This is where we thank the minds behind the promotional squads that make a lot of otherwise-boring NBA games, as last night's Magic/Suns contest was, enjoyable. Usually, they overstep their bounds; but on Thursday night, it was needed.Which is why the picture, posted above, works so well.
Hedo Turkoglu probably doesn't want to be on the Orlando Magic, and the Magic probably don't want him. It's not just that he'll make an average of eight figures over the course of the contract he signed upon leaving Orlando a year and a half ago; though I'm guessing that helps. He wanted a temperate scene that more closely approximated the European brand of ball that he grew up with (if not his youth spent in Turkey), and I can't blame him. Some of us like cold weather.
Which is why he flirted with Portland, before signing with Toronto. The problem was that his terrible play in Toronto allowed for a trade to Phoenix, which (I'm sorry, Orlando, but this pasty mug was miserable down there) is far more preferable to the dry heat and sports-bars-at-every-turn-with-ranch-dressing-and-light-beer-to-spare environment in Phoenix. Not a fan of either, but intense humidity does tip the scale.
Back to the photo. Thanks to the Orlando Sentinel for nailing this one. It's a great shot, and it'd be a stretch to call Hedo "bemused," here, because he knows what's up.
And, following the picture, Turkoglu went on to miss all eight of his shots from the floor, match his turnovers with assists, and generally continue the decline. Via Magic Basketblog, Orlando Sentinel's Twitter feed & Ball Don't Lie
