So far nobody has commented on the Rashard Lewis' signing by the Magic and I feel obligated to give my opinion as I am both astounded and saddened at the situation. I realize that this is in no way connected to Kings bball, but when a fringe all-star player signs a 6-year 110-120 million dollar contract, this needs to be discussed. I think nobody will argue that Rashard is not a max-player and that the Magic indeed overpayed for his services. He is not a bad fit for the Magic basketball-wise as they need some perimeter shooting to help out Dwight Howard. JJ Redick would fit this role (Jameer Nelson too for that matter) but I suppose they don't have much confidence in those two. Quite frankly I suppose you cannot blame them. Lewis is a proven commodity who will give you 20 and 7 a night. However, the Magic have CRIPPLED themselves for the next five or six years and really need to hope Howard develops into the best big in the game in the next 2-3 years. This is not unfathomable as most will agree that Howard is an absolute beast on the boards and around the basket. He can become what Amare Stoudemire was before the microfracture surgury. That is a big IF, by the way. Personally, I think that unless Dwight can up his arsenal real soon I do not know if his potential will be realized. Howard will re-up with the Magic with close to max numbers for him. This means that Lewis and Rashard will account for roughly 2/3 of the team's cap number for a long time. If they become the second coming of Kobe and Shaq then good for them. I don't see it happening. They will have to find some real bargains to be anything other than contenders. In the east I suppose all you need is to be in the hunt, but for my $120 million dollars I want to be a favorite for the title, not just a 4-8 seed (which is probably where they sit right now).

I truly hope that this works out for the Magic, I really do. They have a history of getting screwed (Shaq <wins the title after he leaves, Grant Hill <wins the title with Phx wink!>). Methinks they just got the shaft again.