QUOTE (ZoomSlowik @ Jul 5 2007, 01:42 PM)
There were only like 2 teams with enough cap space to sign a max player.
As for Hawes, if Noah was there, yeah, they were almost certainly going to take him given their recent history. Whatever, seriously off-topic.
I would rather have Deng than Lewis. One major thing is age, Lewis is 5 1/2 years older. Besides the obvious benefit of possibly having him around for 12 or so years to Lewis' 6, Lewis has been in the league for 9 years already while Deng just finished his 3rd, meaning the latter is significantly more likely to improve. Another is defense, Lewis is decent at best, while Deng is pretty solid. Thirdly, Deng is a bit more consistent since he doesn't rely on his long range jumper to produce points and is more effective in the mid-range game and as a slasher. I fully expect both of them to be in the low-20's in points next year, which nullifies Lewis' one major edge production-wise. However, for their needs, Lewis IS a better fit for Orlando because they need an elite outside shooter to draw attention away from Howard.
I'm still not all that afraid of Orlando in the long run unless they do something else, they just have too many holes. They really only have 4 starting-caliber players now with Lewis, Howard, Nelson, and Turkoglu, and the latter is likely to be traded since he's reasonably expensive and plays the same basic role as Lewis. They're also losing one of their two youngsters with the potential for significant improvement with Milicic (the other being Ariza). Since Lewis and Howard aren't on the Kobe/Shaq level (or even T-Mac/Yao), they're still likely a 5-7 seed that may make the 2nd round but not do much else this year, unless of course they do something else to improve.
1st I'd like to start off by saying that I predicted the Lewis to Orlando thing before he was even a free agent. Before he opted out. But I would expect that out of you.
Anyway, I'd have to disagree with your stance on how good the Magic are going to be.
A lineup of:
Battie/(D. Howard)
Howard
Lewis/Ariza
Bogans
Nelson/Arroyo
is pretty damn good in the east. Especially considering that the Bulls had no answer for Howard last year. He's only going to be better and commit less turnovers now that Lewis is drawing the double team away from him. You don't give Lewis enough credit for how good he is. What he's going to do is assure us that Deng doesn't make the All-star team next year. It will be him and Lebron going to the game. It's sad b/c I really want Deng to go. Maybe just maybe all 3 will make it.
Anyway, Lewis is better than you think. You think Deng is a good slasher but Lewis is better. He also has a far better post up game. The only problem is he falls in love with the 3. And I don't blame him b/c that's what I do too.
I agree with you about the Turkoglu thing. That's why I predict he's going to be traded. I think we'll see a little more of Redick this year too. As for Milicic, if he doesn't get the offers he wants b/c no team has cap space then I think he's going to do a sign and trade with Orlando possibly to the Hawks. I bet the Hawks would be willing to give up Marvin Williams or Sheldon Williams in a deal for Milicic. Sheldon Williams would probably be more likely and would provide the Magic with a good quality backup PF.
As for Turkoglu, he could be used in a trade to bring in another SG. Possibly to the Kings for Francisco Garcia or John Salmons. Both moves would solidify the Magic's bench at all positions.
I also think the Magic are going to make a move at acquiring another center if they can't re-sign Darko. Chris Mihm, Melvin Ely, or a sign and trade no mentioned earlier for either Turkoglu or Milicic could bring them a decent backup center.