Over two years ago, I placed a sticker on the back window of my truck that reads “In Otis We Trust.” I received this sticker from fellow Magic Message Board member Davcivic and I have displayed it proudly since that time. Despite one or two moves that made me raise my eyebrows during that time, I have never once considered taking it off my truck and I’ve never once felt that the statement no longer applied to me.
This past Thursday, that sentiment was reinforced exponentially when Otis Smith traded for Rafer Alston. The move signified that any vestiges of a “building for the future” mindset are now gone. By trading Brian Cook, Adonal Foyle, Mike Wilks and this year’s 2009 draft pick for Rafer Alston, Otis Smith demonstrated that he feels this team should be competing for a championship this year, not just next year, or theyear after that, or the year after that.
Raise your hand if you assumed that after Jameer Nelson’s injury, the Magic’s season was in the toilet. Judging by the doom and gloom reactions on the boards, there should be plenty of hands raised. I stated in this very space that my optimism was still high for the remaining Magic players to compensate for Nelson’s loss and give us a successful season. However, even I must admit that watching the way we played in losses to Denver and New Orleans, and in an overtime win versus Charlotte, made me wonder where the crisp ball movement and huge first half leads had gone. The loss of Nelson seemed to have affected the entire roster. Rashard Lewis hit a slump, Hedo Turkoglu seemed to press his game to point of looking desperate on the court, and Anthony Johnson and Tyronn Lue played like what they are, back up point guards.
The addition of Rafer Alston has invigorated the Magic, as evidenced by the small sample of wins over Charlotte and Miami. Rashard Lewis is once again on fire. Hedo Turkoglu is filling up the stat line, and as for Dwight Howard, well, he never really went away did he! We still need to show our stuff against the contenders ahead of us, but the Magic energy from the first half of the season is definitely back.
Otis Smith was able to accomplish this shot of adrenaline without having to sacrifice any members of our rotation. For most of the last year or so, we have discussed players such as Brian Cook and Keith Bogans as pieces to use to get a big man, or to get another back up point guard. These discussions – many of which totally consumed the Magic Message Boards – took for granted that any moves involving these players would not be made with injuries as a factor. But the hard facts of NBA life hit the Magic and their fans square in the right shoulder. Bogans, Cook, Foyle, and Wilks became pennies that Otis Smith had saved for a rainy day. We didn’t expect to have to use these players as assets to replace an injured starter, but we also didn’t expect to have a championship contending team this season. But here we are, and we have Otis Smith to thank for it.
Even though Otis had front office experience with the Golden State Warriors, and has held multiple titles here with the Magic, he seems to be learning on the go. I mean this as a compliment. He has grown into this role and become more aware of what it takes to do the job successfully. Each set back he has had led directly to a positive outcome from a future transaction. For instance, instead of sitting back and being satisfied with the Bogans-for-Lue trade, he saw that he could still do better and went out and got Alston.
He has even acknowledge and moved on from his most glaring error in his time with the Magic. At the “State of the Magic” Q&A session he had on Sunday with Magic season ticket holders, he acknowledged that he isn’t holding his breath waiting for Mrs. Vasquez to come over and play for us.
Otis has shown the ability to patiently wait for his moves to show themselves as successes. He pushed for the acquisition of Jameer Nelson on draft night 2004, then several years later signed him to what was considered at the time to be too big a contract. Nelson’s play last season didn’t improve to a level the fans expected and he seemed distracted by having to split time at the position. But perhaps Otis Smith knew something we didn’t, that he was getting Nelson cheap. Evidence of this fact sure seemed irrefutable this season when Nelson, with the starting point guard position entirely his, was rejuvinated and played like an all-star, helping the team to a fast start and even playing defense!. If Nelson resumes this level of play next season, then we will be getting an all-star point guard at bargain prices. In this economy, that is important.
The dynamic of having Alston and Nelson both healthy at the same time next season may certainly be an interesting one, but that is something to consider for next season. No one will be thinking about that if we are locked in a spectacular Eastern Conference Finals with either the Celtics or the Cavaliers. And that’s the point, Otis is focusing on “now” and worrying about next season once this season is complete. This is something his players, the coaching staff, and us, the fans want to hear. Sure, we’ve got a wide open window with Howard, Lewis, Lee, Nelson, Pietrus, and hopefully, Turk (more on him later), but you can’t assume that a run to the title will be any easier next season than it could be right now.
Otis Smith may be evasive with his comments at times, he may only divulge the bare minimum to answer a question, but he is doing this because that is part of his job. He is playing a communication game with the other NBA general managers and with player agents. So, he has to carefully word everything that he reveals to the public, lest he give away too much. Otis has become quite adept at playing this communication game. Here’s a good for instance…for at least two weeks we were left wondering if Nelson was going to have season ending surgery of not. Early last week, we even heard news that Nelson was feeling good and wanted to rehab. But two days later, Nelson was out of surgery and Alston was heading to Orlando. So, was that just a quick change of heart on Nelson’s part or a carefully crafted ruse to allow Smith a better bargaining position when dealing with other GMs at the trade deadline? We may never know for sure, but I have my suspicions!
Otis’s ability to play the communication game hardly means that he is never candid, but it does mean that as fans, we have to learn to be patient as well. Not always knowing exactly what is going on is a small price to pay for having a GM who is working long and hard to put the best possible Magic team on the floor. A 41-14 record is all the evidence you should need.
As Magic fans, we should be happy we have such a great team of players and a great coaching staff. Both of those are possible because of the efforts of our General Manager. For that, Otis Smith deserves our thanks, and our trust.
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: 9263 | Location: It's Hard Out Here for a Blog Pimp. | Registered: February 09, 2006
Over two years ago, I placed a sticker on the back window of my truck that reads “In Otis We Trust.” I received this sticker from fellow Magic Message Board member Davcivic and I have displayed it proudly since that time. Despite one or two moves that made me raise my eyebrows during that time, I have never once considered taking it off my truck and I’ve never once felt that the statement no longer applied to me.
Too bad you took off your truck nuts.
Posts: 5582 | Location: The Magic Castle | Registered: November 16, 2006
I think sometimes other GM's of contenders make under the radar moves and I think to myself why didn't Otis think of that or something like that. I think this was one of those moves. He is truly getting rave reviews for this and I had no idea that Rafer was even on the block. Truly diligent work by Otis to improve this team and not sacrifice the future.
Though a small sample size if the last 2 games are any indication this team could be heading for great things.
Nice read..I am glad to help..I was always a proud sticker owner myself, and got laughs, fingers pointed, and asked about who Otis was.
I traded in the car, with the sticker, hoping it will stay on, but doubt it...and will make me another one for the new car....
I also had the Otis signature for about 2 years. I only changed it because I made a new sticker, but even on the "lows" when people where telling me to get rid of it, I didn't.
I think Otis has done a great job over all. But I'm sure many members would disagree.
"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: 6496 | 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
"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: 9263 | Location: It's Hard Out Here for a Blog Pimp. | Registered: February 09, 2006
I will say this has been a good year for Otis. Drafting Lee, signing Pietrus, & trading for Alston. I can't give him too much credit for dumping Cook because it was a mistake to acquire him in the first place, but it was a minor miracle he was able to move him.
Looking around the league, I'd say Otis has elevated himself back into a marginal status as a GM. But, he certainly flirted with disaster by not proactively upgrading the backup PG spot, and we better enter next season with a legit PF.
LoDM...I know I've requested this before, but if you have an opportunity to ask Otis & SVG if they envision Gortat & Dwight playing together I would be very interested in their response.
"I'm still intirigued about Ryan Anderson. Only problem is he may be just a little more physical version of Brian Cook." - SmackDaddy
"I think he's much better than those two (Garrity & Cook). I think he'll be a much bigger asset than Battie. I still think he's a finesse player who fails to address the Magic's need". - KITNO (epic RA hater) Sig: An AddiFB Joint
Posts: 4395 | Location: Watching Raheem Morris turn the Bucs into a laughing stock again | Registered: January 28, 2008
Originally posted by KillingInTheNameOf: LoDM...I know I've requested this before, but if you have an opportunity to ask Otis & SVG if they envision Gortat & Dwight playing together I would be very interested in their response.
KITNO, I wasn't aware that you had requested that, or at least I don't remember. So, I apologize for that.
I can definitely attempt to ask that question of SVG...Otis is a bit harder. I'll keep you posted.
"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: 9263 | Location: It's Hard Out Here for a Blog Pimp. | Registered: February 09, 2006
Originally posted by KillingInTheNameOf: LoDM...I know I've requested this before, but if you have an opportunity to ask Otis & SVG if they envision Gortat & Dwight playing together I would be very interested in their response.
KITNO, I wasn't aware that you had requested that, or at least I don't remember. So, I apologize for that.
I can definitely attempt to ask that question of SVG...Otis is a bit harder. I'll keep you posted.
Much appreciated!
"I'm still intirigued about Ryan Anderson. Only problem is he may be just a little more physical version of Brian Cook." - SmackDaddy
"I think he's much better than those two (Garrity & Cook). I think he'll be a much bigger asset than Battie. I still think he's a finesse player who fails to address the Magic's need". - KITNO (epic RA hater) Sig: An AddiFB Joint
Posts: 4395 | Location: Watching Raheem Morris turn the Bucs into a laughing stock again | Registered: January 28, 2008
If Johnson is kept on this team it's going to get worst, He Sucks, Tonight if we lose it's his fault....Its his fault anytime, he can't shoot, can't pass, one thing he does do......he sucks....
orlandomagiczone.com 
