Ish Smith could be perfect fit at point for Magic

In an NBA universe of Blake Griffin, "poster dunks" and age-defying, 30-point, 10-assist performances by 37-year-old Steve Nash, the Orlando Magic's signing of a backup point guard may not seem very significant. But for the Magic, the arrival of Ish Smith couldn't come at a better time. Anyone who has watched the Magic play this season knows it has not been a banner year for Orlando's point guards. Starter Jameer Nelson got off to a slow start, suffered a neck injury in late December, delivered a series of uneven performances after returning and now has missed three more games because of a concussion. Backup Chris Duhon has struggled against super quick defenders and intense on-the-ball pressure. No. 3 point guard Larry Hughes, more suited as a two-guard to begin with and at age 33, not exactly the friskiest back-court player around has been released after three consecutive underwhelming efforts in the backup role. Enter Ish Smith. Exactly what the Magic need: youthful, energetic, lightning quick. Think Darrell Armstrong, backing up Penny Hardaway in the late '90s. Penny was a victim of knee injuries. His explosiveness was in decline. The mercurial Armstrong was the perfect complement off the bench, a pace changer who could up the tempo of him own team offensively and put 94-foot pressure on the opposing point guard. A similar role could await Smith. Smith had a solid four-year collegiate career at Wake Forest and was the only player in Demon Deacon history with 1,000 points and 600 assists. He broke Chris Paul's freshman assist record. Undrafted in 2010, Smith signed with Houston and played 28 games for the Rockets, earning three starts. He was traded to Memphis with Shane Battier last February and played in 15 more games with the Grizzlies. Golden State signed Smith in December, and he played well in six games for the Warriors, including an 11-point, six-rebound, four-assist, two-steal performance in a starting role against the Knicks a game the Warriors won by 14. In 64 minutes on the court for Golden State, Smith committed just one turnover. His assist to turnover ratio in 49 career NBA games is 2.51, which would rank in the top 15 leaguewide with enough playing time, and which is on par with Nelson's best years in Orlando. After the Warriors signed veteran point guard Nate Robinson, Smith became expendable. Now, the Magic have snatched him up. It could be a very good fit for both player and team.