For those of you following more than just the Orlando Magic, check out TrueHoop's new Blog Network. Most of the blogs on the network have been linked up for awhile - but True Hoop puts it all out there in one place. Click for TrueHoop Network.
Recently in Around the NBA Category
The great Darko Debate can come to a close now, becuase Milicic will be signing a 3 year, $21 million deal with the Memphis Grizzlies. Personally, I'm glad the ordeal is over with. I much rather overpay a potential superstar in Rashard Lewis than overpay a #2 draft pick bust. So, the Magic lose Grant Hill and Darko to free agency, but they pick up a player who nearly matches their output combined (Lewis, 22.4 6.6 2.4 - Darko/Hill 22.4, 9.1, 3.2). I'll take that swap. I think Rashard has the IT factor that the other two don't. He has the personality to drive his teammates and become a vocal leader - something the Magic have been missing since Darrell Armstrong last played in a Magic uniform.
Continue reading Darko gone, signs with Memphis.
Steve Francis accepted a buyout from the Portland Trailblazers worth nearly 30 million. If no team claims him off waivers, Francis will be an unrestricted free agent in 7 days. I seriously doubt any team will claim him, because they would then be responsible for his fat contract. However, his agent said Francis is now able to find the right role instead of looking for the most money. My question to the fans, should the Magic be interested in bringing him back? My answer, hell yes. Francis is the best available point guard out there right now. And if anyone thinks he would be worse than Jameer, your nuts. Personally, I think Francis would be very successful under the offensive scheme that Van Gundy is likely to run. The offense would be more up tempo and not so scripted. The problems with Francis during his Magic days were mostly related to the way the offense was run, of course, that's just my opinion. Francis would bring back a little of that toughness and also allow the team to package Jameer in a deal that might bring in a good role player or cap flexibility for Darko money. I seriously doubt this would happen, but I do think it would be a good fit, the second time around. And it will also clear up any problems in dealing with Jameer's contract. Nelson is a good player, just not a great point guard.
Not sure how many of you made it over to see the "inside" information coming off Inside the Orlando Magic on blogspot.com, but I just happened to notice it is gone. Was it shutdown by the Magic? Or just someone having fun with "inside" news and then shutting down the site for dramatic effect.
Bill France Jr. passed away today at his home in Daytona Beach, yet the Orlando Magic coaching fiasco still dominates ESPN and the Orlando Sentinel. Only The Daytona Beach News-Journal has an equal amount of space dedicated to the two lead stories, which in itself is somewhat of a miracle. France Jr. did more for NASCAR than the Magic, or Billy Donovan for that matter, could ever do for the NBA. Yet, the announcement of his death is simply another lead to another story on home pages dominated by the Orlando Magic coaching debacle. The Magic news is so twelve hours ago, give the man the headline he deserves. *Update: Sentinel finally updates homepage to push France story to lead.
I've seen a total of 5 playoff games this year. Four of them were the Magic. The last, well, I picked just the right one I guess. Lebron James is good. He's never exactly impressed me or done anything to say he's great. If I had to pick between him and Dwayne Wade, I'd take Wade. But tonight, NBA fans saw something that doesn't come along every year. Tonight, Lebron was more than good, he was great. I've only seen two other players in my lifetime play the way he did tonight. The other two have done it time and time again. We'll see if Lebron has any more performances like the one he put on tonight. But at the very least, I'm glad I was able to see greatness - no matter how long it lasts.
The Indiana Pacers did their part tonight, helping out the Orlando Magic reach the playoffs by losing to the New Jersey Nets. All the Magic have to do today is beat the Boston Celtics at the Amway Arena. Let's go Magic!
According to ESPN.com, Andrea Bargnani is out indefinitely after having an emergency appendectomy done last night. So, obviously he will be out tonight against the Magic.
According to ESPN.com, Michael Jordan spoke with local reporters today and stated that Bernie Bickerstaff will not be coaching the Bobcats after this season. Jordan also states that he expects Bickerstaff to remain with the organization in some capacity. So the off-season of coaching musical chairs begins. Or as NASCAR likes to refer to the annual changes, the silly season.
The game was so bad last night that we make bad teams look good. Take a look at the recap on NBA.com. The artile is titled, "Hornets’ Stifling Defense in OT Slows Magic". Ouch. I'm not sure what game they were watching, but it wasn't the Hornets' defense that slowed the Magic. The Magic's inability to run the offense late in the game is what slowed the Magic to a crawl. Seriously, had it ever crossed your mind that Dwight Howard and Darko Milici would go 2 of 4 from the free-throw line just to get the Magic in OT?
