Archive for June, 2011

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reported early this morning that the Atlanta Hawks may potentially be looking to find a trade partner for Josh Smith and his body language.  Smith is said to be open to a trade to the right team. The Atlanta Hawks have started to gauge trade interest on forward Josh Smith and Smith isn’t averse to ending his seven-year stay with his hometown team, league sources told Yahoo! Sports on Monday. Smith hasn’t requested a trade, but has privately told league friends that the Boston Celtics, New Jersey Nets, Houston Rockets and Orlando Magic are his preferred destinations [...]

*** It seems as if an unexpected turn has popped up in the never-ending Dwight Howard speculation (except Ric Bucher…he knew, and just hadn’t reported it yet, of course). At a press conference held for a small media contingent early this morning, it was announced that Dwight Howard will be leaving the Orlando Magic and joining the Manchester United Football Club. As the announcement was made by Magic CEO Bob Vander Weide, a stunned silence filled the room until the moment Dwight entered alongside Sir Alex Ferguson.   Sporting his usual superstar smile and his brand new Manchester United “kit”, Dwight [...]

Here is the official word from the Orlando Magic: ESPN The Magazine Ultimate Standings Ranks Amway Center Tops in NBA ORLANDO – When it opened last October, Orlando’s Amway Center was widely hailed as the finest arena not only in the NBA, but in all of North America. And largely because of the dazzling new facility – not to mention the game-day promotions and friendly, accessible environment – the Orlando Magic’s overall stadium experience was lauded recently by ESPN The Magazine. ESPN’s ninth annual Ultimate Standings ranked the Magic’s stadium experience the best in the NBA and fifth overall among [...]

Per Jorge Sierra of Hoops Hype, Dwight Howard doesn’t think Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy used Gilbert Arenas the correct way last season. The All-Star center had some praise Saturday for teammate Gilbert Arenas and was critical of the use the coaching staff made of him in Orlando. “I don’t think our coach used him the right way, but I think he can do a lot of great things for our team,” Howard said. “He promised me this summer he was going to get better, physically and mentally, so he can come back and have an awesome year. I’m [...]

At HtD, we’re taking a look at possible selections the Magic could make with the 53rd pick in the NBA Draft next Thursday. We’ve already taken a look at College of Charleston point guard Andrew Goudelock. Today, we’ll look at Ohio State wing David Lighty. The former four-star recruit is one of several big-time players to sign with Thad Matta and the Ohio State Buckeyes, which is probably one of the reason he’s never put up huge numbers. He’s been overshadowed by three lottery picks (Greg Oden 1st overall, 2007 draft, Mike Conley 4th, 2007 draft, Evan Turner 2nd, 2010 [...]

Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel reports Quentin Richardson just had back surgery: Richardson underwent the surgery on June 9 in South Florida, and his recovery time is estimated at a total of six to eight weeks, a team spokesman said. “I’m feeling good and on track with my recovery,” Richardson told the Orlando Sentinel via text message. Tom Ziller show us just how much Ryan Anderson was in the postseason: The Orlando Magic’s Ryan Anderson had a really terrible series against the Atlanta Hawks, and Glen Davis was simply awful for the Celtics. (The only players with worse PERs [...]

At HtD, we’re going to start taking a look at possible selections the Magic could make with the 53rd pick in the NBA Draft next Thursday. First, we’ll take a look at the prospect the popular site DraftExpress.com has Orlando slated to take right now – Andrew Goudelock. With three point guards on the roster and signed for multiple years (Jameer Nelson, Gilbert Arenas and Chris Duhon), picking a point guard doesn’t seem like the best move, but hey, when you’re picking this late in a draft, you’re not picking for need, you’re more or less selecting who you think [...]

The following is a preview of a guest post that was written on Magic Basketball Online by Ashley Burns.  It’s the sort of comedy that will help Magic fans stop talking themselves into the 53rd overall draft pick and come to grip with the potential departure of Dwight Howard. I said potential. Relax. Anyways, it’s funny so check it out. Episode I: Taking Care of Business- (Otis Smith arrives at his office the first day after the NBA Finals. Gilbert Arenas is sleeping outside his door in full pajamas.) Otis: Gilbert, wake up! Why are you asleep outside my office? [...]

Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel has quotes from Magic General Manager Otis Smith regarding Dwight Howard’s possible free agency after next season. “I expected it,” Smith told the Orlando Sentinel on Monday. “I think free agency is a basketball player’s God-given right. It’s one of the things they bargained for, so I expected him to look at all of his options and become a free agent if that’s what he’s going to choose.” Howard’s ability to become a free agent gives him additional leverage as he urges Magic officials to upgrade the roster. Howard has hinted at dissatisfaction with [...]

Thanks to Bodog for sharing these odds. Odds to win 2012 NBA Championship Miami Heat 5/2 Los Angeles Lakers 11/2 Chicago Bulls 6/1 Oklahoma City Thunder 8/1 Dallas Mavericks 10/1 Boston Celtics 12/1 San Antonio Spurs 20/1 Orlando Magic 22/1 New York Knicks 28/1 Portland Trailblazers 30/1 Denver Nuggets 40/1 Atlanta Hawks 40/1 Memphis Grizzlies 40/1 New Orleans Hornets 45/1 Houston Rockets 50/1 Utah Jazz 60/1 Philadelphia 76ers 65/1 Phoenix Suns 65/1 New Jersey Nets 65/1 Charlotte Bobcats 75/1 Indiana Pacers 75/1 Los Angeles Clippers 75/1 Detroit Pistons 100/1 Golden State Warriors 100/1 Milwaukee Bucks 100/1 Minnesota Timberwolves 100/1 Sacramento [...]