As pretty much everyone in Orlando expected, the Magic waived Doug Christie today using the NBA's amnesty clause. The clause allows a team to waive a player in order to avoid paying the luxury tax on that player's salary. Christie will still be paid the $8.2 million this year that the Magic owe him.
The move to waive Christie completes a few things. One, it moves a cancer from the organization somewhere else. I originally liked the idea of trading Cuttino Mobley for Christie. In hindsight, it turns out to be a bad trade. Team chemistry was broken, fans became disconnected and Christie barely played. Two, it frees up the roster spot the Magic will use to sign another front court player (don't even get me started on the draft pick again.)
In my opinion, you don't walk out on a team. Period. I have been a part of bad teams in my life. Sports. College. Work. In all areas of my life, I have spent at least a day or two wondering how the heck I was going to make the situation better. Each time the answer was to stand up, do my job and lead by example. Leadership is contageous. If you take ownership of something, others will follow. You do not have to be the boss, team captain or project leader to get others to follow the example you provide.
Christie took everything good about sports and made it a joke. We were told Christie was a team player. We found out that he is not. Christie made Tracy McGrady look like Reggie Miller. Has anyone seen Hedo Turkoglu sulking on the bench or walking away from his team when he doesn't start? Didn't think so.
No one in Orlando wanted Christie or his wife back. In fact, the last I heard Disney was revoking their annual family pass. This team may be moving to Kansas City, but Christie is headed to Dallas. Bye Bye Doug.
