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Orlando Magic
Shaquille O'Neal is apparently discussing a general manager position with the Orlando Magic. Would Shaq be a good GM?
- GregWms285: "First and foremost, Shaq is respected throughout the league by NBA Players and because of that, he would be able to convince Top Players to come to Orlando. Second, he would most certainly bring in a coach to run a successful system (Triangle with Brian Shaw and maybe the man himself, Phil Jackson) or Jerry Sloan (Former Utah HC), and third, if Dwight still wants to be traded, Shaq would trade him to the Lakers for Bynum and Gasol, straight up and then try to persuade D-Will to come to Orlando to play with those them. "
- MDuke311: "There isn't a quicker way to get Dwight Howard to leave Orlando than by hiring Shaq as your GM."
- NJGiant99: "I wonder if having Shaq around would help with free agent acquisitions simply by the relationships hes had with some players? I'm sure it may also destroy said acquisitions though, too."
- Giants21Joe10: "Is Shaq at all qualified to be a GM? Just because he was a great player it doesn't mean he'll be a good personnel guy (*cough* Michael Jordan *cough*)."
- mguinard10: "That would be a horriable move by the magic. Get a good GM in there trade Dwight get some pieces and build from there."
- apex.late: "This Shaq GM / part-Gm talk is a perfect example of the Magic's horrible management in action, and another prime reason why Howard wants OUT."
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On Tuesday, "First Take" debated the proper people to blame for the mess that is the Orlando Magic. Skip Bayless thinks the Magic got rid of their primary problem in coach Stan Van Gundy, while Stephen A. Smith places the blame above Van Gundy's pay grade. What's your take?
The NBA playoffs so far have been characterized by significant injuries to big-time players. Dwight Howard was out before the postseason began, Derrick Rose went down in the waning minutes of Game 1, and several other players (Baron Davis, Amare Stoudemire, etc.) have fallen victim to on- and off-court maladies. Consequently, we're seeing a lot of series that definitely will not go the distance -- there are six 3-1 series in play right now, along with two that have already been decided. The Nuggets in particular have had fits dealing with the new-look Kobe Bryant -- he's been more of a distributor late in games than he has in the past, where the game plan was simply "give it to Kobe."
Kobe's role?
Kobe Bryant's role in the fourth quarter is usually that of a force of nature, but these playoffs have seen him rely more on his teammates.
Thunder or Spurs?
The Spurs and Thunder have already taken care of their two opponents, but it's still a long way to go before either team makes it to the finals.
Comeback chance?
The Bulls and Magic find themselves in the same 3-1 hole as the Nuggets and Hawks, although Denver and Atlanta didn't lose their franchise players early on.
The Magic will have to attempt to navigate the playoffs without Dwight Howard, as their star center will undergo back surgery that will cause him to miss the remainder of the season. Howard and the Magic have had a rocky relationship during the past year, but it could be salvageable -- it's just that the team might have to fire coach Stan Van Gundy to make it work.
Van Gundy or Howard?
Dwight Howard reportedly has told Magic management that he won't play for Stan Van Gundy anymore.
Trade for Howard?
Howard is under contract for one more season, but any attempt to trade for him likely would be an expensive one.
Big-game player?
Howard's game is one of the NBA's most dominant, but he might lack the ability to really close out a tough playoff contest.
Olympic future?
As the starting center for Team USA in the 2008 games, Howard helped bring home a gold medal.
Stan Van Gundy and Dwight Howard had an awkward press conference on Thursday, in which the Magic coach revealed that management had told him that Howard wanted him fired. It's an awfully strange and strained situation in Orlando, but will it be resolved by the beginning of next season?
- sox2320: "SVG probably wants out at this point so he doesnt have to deal with all the same stuff he did this year so he said this to ensure he wont be back"
- Nygel8181: "If The Knicks blows out Orlando tonight then, it's Buh Bye SVG in the morning!"
- spbynum1: "I can honestly care less what happens with SVG or Dwight at this point. Dwight is never gonna see a championship regardless."
- DATRUTH114: "Regardless of whether this story is true...Van Gundy will be out as the Magic's head coach after the season is over. Unless they win the championship, which we all know is not happening."
- Rezo201: "Howard is a team cancer, the Magic should keep SVG, and tell Howard to kick rocks. In the long run they will be better off."
- Murphymik: "I don't get why Dwight is so unhappy. He is on the #3 seed in the conference and could probably get good players recruited to warm & sunny Florida if he committed there"
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On Friday, "First Take" debated Dwight Howard's handling of his situation with the Orlando Magic. While a far cry from LeBron James' Decision, Howard's contract drama with the Magic was a bit of a soap opera in and of itself. Jemele Hill and J.A. Adande gave him bad grades for his handling of the situation, with Skip Bayless, as is his wont, taking a different tack. What's your take?
Dwight Howard's vacillation on committing to the Magic for next season has reached an end. Kind of. Howard officially won't opt out of his contract next season, meaning that he'll have at least one more year in Orlando -- unless the Magic trade him anyway, that is. It's definitely a possibility -- they might decide to cut ties sooner rather than possibly later, as they may not feel Howard is totally committed to the team.
Future champs?
Dwight Howard is clearly one of the NBA's elite players, but is he the type of star who can carry a team to a title?
A long-term deal?
A big consideration in keeping or trading Howard is whether he'll sign with the team long-term. They might just go through this whole ordeal with him again next season.
Effect on Williams?
Rumors had Howard going to the Nets before this whole situation. Deron Williams likely would stay if Howard went to New Jersey, but what does this mean for the Nets now?
A bigger fracas?
LeBron James' "Decision" was higher-profile, but Dwight Howard's decision was a big deal in a different way.
The Bulls got an up-close look Thursday night at what Dwight Howard could bring to their squad as the Magic center had 29 points and 18 rebounds in Orlando's 99-94 win over Chicago. Bulls guard Derrick Rose has said he's sick and tired of trade talk involving Howard, but the idea of the two stars on the same team must be a tempting one. The Bulls will have until the Ides of March to make a decision either way.
Are the Bulls title favorites?
The Bulls currently have the best record in the Eastern Conference, but they're top-heavy -- an off game from Derrick Rose leaves them vulnerable.
Could Rose and Howard coexist?
Both players are used to being the No. 1 option on their current squads, but as we've seen with superstar duos in the past, one player generally has to step aside for the team to succeed.
Bulls or Heat?
LeBron James and Dwyane Wade are Derrick Rose's chief rivals in the Eastern Conference this season -- if he had Dwight Howard, would it be enough to overcome the Heat's Big Two?
Should the Celtics start rebuilding?
Rajon Rondo has matured into a bona fide star with the Celtics, but with the team going nowhere fast, it's becoming more and more likely that Boston will trade him. A Rondo trade would be essentially giving up on the season.
Howard or Rondo?
Magic center Dwight Howard also might be available for trade if the Magic's pursuit of Monta Ellis as a complement to him fails.
Where will Howard end up?
Howard has looked for a trade for much of the past few months, seemingly convinced that the Magic won't be serious contenders any time soon.
Is Dwight Howard talking too much?
Dwight Howard told his teammates not to take the court if they didn't want to play hard. Then he said he'd be fine playing with Derrick Rose in Chicago. Does he get to say both?
Would it be worth it to Bulls?
It seems like Howard may be the only one talking about Chicago. But if the Bulls could land him, would breaking up the East's top seed be wise?
Is it time for the Magic to act?
The Magic are 12-8, comfortably in the playoff picture in the East, but with things going sour lately, is it time to make a move or wait and risk losing Howard for nothing?
Is Howard's popularity suffering?
As the drama drags on about Howard's future, is one of the NBA's more charismatic young stars in danger of rubbing fans the wrong way?
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