Re: Magic discussing deal for Arenas
Exactly. The offense they run in Orlando seemed to be running as good as it ever has/will when they had Hedo and Jameer tag-teaming the playmaking. Ever since, it just does not seem as potent and there are no real mismatches.
It was a lot better at the end of the year last year and in the beginning of this season (prior to the entire team getting sick and missing days). . . the offense runs as well as the players are playing, basically. Not much to do with mismatches, it's reliant on double teams and players driving. Problem is that Nelson can't drive on everyone (because when he does the team is unstoppable) and Carter can't drive on anyone. It's more of a consistency problem than anything. Nelson isn't Chris Paul/DWill so he can't be the primary play maker and scorer all the time so often times Howard ends up having to carry too much. The Magic would basically be set with just another player that can score and make plays, guys that come to mind are Iggy, Joe Johnson, Ellis, Manu, and company. Obviously not all of those guys are available and some not ideal (Joe Johnson probably being neither).
This team can be good as ever if Arenas can take some pressure off of Nelson to make plays and score BUT he has not done much of either so far this season, and his contract being so bad makes it worrying. . .
It's such a sideways move imo for Orlando. However, they arel ocked into Rashard for so long that it's basically all or nothing until Dwight's contract is up. Who cares if they get locked into Gil too, because they're already so far over the cap as it is that they won't be able to get far enough under in a couple of season in order to seriously make a run at CP3 anyways. The Rashard deal killed them, but I think we all knew that when they signed it.
Actually, say the new CBA lowers contracts severely, Dwight could not opt out of his contract and the year he became a FA the Magic would basically be in the position to sign two max FAs in the year I believe DWill and CP3 are FAs(assuming things aren't so different then). That becomes impossible with Arenas because his contract goes beyond that year.
Still, if I were Otis SMith I would be waiting until the deadline to do this. If the Suns and/or Hornets are totally out of the playoff mix, maybe, just maybe oyu can send Brandon Bass, Daniel Orton, Jameer Nelson, and Ryan Anderson out to get either Nash or Paul.
No to Nash, but I agree about waiting til the deadline. . . this seems like some sort of panic trade and that's never good. Also, as good as CP3 is, there have been some reports that he's not as healthy as he should be and that his last injury might affect him a lot more than most people think. Would be something to look at.
If the Magic were looking to take on more salary I was hoping it'd be for Iggy, not Arenas. . .
