Not Enough Respect?

[DrReality]

Not Enough Respect?

By: Wendell Maxey Last Updated: 8/28/09 7:40 AM ET | 56 times read

Adjust font size:Rodney Dangerfield's "I get no respect" punch line isn't very amusing to some around the league even if it is fitting.

Stan Van Gundy just happens to be one of them.

At a recent press conference introducing Jason Williams as the newest member of the Orlando Magic, Van Gundy was asked about the Magic being slighted in the national media.

"For a team that went to the Finals, we really haven't gotten the respect teams normally do," Van Gundy said. "Based upon what we did last year, I think our players do feel a little underappreciated and under respected."

View Wendell Maxey Archive Even a trip to the NBA Finals has failed to earn Orlando their due praise, especially with some experts pumping up Boston and Cleveland as preseason favorites to duke it out in the East. The Magic now look to improve on their 59 win season with a slight roster overhaul surrounding Dwight Howard, Jameer Nelson and Rashard Lewis. For General Manager Otis Smith, success translated into spending this offseason: he acquired Vince Carter, signed free-agent Brandon Bass, matched Marcin Gortat's offer sheet and solidified Orlando's bench with Matt Barnes, Ryan Anderson and even Jason Williams.

In the end, the Magic got better this summer. A lot better. Perhaps the only attribute they're missing now is the respect factor which comes with time and winning consistently. But Orlando isn't the only team who qualified for the playoffs last season who is battling the Dangerfield syndrome.

Atlanta, Denver, Portland and Chicago can all relate.

Atlanta: After another postseason run thanks to a 47 win season, General Manager Rick Sund's plan this summer wasn't to become a shopaholic on the open market. Instead, Sund opted to retain a number of Atlanta's free agents instead of breaking the bank in free agency. They landed Joe Smith (a 14 year veteran) for the veteran's minimum salary – roughly $1.3 million – to shore up their frontcourt rotation, re-signed Marvin Williams ($40 million over five years), Zaza Pachulia ($21 million for four years) and Mike Bibby ($18 million over three years). Sund also was able to trade Speedy Claxton and Acie Law for Jamal Crawford to strengthen the bench, while drafting point guard Jeff Teague back in June. Next up: re-signing Joe Johnson, who will be an unrestricted free agent next summer. Yet for the Hawks, respect is coming slowly. Atlanta will play in seven nationally televised games in 2009-10, the team's highest number of national TV games in 12 seasons. It's a start. Could a 50 win season be next?

Rest of article:

http://www.hoopsworld.com/

[DrReality]

Really no new info but at least people are paying attention.

[ATLSmith]

It is amazing how little attention the Magic are getting. I'm sure they'll start the season with a chip on their shoulders. Look out NBA.

[tonegully]

Go Hawks. I really hope we pull off 50 wins this year, but id rather win less than 50 and move past the 2nd round this year

[BusBoyIsBack]

Respect is driven by star power and team prestige.

Lebron is a guy who has so much star power, they over look the prestige. Dwight Howard plays in too small a market for them to show his team the love. But at the end of the day, who cares about respect? Respect didn't put Cleveland in the Finals over Orlando last year, and it won't do it this year.

Games are won by talent and execution not media praise. Otherwise the Dallas Cowboys would have a playoff win since 1995

[ATLNY7]

Finally the hawks are getting recognized.

[frankthetank966]

Boring article...