Please note, any opinion provided is mine alone, any quotes attributed are conversations that I personally overheard or took part in. This is meant strictly to be interesting and entertaining to my fellow Magic fans.
Ok, here are some leftovers from my observation of the Summer League a week ago. Some of the information in here may seem dated now – for instance, we have sinced signed Marcin Gortat – but I hope you will still enjoy reading it.
It was very interesting watching the various beat writers interviewing players and coaches. I was able to stand directly behind Tim Povtak of the Sentinel and John Denton of Florida Today while they interviewed Trevor Ariza. All the beat writers have hand held microphone recorders, but they also have pad and paper. Povtak asked Ariza about playing shooting guard and he replied: “I’ll play wherever they want if it gets me on the court.” He went on to say that he hadn’t spoken with Grant Hill or Darko because they have been away from Orlando for much of the off season. Ariza himself had been in LA working out, taking 500 shots a day, and playing with other pros such as Nets Marcus Williams. Ariza was pretty much just stopping by to check things out.
I approached Tim Povtak about Chad Ford’s scathing article about overpaying for Rashard Lewis. John Denton overheard and walked over. I mentioned how Chad Ford was upset back in February when we didn’t pull the trigger on the VC trade; and that it seemed that no matter which scenario Otis had pulled off, Ford would have been upset. Povtak and Denton both nodded and said that Chad Ford and Marc Cornstein (Darko’s agent) are close and that it is possible this relationship had much to do with the tone of the article.
During the final Magic game on Friday (vs. Heat), Tim Povtak and John Denton were sitting at mid-court. They had their laptops on their laps (of all places!) and were typing away. Obviously I am a basketball fan at heart, but I must admit that it is fascinating watching the media members work. They have mastered the ability to enjoy their sport and work effectively and efficiently at the same time.
I sat down at one of the tables in the eating area to eat my pulled pork sandwich and I overheard a guy telling a humorous story a few seats away. After listening but not looking up for a couple of minutes, I finally glanced over and it was Pat Garrity! He was talking to three other guys and they were laughing at every word. Shortly thereafter he got up to leave and when saying goodbye to the other guys he said “nice to meet you.” It made me realize that he didn’t know that but was being very friendly, which I thought was cool. From the window of the eating area, I could see Garrity get into his car a very sweet black Beemer with a large, fancy roof rack.
I took the opportunity to speak with Magic assistant coach Morlon Wiley. I asked him where fellow Magic assistant coach Patrick Ewing has been this week. He said that Ewing is in Virginia rehabbing from surgery on his shoulder. I went on to ask Wiley about bringing Gortat over. He said he didn’t know, that it would be up to “coach.” He did say that he liked what he saw of Gortat and that he was a good kid.
Then former Magic assistant and head coach Richie Adubato walked in, dressed in green dress slacks and a multi-colored floral patterned shirt! It was a very loud outfit, yet somehow he pulled it off. He stood next to me and Wiley and started to talk to Wiley. I excused myself and moved a few feet away where I could still listen while watching some game action. Wiley asked Richie about Brian Hill and the New Jersey Nets assistant coaching job. Richie said “yes, it is a done deal” and that he had “just spoken with him yesterday.” Pat Williams walks down the stairs from the Magic offices, spots Richie in his loud get up and proceeds to untuck Richie’s shirt for him, much to the amusement of Morlon Wiley, myself, and several other people standing nearby. Williams walks off, and then Richie comments to Wiley that Pat will now go “write a book about this.” Wiley and Richie continued their conversation and then Joel Glass walked up and joined in. Richie then cajoled Glass about the Magic’s recent spending (Lewis’s huge contract). Richie seemed to be giving the Magic a hard time about it, but in a good natured way. I heard Richie say: “Look at New York, all that money and they can’t even make the playoffs.”
During the 2nd quarter, I sat directly behind former Magic asst. coach Dave Wohl, Miami Heat assistant coach and all-time player Bob McAdoo, and Coach SVG. They were watching the game but were also talking about various players, some that weren’t even on the court.
At halftime, Povtak, Denton, and the Daytona paper’s beat writer gathered around SVG for an interview. I followed them and again stood directly behind Povtak and listened to everything they asked SVG and everything he said. He spoke for about 8 to 10 minutes and covered many topics related to Summer League and the current roster, but focused primarily on Gortat, JJ, and the 2 guard position . It was extremely interesting to see how the beat writers got their quotes, asked their questions, and had clearly already developed a rapport with the new coach. Much of what SVG said during that interview was printed the next day in all three papers. Reading the quotes and remembering having heard them myself was pretty awesome.
LOD's Summer League Accolades
Best play of the week: During the loss to the Heat, Marcin Gortat grabbed a defensive rebound, got the outlet to JJ on the right wing, JJ takes a dribble and send the ball cross court to Auggie, left of the basket. Auggie takes a quick two steps and makes an easy, uncontested lay-up. All three Magic principles involved in the same play, sweet.
Best food of the week: the Magic had catered Subway, Papa Johns, Moe’s Mexican, and best of all, O-Boys BBQ!
Coolest player to see in person: Adam Morrison. I don’t know what it is, but this guy just comes off as really cool. I don’t think I heard him speak a word the entire week, but he just has a presence about him. I’m not saying he is Steve McQueen cool, but he just looks like a guy that would be awesome to hang around.
Furthest removed from his playing days: Larry Bird. He is still tall, but otherwise, he looks nothing like how he used to. He pretty sat in the same chair, hardly moving, all week. In fact, he really didn’t seem too happy to be there.
Most likely to still school some young fellas: Bob McAdoo. He has aged well and looks like he could still step on the court and nail some jumpers.
Person that looks the most different in person: Pat Riley. He is much taller than I expected and looks older and grayer than he appears on TV.
Player providing the biggest ego boost to ME: this is a three-way tie; Chris Quinn, Marcus Williams, and Kevin Kruger are all shorter and smaller than me. And yes, that does make me feel better.
Most relaxed: Bernie Bickerstaff. The one person who spoke to me every time he saw me and by the third day started to recognize me. He seemed calm, relaxed, and cool as a cat. Must be nice to not have to coach the Bobcats anymore!
Most intense: Magic assistant coach Steve Clifford. I am almost positive that he didn’t crack a smile the entire week.
Nicest person: Actually, it wasn’t a player or coach, but a Magic employee who was tasked with running the eating area during the week. She looked very familiar and I kept thinking that maybe she was a Magic dancer. She was certainly pretty enough. She was in the running for “busiest person at Summer League.” The eating area was small and extremely crowded with lots of large and tall bodies. She managed to keep the food, snacks and drinks well stocked and kept a happy demeanor through it all.
Most embarrassing moment: getting lost on my way back from observing George and Dante doing the play-by-play. It felt like a moment from one of the “Fletch” films.
Funniest moment during a game: Heat Asst. Coach Keith Askins booing the ref from the bench! “Boo!! Boo!! That was a BAD call!!”
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
"My life will go on, this much I know. Cars and games will come and go. But never once will I forgetta, the way we danced, dear Dick Bavetta." - from "I Left My Heart In Dick Bavetta"
Posts: 8095 | Location: Catching up with the OCTB. | Registered: February 09, 2006
Extremely interesting information about Ford and Cornstein being good friends. I wonder which came first Ford pumping up Darko before the draft as though he was getting a percentage of the contract or their friendship? I don't think there is anyone on Earth higher on Darko than Ford is.
"So who would win in a fight: Darko Fanatics, Arroyo Maniacs, Hedo Worshipers, or JJ Lovers? Answer? Gortat. Bring on your armies, the Warlock is prepared. And by prepared, I mean in existence."-TheRevTy
Posts: 9511 | Location: Trying to figure out why the Fan Voice Blog gets 10 views and JJ/Carlos/Jameer/SVG sucks threads get a million views | Registered: February 15, 2006
It's cool to have a fan insider that can tell it how it is and what he saw....
You see....I do read these threads.....
"Michael, you are not quite the ladies man I had pictured. Hopefully, we will remedy that when we are in the spa spreading body chocolate on each other."
Posts: 5687 | Location: "No dejes q este tren se pare, Yo quiero q tus manos a mi me reparen, Ayudame a llegar a tu estacion, Seguir hasta que explote el corazon" | Registered: February 27, 2006
Originally posted by davcivic: You see....I do read these threads.....
You have proven yourself worthy!
"My life will go on, this much I know. Cars and games will come and go. But never once will I forgetta, the way we danced, dear Dick Bavetta." - from "I Left My Heart In Dick Bavetta"
Posts: 8095 | Location: Catching up with the OCTB. | Registered: February 09, 2006
I always thought I would be useful for something.....eventually....
"Michael, you are not quite the ladies man I had pictured. Hopefully, we will remedy that when we are in the spa spreading body chocolate on each other."
Posts: 5687 | Location: "No dejes q este tren se pare, Yo quiero q tus manos a mi me reparen, Ayudame a llegar a tu estacion, Seguir hasta que explote el corazon" | Registered: February 27, 2006
I always thought I would be useful for something.....eventually....
You need to make a new auto glass sticker that says "LOD has deemed me worthy!"
"My life will go on, this much I know. Cars and games will come and go. But never once will I forgetta, the way we danced, dear Dick Bavetta." - from "I Left My Heart In Dick Bavetta"
Posts: 8095 | Location: Catching up with the OCTB. | Registered: February 09, 2006
orlandomagiczone.com 
