A recent article on ESPN has John Weisbrod patting John Gabriel on the back for all the hard work he has put into this team. Basically, it sounds as if they blame Doc for everything and Gabriel is going to make it out of this without a scratch. I was going to comment that I wish they did this during the summer so that I would not have put forth the idea of buying season tickets. Then, I realized something. This was the plan all along. With already declining ticket sales, there is no way they could have fired Doc before the season started.
So, another season will pass. A less than desirable starting lineup, non productful bench and another coach thrown into the mix to attempt a .500 season. And, Gabriel gets richer by each day that passes.
The Orlando Magic website has a poll setup - the numbers do not lie - over 50% think that there are more changes needed. Now, ask the question where the changes needed to be made. Players? Ticket prices? Coaching staff? Executives?
My money is on all four.
3 Comments on "ESPN Article"
Like I have been saying all along - unless and until the Orlando Magic fans start voting with their voices and wallets, nothing will ever change; why should it, there are at least a half-dozen RDV sports executives with ten or so years of longevity in the Orlando Magic organization that have no ambition or hope of moving onward and upward; why should they - they are making a good buck from the idiot Orlando sports fans that keep flocking to the arena. Case in point - read some of the RDV executive’s bibliographies; they read like frigging obituaries; especially Pat William’s!! Sure Pat did an outstanding job when basketball first appeared on the radar screen in Central Florida, and for a few years afterward; but what in the hell has he been doing since; I think he should be given a chance to dabble in his ‘first love’!! A long hard look is also a good idea in regard to John Gabriel’s track record for selecting talent that is not flawed in at least one category, either physically or mentally; as well as his ability for selecting competent scouting assistants!! It wouldn’t surprise me to find some under the table player agent shenanigans somewhere in the current mix; it’s just too tempting in this day and time with the amount of money involved; and gosh - as long as the fans continue flocking in, everything’s a safe bet and all is comfy!!
I can understand your frustration. I don't know what's worse: having no team (I live in San Diego, the sixth largest city in the USA, but we have no NBA team - why not!?!?), or having a team whose owners suck. Actually, the LA Clippers used to be the San Diego Clippers back in the day, before they were moved north 100 miles or so. I don't know if I'd want them back, though, the Clippers owner is about as interested in the NBA as Martha Stewart is.
Apparently, at some point RDV/Magic management will determine their 'poll' to be unscientific and therefore meaningless; as they have with other 'concernful' surveys of customer support in the past several years! However, the fact remains that enough individuals have stated by a wide and overwhelming margin, that further changes are 'needed'; notice the wording of the RDV/Magic poll choices, to me the word 'need' implies maybe, maybe not; I view the change 'needed' as required! Also, enough people to better than half fill the arena have opted for 'change'; and even if the number of people voting cast their ballot twice or even three times, the number desiring further change remains somewhat significant! From the statements of RDV/Magic executives, we are now given the impression that John Gabriel was the architect of putting together the 'impressive' cadre of talent that now comprises the Orlando Magic team, and that the Glenn 'Doc' Rivers was unable to bring out these 'abilities' as seen by the GM and his scouts; thus, the reason for the firing! Evidently, the washed out John 'Hocky-Pucked-Once-Too-Often' Weisbrod broke the news to Rivers; apparently because Gabriel wasn’t up to it! I sure hope the team statistics aren’t 1 and 12 when the Pacers get into town – the 'doo-doo' will really hit the fan in 'Mickey-Land'!