Dwight Howard is down to 11 technical fouls on the season after his tech against the Knicks was rescinded. (Joshua C. Cruey, Orlando Sentinel)
Mickael Pietrus is confident he’ll lead his team to the championship and Kobe Bryant isn’t. What is going on in the NBA? We’ll explore that and more in today’s links.
The Buzz: If there’s a lockout next year, the NBA could cancel the all-star game like it did in 1999. Orlando would get an all-star game eventually, though.
The Buzz: Two of Dwight Howard’s technicals have been rescinded, according to Sheridan. Update: The Sentinel has learned that only one of Dwight’s techs were rescinded — his technical against the Knicks on Thursday — so he now has 11 on the season.
Gilbert Arenas is enjoying his fresh start (Joshua C. Cruey, Orlando Sentinel)
Almost two weeks have passed since the Orlando Magic acquired Gilbert Arenas from the Washington Wizards, and Arenas still can’t stop smiling, whether he’s talking about how much he enjoys playing alongside J.J. Redick or joking about Hedo Turkoglu’s failed dunk attempt.
Arenas already feels at home in Orlando and with the Magic. He spent his summers here anyway, and the entire roster has welcomed him.
On Thursday, Arenas explained why he’s so happy. Here’s the video:
“I really needed it, because I get to be myself again,” Arenas said when asked about his trade from the Washington Wizards. “I don’t have to tiptoe around the locker room and tiptoe throughout the city. I can just go on and be myself and be around guys and people who want me here.”
Lord knows Dwight Howard doesn't need more distractions at the free throw line. (Joshua C. Cruey/Orlando Sentinel)
The Orlando Magic had their first full practice with their new guys on Sunday. After beating the two best teams in the NBA in last week, can you imagine what this team can do once they’ve practiced together?
San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich says the Orlando Magic trades for Gilbert Arenas, Jason Richardson, Hedo Turkoglu and Earl Clark have a "helluva chance" of working out for the Orlando Magic. (Matt Humphrey, Orlando Sentinel)
San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich says the Orlando Magic trades have a “helluva chance” of working out in the Orlando Magic’s favor. At least that’s what he told reporters prior to Thursday night’s game when asked he was surprised that the Magic traded for Gilbert Arenas, Hedo Turkoglu, Jason Richardson and Earl Clark.
Gilbert Arenas is embracing the city of Orlando. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Between the gun incident, the injuries, the injury faking and everything else that happened in Washington, Gilbert Arenas makes it no secret that he’s happy to no longer be with the Wizards.
But it’s not just the off-the-court incidents that make him happy to be part of the Orlando Magic. It’s basketball, too.
He’s surrounded by a collection of talent he’s never played with before in the NBA, but it’s even more than that. It’s the way the Magic play.
In Washington, the Wizards played a slow-tempo style of play. Arenas likes to push the ball and pressure the opposing defense in transition, but under Wizards coach Flip Saunders, he was relegated to a half-court strategy of play.
“I was so used to walking the ball up for the most part of this season, now he’s saying run, run, run,” Arenas said, referring to Magic coach Stan Van Gundy. “I’m saying I don’t know if I’m in shape to do all that right now. I just have to get used to playing that style of play right now.”
Arenas was joking about being in shape – at least I think. He isn’t joking when he talks about how much he loves Orlando, though.
In this morning's walkthrough in Atlanta, the Magic will be cramming defensive strategy into the heads of Gilbert Arenas, Jason Richardson and Hedo Turkoglu. (Photo by Matthew Cavanaugh)
The Orlando Magic’s blockbuster Saturday continues to send shockwaves through the NBA, and the national attention will stay throughout the next couple of days as the Magic players become acquainted with each other on the fly.
The new Magic players will, most likely, play together for the first time tonight against the Atlanta Hawks tonight. Never has a mid-December game against the Hawks been so exhilarating. To prepare, let’s get into some links this morning.
The Buzz: Today’s walkthrough is going to be cuh-razy as the Magic try to get the new players up to speed. Oftentimes guy will go through the motions during walkthroughs, half-awake. Not today.
Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy and GM Otis Smith were at the center of the NBA universe on Saturday. (Sentinel file)
Saturday was one of the biggest days in Orlando Magic history, and with all of the swirling media coverage, it’s possible you may have missed something. So below, I’ve compiled all of the coverage at the Orlando Sentinel, in addition to the best links from around the web.
Carmelo Anthony is still management's top trade target. (Jack Dempsey, The Associated Press)
The Orlando Magic trade rumors are at their peak across the Internet right now, with Gilbert Arenas being the primary Magic target. Let’s wade through the unnamed sources and see where we’re at in today’s links.
If you want to see Stuff and the rest of the Orlando Magic in the second half of the year, get your tickets soon. (Photo by Gary W. Green)
Orlando Magic single-game tickets for the second half of the season, including games from Jan. 21, through April 13, go on sale to the general public today at noon.
This includes the Heat on Feb. 3 and the Lakers on Feb. 13.
Rashard Lewis injured his knee against the Bulls, but he should be OK. (Gary W. Green/Orlando Sentinel)
Expect a media onslaught from Cleveland today, as LeBron James and the Miami Heat visit Ohio to take on the Cavaliers. Security is beefed up, the media is beefed up, and LeBron and Cleveland are beefing — it’s going to be an interesting night, that’s for sure.
Amongst all that hoopla, the Magic played a near-perfect game against the Chicago Bulls last night. We’ll start off the links with Magic talk, and then go around the NBA (i.e., Cleveland and Miami).
