Orlando Magic 2013-2014 Press Conference

[false9]

Good afternoon, everyone. We'll begin with a debrief on last season.

We had high hopes for 2012-2013 season. I thought we put together a fast team that could light it up from the outside. Unfortunately, things didn't work out that way- we had a miserable run in March that knocked us out of reach for the eighth playoff spot. On the bright side, we stayed out of the luxury tax, kept our first rounders, and maintained our cap flexibility. Wesley Matthews was selected as an All-Star reserve, Andy Varejao averaged a double-double, and Goran had a solid year.

We had some decisions to make in the offseason. It is was important to hold onto Wes Matthews, and gladly matched the four year bid. Surveying the free agent landscape, there wasn't a lot of top level talent that fit our timetable. As a result, we pursued pieces at a value. Luis Scola is a strong interior presence, Tim Thomas has a versatile skill set, and the Johnsons provide some wing depth off the bench.

This season, we'll be playing a more deliberate pace, but I think the fans will still be entertained. We'll start Varejao at center and Scola at power forward. Tim Thomas and Wes will be at small forward and shooting guard, and Goran will lead again at point guard. We'll tinker with our bench early on in the season; Gilbert Arenas and the Johsnons will get their chance to make a case as the 6th man. Austin Daye will provide relief minutes as a big man. I'm also looking for Marcy Collins and Phil Pressey to be defensive contributors off the bench.

Looking at the rest of the East, we can be competitive. If things don't work out, we can easily get out of the tax and we'll have a bounty of cap space again next offseason. If things do pan out, I think we'll have some exciting times come April and May.

I'll open up the floor for questions now.

[garbageman]

Is there anyone in RFA or UFA you wish you had pushed harder to get?

[NickMalone77]

Nick Melon; The Advocate: Do you think playing at a slower pace will hinder what Wes and Goran can do offensively at the expense of your older and slower front court?

[false9]

Is there anyone in RFA or UFA you wish you had pushed harder to get?

Restricted free agency is always a limited pursuit. Obviously, Blake Griffin is a talented player but we knew it would be unlikely.

Unrestricted free agency had some big names, but also older. We had our eyes on Ron Artest and Carlos Boozer, but only on our terms. Ultimately, I'm happy with the results.

[false9]

Nick Melon; The Advocate: Do you think playing at a slower pace will hinder what Wes and Goran can do offensively at the expense of your older and slower front court?

We're not talking about bringing things to a standstill. It's more about running selectively. I think we can find a medium when we have our big lineup in or if we shift to a small ball lineup.

[ballsohard]

Your team obviously has a ceiling with the talent on hand and that ceiling is pretty obviously is a low playoff seed. When will this organization pull the trigger on going all in or all out? What will help you make that determination? Is being a low seed enough for this organization to be happy?

[false9]

Your team obviously has a ceiling with the talent on hand and that ceiling is pretty obviously is a low playoff seed. When will this organization pull the trigger on going all in or all out? What will help you make that determination? Is being a low seed enough for this organization to be happy?

I don't necessarily believe it's an either/or proposition when it comes to tanking and being a title contender. If everyone is tanking, that becomes weakened as a strategy. The flip side of that coin- I'm not willing to salt the earth just to go "all-in." If we're going to make a deal, it's must be the right one.

As always, we will continue to monitor our performance and opportunities to get us to title contention.

[logpmess]

In what ways are you hoping Dragic to contribute to this team? Is he going to be used as primarily a distributor, or will you look for him to contribute in scoring as well?

[WigNosy]

You picked up an awful lot of three-point shooting in the offseason. Is there any truth to the rumor you are considering small ball this season?

[false9]

In what ways are you hoping Dragic to contribute to this team? Is he going to be used as primarily a distributor, or will you look for him to contribute in scoring as well?

He's capable of both- we trust his judgment with the ball. He'll get buckets and get other involved when the defense keys on him.

[false9]

You picked up an awful lot of three-point shooting in the offseason. Is there any truth to the rumor you are considering small ball this season?

It's true- we plan on taking advantage of the perimeter players we have. But we have some capable inside scoring as well. We're looking to be balanced just enough and keep defenses unsettled.

[digiskunk]

Would you rather fight one horse-sized duck or 100 duck-sized horses?

[IamQuailman]

Would you rather fight one horse-sized duck or 100 duck-sized horses?

This is from last season

[digiskunk]

Would you rather fight one horse-sized duck or 100 duck-sized horses?

This is from last season

DAMN! Hahaha oh well, I tried

[false9]

100 horses, for the record.

[78#]

When you traded Wes Matthews, many people saw it as a potential sign for rebuilding. However, you later signed Bogut to a large contract. Do you feel like keeping Matthews may have been a better fit for your team with Dragic and bogut?