NBA Trade Rumors: Predicting How Orlando Magic Would Fare Without Dwight Howard
With the NBA trade deadline looming on the horizon, many big name players could be on the move.
While any team who wants Dwight Howard would have to give up the world to get him, there still is a chance he may be leaving Orlando for a new home.
Howard is one of the best centers in the NBA, if not the best. The Magic would have a huge problem trying to replace the pure athleticism and talent that he provides, and they may not fare too well.
New Big Men In Orlando
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Considering Dwight Howard is the only true center on the Magic roster, Orlando would most likely get a one or two big men in return for Howard's services.
Current players like Ryan Anderson who have been playing well as of late would have to step up big time to fill the shoes of Howard.
Team Leader Toss-Up
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Dwight Howard has been the general of the offense for the past few years now. With him gone who would step up and take over the offense.
Some candidates are: Jameer Nelson, Gilbert Arenas and Jason Richardson.
Although all of these players are good in their own ways, it might be hard for one to truly step up and take over the offense.
Veteran Leadership Would Prevail
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One good thing about the Magic's current roster is that they are full of veteran players.
Gilbert Arenas has been around the league for a long time now and it was only a year or two ago where he was one of the best guards in the league.
Jason Richardson has been all over the country playing for countless numbers of teams. He is still a work horse and can provide quality minutes.
Hedo Turkoglu is the oldest player on the team and would have to step up even more then he already has for this team to make it.
More Pressure For Stan Van Gundy
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Without Dwight Howard, there is no way the Magic would be as good as they are now. It just won't happen.
Although the fault may not lie with Van Gundy, he will do doubt feel more pressure to play well without Howard.
Fans Will Look For an Excuse to Complain
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Magic fans are just as die-hard as any other fan base. They love their team, and they love their players.
When a team has a player who is as dominant as Howard, he becomes and immediate fan favorite as is in Orlando.
With him gone, the fans will most likely be unhappy and if anything starts to go wrong, they will let their team know.
No Longer an Elite Team
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The Magic have been in the conversation in the last few years for a team that has a chance at winning the championship.
With Howard gone, they will no longer be in that conversation. There status as an elite team will cease to exist.
Not Quite Cleveland Status
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We all know what happened to the Caveliers when Lebron James left Cleveland.
Well...I don't think the same will happen to Orlando.
Although Howard is probably in the same class with James as far as impact players go, the Magic have too many other threats that Cleveland does not have, which will keep them in playoff contention.
This Year- Playoffs
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If the Magic trade Howard now, they will have 29 games left on their schedule.
They currently have the 5th seed in the Eastern conference and are 12 games up on the 9th place team, Indiana.
Because they are so far ahead as of now, I think they can contain their opponents enough to keep a spot in the playoffs this year.
Next Year- No Playoffs
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With elite teams in the East such as the Celtics, Heat and Bulls, Orlando won't be able to compete.
Now teams like Indiana, Philadelphia and New York have young stars who will be elite status very soon.
The Magic are still a good team, but without any elite players, I don't see how they can even make the playoffs in the Eastern conference.
Start Over
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It's sad to say, but with the loss of Howard, the magic may be in a rebuilding stage.
They won't have any young stars, and all of their production comes from players who are past their prime.
They may just want to go to the draft and hope to get a new young star like Blake Griffin.
