Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images
A week ago, Magic Basketball’s team of writers were featured on a recent 5-on-5 roundtable discussion at ESPN.com, answering offseason questions pertaining to the Orlando Magic and providing our opinions on several topics, including our thoughts on Dwight Howard‘s future and more. But we didn’t stop there.
As a supplement, here is our 3-on-3 roundtable discussion on the Magic.
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What are your thoughts on Gilbert Arenas’ Twitter account?
Nate Drexler: Gilbert’s tweets are highly entertaining, but highly discouraging. I hate to make a big deal out of nothing, especially while there is no NBA season happening, but it’s almost all the evidence you need that he does not care about this game anymore. Being a goofball is one thing, but the aura that Gilbert has created in his tweet-o-sphere is childish to me. If I’m Otis Smith, Stan Van Gundy, or any Magic player, I’m thinking to myself, “I cannot wait until this guy is not my problem anymore.”
Eddy Rivera: Following Gilbert Arenas on Twitter has been one of my more hilarious endeavors since I signed up in 2009. If you want to see Arenas without a filter, then you’ve come to the right place. It’s refreshing to see that Arenas doesn’t hold anything back and you feel like you’re getting his real personality when he tweets. Sure, Arenas has gotten fined an undisclosed amount of money by the NBA for some of his content but at least he’s not playing it by the book. For Arenas, there is no book, just random pages.
Matt Scribbins: The pictures of him planking are the most entertaining I have even seen on Twitter and it’s not even close. His daily shoe contests are a fun way for him to interact with fans and reward his followers with a cool prize. I’ll give him credit for being honest, but he is probably to the point where he has offended nearly everyone. I think Foghorn Leghorn could probably sum it up the best – “It was the best of times, I said it was the worst of times.”
Should Otis Smith be fired?
Nate Drexler: Otis Smith is coming up on the biggest decision and turning point of his entire career. To deal Dwight or not to deal? To sign a huge blue chip guy or not to sign him? To somehow recapture Dwight or not to recapture him? What happens at the end of 2012 will seal Smith’s fate for better or for worse. As far as I can see, he has one chance left. Make good with this Dwight situation, and keep your job. Spoil it like you’ve spoiled so many deals, and you’re probably out of a job. So I say don’t fire him … yet.
Eddy Rivera: Yes. Despite having the second-highest payroll in the NBA last season, the Orlando Magic lost in the first round against the Atlanta Hawks. Unfortunately for Dwight Howard, his MVP-caliber year was undermined thanks in large part to Gilbert Arenas, Hedo Turkoglu, and Jason Richardson — players that are earning eight figure salaries, yet produced very little when it mattered the most. That’s making an inefficient use of resources if there ever was an example of it. In short, general manager Otis Smith took an elite team and championship contender, and morphed it into an also-ran in a calendar year.
Matt Scribbins: He shouldn’t be extended, that’s for sure. He made high profile moves that didn’t pan out and is in desperate need of some good luck. If Gilbert Arenas can salvage his career, then Otis will look a lot smarter. However, Otis should leave town in a hot tick if a) his moves don’t work and b) he doesn’t make the requisite moves to show Dwight that Orlando is set up for long term success.
If you were forced to trade Dwight, where would you trade him to?
Nate Drexler: Obviously when thinking about trading Dwight the biggest question is “what can I get for him”? There is just not a ton out there. As far as I can see, you’re choosing between Brook Lopez and Andrew Bynum. These aren’t huge blocks to build on, but I guess it could be worse. When it comes down to it, I think you could get more from Los Angeles with Bynum and maybe a veteran or two on top. If I could trade him anywhere at all, though, it would be Miami. I would love to see LeBron in Orlando. Maybe that is not the most realistic trade in the world, but if I were in charge I’d be looking for the biggest and best trade chip for my most valuable player.
Eddy Rivera: Magic fans don’t want to hear this, but I would trade Dwight Howard to the Los Angeles Lakers if we’re being realistic with where he would want to play in 2012 and beyond. Sure, you could swap Howard for LeBron James and call it a day, but that would never happen so there’s no point in discussing it. With the Lakers, I would demand that they take on Gilbert Arenas’ contract while building a package around Andrew Bynum. Yes, Bynum is injury-proned but two of his injuries came on freak plays. Bynum’s right knee collided with Kobe Bryant one time and his left took landed on Lamar Odom the other time. Nevertheless, head coach Stan Van Gundy likes to center his team around a big man, and a 23-year old Bynum isn’t a bad piece to build around. Risky? Sure. But it’s a necessary evil.
Matt Scribbins: I would prefer if Dwight was traded to a team in the Western Conference. If he stays in the Eastern Conference, Orlando would have to play him up to four times each regular season. Plus, do you want to potentially face Dwight every year in the playoffs? Every one suggests a trade to the Lakers, and I agree. The Magic would replace the best center in the NBA with the second best if they received Andrew Bynum in a deal.
