(Hedo/JRich for Gortat/VC/Pietrus confirmed) Rumor: Arenas to Orlando Magic?

[Fafnir]

Supposedly SVG wasn't excited about the Arenas trade, that was Smith's move. That would explain how forceful SVG was that Jameer would not be coming off the bench.

[billysan]

Supposedly SVG wasn't excited about the Arenas trade, that was Smith's move. That would explain how forceful SVG was that Jameer would not be coming off the bench.

He will still be responsible if they fail IMO. He has to lead them (Arenas, Howard, Turkoglu, Nelson and both Richardsons) and make them into a 'team/unit' or the Magic front office will send him packing.

[Fafnir]

Supposedly SVG wasn't excited about the Arenas trade, that was Smith's move. That would explain how forceful SVG was that Jameer would not be coming off the bench.

He will still be responsible if they fail IMO. He has to lead them (Arenas, Howard, Turkoglu, Nelson and both Richardsons) and make them into a 'team/unit' or the Magic front office will send him packing.

What is failing with this team? At best they are the third best team in the east and will be unlikely to get to the ECF again unless the C's/Heat end up in the same half of the bracket.

[housecall]

Supposedly SVG wasn't excited about the Arenas trade, that was Smith's move. That would explain how forceful SVG was that Jameer would not be coming off the bench.

Otis Smith's interview yesterday on NBATV via arenalink...he was asked if there were any concerns about Arenas coming to the Magic because of some problems in his past.Otis Smith said besides his own son he talks to Arenas the most over phone for years.Otis Smith worked in the frontoffice at GS when Arenas was a member of that team.I feel this move is more personal favor than about whats best for the team.I think Smith feels Arenas can help the team but it didn't hurt that he was a personal friend as well.It sounds as though Smith has been sorta of a mentor to Gilbert throughout the years.I agree that it doesn't sound as though SVG is fully onboard with this trade as much as the others.Also Smith sounded like he was disgusted with Lewis this season and that probably helped him make his decision to move him to a bottomfeeder a lot easier.

[Fafnir]

Supposedly SVG wasn't excited about the Arenas trade, that was Smith's move. That would explain how forceful SVG was that Jameer would not be coming off the bench.

Otis Smith's interview yesterday on NBATV via arenalink...he was asked if there were any concerns about Arenas coming to the Magic because of some problems in his past.Otis Smith said besides his own son he talks to Arenas the most over phone for years.Otis Smith worked in the frontoffice at GS when Arenas was a member of that team.I feel this move is more personal favor than about whats best for the team.I think Smith feels Arenas can help the team but it didn't hurt that he was a personal friend as well.It sounds as though Smith has been sorta of a mentor to Gilbert throughout the years.I agree that it doesn't sound as though SVG is fully onboard with this trade as much as the others.Also Smith sounded like he was disgusted with Lewis this season and that probably helped him make his decision to move him to a bottomfeeder a lot easier.

Smith is close to both Jason Richardson and Gilbert going back to their Golden State days.

Just as the KG trade was made easier by Danny and Kevin knowing each other, Smith clearly was comfortable making these moves because of his relationships with all the players involved.

I am still shocked they traded for Arenas.

[CoachBo]

The personal stuff is interesting.

And illuminating. You've got to be careful in this business to identify and acquire pieces that fit into your overall picture. Acquiring friends - especially when several of those friends are volume shooters who play no defense whatsoever - is a dangerous, dangerous thing.

[ozman]

This trade benifits Orlando and Pheniox. Forget about Arenas, Jason Richardson could fill Vince Carters role, his having a better season so far, better shooting percentages and there both pretty average defenders. Throw in Hedo, youve upgraded over Lewis. I expect Hedo to return to form, his a better defender and rebounder then Lewis too. The only problem is loosing a back up centre, perhaps more moves to come?
Then you have Arenas who would be solid of the bench, but i think his ego is to big.

For pheniox you add a quality big man and that will improve them. Maybe vince will improve with a pass first point guard but i think his lost alot.

Washington i do not understand

[hpantazo]

This trade benifits Orlando and Pheniox. Forget about Arenas, Jason Richardson could fill Vince Carters role, his having a better season so far, better shooting percentages and there both pretty average defenders. Throw in Hedo, youve upgraded over Lewis. I expect Hedo to return to form, his a better defender and rebounder then Lewis too. The only problem is loosing a back up centre, perhaps more moves to come?
Then you have Arenas who would be solid of the bench, but i think his ego is to big.

For pheniox you add a quality big man and that will improve them. Maybe vince will improve with a pass first point guard but i think his lost alot.

Washington i do not understand

losing a backup center will hurt them a lot though. Once teams get Howard into foul trouble the Magic are screwed. Gortat was more than able to hold the fort, no one on the roster right now can even come close.

[StartOrien]

I still think it's a bad move for Orlando, but Hedo looked pretty good tonight. Operated that pick and roll really, really well tonight.

[Witch-King]

Yeah, it's kind of a shame that the Magic lost tonight. It seems like their team had a sub-par shooting night from the field despite the home-crowd and the fact that they out-rebounded the Dallas Mavericks.

Jason Richardson and Gilbert Arenas were cold from the field in their second game with the Magic. On Monday night they lost in Phillips Arena to the Atlanta Hawks and their team shot a meager 35.2 percent from the field in that game. The most obvious flaw with their team (the Orlando Magic) right now is the fact that they seem a bit under-sized with Marcin Gortat and Michael Pietrus gone.

According to Brett Huttson of NBA.com the Dallas Mavericks are a team that is more than capable of defeating tough opponents with either a winning record or a winning streak:

"The Mavericks are 9-1 away from the American Airlines Center, including six straight wins against teams that are a combined 45 games above .500..." - (from the Mavericks-Magic Preview, Dec. 21, 2010)

Now, I am in no way saying that I'm particularly fearful of the Dallas Mavericks, or that I was rooting either for or against the Orlando Magic tonight, however it is important to note that the Magic are in a 4 game losing and have lost 8 of their last 9 games. That team might be looking to prove something when we face them on Saturday afternoon.

http://www.nba.com/games/20101221/DALORL/gameinfo.html?ls=gt2hp0021000416#nbaGIboxscore

[ozman]

This trade benifits Orlando and Pheniox. Forget about Arenas, Jason Richardson could fill Vince Carters role, his having a better season so far, better shooting percentages and there both pretty average defenders. Throw in Hedo, youve upgraded over Lewis. I expect Hedo to return to form, his a better defender and rebounder then Lewis too. The only problem is loosing a back up centre, perhaps more moves to come?
Then you have Arenas who would be solid of the bench, but i think his ego is to big.

For pheniox you add a quality big man and that will improve them. Maybe vince will improve with a pass first point guard but i think his lost alot.

Washington i do not understand

losing a backup center will hurt them a lot though. Once teams get Howard into foul trouble the Magic are screwed. Gortat was more than able to hold the fort, no one on the roster right now can even come close.

Yeah i agree, Gortat was a quality back up. There reserve centers are no good, Bass is good but they need one more. Maybe they trade q rich, why not ? everyone else does lol.

One possibility is they trade nelson, they shouldnt but if their serious about arenas maybe thats the way they go?

[indeedproceed]

Yeah i agree, Gortat was a quality back up. There reserve centers are no good, Bass is good but they need one more. Maybe they trade q rich, why not ? everyone else does lol.

Right now, among the healthy backup C's, Gortat was the best in the league, maybe behind Brendon Haywood.

They'll make a trade though, sooner than later. They still have both Brandon Bass and Ryan Anderson, and it looks like Hedo will see some time at the 4, so one of those guys is expendable (again).

EDIT: I said among the healthy backup C's, because either Perkins or Shaq (depending on who starts) is better. Gortat has gone from the most underrated big man in basketball to one of the more overrated. I will stand by that.

[Q_FBE]

I think Washington benefitted by losing Gilbert Arenas and Rashard Lewis can't hurt them much and Rookie PG John Wall can lead the team.

Phoenix flatlined.

Orlando I think has chemistry issues.

[GreenFaith1819]

Orlando will REALLY miss this man, and PHX now has a GEM of a Center. I think PHX just put themselves back in the playoff hunt, if they keep their team together.

ORL got some nice players in J Rich, Hedo, Clark and Gilbert in return, but Centers like Gortat are hard to come by.

Pair him with Nash, GHill, VC? Plus the supporting cast? PHX got the better of this I think.

Dwight's lost his cushion.

The Polish Hammer, or Prince :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VfLOqTaPV0&feature=related

And this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35ii8L5uxkc&feature=related

[GreenFaith1819]

Lamar's going to be seeing more of this now:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2yqLQ1iVLE&feature=related