http://www.orlandosentinel.com/spor...804,1,755578.column?coll=orl-sports-headlines Magic General Manager John Weisbrod is just doing what he did when he played hockey. He's getting people's noses out of joint. Apparently, the Houston Rockets and some league execs are upset about how Weisbrod is doing business, particularly with his poker playing in trading or not trading Tracy McGrady. I just have one word for those league execs: Awwwwww. Some of these execs are acting as if Weisbrod is the first GM to play so tough. Spare me. When it comes to getting down and dirty in negotiations, most league brass would sell their mothers down the Mississippi to make trades. So what's bugging them? They've found that Weisbrod, the hockey guy, is no rookie pushover. Now that the league has learned he's figured out their game so fast -- and ruffled some feathers -- they're squawking. Take the McGrady deal (will somebody, please?). When news broke that the Magic were working to ship him to the Rockets, everybody assumed it was done. Everybody but Weisbrod. Steve Francis' agent broke the news before the trade was finished, accomplishing, publicly, what also might have been Weisbrod's intent: To smoke out other T-Mac suitors into stepping up their offers. Is that brilliant or deceptive? Let's call it boldly shrewd, because Weisbrod says other teams are back in the T-Mac sweepstakes. Weisbrod has the Rockets' offer in one hand, for sure. With the other, he's weighing more offers. He handled the No.1 draft pick much the same way. Weisbrod knew the value of the pick. And knows that T-Mac has enduring superstar value whether he swings the deal now or on "August 10," an arbitrary date he chose to make his point. Why rush it? He's asking a lot for McGrady, and he should. You think some team is going to back off T-Mac because it is agitated by Weisbrod's delay tactics? No, they pull out because they don't like the deal (see the Phoenix Suns). Weisbrod has charmed Francis, who balked at coming to Orlando in a T-Mac trade. Does that mean the deal's done? Weisbrod called it an encouraging "first step," and his hard-nosed, methodical negotiating is driving the Rockets crazy. Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle writes that Weisbrod is "the guy who left the Rockets and seven players twisting in the wind." Feigen adds that "many around the league have already said that the first time they deal with Weisbrod, they will watch their backs. Trust but verify." Weisbrod has quickly proven one thing: He may have inherited the worst team, but it won't be a pushover.
Well, I guess Weisbrod did get what he wanted after all, the fans and media in Orlando to think he is fighting for the team and not just being what he more likely is - a rank amateur.
This Weinerschitzel worship will only get worse as Francis leads that team to a winning record this season. Be prepared...
That is one first rate spin job by the Orlando paper... and if the three way with GS goes thru...Orlando will go pretty far in the East...so prepare yourself for Weisass worship... ROOKIE!
Steve Francis' agent broke the news before the trade was finished, accomplishing, publicly, what also might have been Weisbrod's intent: To smoke out other T-Mac suitors into stepping up their offers. Is that brilliant or deceptive? Let's call it boldly shrewd, because Weisbrod says other teams are back in the T-Mac sweepstakes. So you work out a deal with a team, then stab them in the back to run up the price. Lets see how far that "hard-nosed" reputation gets you before everyone starts blackballing the Magic like they did the Chicago Bulls.
You know, I could care less if they love him as long as THIS deal goes through. He'll get his eventually. Karma is a b****.
Of course, it's not all that shrewd if the deal gets you nothing extra, but pisses off the rest of the league. That's what the article misses. Playing hardball actually hurts you if it doesn't work. Apparently, it didn't work for Orlando. Must suck looking ineffective and untrustworthy.
I wonder how much of this deal is karma for whatever happened behind the scenes when Rudy T got fired?
OK, Wisenbutt got his Orlando media spin along with the fawning praise. I think we can look forward to a deal in the morning. Doc is dead on, imo, and I shall sleep well tonight. Sadly, I'm leaving in the morning to a PC/Net wasteland... no ClutchFans for most of the week! (maybe I'll search out something!)
John Weisbrod has proving he is hard-nosed GM?? GIve me a freaking break. What he has proven is a sissy ....he's proving he's like that Iraqi minister that think he knows what's going on while things all happened in Iraq. Weisbrod ain't a hard-nosed ...everybody knows the deal will go through but to keep it silence prove how rediculous he is...it doesn't take genius to know this. Grant Hill had said...Francis said it ..his agents said it...Rox's owner had said it....now u see the point. He's rediculous...that's no hard-nosed ...hard-nosed defined someone who is determine and knows what he's talking about....but this guy is saying things aren't done while everyone knows it is done...prove how rediculous he is. Where else would TMAC go...SUNS? no....Pacers? NO way! There is no where but Houston...so don't give me crap like 7 more teams are still negotiating....that's not hardnosed---that's stupid!
Hehe, that's exactly what I was going to say. If he doesn't get anything more than Francis, Mobley, and Cato, all his posturing and deceit will have yielded him nothing.
So when this deal goes down tomorrow and nothing changed, wouldn't have Wisebrod done all this for nothing. I understand his tactics, but it only works if you get something better for it. The can candy-coat it all they want, Wisebrod left a lot of organizations, players, and fans, "dangling in the wind," and teams don't like that. While they think its developing a rep, League Execs are seeing exactly what he's trying to do and aren't buying it.
Just sent Schmitz an email complimenting him on his spin doctoring abilities and wished him good luck as White House Press Secretary. I'm not sure whether it's: A. funny to see a media member be so gullible for this guy's antics, or B. sad that a media member would go along with duping the public rather than present a more balanced and complete report on Weisbrod's tactics and behavior.
