Post by Orlando Magic on Mar 10, 2008 1:47:57 GMT -5
An Evening with Orlando's "Mad Scientist"
As the classic Disney saying goes, "It's a world of laughter, a world of tears. A world of hopes and a world of fears." As I sat down with the Orlando GM this past Sunday, I got an in-depth look at just how this often heard Disney slogan mirrors the "Mad Scientist's" modus operandi when it comes to managing an NBA franchise.
After many weeks away from the Orlando compound, I decided it would be nice to head back and check up on one of my favorite GMs. However, since things have calmed down, I figured it would be interesting to pick at the GM's brain for awhile and see his thoughts on the franchise, the future and important global concerns. In the interest of typing space, I refer to the GM as John Doe. Why you ask? It is faster to type, and it is always nice to have a little sense of mystery as well.
- Thank you for having me tonight John.
- Why don't we just get into things then and see where it takes us? First question I have to ask obviously concerns the current status of your team. I haven't spoken to you since your trade to bring both Jameer Nelson back to the Magic and your acquisition of Big Al about 3 or 4 weeks ago. So, with the team gelling over the past 10 games and a 7-3 record to show for it, are you pleased?
- You talked about player roles on the team. And I would like to talk more specifically about Jason Terry. Since your acquisiton of Al, Jason has really stepped it up for you guys. He is putting up all-star stats and appears to have taken the reigns as a team leader and role model. What are your comments on both his role for your team and the MVP talk that is beginning to surround him
- Great stuff coming from this guy and I as well can't wait to see what else he has in store. Shifting focus now for a bit. It appears that you carry high spirits for this season, but now that the season is about half over, you can't help but look to the future. You hold three first round draft picks in what should be an incredible draft this summer. What are your plans for the future of this franchise and more specifically, those picks?
- Okay fine, so speculate with me for a bit. Who are some guys you are looking at and/or what positions will you be trying to fill?
- Well I appreciate you playing along with me. And as a reward we will finish on this question. Hillary or Barack, who have you got? Off topic certainly, but an important question never-the-less.
- Thanks again for your time and as always I look forward to seeing where you take the franchise next.
Reporting from Orlando HQ in Florida, this is Midway Monster
ESPN
As the classic Disney saying goes, "It's a world of laughter, a world of tears. A world of hopes and a world of fears." As I sat down with the Orlando GM this past Sunday, I got an in-depth look at just how this often heard Disney slogan mirrors the "Mad Scientist's" modus operandi when it comes to managing an NBA franchise.
After many weeks away from the Orlando compound, I decided it would be nice to head back and check up on one of my favorite GMs. However, since things have calmed down, I figured it would be interesting to pick at the GM's brain for awhile and see his thoughts on the franchise, the future and important global concerns. In the interest of typing space, I refer to the GM as John Doe. Why you ask? It is faster to type, and it is always nice to have a little sense of mystery as well.
- Thank you for having me tonight John.
"Not a problem at all MM (Midway Monster). You know if it weren't my tendency to overreact to press, we might be good friends. So for now at least, you are more than welcome"
- Why don't we just get into things then and see where it takes us? First question I have to ask obviously concerns the current status of your team. I haven't spoken to you since your trade to bring both Jameer Nelson back to the Magic and your acquisition of Big Al about 3 or 4 weeks ago. So, with the team gelling over the past 10 games and a 7-3 record to show for it, are you pleased?
"Well, I must say that if I had a 7-3 record to begin the season, this place would be in crisis lockdown mode right now. If there is one thing I hate more than anything in the world, it is losing. Flat out hate everything about it. However, I recognize that to introduce an incredibly talented and dominant presence inside like Big Al in the middle of the season when things appeared to be clicking with Caron, and expect immediate results is asking alot from my guys. And although I can get irrational at times, I never cross over to being unreasonable. So what do I think of the 7-3 record we have. It is slightly dissappointing, but like I said, I realize what I had to ask of these guys and I think they are starting to come around. Everyone seems to know their role and they are playing them perfectly. That's all I can ask right now, the chemistry will be there very soon, if not already."
- You talked about player roles on the team. And I would like to talk more specifically about Jason Terry. Since your acquisiton of Al, Jason has really stepped it up for you guys. He is putting up all-star stats and appears to have taken the reigns as a team leader and role model. What are your comments on both his role for your team and the MVP talk that is beginning to surround him
"Wow. I don't even know where to begin on Jason's performance. I'll tell ya, he has really surprised me in the last 10 games. He has been playing some outstanding ball that exceeds any of my expectations. I just checked his numbers from the last 10 and he is dropping an average of 33 points and 8 assists. An Average!! I don't care who you are, or who you play for, those are incredible figures to keep up. As far as his role on the team is concerned. Invaluable. If I could describe his role for our team in one word, it is invaluable! The kid plays his heart out for us every night, inspiring, leading and taking over games for us. It has been a true joy to see his progression for us over the past few weeks and I can only imagine the things he will accomplish for us in what should be a long career as a Magic. Now if being invaluable to a team and dropping unheard of stats on a regular basis is the qualities of an MVP then so help me God I think we found may have it!"
- Great stuff coming from this guy and I as well can't wait to see what else he has in store. Shifting focus now for a bit. It appears that you carry high spirits for this season, but now that the season is about half over, you can't help but look to the future. You hold three first round draft picks in what should be an incredible draft this summer. What are your plans for the future of this franchise and more specifically, those picks?
"Well I will tell you one thing right off the bat, something I have been extremely wary of over my short tenure as the Orlando GM, is looking to the future before it is time. Now I can't and won't begin to speculate about free agent pickups this offseason or what my anticipations are for our team's record, season, playoffs, et cetera. And that is because anything can happen in this league. We unfortunately had some pretty serious injuries earlier this year, namely to Jason, and you never know what roadblocks are on the horizon. Every team needs to take things one week at a time in my opinion. Now as far as the draft is concerned, again you can never tell what kind of players these young guns out of college are going to turn out to be. Injuries, hot streaks and cold streaks happen. So the best thing for me is to try and take in their performances as a whole and speculate."
- Okay fine, so speculate with me for a bit. Who are some guys you are looking at and/or what positions will you be trying to fill?
"You are starting to cross that line here MM but I'm gonna bite. I really try to stay away from the guessing game. But since I am in a good mood, I can let you in on some of the things I hope to find in the draft. First off, salary-wise, I know that we will need to decline some of our team options this off-season. With this in mind, I believe that we might have holes in both the F and PG slots. I am not talking starting roles here though. We have an incredible starting five and I don't anticipate tampering with them at all. Some of the guys I have been watching on ESPN and such are as follows. I really like the way Jerryd Bayless holds himself. He is an incredible talent in my eyes and his athleticism could be a great asset for us off the bench behind Jameer. I also like the look of UCLA's backcourt. Both Westbrook and Collison look like the kind of athletes that I can picture in Orlando uniforms. All three of those guys have incredible floor vision and would make great future leaders. A bigger guy I have had my eyes on is Donte Green from Syracuse. A Syracuse man myself, I have obviously recieved all the 'Cuse games on my satelite package and I must say that this is one talented prospect. I don't know if he is quite ready for the league yet though. He can be pretty streaky and at times immature. But there is no denying his athleticism and raw talent. Other big guys I have been eyeing are both Blake Griffin and Arthur from Kansas. Both of these guys have some serious potential, but in my mind they are in the same boat as Donte. Possibly unprepared for the rigors of the NBA. But if presented with the opportunity to draft them, hesitation would certainly be minimal.
- Well I appreciate you playing along with me. And as a reward we will finish on this question. Hillary or Barack, who have you got? Off topic certainly, but an important question never-the-less.
Ah, a valiant effort at trying to rope me into that mess. If I had to guess I'd say Obama, but that is a guess and I will leave this matter alone until further notice.
- Thanks again for your time and as always I look forward to seeing where you take the franchise next.
Not a problem, and you escaped unscathed. Which is always impressive to me. Take it easy.
Reporting from Orlando HQ in Florida, this is Midway Monster
ESPN
