden, Andrew DeClercq, Sean Rooks, Derrick Dial, Britton Johnsen. Second round draft pick Anderson Varejao is also up in the air.

After a little uncertainty with who the Magic would try and steal in this draft, they have made a trade to get Jameer Nelson from the Denver Nuggets in exchange for a future first round draft pick. I like the fact that the Magic wanted this player and went after him. Nelson was the college player of the year last year. He has a solid 4 years of college play under his belt. No one expected him to fall this far into the draft. This young man has a chip on his shoulder and a lot to prove. I expect the other 20 or so teams to be kicking themselves by midseason.

After a little uncertainty with who the Magic would try and steal in this draft, they have made a trade to get Jameer Nelson from the Denver Nuggets in exchange for a future first round draft pick. I like the fact that the Magic wanted this player and went after him. Nelson was the college player of the year last year. He has a solid 4 years of college play under his belt. No one expected him to fall this far into the draft. This young man has a chip on his shoulder and a lot to prove. I expect the other 20 or so teams to be kicking themselves by midseason.

Dwight Howard was drafted first overall by the Magic. Howard becomes the newest member of a Magic team that is expected to have a complete overhaul. With the selection of Howard, you can almost bet the farm that Juwan Howard and Drew Gooden will be moved this summer. If they both are not moved, then look for the Magic to trade Dwight Howard to the Atlanta Hawks.

What do you think? Will Howard be a Magic player next year? Did they miss out on Emeka Okafor? I think Okafor could be a better player - but you cannot go wrong with Dwight Howard.

Dwight Howard was drafted first overall by the Magic. Howard becomes the newest member of a Magic team that is expected to have a complete overhaul. With the selection of Howard, you can almost bet the farm that Juwan Howard and Drew Gooden will be moved this summer. If they both are not moved, then look for the Magic to trade Dwight Howard to the Atlanta Hawks.

What do you think? Will Howard be a Magic player next year? Did they miss out on Emeka Okafor? I think Okafor could be a better player - but you cannot go wrong with Dwight Howard.

Emeka Ofakor has already shown how good a player he is in college. Can he duplicate that effort and exceed expectations in the NBA? One thing I am impressed with is his comments. He does not seem to be affected by the fiasco in Orlando. Okafor is ready to enter the NBA and make an impact. Drafting this guy and bringing a few more good defensive players to Orlando will reshape this team into what it needs - a solid defensive team. Anyone can score in the NBA, it takes a lot of work to defend. Ask McGrady about the 2003 playoffs - the Pistons choked him every time he got the ball. In the final minutes, it takes great defense to stop the other team.

Can Okafor become the leader of this team? I think so. As McGrady exits, this team could easily become centered around the defensive abilities of Okafor.

Emeka Ofakor has already shown how good a player he is in college. Can he duplicate that effort and exceed expectations in the NBA? One thing I am impressed with is his comments. He does not seem to be affected by the fiasco in Orlando. Okafor is ready to enter the NBA and make an impact. Drafting this guy and bringing a few more good defensive players to Orlando will reshape this team into what it needs - a solid defensive team. Anyone can score in the NBA, it takes a lot of work to defend. Ask McGrady about the 2003 playoffs - the Pistons choked him every time he got the ball. In the final minutes, it takes great defense to stop the other team.

Can Okafor become the leader of this team? I think so. As McGrady exits, this team could easily become centered around the defensive abilities of Okafor.

Rumor is stating that Tracy McGrady informed the Orlando Magic today he was not intereted in resigning. I hate to see T-Mac go because he is awesome to watch - but I think this could be the best thing for the Magic. McGrady is NOT a leader. He disappears from game to game and even quarter to quarter sometimes. With his star power and our log jam at power forward - I really think we can make something work here. The Indiana Pacer deal sounds interesting - we'd pick up a good mix of players, still have our #1 pick (Okafor) and the possibility of Grant Hill returning.

So, are we happy McGrady is leaving? No. Are we glad to get something in return? Hell yes. Oddly as it sounds, I think our team will be better off without McGrady.