As the trade deadline approaches, rumors are beginning to fly. Every true Magic fan is sitting on the edge of their seat waiting to hear the news. The news that something has happened. Anything. If nothing happens before the trade deadline, you can expect to see Johnny Davis and John Gabriel in the unemployment line. You might see a team doctor or two as well. Pat Garrity @ESPN" href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3262" target="_blank">Pat Garrity in for another surgery? Ridiculous.
So, what can save John Gabriel's job? In my mind, nothing. Even if he pulls off something spectacular - we need improvement in the front office. I would really like to see Pat Riley or Rudy T working for the Magic in some capacity (ideally, GM and Coach). There is a big enough rift between Magic brass and fans that warrant some major changes before Tracy McGrady bolts for LA in '05.
While there a ton of people dreaming up trades in every little message board on the net, there are two that seem very possible to happen. The first, is a Giricek/Lue/Williams to the Bulls for Marcus Fizer. This is not a bad trade in my mind. We get rid of two players that are not of starting caliber and have yet to show any desire to play hard this year and then Williams is thrown in for the salaries to match up. If we weren't overloaded at PF and undersized at center before, well - we definitely would be now. So, what is the next move? Trading Juwan Howard for Eric Snow. Another great deal that will undoubtedly involve a few other players. This might our golden opportunity to package Steven Hunter in order to get something else in return.
Both these trades make a lot of sense and really help our team out in the PG spot. With Grant Hill @ESPN" href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=2626" target="_blank">Grant Hill returning next year, the combination of McGrady, Hill and Snow looks to be a good starting 3. Now, we have to address our power forward and center position. Big 'Z' is playing good - but I am not sure he will fit the starting role. I imagine something could be worked out in the off season to find a decent center. Our PF position is up for grabs in my mind. Drew Gooden has had an awful year - I wouldn't say he is safe from trade filler. Fizer is good, but not a solution. Our high draft pick might bring in Okafor, which at 6-10 and 250 could play forward or center in the east. Our current untouchables involving trades are McGrady, Bogans, Z and probably Hill and Garrity. Look for the rest of the team to be moved in some form by start of next season. Rod Strickland can not be traded because of when he was signed (date he could be traded will be after the deadline) - but likely will not be back next season.
So, if Gabe can pull of this off and we get Okafor in the draft - it might just be enough to keep his job. Personally though, I would rather see some front office movement and possibly an ownership change.
4 Comments on "Can Gabe save his job?"
hmmm. very interesting. Drew Gooden has had an awful year but those put back jams are priceless. He needs to be our starer at PF in my opinion. Giricek/lue/williams for Fizer is a good trade. Again Orlando is overloaded at PF and if Garrity isnt healthy by next season the shooting would be off without these players. Howard needs to go and that Philly trade is a great way to go. Hopefully Philly will throw in Dalembert so we have a decent center. A PF for a PG is not a smart trade, so I think the 76ers will throw in a big. Maybe we will throw in Hunter to even it out. The thing is we need a center, and Okafor doesnt fill that. If we pick him we have those trades go through, thats Okafor, Fizer, Gooden at PF. Zaza is big enough to play center at 6-11. But Orlando will probably go with Okafor and at least that is something. I love the fact that with Hill back alone that this is a winning team. But we could be getting some nice size and development from Gooden. All of a sudden Orlando is a tough physical team instead of a 3pt shooting team. Should be an interesting rest of the season, off-season and next season.
Okafor could probably play some center, he has good shot blocking skills. I would really like to see a true 7' center on this team - though there are a lot of teams that would like that. What do you think of the Hill/McGrady/Snow lineup? The thing I like about that combo - is they are good defenders with good shooting and passing skills. It would be easy to keep one of them in the rotation at all times. Keeping Bogans - really helps spread the rotation out even further if he comes of the bench. Of course, this is assuming Hill comes back completely healthy and can play. I hate to dream - but - man, things would really be different with him on the floor. I'd like to see him come back for 10 or so games this season - even if its 10 minutes of garbage time. Just to build up a little confidence in the ankle. Better yet, I hope he does it at the O-rena - I want to be there when he steps onto the court. Gooden could bulk up a little more - though I would settle for a consistent effort every night and then start on his weaknesses. =).
One other thing, by moving Howard for Snow - maybe that puts Gooden into the starting spot and he regains his old form. Though, if that happens - I really have to second guess keeping him on this team. Ideally, you should play just as hard from any spot in the rotation.
With Hill in the lineup there is basically no need for a point guard. But we have to have one and Snow is a great option. He is big, shoots nicely from mid-range, doesnt jack up 3's and is a good defender. I would go take this trade if I were Gabriel. Gooden was awesome last year but of course is struggling a little. What really impresses me is the amount of energy he plays with. I think I jumped out of my seat 5 times this year with something Gooden did, like a put back jam against the Raptors. In comparison, nobody else on Orlando has done anything for me to jump out of my seat. He should be starting next season. I like that 3-man lineup very much. If it happens this would be a very tough team to defend. At least one of them could be on the court at all times, let alone all 3 in the 1st and last quarters. I hope 76ers throw in Dalembert. He is a good center that would fit well on this team. I hate to dream as well but the lineup of Snow, Mcgrady, Hill, Gooden and Dalembert is a perfect mix of defense and offense.