Kristina Moves On To Final Four/Turk-O-Glue Thoughts

First of all, we look to one of the closest finishes in the Cheerleading Tournament to date:

Kristina barely edged Lisa and Megan (viewed by many to be the favorite) to move into the Final Four in the Orlando Magic Cheerleading Tournament! Last night the score was completely tied, and it was anyone's guess who would win with all competitors having the same exact amount of votes. This morning, fans of Kristina hit the voting booth and helped her edge the others.

That leaves the final four as April, Erin, Jane, and Kristina.

Very little in the way of Magic news today. Only item that could be considered "new" is the growing belief that both Chris Webber and PJ Brown, the two names mentioned as Otis Smith's low-priced answers at power forward, likely will be headed elsewhere as they want more $ than the Magic have. I called this earlier, so it's not a really big shock. I still think we would be very well off with Brian Skinner (pictured left) if we can afford him.

Looking in the ol' mailbag, I got a GREAT email from reader "BbaLLincUbaN3". Apparently on the Orlando Magic website, they are selling a product none of us should live without: Turk-o-glue! Yes, it is glue in the shape of every fan's favorite goteed European. This might be the best product on the Magic website since it is complete with a lazy eye and what looks like lipstick.

The discounted price from 10 bucks to roughly 4 speaks volumes on Turk's play last year. The glue should be advertised as such:

-Glue will cause you to come down with phantom sicknesses!

-Glue will be streaky!

-Glue will piss off Dwight Howard with it's ability to knock basketballs out of bounds!

Talking about good ol' Turk reminded me of something: Let's see how the Magic are doing on the 6-item checklist I made for them at the beginning of the offseason, June 11th:

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Magic should hire Stan Van Gundy: a

Magic should resign Darko: r

Magic should get Rashard Lewis: a

Magic should trade Hedo Turkoglu: r

Magic should bring over Marcin Gortat to play: a

Magic should get Howard a big man coach and let Diener play more (even if it's elsewhere): a

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4 out of 6 is not that bad, although it is a bit rough that the Magic swung and missed on resigning Darko. Since he had loftier contract demands than the front office and Magic fans anticipated, he became the sacrifice to get Rashard. I am not one to cry over spilled milk though, and we still have time to amend that hole in our lineup.

The other item that we 'failed' on, in my opinion, is the potential trading of Hedo Turk-o-glue. I say 'failed' in quotes simply because we still have time to trade him before the regular season starts. Otis Smith recently said that the team has no plans to trade Hedo, that there are several teams that have called for his services, and that the team is content in playing with a slew of SFs on the floor at the same time. I think anyone with a close enough eye into the situation knows that these three statements simply aren't true.

It is good for team morale and P.R. to say that the team wants to keep Hedo, but I personally think the Magic would trade him in a heartbeat if they got anything close to a fair offer. I do not doubt the Magic have gotten an offer or two for him, but these proposals were probably horrifically lopsided and/or included a player in the deal that the Magic did not want to part with. I do NOT think that the Magic have been beseiged with offers for Hedo, despite what Otis Smith says. This is simply a tactic to try to drive up the asking price for him.

As for being happy with a lineup chock full of SFs, this is debatable. Normally I would say that playing without multiple post presences is a risky proposition, but in today's NBA a team can find success with a bunch of shooters and slashers and this would fit into a more run-and-gun style like the Magic hope to achieve. That being said, I do not think that Hedo Turkoglu is the person the Magic really want to fill that role. Hedo had a phantom sickness all of last year, is mistake prone, and is Mr. Streaky when it comes to his shooting. You have to believe that the Magic would LOVE to get a player like Artest or Abdur-Rahim in exchange for Hedo, but with Hedo's play last year his stock just isn't high enough for a transaction.

If the Magic could do it, I would try to trade Hedo and some of our expiring contracts (Garrity, Dooling) for Artest or Abdur-Rahim. The unfortunate thing is that the Kings not only are likely the only possible trade partner for Hedo, but also that they would probably never make that deal simply because the Maloofs and the Kings brass are too egotystical. In making this trade, the Kings would have to concede that:

-Getting Artest or Abdur-Rahim was a mistake

-They should have never let Hedo leave the organization.

-By taking on expiring deals, they are essentially in a rebuilding mode.

I can't see the Kings being willing to admit any of those things to season ticket holders. That leaves us stuck with Hedo and playing with a court of small forwards, a situation that looks more and more like a given.

There is still time in the free agency period though, and I will hold out hope that a deal for Hedo can be struck. If we retain him, there are worse things in the world than playing a tall sharpshooter...but plugging some of our other needs still should be a priority.