Post by skrouse on Aug 22, 2020 23:15:58 GMT
Recent HOF inductee and new Magic assist coach Mike Conley recently sat down for a Zoom Meeting with the Orlando Sentinel's own Mike Biatchi. Conley indicated that current Magic GM, skrouse , isn't exactly pleased with the developmental progress he's observed with certain key players over recent seasons. "Last year's post season was a huge disappointment for him," Conley said "and for the team as a whole. It was the season he had been hoping things would start to tick upward offensively. But that wasn't happening, so he kind of had to force his hand."
For those who don't remember, Orlando acquired a key scoring piece in power forward Dan Issel just before the deadline last season. Which led to a 14-3 finish down the stretch, sending them to Charlotte in the 1st round to face last season's MVP Dennis Johnson. "It's funny looking back now. Tracy didn't even remember who came over in that deal when I first asked him about it." Conley said chuckling, "All he said was 'Bro, he didn't even let the ink dry! That shit was shady as hell!' (laughing) I still can't believe skrouse texted the commish pics of the deal to get it pushed thru. killybing probably wasn't even out of the Orena, yet." (continued chuckles)
"The move really did seem to have the desired affect. Scoring and efficiency went up, turnovers went down, they started to build some momentum heading into the post season. But then Fred went down and it just sent a shock wave through the entire locker room." After an upset in Game 1 at Charlotte's own Hornets' Nest, the Magic went into game 2 firing on all cylinders, VanVleet was battling with the MVP at every step. In a virtual deadlock late in the 2nd quarter, a routine screen after an offensive rebound left Fred VanVleet on the ground in agony.
"It was really difficult to watch." Conley recounted as he described the horrific scene. "I'll never forget the tears covering the rest of the players' when the realized what happened. Fred isn't just some flashy shooter, he's the heart and soul of the team. He's the whole reason I'm back in Orlando after all these years. I think I can help him take this team back to the promise land. Why else would I be here?"
Conley and skrouse parted ways amicably after 10 very successful seasons together, or so they claim. At the time, rumors swirled furiously about an "insulting offer" that led to the hall of famer's departure. When previously asked to address those rumors skrouse denied the "baseless" claims, stating he gave Conley a fair deal and couldn't blame the point guard for chasing the "pot of gold at the end of the rainbow."
Rumors are now swirling again in Central Florida as fans, both in the stands and apparently in the owners box, are growing impatient with one Malik Beasley's offensive development. "He's really been a mixed bag, some good some bad. Yes, he was a risk," the new Strength and Conditioning coach said "but I thought it was a good move when skrouse signed him and Fred." Making reference to the blockbuster deal that sent Pete Maravich, Andrew Bynum and the rights to number 2 overall pick Chris Mullen for VanVleet and Beasley.
"Fred is Fred, and Malik was young, tenacious on D and had shown flashes on the offensive end in Portland." Unfortunately for Magic fans everywhere, it just hasn't come to fruition for Beasley with the ball in his hands. "He is at least careful with the ball, but he's way too hesitant to shoot it and force his way to the rack." Conley continued. "Stilt said he was too 'skurred' to take it hard in the paint," and may or may not have called him "soft as buttah."
Conley seems eager to work with the offensively stifled wing, but it will be an uphill battle. His points per game have already dropped by a third from where they finished the season last year, and it seems Conley is eager to put the ball in the hands of others. "I think he could still be a great contributor to a championship team by playing solid D, working hard on the glass and hitting those spot up 3s consistently." continued Conley "And he still reminds me a bit of Tracy, he just doesn't have the same killer instinct."
And without that, Beasley may find himself in a different city by season's end.
For those who don't remember, Orlando acquired a key scoring piece in power forward Dan Issel just before the deadline last season. Which led to a 14-3 finish down the stretch, sending them to Charlotte in the 1st round to face last season's MVP Dennis Johnson. "It's funny looking back now. Tracy didn't even remember who came over in that deal when I first asked him about it." Conley said chuckling, "All he said was 'Bro, he didn't even let the ink dry! That shit was shady as hell!' (laughing) I still can't believe skrouse texted the commish pics of the deal to get it pushed thru. killybing probably wasn't even out of the Orena, yet." (continued chuckles)
"The move really did seem to have the desired affect. Scoring and efficiency went up, turnovers went down, they started to build some momentum heading into the post season. But then Fred went down and it just sent a shock wave through the entire locker room." After an upset in Game 1 at Charlotte's own Hornets' Nest, the Magic went into game 2 firing on all cylinders, VanVleet was battling with the MVP at every step. In a virtual deadlock late in the 2nd quarter, a routine screen after an offensive rebound left Fred VanVleet on the ground in agony.
"It was really difficult to watch." Conley recounted as he described the horrific scene. "I'll never forget the tears covering the rest of the players' when the realized what happened. Fred isn't just some flashy shooter, he's the heart and soul of the team. He's the whole reason I'm back in Orlando after all these years. I think I can help him take this team back to the promise land. Why else would I be here?"
Conley and skrouse parted ways amicably after 10 very successful seasons together, or so they claim. At the time, rumors swirled furiously about an "insulting offer" that led to the hall of famer's departure. When previously asked to address those rumors skrouse denied the "baseless" claims, stating he gave Conley a fair deal and couldn't blame the point guard for chasing the "pot of gold at the end of the rainbow."
Rumors are now swirling again in Central Florida as fans, both in the stands and apparently in the owners box, are growing impatient with one Malik Beasley's offensive development. "He's really been a mixed bag, some good some bad. Yes, he was a risk," the new Strength and Conditioning coach said "but I thought it was a good move when skrouse signed him and Fred." Making reference to the blockbuster deal that sent Pete Maravich, Andrew Bynum and the rights to number 2 overall pick Chris Mullen for VanVleet and Beasley.
"Fred is Fred, and Malik was young, tenacious on D and had shown flashes on the offensive end in Portland." Unfortunately for Magic fans everywhere, it just hasn't come to fruition for Beasley with the ball in his hands. "He is at least careful with the ball, but he's way too hesitant to shoot it and force his way to the rack." Conley continued. "Stilt said he was too 'skurred' to take it hard in the paint," and may or may not have called him "soft as buttah."
Conley seems eager to work with the offensively stifled wing, but it will be an uphill battle. His points per game have already dropped by a third from where they finished the season last year, and it seems Conley is eager to put the ball in the hands of others. "I think he could still be a great contributor to a championship team by playing solid D, working hard on the glass and hitting those spot up 3s consistently." continued Conley "And he still reminds me a bit of Tracy, he just doesn't have the same killer instinct."
And without that, Beasley may find himself in a different city by season's end.