Just saw a link to Dwight Howard's website over at Orlando Sentinel. It's pretty decent - some good stuff on there. Graphics are a bit lame for a superstar of Howard's caliber - but, nonetheless, check it out. http://www.dwighthoward.com/
I don't know about you, but watching the top 10 Howard Dunks of all time - brings a tear to my eye. He ours. All ours.
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Mike Bianchi has a good article up on the Orlando Sentinel about the after game ass grabbin' and hand holdin' (as my dad would say). This is something I completely agree with Bianchi on, which rarely happens. Seriously, I can understand teaching good sportsmanship on your county recreation teams. But anything above that, I can't think of a time I ever liked my opponent enough to hug or hold hands. I'm all for playing fair, clean and even - but leave the huggin for the wife and the hippies.
Jameer Nelson underwent season-ending shoulder surgery on Thursday. Rehab is expected to take 4-6 months. So we will not be seeing Nelson on the court until sometime next season. With the trade for Alston, the Magic have shored up the point guard spot and possibly created a scenario for an interesting training camp.
From various reports last week, Pat Garrity is set to retire from professional basketball. Garrity played 10 seasons in his career, the last nine with the Magic. Garrity was a three point specialist for the Magic for most of his career. Magic fans will most remember Garrity for his clutch threes. He was often called on to play out of position and usually against bigger opponents. Garrity averaged 7.3 points and 2.6 rebounds in 552 games while shooting 40% from beyond the three.
While maybe not a big of a fan favorite in the last couple years, I think most long time Magic fans will wish Pat a happy retirement. We'll miss those automatic shots.
Dwight Howard won the 2008 Slam Dunk contest Saturday. Howard put on an amazing display of creativity and physical ability. My favorite is the tip dunk however the Superman dunk will be the one to remember for years to come.
While there has been no formal announcement as of yet, the Orlando Sentinel is reporting that the Orlando Magic and point guard Jameer Nelson have reached an agreement on a contract extension. As soon as more information is released, we will post.
Short video on the development of Dwight Howard at ESPN.
It appears that the Magic will sign free agent Adonal Foyle to a contract sometime this week. This is a pretty big signing for the Magic. Along with Marcin Gortat, Foyle will be providing backup services to Dwight Howard and Tony Battie. As I have said before, Darko was a good player - but I'm confident any decent big man would have been able to put up similar defensive numbers. Now we have two. And there just won't be enough touches for the backup bigs to be big scorers - and Darko would have never been happy with that situation.
The Orlando Magic has announced the official extension of Dwight Howard's career by signing a deal for 5 years and at least $85 million. The extension will start next year and the exact amount will depend on next year's salary cap.
According to an article in the Orlando Sentinel this morning, Travis Diener and Bo Outlaw will not be returning to the Magic for the upcoming season. I could care less about Diener, we don't need another undersized guard on our team - regardless of good he might be. But Outlaw, well, you have to keep your biggest cheerleader. Unless the Magic have plans to sign a couple big men, I think Outlaw is probably one of the top 5 players to have deep on your bench. I don't think I have ever been to a game where Outlaw's name was chanted throughout the building. Hell one time, when Phoenix was visiting, the crowd was even calling for him to come into the game. I'll definitely miss Outlaw and the decision to leave him off the roster doesn't make a lot of sense to me.
