ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -The Orlando Magic signed general manager Otis Smith to a multiyear contract extension. It was a reward for building a team that won the franchise's first division title in 12 years, and advanced in the playoffs for the first time since that last title. Terms were not disclosed. Smith was promoted to full GM in 2006, after sharing the title for a season with Dave Twardzik, who remained assistant general manager. The Magic also extended Twardzik's agreement, the team said Monday. ``Otis has brought great energy, dedication, leadership and vision to our basketball operations,'' team president Bob Vander Weide said in a statement. ``He has us moving in a very positive direction and toward our ultimate goal of winning an NBA championship.'' Smith engineered the sign-and-trade deal that brought free agent Rashard Lewis to the Magic last summer and hired former Miami Heat coach Stan Van Gundy. Orlando won 52 games in 2007-08, a 12-game improvement over the previous season. He also locked up All-Star center Dwight Howard with a five-year contract extension before the season.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. |
