Changes, again...

Well, when I last posted, I blatantly stated that Rashard Lewis and his ridiculous game and contract were untradeable. Boy, was I incorrect. I don't think the trades by Otis Smith really changed the outcome for the Magic this season. They weren't better than the Celtics, Heat, or Bulls when they made the trades; they're not now. But I do believe that the trades impact the team significantly moving forward. If the Magic had taken their second round whipping at the hands of any of the three teams listed above, I would have been comforted by the fact that Vince Carter's contract is up this summer, and the possibilities that would have coincided with that reality. Regrettably, we have neither Carter's contract (17 million dollars) coming off the books, nor do we have Lewis's contract coming off the books in 2013. Instead, we have a not-the-guy-of-2009 version of Turkoglu and a guy in Arenas whose contract lasts until 2014, one more lovely year of misery tacked onto the bad situation that was already present with Rashard as our overpaid star. One thing you can say about Lewis is his health has been fairly good throughout his career. Now, I've only seen Arenas play a few games since becoming a member of the Magic, but his career (or at least the part when he was even remotely effective) is over. Arenas cannot, (no, not the problem with so many young players in today's game who can, but simply will not), but cannot play defense. His bum knee won't allow it. In watching him try to defend opposing point guards, these players have literally waltzed to the hoop past the incapacitated Arenas. And his 34% field goal percentage, or whatever the pathetically low number is precisely, doesn't help matters either. You would think a guy that was as skilled as Arenas would still be fairly serviceable, despite his physical limitations, on the offensive end. But Arenas has been an exceptionally poor fit for the Magic. The only player I really trust among the group of those brought in through trade is Jason Richardson. The one who still retains a little athleticism and enough game to make other teams at least think of him as potentially threatening. The other players aren't exactly the world's best fits, and Gortat's departure leaves the team desperately thin concerning front court depth (remember when Ryan Anderson started the other night for a suspended Howard?). Suffice it to say, this Magic fan is simply hoping to stay in the four spot and for Atlanta to stay in the five spot, so there is at least the possibility the Magic can get to the second round. That would be a successful season at this point. I don't think any Magic fan, unless biased to the point of being oblivious, could reasonably expect any more than this. Hey, I said I was devoted. I didn't say I was unrealistic...