Washington/Atlanta top Darrell Armstrongs wishlist

[Admin]

Armstrong not part of Magic plans

Darrell Armstrong will be diving into some fan's popcorn to chase a loose ball next season. He just won't be doing it wearing an Orlando Magic uniform.

Armstrong confirmed Saturday that his career with the Magic is over.

A free agent, Armstrong said the Magic never offered him a contract, bringing an unceremonious end to a nine-year love affair between a city and the team's most inspirational player.

"I'm moving on. The Magic have been good to me. But I'm going to pick up and move," said Armstrong, the pint-sized point guard who epitomized the post-Shaquille O'Neal theme of "Heart and Hustle."

"It's been a fun ride."

Armstrong, 35, figured the ride was over after Orlando decided to undergo a youthful makeover this summer, beginning at point guard. The Magic drafted Reece Gaines, 22, with their first-round pick, then reached an agreement this week with free agent Tyronn Lue, 26, leaving Armstrong little playing time next season.

Perhaps fearing they might alienate a slipping fan base, especially before having Juwan Howard and Lue secured as free agents, the Magic carefully tiptoed around Armstrong's future this summer. They have yet to publicly confirm that they have parted ways with him.

Before visiting Armstrong on Friday, General Manager John Gabriel denied that Armstrong was out of the picture, as Coach Doc Rivers did later that night. But Armstrong said that Gabriel told him during their meeting that the team would issue a release next week thanking him for his contributions.

Armstrong said he is mostly disappointed "how this thing was handled. It's disrespectful to me."

He is especially upset with Rivers, who he said called him only once during the free-agency period. He claims it was Rivers who did not want the Magic to re-sign him.

"It's not John Gabriel. That's who found me and brought me in," said Armstrong, who was not drafted out of Fayetteville (N.C.) State and had to toil overseas and in various minor leagues before signing with the Magic in 1994.

"I'm pissed at Doc. He could have called me and talked to me about what's going on. [Magic assistant coach] Johnny Davis called me. I don't want Johnny Davis doing Doc's dirty work."

Rivers said both he and Gabriel reached the decision not to re-sign Armstrong and added, "This was by far the toughest thing I have ever had to do since I've been here. He's an emotional player and I truly believe that after all this is over we'll still be good friends.

"Everyone knows what Darrell has meant to this organization. He has been the heart and soul. And I can tell you this, his jersey will be hanging from the rafters one day and we want to bring him back and make him part of this organization."

Rivers said he tried to call Armstrong twice during the free agency period, once from his hospital bed as he was recuperating from back surgery.

Rivers said he and Gabriel made the decision not to have two small point guards on the roster and once the Magic targeted Tyronn Lue, Armstrong's fate was sealed.

Armstrong said he believes he can still play a larger role for another team, and said the Washington Wizards and the Atlanta Hawks top his free-agent wish list. He is seeking at least a two-year deal.

He said he couldn't have accepted a contract offer from the Magic designed for a part-time player.

"I would have turned it down. I wasn't happy with my role last season. I think it would have been the same [if he re-signed] or even be less," he said. "I didn't have the opportunity to do the things I did in the past."

Armstrong played in all 82 games last season but primarily backed up starter Jacque Vaughn, a journeyman. The Magic released Vaughn last month. Armstrong averaged 9.4 points -- the first time in five seasons he averaged less than 10 a game. But his playing time had been drastically reduced as a concession to his age and the toll playing at full tilt had taken on his body.

Armstrong knew no other way and has played the game of basketball like a free safety. A shade over 6 feet, Captain Floorburn spent almost as much time sprawled on the Magic's court as he did running on it.

He met fans from all over the league, ending up in many laps after recklessly diving for loose balls. He'd bravely taken charges and changed games with his relentless energy, comically powered by a caffeine rush of coffee and chocolate he consumes before games.

He would will his team to victory with the sort of hustle that fans wish they'd see every day from sports superstars. He was the workingman's hero, bridging the gap between the Shaq/Penny Hardaway era to the Tracy McGrady reign with his hardhat style.

"I don't have Tracy McGrady's ability or his height. I'm small in stature and I might look like a midget out there, but I play hard all the time," Armstrong said. "I play hard and it's like magic...something good happens when you do that.

"That's what I'll miss the most here -- the fans. They embraced me from day one. That's what I appreciate so much."

Armstrong was a most unlikely success story. He started but one game in high school -- the coach rewarded him as a senior -- and walked on at Division II Fayetteville State. He eventually became a starter and won a slam-dunk contest. Armstrong also was a kicker on the football team and booted a record 48-yard field goal -- wearing pink cleats.

But after no NBA team drafted him, he started an arduous journey that saw him play in six leagues and on eight teams, from the Rapid City Thrillers of the CBA to a club in Greece and another in Spain. After the Global Basketball Association folded in 1992, Armstrong went to work in his hometown of Gastonia, N.C., for the Dixie Yarn Mill, dying yarn on the graveyard shift for $200 a week.

He never gave up his dream, and in 1993, Gabriel spotted him playing for the Atlanta Eagles of the United States Basketball League.

A year later, at age 26, Armstrong made the Magic's roster, playing in a few games with Shaq. He broke through during the 1998-99 season, winning the NBA's Most Improved Player award and sixth man of the year award, becoming the first NBA player to capture both honors in the same season.

The Magic rewarded him with a five-year, $18 million contract, which expired after last season. Despite how it ended, their respect for him is so great that Rivers and Gabriel have talked of retiring his No. 10 jersey one day.

"I never had anything given to me my whole life," Armstrong said. "I had to work for everything. And that's the way it should be. I think Magic fans always appreciated that about me. That's what I hope they remember when I come back to play against the Magic."

Surely, Magic fans sitting in the first couple of rows at TD Waterhouse Centre won't be surprised when Darrell Armstrong comes flying into their popcorn.

[capstone21]

He would be a great addition with his leadership, attitude and energy. I would love to have him as our backup PG. The only problem I see with signing Armstrong is that it will put a setback to DDs progress as he will now be a third string PG. Other then that I say sign the man if the money is there.

[Admin]

What excites me about this would be our opportunity to play Dallas ball. At times we go with Armstrong/JT backcourt with DA running the offense. We would probably have Dog on the bench at this time with Diaw or a defensive specialist (Ira or DJ or Posey?) playing SF. Armstrongs lack of size doesnt hurt him nearly as much as other pint size PGs because of the fact the he hustles his butt off and plays very good defense.

Just his veteran leadership and his on court hustle alone will make this a much better team, dont you guys think?

[Admin]

Wow the Magic fans are really pissed about this........the majority of them are saying that they want Rivers gone and DA brought back and then hire Carlisle.......I cant blame them. I am not impressed one bit with Rivers and the way that he handles things.

[jezmund]

I'd like to pick him up regardless of what are depth chart looks like but if we do indeed sign-and-trade JT for someone like Wade which I don't really see happening than sign Armstrong. As long as Armstrong isn't looking for that much cash, I want him in Atlanta. I think around a 2yr/3M deal is fair.

Dickau/Armstrong

Wade/Hansen

Grob/Diaw

SAR/Hendu

Theo/Nazr

That team would definitely need a veteran swingman or BU C. That team has a lot of ball handling which is something I love to see.

[Diesel]

Atlanta and Washington are his top choices.

Sure, he says, these are places I can play right away. BUT, If Arenas goes to Washington, does Atlanta become his place to be?

Also, what does he know? Does he and his agent know that the Atlanta/Miami SNT deal have TEETH?

2 years would mean that he would become a free agent when all of our other Big Money players are free agents. What does he know?

[Admin]

There are no rumors of a SNT with Miami other than speculation by this board.......thats it. Maybe there is a deal that they are talking about and maybe no, who knows......but as far as we know right now its just a squawk dream.

Also, just saw that the Clippers have matched the offer to Arenas that Washington made and apparently they now have the upper hand with him because he wants to stay on the west coast. So, it will be very interesting for Armstrong.

[cyman3]

hes also pissed about how MAGIC are claiming that TYRONNE LUE is "a young Darrell Armstrong" when Lue hasnt done a thing in the NBA.

either way, i would love armstrong to come in here and play backup PG. He could show DD the ropes as well. Armstrong wants to be a starting PG but no one is willing to give that to him which i can understand.

but yeah, come to ATLANTA!

[jezmund]

I know the whole Miami/Wade thing is just some talk on here but I wouldn't be too pessimistic with....

Armstrong/Wade/Robinson/SAR/Theo as a starting lineup. At least until Dickau showed us something against real NBA talent. Dickau/Hansen/Diaw/Hendu/Nazr makes a decent bench I guess. We could use a veteran SG/SF.

[Admin]

Cyman if DA comes to Atlanta and JT is traded off, DA WILL be our starting PG. The guy averaged 9ppg last year off the bench but because Rivers had some kind of grudge against him he kept on starting Vaughn ahead of him. No way in the world is Dickau ready to run a team yet, but I believe that in the future he will be able to. Having a year to learn behind a heart and hustle PG like DA would do wonders for him.

[Diesel]

The Miami SNT is more than Mere Speculation here on this board... Check the Miami Herald to see why we are talking about it.

[Admin]

Diesel I read the Herald every day and you are doing absolutely nothing more than speculating.....the ONLY thing that the Herald has mentioned in a short 2 sentence paragraph is that Miami is interested in JT and JT is interested in Miami. Absolutely zero mention of a SNT. Now, I can understand where your rationale is on this because of them not signing Wade yet and it does sound like a possibility, but as of right now its nothing more than speculation on this board.

[cyman3]

when i made that comment, it was assumed that we were gonna resign JT since theres no indications he will leave (sure MIAMI is interested but theyre also interested in many players).

its just all rumors and speculations for now until we hear more...

[Diesel]

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sport...all/6337820.htm

In reply to:

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One possibility the Heat is exploring involves Atlanta Hawks restricted free agent Jason Terry, according to his agent, Raymond Brothers.

The Heat has had ongoing conversations with Terry's representatives about the guard, who averaged 17.2 points and 7.4 assists last season.

The Heat has been linked to Terry in the past. At last season's trade deadline, Miami was believed to be considering a major deal that would have netted the four-year veteran from the University of Arizona.

Atlanta extended a qualifying offer to Terry prior to the free agency period, ensuring its right to match competing offers -- as the Clippers did with Brand.

But with Atlanta's unstable ownership situation -- Dallas businessman David McDavid has been in talks with current owner AOL Time Warner about a purchase since October -- nothing is happening in the front office. Former general manager Pete Babcock, who was fired, hasn't been replaced.

For now, the Heat continues to express its interest, and Terry has made his clear as well.

''Jason is very interested in playing in Miami,'' Brothers said.

One drawback with Terry is his restricted free agent status, which would require the Heat to extend an offer sheet Atlanta could match.

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What you called 2 sentences is actually about 4 to 5 paragraphs. What it tells us is that the Heat tried to Trade for Terry at the deadline. The article also states that Wade is unsigned. That Miami is interested in Jason and Jason in Miami and the only hurdle is that we have given Jason a qualifying deal. Then it tells that our front office is unstable. How much more do you need to see to see that Miami will try for Terry as the FA pool gets dry. Arenas is gone now. Less options. I wouldn't be surprised if Miami doesn't float a bid to Terry this week.

[Admin]

Dont put words into my mouth Diesel......or dont assume what I am thinking. NOWHERE did I say that Miami isnt interested in JT, in fact I said that Miami WAS/IS interested in JT.......what I said and what you will see if you go back and read instead of just replying blindly is that NOWHERE in any article does it say 1 single solitary thing about a SnT with Miami and Atlanta. What I said was that you are putting this rumor together and you are doing so based on what you consider to be clues from a newspaper that is well know for being less than credible. Sure Miami is probably interested in JT and sure JT is probably interested in Miami if the Hawks dont want him back, but that doesnt mean for 1 second that there will be a SnT with Miami of Wade for JT. If we have to lose JT I can swallow taking Wade back for him, but thats only speculation based on a rumor started by this board that this trade could happen.

[Diesel]

In reply to:

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If we have to lose JT I can swallow taking Wade back for him, but thats only speculation based on a rumor started by this board that this trade could happen.

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I'm not so sure that these Clues doesn't lead to that conclusion. Miami is probably seeking a SNT being that Wade is one of only 5 first rounders that hasn't been signed to a deal. Equally as interesting is that Miami has lots of money to spend and NO PG. Last but not least, Miami has an interest in Terry.

Who knows Miami might pick up Armstrong and use the other money to sign Brad Miller. That could be possible. However, what would that mean for Wade? He's not really a PG and he probably can't beat out a healthy Jones for the position. PLUS..

RILEY is known as a coach who doesn't care for Rookies or developing Rookies. Butler is the only exception.