Orlando Magic: Time Is Now for Hedo Turkoglu and Gilbert Arenas

If ever a good time for Hedo Turkoglu and Gilbert Arenas to make a push, now is that time.

When Otis Smith traded for the two 20 games into the season, it's safe to say Smith would have never thought the two would combine to score only 18 points per game, but the reality is just that.

The Magic, who have successfully been getting further and further from their goal of a championship since reaching the finals in 2008, must get more out of the two in a hurry, or a quick exit from the playoffs is inevitable.

Dwight Howard has been the only consistent player night in and night out for the magic and he needs help.

Hear that Arenas?

With the highest salary on the team (over $17 million), I can't think of a better time to start earning your pay check with the playoffs a month away.

It's safe to say Arenas will never be his young all-star self, but he has to at least be able to contribute off the bench. If he can't even do that, then Otis Smith will be on the hot seat as he took a leap of faith in his old pal from Golden State, and it will cost the magic almost $40 million over the next two years

As for Turkoglu, more effort needs to be shown on both ends of the ball. Rebounding and individual defense are key for the success of the Magic, and Turkoglu has to be better defending the perimeter.

On the offensive end, it would be nice to see Turk look to start get his own offense going and not be so passive with the ball. It's understandable to get other players going early, especially Howard, but in the fourth quarter Hedo was brought here to take the big shots, not pass them up.

With the playoffs rapidly approaching, Hedo and Gilbert are vital in the success of the team. If they continue to play at such a low level an early exit in the playoffs is inevitable. It's not too late for both to step up and prove their worth, but they're running out of time.