Archive for June, 2010

The Orlando Magic have released a brand new logo – the third in team history. Here is the full press release from the Magic: Orlando, Fla. — In anticipation of the opening of the team’s new home, the Amway Center, the Orlando Magic have updated its primary logo.  This new look ‘turns the page’ on the next chapter in Orlando sports history.  As the team and the Magic brand continue to grow, the logo evolves with a stronger, cleaner, more timeless design to match the team’s championship ideals. The new logo incorporates the Magic’s current jersey wordmark giving a more [...]

As you’ve all heard by now, Dwight Howard is working with Hakeem Olajuwon this summer. John Denton of OrlandoMagic.com has more on that story. Howard, 24, said the drills with Olajuwon were an outlet for him to release his frustration on the basketball court. He battered the Celtics for 21.8 points on 56.8 percent shooting and added 10.8 rebounds and 3.0 blocks in six games, but the mission is to come back better offensively next season.  And that’s why Howard turned to Olajuwon, a two-time NBA champion, a 12-time All-NBA performer and a center who was widely regarded as having [...]

A little over a year ago (May 30, 2009 to be exact), the Orlando Magic defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 103-90 to win Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals and advance to the NBA Finals with a 4-2 series victory. Dwight Howard had 40 points and 14 rebounds in the win. (Andrew Melnick is Howard the Dunk’s lead blogger and a contributor on the Fansided Front Page. Subscribe to his RSS feed, add him on Twitter to follow him daily and you can get the HTD app here).

Darington Hobson, a junior forward from New Mexico, sounds like he could be just what the doctor ordered. The Magic would very much like to draft a wing player and Magic General Manager Otis Smith and Head Coach Stan Van Gundy have always loved versatile players like Hobson. Not only is Hobson 6’7 but he is a good ball handler who can beat his opponents off of the dribble. Hobson averaged 15.9 points, 9.3 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game while leading the Lobos to a 30-5 record and a 3-seed in the NCAA tournament last season. Hobson’s biggest asset [...]

In what might be the most memorable moment in Orlando Magic history, Nick Anderson stole the ball from Michael Jordan to win Game 1 of the 1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals. The Magic would go on to win the series in six games. (Andrew Melnick is Howard the Dunk’s lead blogger and a contributor on the Fansided Front Page and at Sir Charles In Charge. Subscribe to his RSS feed, add him on Twitter to follow him daily and you can get the HTD app here).

Tania Ganguli of the Orlando Sentinel had a Q&A with Magic General Manager Otis Smith. Apparently Smith did not attend the pre-draft workout in New Jersey. TG: There was a report that you attended a workout in New Jersey. Did you? OS: No ma’am. TG: Are you planning on going to any workouts? OS: Nope. We will conduct our own workouts of a few guys, but I have scouts at different places. Am I going personally myself? No. TG: Will you keep your first-round draft pick? OS: Yes. Good stuff. You can check that out here. (Andrew Melnick is Howard [...]

The Magic are hitting the ring this offseason. While Gortat may be the most intimidating member of his teammates in the ring – his sheer size makes him resemble Rocky IV’s Ivan Drago whenever he swings away at a sparring partner – he’s not the only Magic player involved in stepping between the ropes. Rogowski routinely brings each member of Orlando’s roster to Gym Rat Boxing & Fitness during the offseason. After the team spends their entire season working on the basketball court, Rogowski finds that a different training method assists in keeping their excitement level high. It’s an idea [...]

Per Alex Kennedy of Hoops World, Otis Smith attended a predraft workout in New Jersey and paid special attention to Darington Hobson of New Mexico. Hobson is a 3 with great length very good handles. With Matt Barnes being a free agent, Vince Carter being 33 years old and the Magic’s need for another ball handler, Hobson would be a great fit. Warner Brothers is planning a line of Superman and Dwight Howard themed apparel and footwear. A snippet from the press release. The upcoming adidas line will consist of footwear and apparel, co-branded with the legendary DC Comics Hero, [...]

Here is the official word from the Orlando Magic: ORLANDO MAGIC TO HOST AIRTRAN AIRWAYS PRO SUMMER LEAGUE -Eight teams to take part in five-day event at RDV Sportsplex, July 5-9- Orlando, Fla. – The Orlando Magic will host the 2010 AirTran Airways Pro Summer League at the RDV Sportsplex from July 5-9. The 20-game event will feature the Orlando Magic, New Jersey Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Utah Jazz, Boston Celtics and the Charlotte Bobcats. Due to space limitations, the event is not open to the public and will be open only to the media and [...]

Brian Serra is an avid Magic fan who writes satiric posts for his site, Magic Basketball Online. He’s going to be bringing some of those posts to Howard the Dunk. His first post is a Magic fan’s guide to the postseason – it’s humorous but it also some key dates and ideas for the offseason. Click below to read the post and give Brian a warm welcome.