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Orlando Magic and NBA news roundup: Friday, Nov. 11, 2011

By on Friday, November 11th, 2011 | No Comments

If the NBA and its players can agree to a new CBA soon, Orlando’s all-star game will be saved. (Danny Moloshok/Reuters)

From the Sentinel:

* Orlando’s 2012 NBA All-Star Game would be saved — if union accepts new offer (Josh Robbins, Orlando Sentinel)
* Dwight Howard’s charity game: so far, about two-thirds of the way to a sellout (Josh Robbins, Orlando Sentinel)
* Sell-out? Duh, Michael Jordan’s an owner now (Brian Schmitz, Orlando Sentinel)

Around the NBA:

* After 12 hours of talks, NBA players and owners decide to reconvene on Thursday (Brian Mahoney, Associated Press)
* NBA offers revised proposal, hope for season (Zach Lowe, SI.com)
* A Final Proposal, With Hopes of a Vote (Howard Beck, New York Times)
* Finally, the real fight (J.A. Adande, ESPN.com)
* Nothing left to yell about (Henry Abbott, ESPN.com)
* NBA players to consider owners’ new offer (Adrian Wojnarowski, Yahoo! Sports)
* Stern offers 72-game season, few alternatives (Ken Berger, CBS Sports)
* What does a 72-game season look like? Packed like sardines (Matt Moore, CBSSports.com)

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Orlando Magic BasketBlog – Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic and NBA News: Wednesday, August 10

By on Saturday, August 13th, 2011 | No Comments

Earl Clark is likely headed to China to play for Zhejiang of the CBA. (Joshua C. Cruey/Orlando Sentinel)

After months of speculation that Dwight Howard might play overseas during the lockout, a couple other Magic players have been linked to foreign countries: Both Earl Clark and Hedo Turkoglu are in talks with teams across the pond. We delve into those rumors and more in today’s links.

1. Earl Clark considering signing with team in China, Zach McCann, Orlando Sentinel

The Buzz: Clark is in talks with Zhejiang of the Chinese Basketball Association. The deal would not include an NBA-out clause, reportedly.

2. Clark agrees to deal to play in China, Adrian Wojnarowski, Yahoo! Sports

The Buzz: Here’s the original report from Yahoo!

3. Here’s Stan Van Gundy as a college basketball player (photo) Zach McCann, Orlando Sentinel

The Buzz: Ever want to see the Magic coach as a college hooper? Here’s your chance.

4. What do Magic have up their sleeves? ESPN.com

The Buzz: Five NBA writers take aim at the biggest questions surrounding the Magic.

5. Turkish Team Chasing Turkoglu, Philip Rossman-Reich, OrlandoMagicDaily.com

The Buzz: Turkoglu is in talks to play in his home country of Turkey during the lockout.

6. The EOB Elite 100, 61-70: Buy or sell, Matt Moore, CBSSports.com

The Buzz: An Orlando Magic player is in the 60s in this list of the top 100 players in the NBA.

7. Top 100 NBA Players — Nos. 61-70, Zach Lowe, SI.com

The Buzz: The same Magic player is on Zach Lowe’s list of the top 100 guys.

8. Dwight Howard is ‘upset’ by quiet Magic fans, Ben Golliver, CBSSports.com

The Buzz: Here’s some commentary on Howard’s claim that the Magic’s crowd was weak during the regular season.

9. Howard for Bynum, Kevin Pelton, BasketballProspectus.com

The Buzz: Let’s say this: I don’t agree.

10. Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade must opt for rest, not risk, Greg Cote, Miami Herald

The Buzz: Wade said he’s going to pursue playing overseas, something this Miami columnist disagrees with.

Orlando Magic BasketBlog – Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic and NBA News: Monday, August 8

By on Monday, August 8th, 2011 | No Comments

Dwight Howard is already one of the best centers of recent history.

Where does Dwight Howard rank among centers over the last 30 years? Does Andrew Bynum have big-time trade value around the league? Which Orlando Magic player besides Howard has some drama around Basketball Wives? We answer these questions and more in today’s links.

1. Andrew Bynum offers L.A. biggest trade chip, Brian Schmitz, Orlando Sentinel

The Buzz: Does anyone actually believe the media reports that Jerry Buss refuses to trade Bynum? Please.

2. Magic Use Howard Plenty, Others’ Usage Is Concern, Philip Rossman-Reich, OrlandoMagicDaily.com

The Buzz: Hakeem Olajuwon thinks Howard should shoot more. PRR disagrees.

3. Arenas hopes to block former girlfriend from VH1?s ‘Basketball Wives’ Tim Griffin, San Antonio Express-News

The Buzz: Royce Reed, who had a baby with Dwight Howard, is on Basketball Wives but can’t mention Howard or their son. Now Arenas is trying to keep his ex-fiance — and mother of his three children — from joining the show.

4. The 10 best centers of the past three decades, Dennis Velasco, TheBasketballJones.com

The Buzz: Howard, as you might expect, makes the rankings of the best centers of the past 30 years.

5. NBA Player Skill Rankings – Post Play, Sebastian Pruiti, NBAPlaybook.com

The Buzz: Howard isn’t mentioned on this list of the best post players in the NBA.

6. Stan Van Gundy Could Get Into Politics, John Karalis, CrossoverChronicles.com

The Buzz: The American President is the authority on national security decisions, and Van Gundy’s basketball philosophy — which includes many long-range shots — would translate to foreign affairs, says Karalis.

7. ‘Chocolate Thunder’ name came from Stevie Wonder, Matt Moore, CBSSports.com

The Buzz: Stevie Wonder’s career has some parallels with Gilbert Arenas.

8. Rookies taking loans to survive lockout, Matt Moore, CBSSports.com

The Buzz: These rookies haven’t made any money yet.

9. Heat need quality, not quantity, in reserve, Ira Winderman, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

The Buzz: The Heat signed a whole bunch of veterans last summer, a strategy that didn’t totally work out.

10. Rejoice! New Hawks’ owner means end of Atlanta Spirit, Jeff Schultz, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Buzz: They seem pretty happy about the team’s sale in Atlanta.

Orlando Magic BasketBlog – Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic and NBA News: Thursday, August 4

By on Thursday, August 4th, 2011 | No Comments

Is Hedo Turkoglu one of the NBA’s best 100 players? (Julio Cortez/Associated Press)

Stan Van Gundy’s crossover went viral yesterday. We have that, his political aspirations, lockout news and more in today’s links.

1. Stan Van Gundy not worried about players tuning him out, Zach McCann, Orlando Sentinel

The Buzz: Van Gundy was in a light-hearted mood at the Magic youth camp, but don’t expect that come the real season.

2. Stan Van Gundy considering career in politics after coaching, Zach McCann, Orlando Sentinel

The Buzz: Van Gundy is considering a career in local or state politics after coaching.

3. Shaq used cop pals in frame-up try, says lawsuit, Mike Clary, South Florida Sun Sentinel

The Buzz: Shaq is being accused of a complex framing attempt.

4. NBA season likely to be canceled, union chief says at seminar, Jeff Barker, Baltimore Sun

The Buzz: This is mostly a negotiating ploy, but the player’s union head isn’t confident a season will be played.

5. Top 100 NBA Players, Pt. II: Nos. 81-90, Zach Lowe, SI.com

The Buzz: A couple of Magic wing players made the top 100 of Lowe’s player rankings.

6. Dwight Howard is in love with China, Tiffany Greene, BHSN.com

The Buzz: If Howard plays overseas — a big if — it will be in China.

7. Dwight Howard Sings For The Kids, Sean Highkin, HardwoodParoxysm.com

The Buzz: Highkin provides an entertaining — if not a bit tardy — review of Howard’s kids album.

8. NBA General Manager Rankings: David Kahn, Pat Riley, And Everyone In Between, Mike Prada, SBNation.com

The Buzz: Where do you think Otis Smith should place in a ranking of the league’s GMs?

9. Magic Campers Get Authentic Van Gundy Coaching Experience, John Denton, OrlandoMagic.com

The Buzz: Here’s the team’s release on Van Gundy’s camp appearance.

10. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame immune to NBA lockout, Lacy J. Banks, Chicago Sun-Times

The Buzz: The lockout’s rules are being temporarily lifted for the hall of fame induction.

Orlando Magic BasketBlog – Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic and NBA News: Friday, July 29

By on Friday, July 29th, 2011 | No Comments
Marcin Gortat had some choice words about the Phoenix Suns' lack of defense earlier this week, and the Suns responded by following the Polish Hammer's advice. (Mark J. Rebilas/US PRESSWIRE )

Marcin Gorat, right, doesn’t feel he was welcomed by everyone in Phoenix. (Mark J. Rebilas/US PRESSWIRE )

Dwight Howard is back working in Houston, several writers analyze Stan Van Gundy’s philosophy and Marcin Gortat has some interesting words for a current teammate in today’s links.

1. Dwight Howard training with Hakeem Olajuwon for second summer in a row, Josh Robbins, Orlando Sentinel

The Buzz: Howard is spending the week in Houston, and one of his goals is to get his free-throw percentage up to 75 percent.

2. Magic’s Fat Guy: Trust Dwight Howard, Brian Schmitz, Orlando Sentinel

The Buzz: The Fat Guy says Howard is a loyal and trustworthy guy.

3. In case you were wondering, Stan Van Gundy is still exasperated, Kelly Dwyer, Ball Don’t Lie

The Buzz: Van Gundy’s comments at a coaching clinic have resonated.

4. Marcin Gortat’s Polish Tour Includes Dogging Robin Lopez And Bad Tennis, Seth Pollack, SBNation.com

The Buzz: Gortat has some controversial comments about his first practice in Phoenix.

5. Stan Van Gundy Continues To Defend Three-Point Philosophy, Mike Prada, SBNation.com

The Buzz: Some people wonder if the Magic’s roster is still fit for Van Gundy’s three-point strategy.

6. Magic Offering Lockout Refunds, Philip Rossman-Reich, OrlandoMagicDaily.com

The Buzz: Fans will get money back for missed games.

7. Dooling nears deal with Turkish team, Charles F. Gardner, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

The Buzz: Former Magic guard Keyon Dooling might go overseas.

8. NBA, union to meet Monday, Chris Sheridan, ESPN.com

The Buzz: After a month apart, the two sides are talking again on Monday.

9. Kobe Bryant has strong background in soccer, Mark Medina, L.A. Times

The Buzz: The Turkish team Besiktas, which signed Deron Williams a few weeks ago, is trying to conjure up money to sign Kobe Bryant.

10. The Trials of Team Afghanistan, Joseph D’Hippolito, New York Times

The Buzz: Here’s an interesting read on the Afghanistan basketball team.

Orlando Magic BasketBlog – Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic and NBA News: Monday, July 25

By on Tuesday, July 26th, 2011 | No Comments

J.J. Redick let the Orlando Sentinel follow him during a day of workouts last week. (Gary W. Green/Orlando Sentinel)

We get some rare insight into the lives of J.J. Redick and Stan Van Gundy, take a look back at the Magic’s inception and analyze Kevin Durant’s tattoos in today’s links.

1. Magic joined NBA race 25 years ago, thanks to Jimmy Hewitt, Brian Schmitz, Orlando Sentinel

The Buzz: If not for Jimmy Hewitt, Orlando probably wouldn’t have a pro basketball team.

2. NBA lockout turns Orlando Magic’s J.J. Redick into a road warrior, Josh Robbins, Orlando Sentinel

The Buzz: Redick used to do all of his workouts at the Amway Center. Now, because of the lockout, he zig-zags across town to accomplish all of his daily tasks.

3. Stan Van Gundy offers rare insight on Magic, opponents at coaching clinic, Zach McCann, Orlando Sentinel

The Buzz: Van Gundy provided plenty of interesting tidbits during his coaching presentation.

4. Gilbert Arenas has chance to win over Orlando, Brian Schmitz, Orlando Sentinel

The Buzz: Arenas could be nearly as popular as Dwight Howard if his play improves.

5. The Top 10 Small Forwards in Magic History, Philip Rossman-Reich, OrlandoMagicDaily.com

The Buzz: The Magic don’t have the most illustrious list of small forwards. For the record, Rashard Lewis and T-mac are not small forwards for the purpose of this list.

6. Get fit with Nick, OrlandoMagic.com

The Buzz: Nick Anderson, on a mission to lose weight this summer, invites Magic fans to do the same.

7. Kobe’s stars dazzle, tantalize, Joey Villar, The Philippine Star

The Buzz: Some NBA stars played in an all-star tournament in the Philippines.

8. Encouraging progress for Daniels, Chris Forsberg, ESPNBoston.com

The Buzz: Marquis Daniels, an Orlando native who bruised his spinal cord against the Magic on Feb. 6, is recovering nicely.

9. Union lawyer talks NBA’s missing records, Zach Lowe, SI.com

The Buzz: The NBA’s financial situation isn’t the easiest thing to understand.

10. Yes, Kevin Durant has tats — and so what? Darnell Mayberry, The Oklahoman

The Buzz: The world just recently discovered that squeaky-clean Kevin Durant has tattoos on his torso. Mayberry, like Durant, asks, so what?

Orlando Magic BasketBlog – Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic and NBA News: Thursday, July 14

By on Thursday, July 14th, 2011 | No Comments

Jason Richardson, an upcoming free agent, says playing for a championship contender is the most important thing to him.

We haven’t posted a links roundup since last week — I’ve been assigned to other coverage areas and most NBA news has been revolving around the lockout, anyway — so today felt like a good time to get on it. In today’s links we talk about Dwight Howard going overseas, Jason Richardson’s free-agency preferences and how to fix the lockout.

1. Dwight Howard says playing in Europe is a possibility, Zach McCann, Orlando Sentinel

The Buzz: Could China or Europe be in Dwight Howard’s future? Doubtful, but he’s considered it.

2. Fandom acts of kindness, Neil Janowitz, ESPN The Magazine

The Buzz: ESPN and Howard conducted an experiment on how quickly his Twitter followers could reach a particular destination.

3. Jason Richardson may find more time to golf thanks to NBA lockout, free agency, Hugh Bernreuter, The Saginaw News

The Buzz: J-Rich says playing for a championship is more important to him than winning a championship.

4. Dwight Howard and Josh Powell get their Big Tymers on, Trey Kerby, The Basketball Jones

The Buzz: Howard and Powell rapping along to ‘Stay Fly’ by the Big Tymers, if that’s something you might be interested in.

5. Let’s Talk Team Adjustments, Dre

The Buzz: The Magic are one of the best defensive teams, according to this study.

6. New ownership for 76ers may mean changes in how they do business, Kate Fagan, Philly.com

The Buzz: The 76ers will be under new ownership next season.

7. Dallas Mavericks, Dirk Nowitzki take home three awards at ESPYs, Dallas Morning News

The Buzz: Mark Cuban hung out with Mavericks players at the ESPYs, a breach of the lockout rules. It’s unclear, however likely, that they an exception was made.

8. Lockout a knockout for some NBA teams, Al Iannazzone, NorthJersey.com

The Buzz: An entire missed season would be really, really bad for some teams.

9. Yao retirement risks NBA profile in China, Louise Watt, Associated Press

The Buzz: The NBA has seen a rise in popularity in China over the last decade, but Yao’s recent retirement could threaten that popularity.

10. If I Ruled the (NBA) World, Bill Simmons, Grantland.com

The Buzz: Fixing the lockout sounds so easy.

Orlando Magic BasketBlog – Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic and NBA News: Monday, June 27

By on Wednesday, June 29th, 2011 | No Comments

Is J.J. Redick to be a starter?

We continue to take a look at the effects of the Magic’s draft, Dwight Howard isn’t talking about basketball and Gilbert Arenas provides an interesting take on NBA relationships in today’s links.

1. Will Magic promote J.J. Redick to starter? Brian Schmitz, Orlando Sentinel

The Buzz: Schmitz suggests the Magic’s drafting of DeAndre Liggins makes Jason Richardson expendable.

2. Dwight Howard spends day giving back, not talking about basketball, Josh Robbins, Orlando Sentinel

The Buzz: At Howard’s charity bowling event on Saturday, he refused to answer any basketball questions.

3. Examining Justin Harper’s role with Orlando Magic, Zach McCann, Orlando Sentinel

The Buzz: We take a look at what Harper brings to the Magic and the role he could play this season.

4. Naples’ Foggin helps break it down for Orlando Magic, Woody Wommack, Naples Daily News

The Buzz: Here’s a nice profile of Sam Foggin, the Magic’s director of international scouting, which includes some tidbits about the Magic’s draft process and Fran Vazquez.

5. Gilbert Arenas Goes On A Surprisingly Informative Twitter Rant About Basketball Wives, Ben Axelrod, Sportsgrid.com

The Buzz: Arenas, bored on a Sunday, opines on NBA relationships.

6. Patrick Ewing a candidate to be Pistons’ coach, Vince Ellis, Detroit Free Press

The Buzz: Magic assistant Patrick Ewing has finally broken through and received an interview to be a head coach.

7. Jeff Van Gundy Locates the Problem, Philip Rossman-Reich, OrlandoMagicDaily.com

The Buzz: Van Gundy suggested the possibility of “clowns” unsettling the Magic’s chemistry.

8. Justin Harper: ‘My ballhandling sets me apart from other power forwards’ Raul Barrigon, HoopsHype.com

The Buzz: Here’s a pre-draft interview with Harper, who talks about his workouts and what he can bring to an NBA team.

9. Even at 94, Marvin Miller would give NBA players an advantage, Berry Tramel, The Oklahoman

The Buzz: Should the player’s union hire legendary negotiator Marvin Miller, 94, despite his age?

10. David West eyes the prize, opts out of his contract, Kelly Dwyer, Ball Don’t Lie

The Buzz: West is testing free agency.

Orlando Magic BasketBlog – Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic and NBA News: Monday, June 13

By on Monday, June 13th, 2011 | No Comments

Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavericks to their first-ever NBA championship. (Photo by the Fort Worth Star Tellegram)

The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Miami Heat to win the NBA Finals last night, and we examine that from every angle in today’s links. We also look at some comments from Stan Van Gundy about the series and get an update on Dwight Howard’s summer.

1. Stan Van Gundy: Mavs show 1-superstar team can compete with Heat, Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel

The Buzz: The Mavericks offer a one-star model the Magic could follow to a championship.

2. Love it or hate it – that’s just Gilbert Arenas being his politically way-incorrect self, Zach McCann, Orlando Sentinel

The Buzz: Arenas’ Twitter features some raunchy material, but it’s important for Arenas to be himself if he’s going to return to prominence.

3. Magic star Dwight Howard charms crowds in Moscow, Russia, Josh Robbins, Orlando Sentinel

The Buzz: Howard’s globe-trotting has already begun this summer.

4. Dallas Mavericks beat Miami Heat to win first NBA title in franchise history, Eddie Sefko, Dallas Morning News

The Buzz: The Mavericks held off the Heat to win the NBA Finals in six games.

5. Tears of a crown: Dirk Nowitzki rejoices, Marc Stein, ESPN.com

The Buzz: Immediately after the game, Nowitzki left the floor because he couldn’t hold back his tears.

6. A Boring Conundrum: LeBron’s Exquisite Corpse, Jay Caspian King, Grantland.com

The Buzz: It seems like James could use a good sports psychologist after again disappearing down the stretch in Game 6.

7. LeBron James is once again quiet late in Finals-ending loss, Dan Devine, Ball Don’t Lie

The Buzz: James scored only 16 points combined in the fourth quarters during the NBA Finals.

8. LeBron can’t save Heat’s season, Dave Hyde, South Florida Sun Sentinel

The Buzz: You can bet there are some people in Cleveland happy about last night’s outcome.

9. Former Orlando Magic great Darrell Armstrong is an NBA champion, Brendan Sonnone, Examiner.com

The Buzz: The former Magic fan-favorite is an assistant with the Mavericks.

10. Miami Heat didn’t do enough right to fulfill dream, Greg Cote, MiamiHerald.com

The Buzz: Anything less than a championship was a failure for the Heat.

Orlando Magic BasketBlog – Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic and NBA News: Monday, June 6

By on Friday, June 10th, 2011 | No Comments

Chris Bosh hit the game-winner last night against Dallas. (Photo by Brendan McDermid, Reuters)

The Miami Heat are up 2-1 in the NBA Finals after their 88-86 win over the Dallas Mavericks Sunday night. We get into that game, Magic’s retired jerseys and more in today’s links.

1. Shaq set jersey ground rules for Dwight Howard, Brian Schmitz, Orlando Sentinel

The Buzz: Schmitz writes that if Howard leaves via free agency next summer, he won’t have his jersey retired because of the precedent set by Shaq.

2. Have Dwight Howard, Shaquille O’Neal done enough to have Magic numbers retired? Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel

The Buzz: I agree with Bianchi in that it’d be ridiculous for the Magic to even seriously discuss retiring Shaq’s number. Shaq was here only four years, never won a title and — most importantly — had a horrid breakup with the franchise, trashing the city when he left. I like Shaq, but that’s not someone you honor at your arena.

3. Gauging Orlando Magic fans’ opinion of Shaquille O’Neal, Zach McCann, Orlando Sentinel

The Buzz: In what will most likely be the final item about Shaq’s retirement, we conduct a poll on Shaq’s approval rating with Magic fans.

4. A Foggy Window to Orlando’s Future, Philip Rossman-Reich, OrlandoMagicDaily.com

The Buzz: The Magic’s future is unclear, but it’s certainly going to be an interesting offseason.

5. Questions And Rumors Of The Orlando Magic, Jarrod Rudolph, RealGM.com

The Buzz: Rudolph answers some of Magic fans’ biggest questions heading into the summer.

6. Orlando Magic Player Evaluations: Dwight Howard, Evan Dunlap, OrlandoPinstripedPost.com

The Buzz: Howard receives high marks for the best season of his career.

7. LeBron defers to greatness of Wade, Adrian Wojnarowski, Yahoo! Sports

The Buzz: James scored two points in the fourth quarter while Wade carried the Heat. Now some media members are questioning James as a go-to guy. Did we forget the Bulls’ series that quickly?

8. Chris Bosh thrives in the public eye, Tom Haberstroh, ESPN.com

The Buzz: After getting violently poked in the eye early in the game, Bosh returned and hit the game-winning shot.

9. Mavericks dig grave too deep, lose Game 3, home-court advantage, Eddie Sefko, Dallas Morning News

The Buzz: There were too many turnovers for Dallas.

10. Social networking the Orlando Magic, Howard the Dunk

The Buzz: Here’s a handy list of the twitter accounts associated with the Orlando Magic.

Orlando Magic BasketBlog – Orlando Sentinel

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