Otis Smith
Otis Smith
bumps due guys hit injuries mostly playing
We've hit a lot of bumps in the road, mostly due to injuries and some due to guys not playing particularly well.
guys knew playing tired
I don't even think our guys were playing specifically for the playoffs. They were playing this way because they were tired of losing. And they knew they were better than they were playing.
gives opportunity playing rotation seen team tough
Getting him into the rotation for a team that was playing for a championship two years in a row, that was tough for them. We haven't seen him (play). So it gives us an opportunity to see what he can do.
career causing downs fingers playing seem steve time tough ups
Everybody's career has ups and downs and times when they're not playing well, and Steve is going through a tough time right now. We just can't seem to put our fingers on what is causing it all right now.
basketball bothers bottom caliber capable expecting forward francis lead looking played playing seen stepping steve three trying whatever
I don't look at Steve as being any trouble. We're just trying to get Steve Francis back. As I told him, I haven't really seen Steve Francis in three weeks. He's been on our team, but he hasn't played up to his caliber of basketball for whatever reason. We're just trying to get to the bottom of that and get him back to playing basketball the way he's capable of playing. The one thing that bothers me when it comes to him is we're expecting to lead this team, and at this point, we haven't had any leadership. We're looking forward to that stepping up, too.
came decided dollars fit five four games liked opposed people player rather trading
We thought about Crawford and we liked him a lot, but it came down to is he going to make us three, four or five games better? Or do you want to just go get the people who will fit what you want to do as opposed to trading for another contract? We decided to go for the player we wanted rather than just the one who fit the dollars of the trade.
ability attention hired knowledge reasons specific turned
When we hired Brian, there were specific reasons -- like his attention to detail, his knowledge of the game, his ability to teach. And those are the same reasons we've turned it around. We've got the right guy.
conversation magic orlando penny
We will have a conversation with Penny Hardaway, but Penny Hardaway will never put on an Orlando Magic uniform.
far guys page room thrown understand
Unfortunately and fortunately, we're not that far out. We have to make hay, but there's still room for us to make the playoffs. Guys have to come together, get on the same page and understand that we haven't thrown in the towel.
based continue conversation engage evaluate extend games numbers sure whether
We've had a conversation, but whether we're going to extend him based on 30 games or not, I'm not sure yet. We'll continue conversations and evaluate it, and if it makes sense and it's something we want to do from a numbers standpoint, we'll do it. But if we can't keep the numbers down, we won't engage it.
decent four games
We have glimpses of four games where we play decent basketball. And then we have four games where we look like a different team.
deal ways
I don't have a deal at this time. It's still a ways away. It's 50-50 right now.
talked ways
We've talked about it. It's still a ways away. It's 50-50.
looking move opportunity steve
It doesn't have legs. We're not looking for an opportunity to move Steve Francis.