Cohen: The Electrifying Additions
By Josh Cohen
December 18, 2010
ORLANDO -- I remember watching the 2001 NCAA Championship Game between the Duke Blue Devils and Arizona Wildcats and reiterating to myself during the telecast; Gilbert Arenas has the potential to be one of the most electrifying and breathtaking guards in the NBA.
For a while in Washington he was -- a dynamic guard with an unquenchable thirst to score -- and now that he has been dealt to Orlando, the man who will suit up wearing #1 on his jersey hopes to return to superstar status.
A deceptively nippy player who can distribute and put the ball in the hoop with ease, Arenas was drafted in the second round (31st overall) by the Golden State Warriors and almost immediately became the “steal” of the 2001 NBA Draft.
He was named the NBA’s Most Improved Player after a sensational second season and thereafter signed with Washington to hopefully bolster their blossoming franchise.
Not only did the Wizards become one of the more improved teams in the league, Agent Zero, as he was affectionately nicknamed during most of his time in the nation’s capital, transformed into a potent offensive machine that can score in a variety of ways.
An MVP candidate in 2006, the Los Angeles, California product averaged nearly 30 points a game that season and became renowned for his pressure-packed late-game heroic shots.
While the last few seasons have been a struggle for Arenas due to injuries and last year’s altercation, the three-time NBA All-Star has seemingly re-discovered his rhythm this season. “Hibachi,” another self-proclaimed nickname he created, is averaging 17.3 points and 5.6 assists thus far.
As a result, Orlando Magic President of Basketball Operations Otis Smith, who was a mentor for Gilbert during their time together in Golden State, felt acquiring him was a perfect fit.
"What Arenas will bring to this team is a little bit of toughness," Smith said.
Although it remains undecided if he will start at the shooting guard position or come off the bench and serve as a backup to either Jameer Nelson or the newly acquired Jason Richardson, Arenas’ flexibility and multi-dimensional assets will almost certainly be obliging.
During their respective time in Orlando, both Vince Carter and Rashard Lewis buried their fair share of late-game shots. But now with both of them moving on, it will be imperative for Arenas to step in and serve as a primary scorer in the late stages of a close game.
Jason Richardson is often branded for two notable qualities: Explode to the basket and finish with authority and bury 3-pointer after 3-pointer after 3-pointer.
While most of the chit-chatter regarding this blockbuster deal will center on the acquisition of Gilbert Arenas and the return of fan favorite Hedo Turkoglu, it’s very possible that the most game-altering addition will be that of J-Rich.
An NCAA champion at Michigan State in 2000 and a former two-time NBA Slam Dunk champion, Richardson enjoyed a splendid career with the Warriors, Bobcats and Suns.
By just examining his statistics over the course of his career, it is very apparent that the high-flyer will likely have similar accomplishments in Orlando. Since his second season in the league, Richardson has never averaged below 15 points a game and has generally always been among the NBA leaders in 3-pointers made.
Last season in Phoenix, for example, the shooting guard helped the Suns advance to the Western Conference Finals and erupted for a playoff career-high 42 points in a win over the Blazers in the First Round.
This season, he has had several outstanding performances, including nailing 7-of-10 treys during a Suns 3-point barrage against the Lakers.
Like Turkoglu and Arenas, J-Rich plays extremely well off the pick-and-roll, which is a staple of NBA success.
"Scorer, shooter, very good coming off the down screens," Otis Smith said of the 10-year veteran.
He also is in the last year of his contract, which is really attractive for the Magic. If the action-packed Richardson plays up to form, Orlando will have the opportunity to re-sign him at any cost it wants. If not, the franchise can look at this addition as a rental for ¾ of a season.
Follow Josh Cohen on Twitter here
December 18, 2010
ORLANDO -- I remember watching the 2001 NCAA Championship Game between the Duke Blue Devils and Arizona Wildcats and reiterating to myself during the telecast; Gilbert Arenas has the potential to be one of the most electrifying and breathtaking guards in the NBA.
 |
A deceptively nippy player who can distribute and put the ball in the hoop with ease, Arenas was drafted in the second round (31st overall) by the Golden State Warriors and almost immediately became the “steal” of the 2001 NBA Draft.
He was named the NBA’s Most Improved Player after a sensational second season and thereafter signed with Washington to hopefully bolster their blossoming franchise.
Not only did the Wizards become one of the more improved teams in the league, Agent Zero, as he was affectionately nicknamed during most of his time in the nation’s capital, transformed into a potent offensive machine that can score in a variety of ways.
An MVP candidate in 2006, the Los Angeles, California product averaged nearly 30 points a game that season and became renowned for his pressure-packed late-game heroic shots.
While the last few seasons have been a struggle for Arenas due to injuries and last year’s altercation, the three-time NBA All-Star has seemingly re-discovered his rhythm this season. “Hibachi,” another self-proclaimed nickname he created, is averaging 17.3 points and 5.6 assists thus far.
As a result, Orlando Magic President of Basketball Operations Otis Smith, who was a mentor for Gilbert during their time together in Golden State, felt acquiring him was a perfect fit.
 Josh Cohen |
Although it remains undecided if he will start at the shooting guard position or come off the bench and serve as a backup to either Jameer Nelson or the newly acquired Jason Richardson, Arenas’ flexibility and multi-dimensional assets will almost certainly be obliging.
During their respective time in Orlando, both Vince Carter and Rashard Lewis buried their fair share of late-game shots. But now with both of them moving on, it will be imperative for Arenas to step in and serve as a primary scorer in the late stages of a close game.
Jason Richardson is often branded for two notable qualities: Explode to the basket and finish with authority and bury 3-pointer after 3-pointer after 3-pointer.
 |
An NCAA champion at Michigan State in 2000 and a former two-time NBA Slam Dunk champion, Richardson enjoyed a splendid career with the Warriors, Bobcats and Suns.
By just examining his statistics over the course of his career, it is very apparent that the high-flyer will likely have similar accomplishments in Orlando. Since his second season in the league, Richardson has never averaged below 15 points a game and has generally always been among the NBA leaders in 3-pointers made.
Last season in Phoenix, for example, the shooting guard helped the Suns advance to the Western Conference Finals and erupted for a playoff career-high 42 points in a win over the Blazers in the First Round.
This season, he has had several outstanding performances, including nailing 7-of-10 treys during a Suns 3-point barrage against the Lakers.
Like Turkoglu and Arenas, J-Rich plays extremely well off the pick-and-roll, which is a staple of NBA success.
"Scorer, shooter, very good coming off the down screens," Otis Smith said of the 10-year veteran.
He also is in the last year of his contract, which is really attractive for the Magic. If the action-packed Richardson plays up to form, Orlando will have the opportunity to re-sign him at any cost it wants. If not, the franchise can look at this addition as a rental for ¾ of a season.
Follow Josh Cohen on Twitter here
