Wall Street is closed on the weekends, but there were some major trades being made in the sports world over the weekend. The two biggest trades were undoubtedly the Magic getting Gilbert (a long time favorite of mine) from the Wizards, as well as Hedo Turkoglu, Jason Richardson, and Earl Clark from the Suns. My first reaction to the trade when I saw it flash up on the bottom line on TV was, what an upgrade! They got rid of Rashard, Pietrus and Vince, which is a win my book regardless of who came in. Nothing against Vince or Rashard, but if the Magic really want to be serious contenders they needed to get rid of both of them for the simple reason that they always choke in the playoffs. Here’s a reminder of how they felt last year about the Hedoless team. (NJ and Toronto fans nodding in agreement) Second, they got rid of Michael (I step out of bounds twice a game) Pietrus. I’m not positive how Air France has done this year since I really don’t follow the Magic that closely, but Pietrus is a guy that frustrated me when he was in a Warriors uniform. I can only assume that those are the same type of sentiments that Magic fans have about him, but maybe not. All in all it was like the how the A’s finally rid themselves of Jack Cust. Addition by subtraction.
How will this new look Eastern Conference beast be with all the new parts? I really can’t say for sure that they will be better than the old group, but since they are taking in veterans that have played in multiple systems, I’m sure integrating them into the game plan won’t take as long as many expect. I also believe that Hedo and Arenas want to prove that they are good again, and will have plenty of reasons now that they will be playing for a winning team. I’m sure both want to revive their image, and winning cures that quickly just look at Vick! A lot of people seemed shocked that they’d blow up their team like this with only a quarter of the season gone by, but my thinking is that all of this seeming panic goes back to the summer of Lebron.
The Magic are about to find themselves in a similar situation that Cleveland faced last year with Dwight’s contract expiring in 2012. Feels like a do or die move to try and get a championship. If you are the Magic, you definitely should be scared that if they don’t get a championship in the next two years then their chances to re-sign Dwight will be nearly impossible as he looks to take his talents away from central Florida. They already have experience losing a once in a lifetime center seeing Shaq flee to LA. Centers don’t grow on trees as we’ve seen with guys like Oden and Bynum never really making it to their potential level or staying healthy for that matter. The Magic are now deep into the luxury tax, but it will only be worth it if they can appease their big man to stay, and a championship might be the only way to do that. I hope it works out for them, unless of course Dwight has an aching to come to Golden State! Then I wouldn’t mind watching his “Decision” from the Epcot Center.
Zack Greinke was the other big trade of the weekend. I love reading how the Royals got a good deal out of it. Really!?! You can already tell?!? They traded away their best player and have improved greatly?!? I guess they are like the A’s, but simply never win. The Royals have one of the youngest roster known to man. Aside from Vin Mazzaro who the A’s just traded to them, I don’t really recognize many names. I guess they could be like the Padres and sneak up on everyone, but that’s a laughable statement in itself. If they are a contender in two years I will gladly eat those words. I’d put the chances of them getting a Cliff Lee, Brandon Phillips, and Grady Seizmore type haul at 1%. Personally, I thought the best part about this trade was that the Rangers didn’t end up with Greinke. He was supposedly their second target after they failed to get Cliff Lee. Now it looks like the A’s are still the only team that’s really improved in the AL West, which makes me that much happier. The Brewers get what they were desperately missing with Greinke’s consistent pitching, even if last year he wasn’t as great. Can you blame him? I’d have a hard time getting fired up for starts if I was on the Royals. I think he’s going to tear through the NL lineups and might be somewhat like Halladay was last year for the Phillies, although there’s a huge difference between the AL East and the AL Central. I actually picked the Brewers to win the NL Central last year, maybe I just picked them one year too early! Now that they’ll have Yorvani Gallardo and hopefully a healthy Chris Capuano, so there’s no reason to count this team out. Their young core can put up runs, but now they some pitching to match that powerful lineup. If they can find a way to bridge the gap between their new starters and the Axeman I will be saying I told you so 8 months from now when they are in the playoffs!
By
cali4dre
chappy81
dyslecix
mceezy
Doin Work 
December 20th, 2010 at 5:47 pm
I asked in my post, how much say Howard had in the trade. According to Tony Kornheiser, who doesn’t always speak the truth, is that Dwight had quite a bit of say in it.
Last time I checked though, he wasn’t either a GM or a talent scout.
It seems a little too early to be worried about whether Dwight Howard will re-sign in Orlando, doesn’t it? This team has proven they’re among one of the few in the league that is willing to do whatever it takes to do win, right moves or wrong.
Now I’m hearing that the Magic aren’t done.
Someone wake me when Otis Smith is done playing fantasy basketball with my favorite team. Who does he think he is? Steve Kerr?
December 20th, 2010 at 6:01 pm
I think it’s never too soon to start worrying about your star leaving. I’m not saying that Dwight is close to as much of a dick/ego as Lebron, but both have gotten them in the playoffs as a #1 seed as well as deep runs, but still left the first chance he got. I thought Cleveland was trying to do everything for Lebron and he still dumped them like a bad habit. If Dwight doesn’t win it all in the next two years good moves or bad ones, don’t you think he’d look around at some other options just to see?
I don’t know how much a say Dwight had in the trade, but wouldn’t take Kornheisers words too seriously. I don’t see anyway he would’ve been excluded from the trade talks if they really want to keep him long term. If he strongly opposed it, I doubt it goes through. If this isn’t the end of their moves do you think they are going after Melo or CP3 with the new pieces they just got?
December 21st, 2010 at 9:18 am
Gordon Gekko was right ……….. greed is good !
The Magic on paper are no better off than they were before ! I can’t wait for when they have bring a family member to work day at the Amway Arena . Arenas will bring his armory of guns while Richardson simply brings his alter ego …….. a pain in the ass !
GM Otis Smith must have been having way too much of that salvia . He must’ve seen Miley Cyrus’ meltdown .
If she wants to prove that she’s an adult why doesn’t she simply ‘put out’ and get “trained” as in gang banged ? I mean every ‘ho’ knows how it’s done .
Richardson and Carter are simply way past their sell by date like rancid wine they have become stale and are simply now like vinegar !
tophatal 😉
December 21st, 2010 at 8:09 pm
Yeah, I wouldn’t be happy as a Royals fan. Escobar was the Brewers top prospect last year but even at his best he’ll be labeled as a defensive SS who can’t hit…and that was before he hit .235 last year. Lorenzo Cain is nothing, really. Unless the two pitching prospects pan out, I don’t see anything good coming out of this. One of those guys (Jeffress) has been suspended twice for drugs and has control problems. Unless Jake Odorizzi wins some Cy Youngs, I wouldn’t be happy.
They should’ve tried to send him to Toronto for Travis Snider and newly acquired Brett Lawrie (ironically from Milwaukee). KC is loaded with infield and pitching prospects but they have nothing as far as OFs. I’m assuming they’re going to move last year’s first round pick, Christian Colon, over to 2nd. Getting Lawrie would’ve allowed them to keep him at short and given them a top prospect in right with Snider. They have a ridiculous list of pitching prospects already, so maybe see if the Jays would’ve added some B or C prospects and called it a day.
But that’s why I’m not running the Royals. Though I’m pretty sure I could’ve gotten them to where they’ve been for the past decade.
December 22nd, 2010 at 9:54 am
Seriously right!?! I was looking at what scouts wrote about the guys they got in the trade and while they seem above average, they didn’t seem like anything to write home about…
I think you should run the Royals, you are far and away more knowledgeable than their front office. That would’ve been good if they could’ve gone for Snyder, but I’m not so sure the Blue Jays would’ve given him up since he did much better last year. Tough to say, but I definitely think they could’ve gotten more!
December 22nd, 2010 at 12:37 am
I have no idea what the hell Alan just said
Meehan
December 23rd, 2010 at 9:23 am
Meehan
And here’s me thinking that you’re a man of the streets ? Sesame St is it ?
tophatal
December 22nd, 2010 at 11:22 pm
So Gilbert just stated he’s not fit for Orlando’s running style. Even mentioning being in an “Albert Haynesworth” scenario. That along w/ Turk’s horrible missed dunk vs. Dallas on Tues. might be signs of tough times to come in the Magic kingdom.
December 23rd, 2010 at 1:13 pm
Wow, Albert Haynesworth comments. I hear that Dwight said he wouldn’t mind going to the Lakers when his contract is up just like Shaq did. It’s not going to be pretty in Orlando if that happens!
December 29th, 2010 at 2:43 pm
[…] comfortable lately and it’s showed up in the win column. This team seems re-energized, and like I said before, I know this trade will work […]