Who's to blame in Orlando?

[Lucky17]

I'll admit, I didn't watch much of the ORL-ATL series. But I did say before the series started that I wouldn't be surprised if Atlanta won.

How much of the Magic's loss can be laid at Stan Van Gundy's feet? Did he get outcoached? I know the Magic shot abysmally from 3-point land during the series. How much of that was missing open shots vs. Atlanta defending? At some point, you have to say that the gameplan is not working, and make adjustments, right?

I just wonder how much of a difference a new coaching staff in Orlando might make. Rick Adelman, for instance.

[Roy H.]

Otis Smith, who decided to blow up a contender for no good reason. 

When you have a team as close as Orlando was, you add to it, rather than destroying it.  Gilbert Arenas wasn't a good gamble at the time, and nothing about his play has changed my thinking on that one.

[angryguy77]

Otis Smith, who decided to blow up a contender for no good reason.  

When you have a team as close as Orlando was, you add to it, rather than destroying it.  Gilbert Arenas wasn't a good gamble at the time, and nothing about his play has changed my thinking on that one.

This and not adding a decent reserve behind DH

[Lucky17]

Otis Smith, who decided to blow up a contender for no good reason.  

When you have a team as close as Orlando was, you add to it, rather than destroying it.  Gilbert Arenas wasn't a good gamble at the time, and nothing about his play has changed my thinking on that one.

You think Orlando would have gone further with Carter, Rashard, Gortat, and Pietrus?

I'm not sure. Two of those guys are currently injured, and Howard logged major minutes but still put up huge numbers (no detriment to his game).

[feckless]

Celtics have always won with brains, chemistry, determination and TEAM play --the personalities on Orlando reek of self and athletic ability as the emphasis.

Just a bad mix and poor leadership.

[StartOrien]

Otis Smith, because he seemingly lives in the tunnel to the locker room.

[RebusRankin]

Otis Smith

[MBunge]

Otis Smith, who decided to blow up a contender for no good reason.  

When you have a team as close as Orlando was, you add to it, rather than destroying it.  Gilbert Arenas wasn't a good gamble at the time, and nothing about his play has changed my thinking on that one.

You think Orlando would have gone further with Carter, Rashard, Gortat, and Pietrus?

Smith's errors started with letting Hedo walk.  He looked pretty smart at first because Hedo's game fell off a cliff, but maybe that doesn't happen if Hedo stays where he's comfortable in Orlando.  Regardless, Smith broke up a NBA Finals starting 5 in order to bring in Vince Frickin' Carter.  That was never going to work and while Rashard Lewis imploding the last two seasons made it all wthe orse, Smith should have never given Lewis that ginormous contract in the first place.

Then, instead of just letting it ride and seeing what he could do under the new CBA, he traded the only size he had besides Howard to get back the struggling Hedo with his big contract that has 3 more seasons to go and shipped out Lewis to bring in the just-as-bad-and-with-an-even-worse-contract Arenas.  And remember, even if Arenas suddenly starts playing great...are you going to play him and Jameer 35 minutes a game as your starting backcourt?  Orlando is going to spend 26 million dollars a year for the next two seasons for their starting and back-up point guards.

Mike

[Who]

Otis Smith

[scaryjerry]

For as much as they rightfully got crucified for the Contract they gave Rashard Lewis, he was the perfect fit next to dwight howard, and worth that money more so than Gilbert Arenas... Once he was traded...never the same.. he was key in there last 2 runs

[scaryjerry]

Otis Smith, who decided to blow up a contender for no good reason. 

When you have a team as close as Orlando was, you add to it, rather than destroying it.  Gilbert Arenas wasn't a good gamble at the time, and nothing about his play has changed my thinking on that one.

You think Orlando would have gone further with Carter, Rashard, Gortat, and Pietrus?

I'm not sure. Two of those guys are currently injured, and Howard logged major minutes but still put up huge numbers (no detriment to his game).

Most certainly beat the hawks with Carter, Lewis, Gortat and Pietrus...w/o question
Pretty sure that was proved last year..
they win it all? no but id give em a chance to get past the bulls  too

[soap07]

Otis Smith, who decided to blow up a contender for no good reason.  

When you have a team as close as Orlando was, you add to it, rather than destroying it.  Gilbert Arenas wasn't a good gamble at the time, and nothing about his play has changed my thinking on that one.

You think Orlando would have gone further with Carter, Rashard, Gortat, and Pietrus?

Smith's errors started with letting Hedo walk.  He looked pretty smart at first because Hedo's game fell off a cliff, but maybe that doesn't happen if Hedo stays where he's comfortable in Orlando.  Regardless, Smith broke up a NBA Finals starting 5 in order to bring in Vince Frickin' Carter.  That was never going to work and while Rashard Lewis imploding the last two seasons made it all wthe orse, Smith should have never given Lewis that ginormous contract in the first place.

Then, instead of just letting it ride and seeing what he could do under the new CBA, he traded the only size he had besides Howard to get back the struggling Hedo with his big contract that has 3 more seasons to go and shipped out Lewis to bring in the just-as-bad-and-with-an-even-worse-contract Arenas.  And remember, even if Arenas suddenly starts playing great...are you going to play him and Jameer 35 minutes a game as your starting backcourt?  Orlando is going to spend 26 million dollars a year for the next two seasons for their starting and back-up point guards.

Mike

Hedo was enormously overrated when he was in his Orlando hey-day. I don't see, considering Hedo's play over the last three seasons, how anyone can criticize Smith for letting him walk.

Fair point on Rashard's contract.

[Tai]

I said the Magic would struggle without size either behind Howard or next to him, and I was right.

Definitely think the trade was questionable. Maybe not flat out bad on paper, but the results speak for themselves at this point.

[scaryjerry]

Otis Smith, who decided to blow up a contender for no good reason.  

When you have a team as close as Orlando was, you add to it, rather than destroying it.  Gilbert Arenas wasn't a good gamble at the time, and nothing about his play has changed my thinking on that one.

You think Orlando would have gone further with Carter, Rashard, Gortat, and Pietrus?

Smith's errors started with letting Hedo walk.  He looked pretty smart at first because Hedo's game fell off a cliff, but maybe that doesn't happen if Hedo stays where he's comfortable in Orlando.  Regardless, Smith broke up a NBA Finals starting 5 in order to bring in Vince Frickin' Carter.  That was never going to work and while Rashard Lewis imploding the last two seasons made it all wthe orse, Smith should have never given Lewis that ginormous contract in the first place.

Then, instead of just letting it ride and seeing what he could do under the new CBA, he traded the only size he had besides Howard to get back the struggling Hedo with his big contract that has 3 more seasons to go and shipped out Lewis to bring in the just-as-bad-and-with-an-even-worse-contract Arenas.  And remember, even if Arenas suddenly starts playing great...are you going to play him and Jameer 35 minutes a game as your starting backcourt?  Orlando is going to spend 26 million dollars a year for the next two seasons for their starting and back-up point guards.

Mike

Hedo was enormously overrated when he was in his Orlando hey-day. I don't see, considering Hedo's play over the last three seasons, how anyone can criticize Smith for letting him walk.

Fair point on Rashard's contract.

He May have been overrated, but in there finals run Rashard and Hedo were huge in the game 7 in Boston to elimate us (albeit withot KG) and Were huge in knocking off the Cavs.

[mgent]

The idiot GM that never sits down during a game.

I hope those of you saying Otis Smith realize Ainge made the same mistake.  He just had better personnel to begin with.