Who's to blame in Orlando?

[KCattheStripe]

I see the criticism of Otis Smith and it's fair.  However, I felt even before the trade that ORL was a flawed team.  This goes back at least two years.  You can't just line up 3-point shooters around the perimeter with Howard down low.  That's a lousy offensive approach.  And despite Howard winning DPY in multiple years, I've always felt the ORL is really not a great defensive team.

It worked for Hakeem. The strategy wasn't the problem, Otis Smith not realizing Dwight Howard wasn't Hakeem was the problem.

[hpantazo]

I see the criticism of Otis Smith and it's fair.  However, I felt even before the trade that ORL was a flawed team.  This goes back at least two years.  You can't just line up 3-point shooters around the perimeter with Howard down low.  That's a lousy offensive approach.  And despite Howard winning DPY in multiple years, I've always felt the ORL is really not a great defensive team.

It worked for Hakeem. The strategy wasn't the problem, Otis Smith not realizing Dwight Howard wasn't Hakeem was the problem.

Howard's lack of a post up game plus the fact that the guys taking the jumpers have nothing on Cassell, Kenny Smith, and Horry had a lot to do with it.

[housecall]

#1Ownership has to accept some responsiblity in this but Otis Smith is the primary screw up in their early exit.

[PosImpos]

Blame Dwight Howard's weak supporting cast.  It's not the front office's fault -- I think they did their best to try and get guys to put around him.  The mid-season trade was a desperation move and I'm not surprised it didn't work out.  

Dwight needs to be on a team where he doesn't have to be the #1 offensive option, even if he is the emotional leader of the team (and he seemed to grow into that role this year).  Put him on a team with a #1 scorer who can pass it to him inside and he and his team will dominate.  Deron Williams would fit the bill.

[KCattheStripe]

I see the criticism of Otis Smith and it's fair.  However, I felt even before the trade that ORL was a flawed team.  This goes back at least two years.  You can't just line up 3-point shooters around the perimeter with Howard down low.  That's a lousy offensive approach.  And despite Howard winning DPY in multiple years, I've always felt the ORL is really not a great defensive team.

It worked for Hakeem. The strategy wasn't the problem, Otis Smith not realizing Dwight Howard wasn't Hakeem was the problem.

Howard's lack of a post up game plus the fact that the guys taking the jumpers have nothing on Cassell, Kenny Smith, and Horry had a lot to do with it.

Jameer Nelson- 39% career from 3. Kenny Smith-40%

JJ Reddick- 39%. Sam Cassell- 33%

Rashard Lewis- 39%.  Horry- 34%

[hpantazo]

I see the criticism of Otis Smith and it's fair.  However, I felt even before the trade that ORL was a flawed team.  This goes back at least two years.  You can't just line up 3-point shooters around the perimeter with Howard down low.  That's a lousy offensive approach.  And despite Howard winning DPY in multiple years, I've always felt the ORL is really not a great defensive team.

It worked for Hakeem. The strategy wasn't the problem, Otis Smith not realizing Dwight Howard wasn't Hakeem was the problem.

Howard's lack of a post up game plus the fact that the guys taking the jumpers have nothing on Cassell, Kenny Smith, and Horry had a lot to do with it.

Jameer Nelson- 39% career from 3. Kenny Smith-40%

JJ Reddick- 39%. Sam Cassell- 33%

Rashard Lewis- 39%.  Horry- 34%

it's the big shots that count

[JSD]

Otis Smith is to blame for the playoff series loss and the eventual demise of Dwight Howard's career in Orlando.

Gilbert Arenas is horrible and has a terrible long term contract. Monumental mistake bringing him in because it leaves the Magic with a worse player and little flexibility to bring an all-star level player in. They should have used Vince Carter's expiring contract for a young asset or a pick.

[OttawaCeltic]

Two words:

Jameer Nelson

Why?
He tried to be the hero of the team other than Dwight.

How?
Chuckling up threes like there is no tommorow. They also barely hit the rim. The new Nate the Great Over here!

What Next Boys?
1. Get a backup Center that is better than the 30 second Malik Allen. If Dwight tries to leave,get at least a pick out of him!

2. Move Jameer or Arenas(recommend Jameer since Gilbert is now amazing coming off the bench!)

3. Hit bigger at the Forward spot! What in the world does Van Gudy think about having Anderson sitting for Bass? Start Anderson and get a 3rd back-up! The two already had weekly injuries and they barely help Dwight in the post!

[hpantazo]

The sad part is, if the magic had stood pat and kept Gortat, VC and Pietrus, they could have had a great chance to go back to the finals this year. That team would have had a good chance against the bulls or heat, and with our lack of healthy big men, Howard would give them enough to give us a good fight. Although if they never made the trade, it's possible that Ainge would have never traded Perk.

[BballTim]

The sad part is, if the magic had stood pat and kept Gortat, VC and Pietrus, they could have had a great chance to go back to the finals this year. That team would have had a good chance against the bulls or heat, and with our lack of healthy big men, Howard would give them enough to give us a good fight. Although if they never made the trade, it's possible that Ainge would have never traded Perk.

  I didn't think they were looking like contenders before the trade, certainly not a team that we'd struggle with.

[Yogi]

  Stan Van Gundy and the coaching staff.  They had more than enough talent to win the series.  They had the most dominant player on both ends of the floor.  Gilbert Arenas played better than Rashad Lewis ever did last year.  Van Gundy repeatedly failed to get his shooters clean looks and any kind of rhythym in the offense. 
   Their defense relied too much on sending guys to the paint to let Dwight take care of it.  This backfired against a jump shooting iso team like the hawks. 
On a side note, it's one of the reason why I think Chicago will own atlanta.  Josh Smith can't score one on one against Deng/Brewer.  Johnson can't do that efficiently against Bogans/Brewer.  Horford amd Boozer will be a wash.  If Hinrich is healthy, he would be great against Rose.  Rose will score and get to the line, but he wouldn't be efficient.  Noah will have some advantage over whoever Chicago throws at him. 
   Atlanta could go small and play Horford at the Center, which I suspect they would do against Chicago.  They then become even more reliant on the jump shot and that does not work out well against the team that plays arguably the best defense on the wings in the entire league. 

[soap07]

Gilbert Arenas played better than Rashad Lewis ever did last year. 

When? Gilbert was a net negative on the court when he played. It would've been better if he didn't play at all. 

[manbehindtheman]

I've had a longstanding theory that any team that has Hedo T.  as a vital piece of the puzzle isn't going too far in the playoffs.

[Fafnir]

I've had a longstanding theory that any team that has Hedo T.  as a vital piece of the puzzle isn't going too far in the playoffs.

That's a pretty bad theory given they made the Finals with him being a key cog not very long ago.

[Yogi]

Gilbert Arenas played better than Rashad Lewis ever did last year. 

When? Gilbert was a net negative on the court when he played. It would've been better if he didn't play at all. 

   He was a net negative because he played with a unit that was struggling.  He played pretty well.  He attacked the basket and had nice passing.