Archive for September, 2010

Taj Mahal.  Sistine Chapel.  Palace of Versailles.  Legoland.  Amway Center.  These are all architectural wonders which will be studied and imitated throughout the rest of time.  True marks of excellence showing the unique ingenuity of man.  Ok, maybe not, but that doesn’t change the fact that the opening of the Amway Center is the most exciting thing to happen to Central Florida since the recent arrival of Five Guys Burgers and Fries into the region.    Last week, I took a look at the launch of the Amway Center and how residents can get involved and get a sneak peak [...]

(Andrew Melnick is Howard the Dunk’s lead blogger, a contributor on the Fansided Front Page, and co-host of CB Sports Radio from 5-7 pm week days (1420sports.com). Subscribe to his RSS feed, add him on Twitter to follow him daily. You can download the HTD app here).

Over a year ago, Ryan Anderson was considered nothing much more than a throw-in in the deal that netted Orlando Vince Carter. The Magic sent Carter and Anderson to the Nets in exchange for Tony Battie, Rafer Alston and Courtney Lee (None of those players remain with New Jersey). Anderson quickly proved this theory wrong. With starting Power Forward Rashard Lewis suspended for the first 10 games, Anderson was inserted into the starting lineup and got off to an outstanding start. Through the first six games of the season, Anderson was averaging 15 points and 5 rebounds per game and [...]

Here is the official word from the Orlando Magic: WHAT: On 10/1/10 at 10:01 a.m. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orlando Magic President Alex Martins, Orlando City Commissioners and other Central Florida leadership will open the doors to the new Amway Center for the first time to the public.  Following a ceremonial ribbon cutting and building dedication, the community will be invited into the lower bowl for Mayor Dyer’s Annual State of Downtown Address.  This year, the State of Downtown is a free event so that the entire Central Florida community can participate in this historic day. WHEN: Friday, October 1, [...]

Here is the official word from the Orlando Magic: ORLANDO MAGIC’S DANIEL ORTON AND AMWAY SPROUT GARDEN FOR BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF ORLANDO Orlando, Fla. – As part of Amway’s ‘Positive Sprouts’ program, Amway, the Orlando Magic and Magic rookie Daniel Orton will build an edible garden at the Universal Orlando Foundation Boys & Girls Club (5055 Raleigh St., Orlando, 32811) on September 18, 2010. Orton will be joined by Orlando Magic representatives, Amway executives and employees, Boys & Girls Club staff and community volunteers to help build the edible garden that will benefit the Boys and Girls Club of [...]

Here is the official word from the Orlando Magic: MAGIC SIGN MALIK ALLEN; PREPARE FOR CAMP New Amway Center to serve as site for 2010-11 Training Camp Orlando, FL – The Orlando Magic will hold their 2010-11 training camp at the new Amway Center in Orlando, beginning Tuesday, September 28.  In addition, the Magic have signed free agent forward Malik Allen (#35, 6-10, 255, 6/27/78, Villanova).  The roster currently stands at 15 players (roster to follow). Practices will be held on the Magic practice court at the new Amway Center twice per day from September 28-October 3 from 9:30 a.m. until approximately [...]

Zach McCann of the Orlando Sentinel wonders if David Stern should put an end to this Heat-Magic feud. People inside the league view this is as a good thing, which it is — the league’s biggest stars are nice, likable, and seemingly love each other. But to those outside of the league? The fans? This war of words is entertainment. This is what people want to see. This is what makes people tune into their TV sets, text their friends and comment on blog posts. So let’s hope Stern doesn’t step in and put an end to it. You can [...]

Here is the official word from the Magic: ORLANDO MAGIC CHAMPIONSHIP FOR CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT **Tournament, presented by Wyndham Vacation Ownership, to benefit the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation** WHO: Orlando Magic staff, players, talent and celebrities WHAT:                         Orlando Magic Championship for Charity Golf Tournament, benefiting the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation The Magic will host the 20th Annual Orlando Magic Championship for Charity Golf Tournament.  The event is expected to have more than 200 golf participants, along with one-of-a-kind Magic auction items and an awards luncheon. Ten children ages 8-16 representing organizations who received grants from the Orlando Magic Youth Fund (Orlando [...]

George Diaz of the Orlando Sentinel think the Magic-Heat feud is a good thing. We’re basically got three protagonists antagonists (your call) in this story line, all poking each other each with shots, and getting people like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and even Rashard Lewis caught in the crossfire. Orlando GM Otis Smith, coach Stan Van Gundy and Heat President Pat Riley obviously don’t care for each other much, and have now gone on the record with those feelings. I think it’s great for business. You can read that story here. David Hyde of the Sun-Sentinel looks at it in [...]

Orlando’s newest and brightest crown jewel, the Amway Center, is set to officially open it’s doors to the public on October 1st.  The Amway Arena, forever and always affectionately  known to us locals as the O-Rena,  is now officially in the rear-view mirror.  The Central Florida community has never been able to say that we have a first class sporting home.  As great of a job as Florida Citrus Sports does at dressing up the Citrus Bowl for the bowl games, the truth is that the building is dilapidated and decaying.  While the facilities at UCF are very nice, they [...]