Quiet, unassuming Smith deserves big share of credit

Wonder if Detroit beats the H out of the Magic again who's fault will it be?

Well Smith has done a decent job, and I have to admit I have banged on him on this board and the magic forum for standing pat several times thru the year. But we will see in the next series if refusing to get another big body in here to help D12 will hurt us.

Otis was one of my favorites when he played with us that first year and seems to know a thing or two about team chemistry and leadership. I continue to be impressed with the Magic organization and their "family" oriented style. The team seems to actually care about one another and that has shown thru on the court and off with their sportsmanship and community actions.

Cant wait for Sat. night. Go Magic!!!

I have one more comment on this article. I dont think anyone at all knows if JJ Redick was a sorry a$$ draft.
No one has ever given him a chance to play.

Here's hoping Mr.Otis trades the kid so he can at least sink or swim in this league.

Well said lamo.

We'll see if these praises last as long as Lewis' monster contract. Eventually Howard's going to get max money - and fitting a championship team around those two salaries will be his biggest job.

Your knocking them out of the park this week Bianchi. You are beginning to make up for the years of garbage articles you have subjected us to.

I was the one dissapointed when getting HOWARD over Okafor.

I was the one PO'd when getting Cook/Evans for Ariza.

I was also the one a little dissapointed when NOT making a Trade by the deadline!

AND I WAS WRONG!
OTIS you are the GURU!

Really? Just because you beat Toronto in the first round you're convinced that Jameer was worth the money? Even though he can't match up with the point guards from the best teams in the EC?
And are you sure Rashard has played like he's worth that huge contract? Detroit has players putting up similar numbers at a fraction (try 1/2) of the cost.
You didn't have a first round pick last year because Otis wanted Darko instead.(I'm sure you're thrilled with that move). With that pick, Detroit picked Rodney Stuckey who is currently helping us right now. And don't think he couldn't have been ready to replace Jameer next year at a fraction of the cost and is big enough to guard Chauncey.
You didn't forget that none of your players from the 2006 draft are currently in your rotation did you(JJ Reddick, etc.)?
I know you didn't forget about Fran Vasquez.
What's going on her is that this columnist has "better than before" confused with "good". Otis is doing a "better than before" job, but when you are in the basement, it's not hard to improve. Look at the elite GM's in the league (See Dumars, Joe), and Otis Smith isn't even in the same conversation. In Detroit, Otis Smith would have lost his job years ago.

Sounds like a "Homer." Most of the credit for the above average success of the Magic this year goes to the coach and Howard. GM Smith is a nice average GM and if that is what is expected he will deliver those results. His talent evaluation ability is highly suspect. Just look at his draft picks-Vasquez and JJ. Howard was drafted before Smith became GM. He talks about defense but he has put together a team that plays very little defense (other than Howard).

DetFaninOrlando wrote:

Really? Just because you beat Toronto in the first round you're convinced that Jameer was worth the money? Even though he can't match up with the point guards from the best teams in the EC?
And are you sure Rashard has played like he's worth that huge contract? Detroit has players putting up similar numbers at a fraction (try 1/2) of the cost.
You didn't have a first round pick last year because Otis wanted Darko instead.(I'm sure you're thrilled with that move). With that pick, Detroit picked Rodney Stuckey who is currently helping us right now. And don't think he couldn't have been ready to replace Jameer next year at a fraction of the cost and is big enough to guard Chauncey.
You didn't forget that none of your players from the 2006 draft are currently in your rotation did you(JJ Reddick, etc.)?
I know you didn't forget about Fran Vasquez.
What's going on her is that this columnist has "better than before" confused with "good". Otis is doing a "better than before" job, but when you are in the basement, it's not hard to improve. Look at the elite GM's in the league (See Dumars, Joe), and Otis Smith isn't even in the same conversation. In Detroit, Otis Smith would have lost his job years ago.

WOW..OUtstanding Negativity....But will all that blah blah combined, we somehow got 52WINS!!
I'm sure something positive happened with all that.
Have you heard of a phrase called ""give and take"??
Ohh and RASHARD?? Thats just it...He has been a huge X factor and has not even played up to his skills yet but we are already benefiting from his all around play.

Detroit will PERHAPS might Beat the MAGIC this series but their future is much brighter right now with the moves made and not made!

Full marks to Smith. His signing Lewis, and his obtaining Cook and Evans for Ariza (why did the Lakers make that trade? Kobe?), make him right there a candidate for GM of the year.

LMAO wrote:

Wonder if Detroit beats the H out of the Magic again who's fault will it be?

Nobody's, if the Pistons win it all or come close. One step at a time.

LMAO wrote:

Wonder if Detroit beats the H out of the Magic again who's fault will it be?

Ummmmm lets see...Kobe/KG/Duncan/possibly lebron...that is who they'll have to go through....MAGIC is still going under radar trying to suprise the sh!t out of somebody.

LMAO wrote:

I have one more comment on this article. I dont think anyone at all knows if JJ Redick was a sorry a$$ draft.
No one has ever given him a chance to play.
Here's hoping Mr.Otis trades the kid so he can at least sink or swim in this league.

Blah....blah...blah....

One topic pony.

TO DetFaninOrlando: Of the four major pro sports, this one is the hardest to improve in. Besides the talent and desire bits, the ability of the players to have a cohesive relationship on the court is what brings them over the top. From where the Magic came from, this is good.

Hey detfaninorlando,
Your team is old, and what have you done to fix it? You got Maxiell and Aflallo. After Chauncey and Rasheed give up their quest for another ring(which they'll never get) Detroit will be stinking up the East. Quit drinking haterade. Pray that your old unfocused group can pull their heads out of their butts and play up to their ability. Otherwise D12 and the Magic will dismantle your spaced out stones. booyakasha!

Nice article and I agree with most of it...But let just think for a second if we kept McGrady and had a tandom of Howard and McGrady!!!(Would be hands down the best combo in the leauge) But the past is the past..Hopefully in the coming year we can get either a free agent or rookie that can penetrate and dish the ball!!! Good luck Magic

Also to keep things in perspective...We have only won a 1st rd. I'm looking forward to a day when a season isin't a success unless we make at least the eastern conference finals...A lot of money is tied up between Howard, Lewis, and Nelson for years to come...Maybe they will be able to create a strong core but in my opinion the Magic need a bigger guard and an active big man...Once Dwight's inside game grows into the likes of Amare Stoudemire everything else will be irrelavent because D.Howard will be the most dominant force for years to come!!!