Denton: Otis Smith Interview
By John Denton
February 16, 2010
Note: The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Orlando Magic. All opinions expressed by John Denton are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Orlando Magic or their Basketball Operations staff, partners or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Magic and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media.
ORLANDO – Orlando Magic general manager Otis Smith raised more than a few eyebrows last summer when he shuffled his deck of players off a team that had just reached the NBA Finals in June.
In Smith's eyes last season's Magic team didn't reach the ultimate goal of winning a championship, so change was in order to make the team better. He wasn't afraid to make changes, knowing full well that teams rarely ever remain static and either get better or worse from one season to the next.
Adding five new players around the core of Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis, Jameer Nelson, J.J. Redick and Marcin Gortat led to some dramatic highs and lows so far this season. But Smith is confident that the Magic are better off now as a championship contender than ever before.
Now, as the Magic come out of the all-star break and prepare for the final 28 games of the regular season – starting with Wednesday's 7 p.m. home game against the Detroit Pistons – Smith feels Orlando is primed for a strong finish and another deep playoff run.
``I don't see why we're not still contenders,'' the Magic's general manager said. ``I think it would be very hard for any team out there to discount us. Just because we made changes last summer, I still think we have as good a chance or better than any team in this league to win a championship.
``Most people don't like change – that's probably one of the top 10 things in the world that people don't like,'' Smith continued. ``But I've just always been of the opinion that you've got to actively look to better your team if you want to stay at the top.''
Smith visited with Orlandomagic.com this week for a question-and-answer session about Vince Carter, Brandon Bass, Howard, the upcoming trade deadline and the Magic's chances of winning a championship.
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By John DentonFebruary 16, 2010
Note: The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Orlando Magic. All opinions expressed by John Denton are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Orlando Magic or their Basketball Operations staff, partners or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Magic and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media.
ORLANDO – Orlando Magic general manager Otis Smith raised more than a few eyebrows last summer when he shuffled his deck of players off a team that had just reached the NBA Finals in June.
In Smith's eyes last season's Magic team didn't reach the ultimate goal of winning a championship, so change was in order to make the team better. He wasn't afraid to make changes, knowing full well that teams rarely ever remain static and either get better or worse from one season to the next.
Adding five new players around the core of Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis, Jameer Nelson, J.J. Redick and Marcin Gortat led to some dramatic highs and lows so far this season. But Smith is confident that the Magic are better off now as a championship contender than ever before.
Now, as the Magic come out of the all-star break and prepare for the final 28 games of the regular season – starting with Wednesday's 7 p.m. home game against the Detroit Pistons – Smith feels Orlando is primed for a strong finish and another deep playoff run.
``I don't see why we're not still contenders,'' the Magic's general manager said. ``I think it would be very hard for any team out there to discount us. Just because we made changes last summer, I still think we have as good a chance or better than any team in this league to win a championship.
``Most people don't like change – that's probably one of the top 10 things in the world that people don't like,'' Smith continued. ``But I've just always been of the opinion that you've got to actively look to better your team if you want to stay at the top.''
Smith visited with Orlandomagic.com this week for a question-and-answer session about Vince Carter, Brandon Bass, Howard, the upcoming trade deadline and the Magic's chances of winning a championship.
Click here to continue reading >>>
