Orlando and Brooklyn Make Early Statements In NBA Playoffs

The Orlando Magic and Brooklyn Nets were just supposed to be here for the fun of the NBA Playoffs, but apparently, neither team got the memo. The Magic stopped the Toronto Raptors 104-101 and The Nets beat Philadelphia by a score of 111-102. San Antonio stop the Denver Nuggets 101-96 as well which many people thought was an upset. Anytime you play San Antonio they can beat you. It's just the nature of the beast.

Now all three teams did come up with big wins, but the odds of them winning the series is still remote at best. Out of all three teams, Orlando has the best shot of pulling the upset. Why Orlando? Since the All-Star break, they have been playing very well. We all know how Toronto seems to shrink in the playoffs so I give Orlando the best shot.

Cavaliers Tank In Second Half Lose To Magic 116-98

It looked for awhile like the Cleveland Cavaliers was going to rout the Orlando Magic as they built a 21 point lead at one time. It did not last for the Cavaliers as they tanked in the second half and lost by a score of 116-98. Orlando's Jonathon Simmons scored 22 points of his 34 in the third quarter to help propel the Magics to the win.

It was so bad for the Cavaliers they could only muster nine points in the fourth quarter. Right now the Cavaliers are a real bad basketball team and the future is not looking very good in Cleveland. James scored 25 points but besides that James got no consistent help all night long. Next up for the Cavaliers a home game against Minnesota.

What Is Going on With The Orlando Magic?

Many people are wondering what is wrong with the Orlando Magic, but the truth is nothing really. On the outside looking in many people wonder how they were able to beat Oklahoma City and Indiana back to back. The truth is even with the horrible record the Magic have they have always been a good home team.

Did it surprise me when Orlando beat these two teams? I will tell you it was a big shock to say the least. Can Orlando keep it up? I really hope so, but I am realistic and I think it was just luck. I hope I am wrong and the Magic continue to play well. Only time will tell if that actually happens.

Dwight Howard Returns To Orlando Is He Ready For The Response He Will Get

Dwight Howard is heading back to Orlando for the first time and the welcome he may get could just shock him. Howard eft on bad terms and we have learned that NBA Basketball fans do not take kindly to superstars jumping ship and landing somewhere else. If you do not believe me ask Lebron James how tough it was to play in Cleveland his first time back. Dwight better be prepared for the worst when he steps onto the court in Orlando. Maybe Dwight can talk to his old teammates, but he also burned some bridges there as well.

Howard was quoted in an article saying his teammates were people nobody really wanted. That was probably not the best thing to say in the press even if it was true. Many Orlando Magic players did not take kindly to those words and they will be out for revenge tonight. Even though ony one player will be in uniform I'm sure he is still not happy with Dwight Howard's comments. Howard still has not grown up yet and his comments continue to get him in trouble. It should be an interesting game in Orlando tonight that's for sure.

Dwight Howard Still Bulking At Signing Contract Extension With A New Team

It seems that the Dwight Howard saga just keeps dragging out and people around the NBA are getting tired of it. From fans to GM's Dwight Howard seems to be burining a lot of bridges. In the end, he may wish he did this another way. The path that Dwight Howard is going down is going to make him a bigger villian then Lebron James did it seems. Yes, James made a mistake in the way he did it, but it seems Dwight Howard has not learned anything from the James debacle.

The way James did it is different then Howard, but in the end Howard is not helping himself out by not being willing to sign an extension if he is traded. Dwight Howard is going to tet the free agent market, but he maybe surprised if he does not get the kind of money that he wants. It would not surprise me to see owners not offer him the max contract that he is hoping for. Other players have tried this before and it has not always worked out for them.

Hopefully, Dwight Howard knows what he is doing, but sometimes I wonder. He could be forced to sign with a team that is not very good now, but it's his choice. Getting traded to the Lakers or another contender gives him a chance to play with a good team. In the end, Dwight Howard might have limited choices in free agency. I guess only time will tell if he is making a good decision by not be willing to sign an extension if traded.

Dwight Howard Making Demands Once Again No Real Surprise

Dwight Howard making demands should not come as a surprise to NBA fans anymore. It seems Mr. Howard will now only resign with the Brooklyn Nets when he becomes a free agent. Now if I was teams I would stay as far away from Howard as I could. He has proven to be a flip flopper and you cannot trust what comes out of his mouth. He thinks he is bigger then life and can dictate where he is going to play. If I was Orlando I would send him wherever I could get the best deal.

Mr. Howard has really become a disappoint to the NBA and himself in my opinion. He was at one time one of the most popular NBA players, but he is also losing his fan base. Lebron James was the most hated player at one time, but I'm starting to think Dwight Howard is inching up on that title now. Hopefully, the Orlando Magic will get smart and cut ties with Dwight Howard as soon as possible.

Stan Van Gundy And Otis Smith Shown The Door In Orlando

This was something we knew would happen as it was just when the axe would fall on Coach Stan Van Gundy and GM Otis Smith. Both of these men had issues with Dwight Howard and it looks like Orlando has taken Dwight Howard's side in all of this in the end. Orlando's official statement was they wanted new voices in this position. The real truth is Dwight Howard did not want them around and that is why they were shown the door. As a coach Stan van Gundy has average 55 wins for the Magic. With some of the teams he had that was a great job coaching. Besides Dwight Howard Van Gundy really did not have any top notch players. Most of the people he was given were either past their prime or basically a role player. I give Stan Van Gundy a lot of credit for the Magic success. Where do the Magic go from here? I am sure they will ask Dwight Howard what kind of coach he wants as it seems he has a lot of input into this. If the Magic fail to make the playoffs this coming season this will be a black mark on the organization. Letting a player determine the fate of your coach and others is just not the way to go.

Dwight Howard Will Have Back Surgery Done For Season

The Orlando Magic got the kinda of news they did not want to hear as their superstar in the middle Dwight Howard will be done for the season. This is huge for the Magic who rely on Howard for many things, but now they must play without him in the playoffs. Orlando all season has shown they can play well, but have never put it together when they really need too. Now without Dwight Howard everyone must step up and that includes his replace Glen "Big Baby" Davis who has been play well as of late.

Others on Orlando such as Jameer Nelson and Jason Richardson will also need to play big roles. Ryan Anderson and J.J. Redick must provide offense in big numbers for the Magic. It will be interesting to see how deep in the playoffs that the Magic can go without Howard. It could be one and done for Orlando unless they come together in a big way. Only time will tell what will happen, but with playoffs approaching fast we will know real soon.

Dwight Howard Does He Really Want Stan Van Gundy Gone?

It seems everyday or every other day another story comes out of Orlando about the Dwight Howard and Stan Van Gundy saga. In fact, the newest rumor that was shot down was that Howard call the Magic owner and told him he will not play for Gundy anymore. This is a departure from what both Van Gundy and Howard agreed to in a recent meeting. Howard is out right now with a bad back and this news came as a shock, but not to Orlando fans.

Orlando have been dealing with stories like this most of the season and this is nothing new. Over the last few years stories have trickle out about this rocky relationship. This is probably just another installment in that relationship. I look for Orlando to get bounced from the playoffs quickly and then Stan Van Gundy will be fired. I do not see any way they can bring him back into the fold with all the stories going around.

Orlando Magic Must Win Without Dwight Howard

The Orlando Magic got the bad news that Dwight Howard will be out for some time with a herniated disk in his lower back. This is a blow to the Magic who have been struggling without him in the lineup. This means everyone else on the team will need to step up. I seriously doubt if others will step up as they have not done that all season long, so why would they start now. Without Howard in the middle it means Glen Davis will be the guy in the middle for the Orlando Magic. I will admit Davis has played well as a starter, but it's the others around him that have not done the job.


This season Orlando just has been to inconsistent and you cannot win an NBA Championship that way. With Dwight Howard out for an extended time do not look for the Magic to go very deep in the playoffs. They could be out after Round one and if that happens Stan Van Gundy could be out as well. These next two weeks will be interesting for the Orlando Magic and it will tell us a lot about the players they have on the roster right now. 

Dwight Howard Can His Image Be Repaired?

Dwight Howard wanted his coach fired, and now he's trying to do damage control on the situation. Stan Van Gundy and Dwight Howard have agreed to put the team first and try to go deep into the playoffs. I really do not see that happening with the circus that surrounds the Orlando Magic. Dwight Howard has become a coach killer and he knows it. The perception of Dwight Howard is he has not grown up yet pulling power plays when he is not happy with something. Hey Dwight try playing for Pat Riley and see how much power plays you pull.

Everyone now knows that the reason Dwight Howard stayed with the Magic is he was promised input on many different things. I guess the next coach was one of them. Yes, Dwight Howard is a talented basketball player, but that does not mean he should be running the Orlando Magic. It goes to show you when you let players make decisions like this the team struggles. If you do not believe that look at the Orlando Magic the last month of the season. They have been horrible, and the sad part they will get no better.

Dwight Howard Calls Out Teammates Just As He Should

Many people wonder why Dwight Howard wants to leave Orlando and the answer is really simple he wants to win a NBA Championship. He will never do that in Orlando as the cast around him could care less. Last night was another prime example of it. After blowing a 20 plus lead to the Celtics the night before Orlando gets blown out by a New Orleans team that had been struggling. Dwight Howard lit into his teammates just as he should.

Here is what Dwight had to say about his teammates:

“It hurts to get out there and you play your hardest and you expect everybody to play the same way, and I’m not calling anybody out by no means because we all have to get better … but if you don’t want to be out there, don’t dress up,” Howard said. “If you don’t want to play, stay home. People work too hard. I want to win a championship. I work too hard every night for anybody to not want to go out there and play hard. …

Now Dwight Howard 28 points and 16 rebounds, but was the only player in double figures in any statistic for the Magic. This is why Dwight Howard wants out of Orlando and it has been this way for a number of years now. He is frustrated and wants to play with guys who want to show up every night. You really cannot blame Dwight Howard anymore for wanting out!

Does Anyone Win With A Dwight Howard Trade?

Does anyone really win if the Orlando Magic trade Dwight Howard? Will Dwight Howard win if he becomes a free agent and signs with someone else? These are questions fans, The NBA, and ownership of the Magic are wondering right now. Today, let's take a closer look at them and see if there is a winner in this whole Dwight Howard saga.

First the Orlando Magic really do not want to trade Dwight Howard, but if they cannot work out some kind of an extension with him they have no choice. In the end, it is a business and you must treat it as such. Believe me Orlando would rather have Dwight Howard retire as an Orlando Magic then trade him somewhere. If the Magic do trade him you will be assured they will get as much as possible for their superstar. In the end, the Orlando Magic are a loser in all this trade talk.

Fans love Dwight Howard in Orlando and his creditability will take a big hit when he leaves Orlando. Just like Lebron James besides being hated in Orlando he will be hated in other venues as well. Howard better be ready for the backlash that will come from more than just Orlando Magic fans.

The NBA is another loser in this whole scenario as well. Once Dwight Howard is traded he will go to another big market team and the Orlando Magic will not be as good as they once were. The NBA wants more of a level playing field, but when Dwight Howard gets traded the NBA realizes one of the big markets will get even richer. This does not help the NBA and they know it.

In the end, there are no real winners in a Dwight Howard trade. The NBA, Orlando Magic, and fans lose out. Sure Dwight Howard will be paid millions, but as Lebron James found out being a bad guy is not always the way you want to go.

Dwight Howard Still A Magic But How Much Longer

The Orlando Magic have decided for now they will keep their superstar and see how it goes. Magic brass have informed teams they are no longer seeking any trade partners for Dwight Howard. This means for now Howard will be a Magic. Now how long that may last can be anyone's question. Howard had asked for a trade, but has soften that stance a little bit in the past few days.

The main reason no trade was done was Orlando wanted a lot and no team had enough to make a trade go. Any team that wanted Howard would needed other trading partners to jump in to make it work. I just do not see other NBA teams help another one get Howard. For now he will be an Orlando Magic and it will be interesting in the coming months to see how this all plays out in the end.

 

Orlando Magic 2011-2012 Preview- Will The Magic Rise Above The Drama With A Good Season

The 2011-12 version of the Orlando Magic could be much different if the many different trade options come to pass. Dwight Howard has asked for a trade and he really has no idea where he wants to go. If Howard does get traded this means Hedo Turkoglu and Chris Duhon could also be going along with their high dollar contracts as well.

Orlando did trade for Glen "Big Baby" Davis from the Boston Celtics in exchange for Brandon Bass. I think Glenn Davis is going to do well in Orlando and will play a big role in what the Magic will do this season. If Orlando does trade Dwight Howard look for Davis to have an even bigger role in the team.

The 2011-12 edition of the Orlando Magic is still evolving and could for some time. Gauging what kind of team or season Orlando will have is tough, but with or without Howard they will still be a decent team. Magic fans would like to keep Howard, but that may not be in the cards no matter how much they hope for that.

Dwight Howard Still Wants To Be Traded

Sometimes I have to wonder what Dwight Howard is thinking when he talks in the media. According to Howard his trade request is still on and he wants to be traded out of Orlando.  I love Howard, but personally I would like to see the Magic trade him and be done wit it. Right now he is trying to hold the Magic hostage and that is a shame.

The Orlando Magic should be done with him and get as much as they can. All this drama is doing is making it tougher to have a good season for the Magic. Getting him moved will let the Magic start getting people in here who can help the team and does not have another agenda. Howard first game is coming up and I look for Howard a fan favorite to get booed pretty good.

You would think that Dwight Howard would have learned something through the whole James fiasco, but he has not. Now the Orlando fans will have their chance to show their displeasure with him shortly. I think Howard could be surprised by the rough treatment the fans give him. He really only can blame one person for it himself.

Dwight Howard Wants More Noise In Amway Arena Magic Fans

Dwight Howard was interacting with fans when a fan admitted that 85 percent of the time fans don't cheer as loud as they could. The truth is that did not sit well with Dwight Howard as he wants them as loud as possible from game 1 to the playoffs. Howard says he gives 110 percent every night no matter who the Magic are playing to the fans and he wants just as much back. Whoa Dwight Howard let's get real for a moment here.

First I have watched a number of your games and there has been times you have not given 110 percent. You may think you have, but the tape does not lie. I am sure you try hard, but no player can say they give there all on every play it just does not happen. I will agree with you the crowds should be louder, but that won't happen unless they want to do it.

People in the stands pay for their tickets and have the right to cheer, boo, or just sit and do nothing. That is their right when they plunk down their money for the ticket. Getting Amway as loud as possible would be nice, but the chances it happens night after night is really just a pipe dream. Mr. Howard be happy with the fans that yell and scream as getting them all to do just isn't happening.