Category: Orlando Magic Blog

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Dwight Howard mocks Anthony Johnson

Wednesday night in New York the Orlando Magic are visiting the Knicks and superstar center Dwight Howard is full of energy.

In Orlando’s locker room before the game, Howard was loudly mocking Anthony Johnson. Specifically, his age. Dwight kept yelling how AJ is the oldest player in the NBA.

Johnson (born October 2, 1974), while this was going on, was eating pizza, using the locker room seat as a table, with his back to Howard.

“He saw the real Joe Louis fight!” declared Howard.

“You’re going to make me come over there,” threatened Johnson, still sitting down eating with his back turned to Howard and everyone else. “Don’t make me come over there.”

“Oldest player in the league! Oldest player in the league!” responded a non-fearful Howard.

This was all in fun, of course. Though, I didn’t see Johnson laughing. He probably was, on the inside. Hopefully.

Dwight’s pumped. Let’s see how he performs in MSG this evening.

New-look Bulls ease by Magic

The AP reports: Just about everything went right for the Bulls in this game. Derrick Rose scored 22 to lead the Bulls, who got strong efforts from their three newcomers in a 120-102 victory over the Orlando Magic on Tuesday night. The three Bulls acquired at the trade deadline combined for 37 points in their home debuts. Tim Thomas scored 17 points, John Salmons 11 and Miller had nine points, seven rebounds and five assists. All three came off the bench and each played more than 20 minutes… Dwight Howard led Orlando with 26 points and 12 rebounds. Hedo Turkoglu had 16 points and Courtney Lee 14… Ben Gordon scored 20 points and Joakim Noah had 14 points and eight rebounds for the Bulls.

Dwight Howard new shot: running hook

The Orlando Sentinel (David Whitley) writes: We all remember the moment we fell in love. For Dwight Howard, it came in Dallas. Stan Van Gundy was yelling sweet nothings in his ear. “That’s a great shot!” Ladies, gentlemen and anyone else who’s been waiting for Howard to find a steady, meet the running hook. Anybody got a spare pair of goggles? “Somebody said I should call myself Kareem Abdul-Dwight,” Howard said. His new favorite shot doesn’t have the majestic trajectory of Jabbar’s sky hook. That was perhaps the most unstoppable shot in basketball history… What makes it so good is Howard is a natural left-hander, so he can shoot it with either hand. His extension makes it unblockable.

Magic top Heat 122-99 despite 50 points from D-Wade

The AP reports: Dwight Howard had 32 points and 17 rebounds, and the Magic withstood a career-high 50 points by Dwyane Wade to rout the Miami Heat 122-99 on Sunday… Hedo Turkoglu had 20 points and Rafer Alston added 12 points and nine assists for the Magic, who have won 12 of the past 15 games against their Sunshine State rival… Jermaine O’Neal and Jamario Moon were smothered, combining for just 13 points as the Magic overpowered Miami’s big men to win the rebounding battle 53-28.

Dwight Howard was a Skip To My Lou fan

The Orlando Sentinel (Brian Schmitz) reports: His Orlando Magic teammates already are calling him by his legendary streetball name of “Skip.” Dwight Howard, 23, remembers being in middle school and watching Rafer Alston on the And 1 Mix video-tapes, marveling at his Harlem Globetrotter-esque style and jaw-dropping moves. “I wanted to be like ‘Skip To My Lou,'” Howard laughed. “Now we’re on the same team.” Alston, who arrived in a trade last Thursday from the Houston Rockets, just shakes his head about the old days. “Yeah, Dwight told me that. That he watched the And 1 stuff,” Alston said. “It makes me feel old.” … Alston realizes his playground celebrity follows him, but he says he couldn’t have lasted this long in the NBA if he hadn’t holstered his showboating style.

Magic get Rafer Alston in 3-team trade involving Grizzlies, Rockets, Kyle Lowry, others

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has acquired guard Kyle Lowry from Memphis and forward Brian Cook from Orlando as part of a three-team trade. The deal has the Rockets sending Rafer Alston to the Magic, while the Grizzlies receive a first-round draft selection from Orlando in the 2009 NBA Draft along with center Adonal Foyle and guard Mike Wilks.

“First, I would like to thank Rafer for his commitment to the team over the past four seasons,” said Morey.  “Kyle is an underrated player who will help us now and we can build around in the future.  He is a very good rebounder and defender who can attack the basket in the half court and transition, finish, and make the kick out pass to shooters. Brian is a proven veteran who will provide us with solid perimeter shooting and additional depth.”

“Rafer is a starting veteran point guard who shoots the ball well,” said Magic General Manager Otis Smith.  “He will give us added depth and athleticism in the backcourt.  We thank Brian, Adonal and Mike for all of their contributions and wish them all the best.”

Alston (6’2”, 175, 7/24/76, #1) has played in 48 games (all starts) this season for Houston, averaging 11.5 ppg., 5.4 apg., 3.0 rpg., and 1.2 stlpg. in 33.1 minpg.  In his 10th NBA season, he is shooting .348 (80-of-230) from three-point range and has scored in double figures 28 times, including a season-high 23 points on January 21 vs. Utah. He’s led the Rockets in assists in 26 games this season.

Originally selected by Milwaukee out of Fresno State in the second round of the 1998 NBA Draft (39th overall selection), Alston has appeared in 590 games with four teams (Milwaukee, Toronto, Miami, Houston), averaging 10.2 ppg. and 4.9 apg. He has also appeared in 33 playoff games, with 11 starts. He saw action in 13 playoff games for the Miami Heat in 2004, and averaged 14.3 ppg. and 4.5 apg. in four postseason games last year for Houston. Considered a “playground legend” while growing up in Queens, New York, he coached the 16-and-under New York Panthers AAU basketball team during the 2008 offseason.

“It was difficult to part with Kyle Lowry,” Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace said. “He has been an important part of our team the last three seasons.  With the emergence of Mike Conley, we decided that the acquisition of Orlando’s unprotected first round pick was a good move to make.  We now will enter the upcoming draft with two first round selections and three picks overall, likely inside the first 37 picks.”

The Grizzlies now own four first round picks over the next two drafts, including the Lakers’ 2010 first rounder and the team’s own two first round selections.

Lowry (6-0, 205, Villanova) was averaging 7.6 points, 3.6 assists and 2.3 rebounds in 49 games (21 starts) with Memphis in 2008-09. As a starter this season, Lowry is averaging 9.0 points (.423, 60-142 FG), 4.8 assists and 3.0 rebounds in 25.7 minutes per game. Overall, he has scored 10-plus points 12 times in 2008-09, including a career-high 25 points vs. Cleveland (1/13/09). Lowry posted his second career double-double at Minnesota (12/29/08) with 14 points and a career-high 12 assists, which marked the most assists for a Grizzlies player since Chucky Atkins (16) at Minnesota (4/18/07). The 6-foot guard also recorded career highs in free throws made (15) and attempted (16) vs. Cleveland (1/13/09).

Selected out of Villanova after his sophomore season by Memphis in the first round (24th overall) of the 2006 NBA Draft, Lowry has averaged 8.6 points, 3.6 assists and 2.8 rebounds in 141 career games (30 starts) with the Grizzlies. He was one of just two Grizzlies to play all 82 games last season, leading the club in free throw attempts (348). Lowry missed all but 10 games in his rookie year due to a fractured wrist.

Cook (6-9, 250, Illinois) averaged 3.0 points (.440, 11-25 3FG), 1.3 rebounds and 7.0 minutes in 21 games with Orlando this season. Playing in his second campaign with the Magic, Cook scored a season-high nine points at Utah (12/13/08). He matched that total with nine points vs. Atlanta (1/9/09), as well as pulling down a season-best eight rebounds.

In his sixth NBA season, Cook has averaged 6.2 points and 2.9 rebounds in 325 career games (74 starts) with the L.A. Lakers and Orlando. Cook, who was selected by the Lakers in the first round (24th overall) of the 2003 NBA Draft, played four-plus seasons in Los Angeles before joining the Magic via trade on Nov. 20, 2007. The former Illinois standout also appeared in 25 postseason games with the Lakers, averaging 3.0 points and 1.6 rebounds in 7.0 minutes per game.

Jameer Nelson has season-ending shoulder surgery

Orlando Magic General Manager Otis Smith announced that Magic All-Star point-guard Jameer Nelson underwent season-ending shoulder surgery Thursday afternoon. The procedure, performed by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Alabama, was successful and rehabilitation is estimated at four-to-six months. Nelson dislocated his right shoulder and suffered a torn labrum on Feb. 2 vs. Dallas.

Satire: Nate Robinson now addicted to jumping over Dwight Howard

The Onion (satire) reports: Since leaping over Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard to claim his second NBA dunk title Saturday, 5-foot-9 New York Knicks guard Nate Robinson has apparently dedicated himself to the sole task of jumping over Howard as the 7-footer goes about his daily life. According to Howard, Robinson bounded over him roughly two dozen times on Tuesday alone, most notably while the All-Star center was putting gas in his car, as he was standing in the checkout line at the grocery store, immediately after he woke up in the morning, two minutes later when he was taking a shower, and right afterward as he began to shave. “I can’t do anything without that guy jumping over me,” said Howard, who glanced over his shoulder every few seconds during his press conference Wednesday. “He’s everywhere. When I took my mom to her doctor’s appointment last Monday, at church communion, and every time I get off my couch to put in a new DVD. And I watch a lot of DVDs.”

C-Paul amazing, Hornets beat Magic 117-85

The AP reports: Chris Paul had 36 points and 10 assists, and the New Orleans Hornets handed the Orlando Magic their worst loss of the season, 117-85 on Wednesday night. Rasual Butler added 15 points, and David West had 14 for the Hornets, who’ve won their first two games following the All-Star break. Rashard Lewis had 17 points, and J.J. Redick 14 for Orlando, which shot poorly from the field and free-throw line. Dwight Howard had 12 points and was a non-factor for most of the last three quarters, when he scored only two points… Reserves Melvin Ely and Devin Brown each finished with 11 points, Peja Stojakovic had 10 and the Hornets shot 58 percent (46-of-79).