"If I have a pair of balls, I take (Embiid) no. 1. He has legitimate size. Great hands and feet. He will block shots immediately. He doesn’t understand positioning yet, but he is further along offensively than Olajuwon was at the same stage, and he’s bigger than Hakeem. He has the best upside pick of anyone in the draft." -NBA Scout
I've been an Orlando Magic fan since they entered the league in 1989. I've stuck by them through some turbulent times. Through getting swept in the ‘95 Finals, Shaq’s bitch-ass leaving, and Penny’s devastating injury. I was a fan through the Heart & Hustle years, the T-Mac playoffs struggles, the stupid fucking hockey GM that traded McGrady for Stevie Franchise, Cuttino Mobley and a McRib sandwich.
I remained a fan through every one of Otis Smith’s terrible decisions; the absurd Rashard Lewis contract, trading Lewis for GilbertArenas and his even worse and even longer contract, trading an in demand Marcin Gortat for a washed up and overpaid Hedo Turkoglu. Even after forcing Dwight out by giving him JV level help, and then recklessly firing Stan Van Gundy—one of the best coaches in the league, I stuck with them through the current rebuild.
But I have
reached my breaking point. As Thursday’s draft approaches, and I get more and
more angry that the Cleveland Cavaliers ski-masked the top pick,
I’ve put the Magic on my own clock. If they don’t draft Jabari Parker, Andrew Wiggins, Joel Embiid or Dante Exum,
I’m out as their fan! I am dead-ass serious too.
The number 4 pick...
There are 4 players with franchise changing talent in this draft, and the Magic have the 4th pick. They don't even have to make a decision, just take whoever is left. Taking anyone else at 4 is simply over-thinking the situation.
Trading for the number 1 pick...
The Magic have reportedly offered the Cavs Arron Afflalo and both the 4th and 12th pick in this year's draft for the 1st pick.
When I first heard this I was a little taken aback. Given how deep this draft is, that seems like a lot to give up. But if you told me 8 months ago that we could trade Afflalo and the Knicks/Nuggets pick to guarantee that we landed Parker or Wiggins, I would have punched you in the face with excitement. I'm 100% behind this trade. This is what would make me the happiest. Specifically, Jabari.
This fractured foot might be a blessing...
Drafting is an inexact science. There are always going to be varying opinions and concerns with every player. However, the only concerns with Joel Embiid are related to his health.1 Talent evaluators unanimously agree that if he is healthy, he's going to be a absolute beast.
I mean seriously, if he doesn't fracture his foot Embiid is the consensus #1 pick IN A DRAFT THAT HAS ANDREW WIGGINS AND JABARI PARKER in it! That's the only reason he's there at 4! It's a difficult decision for the Cavs, Bucks and Sixers to pass on him because Parker, Wiggins and Exum are all ridiculous talents and high character guys. But there's a significant drop off after that. It's not a difficult decision for Orlando. Especially considering that if the Magic stay at 4, the risk is mitigated because they would still have Afflalo and the 12th pick to acquire assets as well.
What it boils down to....
If the Magic stay at 4, and Parker-Wiggins-Exum go 1-2-3, and they don't draft Embiid, it's because GM Rob Hennigan is choosing limited short term success over potential long term greatness. Putting his job security over the Magic's best chances to win a Championship—not just barely making the playoffs year after year.
That's not an acceptable game plan to me. And if that's how this plays out, it will be the final straw for me. All I need to finally leave this dysfunctional relationship and never look back.
Like my buddy Lihn said, "If they don't care, why should I?"
The funny thing is, that by drafting one of the "Big 4", they will just as easily lock my fandom in for life.
The balls in your court, Orlando. At this point, I'm good either way.
1 I wonder what the reaction to
Embiid’s foot would be if he were a guard? Jordan suffered the same injury in ’86
and recovered fine. People seem to be quick to label Big Men porcelain because
of a few big name injury-busts in NBA history, but no 2 players are alike. Sam
Bowie, Bill Walton and Greg Oden were all lumberers that put heavy impact on
their knees when running. Yao Ming—who had the exact injury—came back way too early to play for China’s
National Team. Embiid has a smoothness, a grace to him. Bill Simmons said he “runs
like a gazelle!” There’s a fluidity to his movements that translates to low
impact. That has to be a good thing, right? Plus we have so much better science
in 2014. He’s worth the risk. Bet on science!
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