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Orlando Magic reportedly lay off 31 full-time employees

Here’s the Orlando Sentinel reporting that dozens of Magic employees recently lost their jobs:

The Orlando Magic acknowledged Saturday the organization has laid off 31 full-time employees from a staff of about 300 workers.

Magic CEO Alex Martins said in a statement that the franchise, like many organizations across the country, had to take cost-cutting measures due to the adverse financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The layoffs were first reported by The Athletic.

“Our business, as well as many others like us, are significantly impacted due to COVID-19. We have had to make some very difficult business decisions in these unprecedented times. Due to this reality we have had to make the very hard decision to evaluate our overall structure, reorganize and reduce our headcount,” Martins wrote…

In mid-March, the Magic ownership group — the DeVos family — funded a $2 million compensation package to pay 1,800 hourly workers for the Magic, Amway Center, Lakeland Magic and Orlando Solar Bears for remaining regular-season games those part-time employees otherwise would have worked.

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Magic forward Gary Clark knows fishing

Orlando Magic forward Gary Clark obviously knows basketball. But when it’s time to go fishing, he’s ready to shine. Here’s the Orlando Sentinel reporting:

Clark said he recently caught his biggest bass ever during the coronavirus shutdown.

“It was actually during quarantine, I was at my grandpa’s house and I caught like an 8½-pound bass,” Clark said of the fish he caught in Angier, N.C. “It’s in my freezer right now, still waiting for it to get mounted.”

His grandparents have some land near Angier and he likes to fish on their property whenever he gets a chance.

“[During quarantine] I’d go down there every weekend to see my grandpa and my grandmother,” said Clark, who lives near Wake Forest University. “It’s about 40 minutes from Raleigh. … They have a pond on their land where they live on and nobody’s ever fished it because it’s private property.

“The fish after that, I had, I was actually scared of what was on the other end of the line because it was pulling so hard. It was one of those moments when I was like, ‘Is this a beaver or what’s going on?’ … I was terrified. It had to be bigger than my 8½-pound bass, but I lost it right at the bank.”

Enjoy the fishing content while you can. Because by next week, the main focus at the Disney NBA restart campus will be team scrimmages. And in just 1.5 weeks, actual real game action will resume.

Orlando Magic will play first of eight ‘seeding games’ on July 31 vs Nets

The National Basketball Association has released its schedule for the restart of the 2019-20 regular season and announced the Orlando Magic will play the first of their eight “seeding games” on Friday, July 31 against the Brooklyn Nets at the Field House at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Game time is 2:30 p.m.

Yesterday, the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) announced that they have finalized a comprehensive plan for a July 30 restart to the 2019-20 season, which includes stringent health and safety protocols, a single-site campus at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and the goal of taking collective action to combat systemic racism and promote social justice.

“We appreciate the leadership of NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, our longtime partner, Disney, and our local leaders in this unprecedented time,” said Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins. “We look forward to providing assistance as needed in restarting the NBA season in Orlando, while using our collective platform to drive meaningful social impact.”

The NBA and Disney have reached an agreement that makes the Arena, the Field House and Visa Athletic Center at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex the venues for all games for the remainder of the season, which will resume with 22 teams returning to play and with no fans in attendance.

Under the competitive format for the restart, the 22 participating teams will be the eight teams in each conference with the highest current winning percentages and the six teams that are currently within six games of the eighth seed in either conference.

The restart will begin with each participating team playing eight “seeding games,” as selected from its remaining regular-season matchups. The NBA and its broadcast and technology partners are collaborating to enhance game telecasts and bring fans an immersive, interactive viewing experience. Local television schedule for Orlando Magic games on FOX Sports Florida is to be determined. Comprehensive Orlando Magic coverage can be found on OrlandoMagic.com, as well as all of their social media platforms.

At the conclusion of the seeding games, the seven teams in each conference with the highest combined winning percentages across regular season games and seeding games will be the first through seventh seeds for the NBA Playoffs for that conference. If the team with the eighth-best combined winning percentage (regular season games and seeding games) in a conference is more than four games ahead of the team with the ninth-best combined winning percentage in the same conference, then the team with the eighth-best winning percentage would be the eighth playoff seed in that conference.

If the team with the eighth-best combined winning percentage in a conference (Team 8) is four games or fewer ahead of the team with the ninth-best combined winning percentage in the same conference (Team 9), then those two teams would compete in a play-in tournament to determine the eighth playoff seed in the conference. The play-in tournament will be double elimination for Team 8 and single elimination for Team 9.

The NBA’s standard playoff tiebreaker procedures will be used to break any ties on the basis of winning percentage. Once the 16-team playoff field is set, the NBA Playoffs will proceed in a traditional conference-based format with four rounds and best-of-seven series in each round. The 2020 NBA Finals will end no later than October 13.

2019-20 ORLANDO MAGIC SEEDING GAME SCHEDULE (“home” games in caps)

July 31 @ Brooklyn
August 2 vs SACRAMENTO
August 4 @ Indiana
August 5 vs TORONTO
August 7 @ Philadelphia
August 9 @ Boston
August 11 vs BROOKLYN
August 13 vs NEW ORLEANS

Orlando Magic team statement on NBA return to play plan

Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins:

“We appreciate the leadership of NBA Commissioner Adam Silver in this unprecedented time and we look forward to getting back to basketball. While there is still work to be done, we applaud all the effort and collaboration that has gone into finding a safe, competitive format. It has always been our feeling that sports have the ability to bring people together and we look forward to restarting the NBA season while using that platform to drive meaningful social impact at this period of time.”

Orlando Magic President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman:

“First, I would like to pass along my wishes for everyone’s health, safety and well-being during these turbulent times. We are a playoff team. We have earned the right to be a playoff team and we look forward to participating in the playoffs in whatever format the league deems most equitable. We are ready to go. Our guys have worked very hard during this hiatus. The majority of our guys have remained in Orlando. They’ve stayed attached to their programs, to the coaching staff and attached to each other. We’re optimistic that when the time comes to return to work that they’ve put a good foundation in place to build upon.”

Orlando Magic Head Coach Steve Clifford:

“Our guys have worked extremely hard and made a great commitment to stay ready. We have played our way into playoff position and are certainly looking forward to the opportunity ahead. We can’t wait to get back in the gym and get to work.”

Orlando Magic practice facility likely opening soon for individual workouts

Here’s the Orlando Sentinel with an update on the magic:

The Orlando Magic did not reopen team facilities Tuesday for voluntary individual player workouts amid the coronavirus pandemic as they had tentatively planned last week.

The team now plans to reopen Wednesday, but even that is subject to change, according to a team spokesman.

The Magic delayed the works while they wait for COVID-19 test results for players and staff who will be on hand for workouts, according to the spokesman.

Magic forward Jonathan Isaac out 8-10 weeks with knee injury

Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac, who suffered a hyperextended left knee early first quarter during Orlando’s 122-101 road win January 1 against the Wizards, on Jan. 1, underwent an MRI yesterday which revealed a posterior lateral corner injury and a medial bone contusion.

Isaac will be re-evaluated in 8-10 weeks.

The team says that operative and non-operative treatments will be considered and his return to the court will depend on how he responds to treatment and rehabilitation.

“While this certainly is disappointing news, there was no damage to his ACL, MCL and PCL ligaments,” said Orlando Magic President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman. “All signs point to a complete recovery and this should not impact his future growth.”

According to the Orlando Sentinel, “Isaac injured his knee when he tried to convert a steal into a layup. Isaac’s knee buckled as he tried to slip past Wizards guard Bradley Beal and get to the basket. As Isaac tried to step across Beal and get into the lane, video showed the back of Isaac’s left leg catching Beal’s right leg.”

The 6-foot-10, 230-pound Isaac has played in 32 games this season for the Magic, starting all 32, and has been a bright-spot for the team, especially due to his defensive ability. His season average is 12.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists, a team-high 2.44 blocks. and a team-high 1.56 steals. in 29.7 minutes per game.

Through yesterday’s games, Isaac has a higher total of blocks plus steals than any player in the league.

Evan Fournier discusses life on the road

Here’s the Orlando Sentinel reporting on the Magic, who are 8-8 at home and 6-7 on the road so far this season:

The Magic play the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday at Amway Center after two games in Mexico City. Those games were preceded by a trip to Dallas for a game against the Mavericks.

Evan Fournier was just happy to get back in his own bed.

“How about that schedule, though?” Fournier said while shaking his head. “How about that schedule? Oh my God. It’s the worst I’ve ever seen.”

The Magic — who are coming off back-to-back wins — play San Antonio, then travel to Chicago, then are home for four consecutive games before hitting the road for six games in a row.

“It’s just like… we’re never home,” said Fournier, who is in his seventh year in the NBA. “When I got into my bed last night, it felt like I haven’t seen my bed in years. I don’t know. It feels like we’re always on the road.”

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Coach Clifford wants Magic to fight harder for rebounds

Orlando Magic head coach Steve Clifford wants his squad to stop watching rebounds and to start grabbing a lot more of them. Here’s the Orlando Sentinel reporting:

The Magic have been out-rebounded in two consecutive games and Clifford wants his squad to be far more physical. The NBA has evolved into a perimeter-shooting league, which means there often are longer rebounds coming off the rim. But far too many times Wednesday, shots caromed off the rim and the Magic did not even have a player in the paint to battle for the ball.

“It’s hitting more, getting more guys in there. I know it sounds silly but if we got five guys in there fighting for the ball and they got three … I just showed them a couple of clips where it happened last night, where [if] we got everybody in there fighting for the ball, then we have a better chance to get it,” Clifford said. “It’s a major challenge for our team and we gotta get better at it.

“Say what you want, Lillard was phenomenal last night (41 points), both [Kevin] Durant (49 points) and [Klay] Thompson (20 points) were great at Golden State and if we rebound better, we win both of those games. We’re doing a lot of good things, but if we don’t get the rebounding stuff down, it may not matter.”

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NBA Players of Week: Nikola Vucevic and Anthony Davis

 

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Magic center Nikola Vucevic has been named the NBA’s Eastern Conference Player of the Week, and Pelicans forward-center Anthony Davis the Western Conference Player of the Week for games played between November 11-18, 2018.

It marks the second time that Vucevic has won the award during his career and the first time a Magic player has won the award since Vucevic earned it for the period ending Mar. 30, 2014.

During four games last week, Vucevic averaged 27.8 ppg., 10.5 rpg., 4.0 apg. and 1.25 stlpg., while shooting .581 (43-74) from the floor and .471 (8-17) from three-point range. He led Orlando to a 3-1 record with wins over Philadelphia, the L.A. Lakers and New York. Vucevic tallied three double-doubles and scored 28-or-more points in three consecutive games, becoming the first Magic player since Dwight Howard accomplished the feat Mar. 1-5, 2012.

Vucevic has played and started in all 17 games this season, averaging a team-high 20.4 ppg., a team-high 10.8 rpg., 3.6 apg., 1.12 stlpg. and 1.12 blkpg. in 30.5 minpg., while shooting a team-best .556 (144-259) from the floor, .452 (19-42) from three-point range and .813 (39-48) from the free throw line. He has led (or tied) the Magic in scoring seven times, in rebounding 13 times and in assists twice.

Davis led the Pelicans to a 3-1 week behind averages of 34.3 points (ranked 2nd in the NBA), 14.0 rebounds (4th in the NBA) and 2.0 blocks (T-5th in the NBA). Davis helped lead the Pelicans to a win at Toronto – handing the Raptors just their second loss of the season, and their first loss at home, behind 25 points and a season-high 20 rebounds – a 19-point comeback victory against New York on Nov. 16, registering a season-high 43 points to go with 17 rebounds and five assists, and capped off the week with 40 points, eight rebounds and a career-high-tying eight assists, while shooting 20-of-21 at the free throw line, Nov. 17 vs. Denver. Davis finished the week as one of just five players (at least 50 field goal attempts) to shoot at least .500 from the floor, .400 from three-point range and .850 from the free throw line.

This marks the fifth time Davis has earned Player of the Week honors during his career, and the first time during the 2018-19 season, becoming the first player in franchise history to earn multiple Player of the Week honors in the same season since Chris Paul in 2008-09.

Davis is currently averaging 27.5 points (ranked fifth in the NBA), 12.7 rebounds (ranked tied for sixth in the NBA) and 2.8 blocks (ranked second in the NBA) on the season for the Pelicans.

 

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Thunder sign Dez Wells, Donte Grantham and Scotty Hopson

Thunder sign Dez Wells, Donte Grantham and Scotty Hopson

The Oklahoma City Thunder has signed forwards Dez Wells and Donte Grantham, and guard Scotty Hopson.

These signings probably won’t carry into the regular season. NBA preseason wraps up Friday, then teams must trim down their rosters.

Grantham (6-8, 205) was a four-year starter at Clemson University. In 114 career games (113 starts), he averaged 9.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 30.2 minutes per game.

The West Virginia native is one of six players in Clemson history to amass 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 200 assists in a career.

Hopson (6-7, 204) played with Galatasaray in Turkey during the 2017-18 season, appearing in 27 games (13 starts) and averaging 11.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 20.9 minutes per game.

The Tennessee product played in 43 games (35 starts) during the 2014-15 season with the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA G League and averaged 19.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 32.2 minutes per game.

Wells (6-5, 215) spent the 2017-18 season with Sidigas Avellino in Italy, appearing in 52 games (28 starts) and averaging 11.3 points on 54.2 percent shooting from the field, 2.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 22.4 minutes per game.

Wells has previously appeared in 47 games (22 starts) over two seasons with the Oklahoma City Blue and averaged 12.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.06 steals in 27.5 minutes per game.