Did you know that Denver turned down ever single offer that Otis made to them? That he came with "his best offer's first?"  Do you really think that if we, as fans, (whose opinions are mere opinions alone), are thinking "Get Carmelo," that Otis Smith, (whose opinions help determine where million's of dollars will go...and is paid very well to do so..) did not think the same exact thing? Could the franchise really afford to keep knocking at the front door of the Nuggets, while they look out of the peep hole pretending to not be home, and the L column filled up like the Titanic's hull? A move had to be made.

    Otis recognized that, and moved. That alone is respect worthy. Did he gamble? Indeed. But, he also gambled when he decided to pay Rashard Lewis $118 Million...and no one can argue the fact that without the aid of Lewis in the Magic's '09 season, the only thing they'd be talking about when it comes to Orlando is "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter." Perhaps Smith's biggest gamble was to be a part of the decision to draft a young high school player by the name of Dwight Howard; when most of the sports world thought it was a giant mistake (we now know who laughed last.) 

 No, the trade doesn't address all of The Magic's issues, and it creates some, but it potentially gives them something they haven't had since Tracy Mcgrady...Athleticism, AND ball movement, the option to put the ball on the floor and drive to the cup. Bringing Arenas in is a BIG gamble, but he CAN help if he stays healthy…but isn't that the same ‘IF’ that Dwayne Wade is faced with? Kevin Garnett? Steve Nash? Even Mr. Kobe himself? Isn't it all just one giant ‘IF’?