Payback is a $%&@

But the Orlando Magic would have none on this night falling to the Boston Celtics 91-83 in historic fashion.

Monday’s  loss was hurtful and embarrassing. Orlando wanted to prove that Boston’s first win was a fluke because a team with 5 rotation players missing should never win by 31.

Never.

The Orlando Magic said all the right things before their second game with Boston this week. “This isn’t a statement game”, “We just want a win”, etc.

All the things that they were supposed to say. Then they let the truth be told in their play when they were winning and then again when started to unravel. This game did matter.

Entering tonight’s round 2  the Celtics were without Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Jermaine O’neal and lost Keyon Dooling (hip pointer) in the 2nd quarter for the rest of the contest.

For about 30 minutes the Magic were on the road to redemption but a tragedy of vast proportions occurred in the final 18 minutes.

Orlando jumped out to an early 32-16 lead at the end of the first quarter despite Dwight Howard only logging 3 minutes with foul trouble. Orlando kept the pressure on taking a half time lead of 58-37 behind crisp ball movement and rebounding. They were in complete control and looked like world beaters leading by as many as 27 and then…

Boston’s defense seemed to flip a switch while Paul Pierce championed the Celtics comeback charge on offense in the second half. I don’t know if the Celtics are still a championship team but they have plenty of championship fight left in them. Pierce has definitely got his swagger back  lighting the Magic up for 24 points (19 in the second half), 10 assists, with 6 rebounds.

The game  became very physical in the second half with Orlando shrinking at the chest beating style in which the Celtics play defense. Coach Van Gundy said ” We got frustrated with the physical play, we got frustrated with the officials and we just got totally out of our game…I think some things were deflating and we didn’t handle those well. We had a loss of composure and its a very difficult loss to take.”

At one point during the comeback Doc Rivers was so fired up he met Marquis Daniels at half court during a timeout barking words of encouragement. Rivers commented after the game  “That was a character builder for our team, it really was…This is about as good as  a team win that you can have.”

If Avery Bradley deserved a game ball in Boston’s first win over the Magic, then E’Twaun Moore deserved it for this win. Once Dooling went out Doc had no choice but to entrust his rookie with quality minutes and Moore responded. Great ball pressure with 16 points including 4-4 from the three point line made Moore a difference maker in the game. He hit the go ahead three that put the Celtics up 79-76 with 7:32 remaining, a lead they would not relinquish.

Both Howard and Van Gundy made comments that Magic players tried to do too much and stepped out of their normal roles. “We all gotta do a better job” said Howard “1 to 15, including me”. 

Van Gundy forever self deprecating was quoted as saying “It almost defies logic that we would score 58 points in the first half with Dwight playing six minutes and then Dwight playing the whole second half we can’t score…I can’t take myself out of it. I have not done a good job in finding stuff that we can run offensively.”

It continues to be a record setting week for the Magic with this one being another they wish had not been broken. The 21 point comeback after halftime was the largest blown lead in Orlando Magic history. The team will try to get back on the right side of history tomorrow night against the Hornets.

One night after setting multiple franchise records for futility, the Orlando Magic were able to add one for proficiency.  Dwight Howard became the franchise’s all time leading scorer passing the mark of 10,650 set by Magic legend, Nick Anderson.

Howard finished the game with 14 points and 9 rebounds in Orlando’s easy 102-83 win over the Indiana Pacers.

Ryan Anderson bounced back from an atrocious showing the night before and finished with a game high 24 points and 8 rebounds. Incidentally reports have surfaced that Anderson will not receive an extension on his contract before the Wednesday deadline. The move makes some sense as the Magic will have to get their finances in order once the Howard trade situation is settled. The front office wants to keep Anderson but Howard is and will always be the priority for as long as he is there.

It has certainly been a season for the record books thus far in Orlando. Remember Howard set the NBA record for free throw attempts on January 13 against the Golden State Warriors. What could possibly be next?

Well for their next performance, the Magic will try to right the world with a redemption win against the Celtics on Thursday night.

Howard's passed Nick Anderson for the franchise record in points on this dunk

Via the Orlando Magic communications department:

The Orlando Magic’s Dwight Howard was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played Monday, Jan. 16, through Sunday, Jan. 22. It marks the first time this season and the 18th time of his career that Howard has earned the league’s top weekly honor.

Howard averaged 19.5 points, 18.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.8 blocks as Orlando went 3-1. Howard posted three point-rebound double-doubles, including back-to-back 20-point, 20-rebound games to close the week vs. the San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Lakers. For the season, Howard ranks first in the NBA in rebounding (16.1 rpg.), third in field goal percentage (.575) and fifth in blocks (2.33 bpg.).

After what many considered to be a slow start, Howard has picked it up and once again is gathering MVP support. His play is being recognized by the fans as well as the league. With two weeks of All-Star voting recorded Howard leads the NBA in votes over the likes of  LeBron, Kobe, Durant, and Rose with 1,161,797 votes as of last Thursday.

Howard will lead the Magic charge again this week as they face Boston twice, Indiana twice, and New Orleans in a 5 game week.

Orlando, Florida

So who is the best center in the NBA? Dwight Howard or Andrew Bynum?

On this night (and every night for that matter) it was Dwight Howard behind 21 points and 23 rebounds as the Magic defeated the Lakers 92-80 .  The Magic dominated the game from the opening tip sending the visibly tired Lakers to their second straight loss. Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 30 points and 8 assists.

The Magic jumped out to a 22-10 lead at the first quarter’s and never looked back after Bynum (10 points and 12 rebounds) picked up two quick fouls in the quarter. The Lakers lackluster play became even more deflated by the hustle and constant second chance attempts by Orlando. The younger and slightly better rested Magic out-jumped the Lakers to grab 15 offensive rebounds on the evening.

Jameer Nelson paced the Magic offense with 17 points and 9 assists playing his best game of the season.  Derek Fisher was at the mercy of Nelson, who was able to set up his teammates by repeatedly beating Fisher off the dribble.  Coach Van Gundy praised his point guard after the game saying the difference was Nelson’s aggression and efficient shooting.

It was a true team effort but as it is with any Magic win they go as Howard goes. Any notion that there is a debate to be had regarding Howard and Bynum should have been put to rest after this evening.

Future Hall of Famer and former player Shaquille O’neal believes Andrew Bynum has the edge on Howard. On every level possible O’neal’s take on that non-debate is absurd.  The absurdity of it has worn thin on Howard and he has had enough of O’neal taking jabs at him from the the analyst chair.

“I would suggest he just sit down and get on with his life. He don’t play no more so what’s the point of talking trash. It’s not like we’re wrestlers and we can battle it out. Who cares?” said Howard in an interview with the Orlando Sentinel.

Shaq probably wants nothing to do with Dwight anyway and he might have to change his tune about the league’s best center after Howard power drived Bynum tonight.

Orlando improves to 11-4 and currently leads the Southeast division over Miami by a 1/2 game.

The plot continues to thicken in Orlando.

Dwight Howard still wants a trade despite the team’s 9-3 start and first place position in the Southeast Division. However today’s twist features his willingness to play for an additional team.

Sheridanhoops.com reported that Dwight Howard has added the Los Angeles Clippers as the fourth team he would be interested in playing for.

“He’s been watching them a lot. He’s intrigued by the Clippers,” said the source, who is privy to the trade talks that have taken place between all of the aforementioned teams.

Howard’s agent, Dan Fegan, already has been given permission to speak to the Nets, Mavericks and Lakers about possible trades. It was unclear if similar permission has been granted in regards to trade talks with the Clippers.

But the source said the most likely scenario that would land Howard in Lob City would be an offseason sign-and-trade deal.

One way or another it appears the franchise center is in his final season in Orlando.  Common thinking is that the Magic are best suited dealing Howard near the trade deadline as they certainly loathe the notion of him attending All-Star weekend in other team’s uniform. That said allowing him to finish the season in an Orlando uniform would be a risk not worth taking.

If GM, Otis Smith allows Howard to enter free agency it will be the biggest blunder in Orlando’s history.  Yes, Howard could still be signed and traded allowing the Magic to gain assets but that is not a guarantee. A sign and trade agreement would allow him to get higher annual raises from whichever team he signs for but what if he took slightly less money to sign outright with a team close to winning a title or at least close with his signing.

Sheridanhoops.com makes a good point about Howard potentially joining a stacked team in New Jersey/Brooklyn if he plays out his contract.

Howard has soured on the idea of joining the Nets this season and missing the playoffs, especially since he could still join the Nets next summer prior to their move to Brooklyn and join a lineup that would include a re-signed Deron Williams, Brook Lopez, MarShon Brooks, Anthony Morrow and the Nets’ lottery pick, which will be a good pick in a well-stocked draft.

The Lob City dream of joining the Clippers is probably wishful thinking by Howard as Blake Griffin would have to be a part of any potential sign and trade over the summer. Or so one would think. What would be the point of being a Clipper if Griffin wasn’t there too?

Well its still L.A. A place where Dwight could pursue his many off the court ventures without following the exact same path as Shaquille O’neal so to speak.

The reality and urgency of the situation is still a month or two off for the Magic but it is coming.  Faster than a speeding bullet.

On the night when the first All-Star ballot returns revealed Dwight Howard had garnered the league’s most votes to date, he showed exactly why he deserved every one of those 754,737 votes and more.

The Golden State Warriors are late entrants in the race for Howard and they received first hand experience of his brilliance in the Orlando Magic’s 117-109 win.

Howard absolutely beasted and bullied the Warriors.

45 points, 23 rebounds, 4 steals, 3 assists, 2 blocks and a NBA record setting 39 free throw attempts of which he made 21.

While the free throw attempts did break Wilt Chamberlain’s nearly 50 year old record, it came with a small caveat. The Warriors intentionally fouled Howard most of the game which seemed like a good strategy until Howard connected on 9 straight free throws during one stretch in the second half.

Warrior’s coach, Mark Jackson is learning on the job and he felt like his short handed front court would be better served putting Howard on the line incessantly rather than attempting to play him straight up on defense.

The Magic came out of the gates flat but recovered from an early first half 10 point deficit to trail by 4 heading into half time.  The second half of the game was an entertaining contest as the Warriors continued to show their never say die spirit at home lead by Monta Ellis and his 30 point and 11 assist effort.

Orlando was able to pull away in the closing 2 minutes thanks to Howard and solid play from Von Wafer, J.J. Redick, and another balanced attack from Hedo Turkgolu (20 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists).

Unfortunately Jason Richardson exited the contest with 8:46 remaining in the third quarter with a sprained left knee and had to watch Howard’s historic evening from the locker room. He is being listed as day to day for now. If Richardson misses time Wafer will see an increased role and he seems primed and ready to contribute.

With the win the Magic improve to 8-3 and 3-0 on the brief West Coast road trip.

The Orlando Magic are still very likely to milk Dwight Howard’s play to the  last possible minute before the NBA’s trade deadline on March 15.

And why not?

The list of teams that are willing to make realistic offers for Dwight Howard continues to grow. Rumors that two new and somewhat surprising suitors have emerged in the last few days.

As first reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports the Golden State Warriors are extremely interested in making a deal for the franchise center.

Golden State management is willing to take Howard as a one-season “rental,” with the hope of selling him on signing a long-term deal before he enters free agency this summer. Like most teams, Golden State has inquired with Orlando Magic general manager Otis Smith, but the Magic have yet to commit to aggressively pursuing a trade of Howard.

For the Magic to become intrigued with package, two things would likely have to appeal to them: rebuilding around young point guard Stephen Curry; and the Warriors’ salary-cap space to absorb the three years and $34 million left on Hedo Turkoglu’s contract. The possibility of the pursuit could be complicated by questions about the sturdiness of Curry’s surgically repaired right ankle. The Warriors are willing to part with either of their two guards – Curry or Monta Ellis – but teams clearly will watch how Curry recovers from his recurring ankle sprains.

Curry’s ankle is a legitimate concern and should not be taken lightly. The last thing Orlando’s needs is a Grant Hill redux. Wojnarowski also goes into Golden State’s hope of selling the endorsement opportunities available in nearby Silicon Valley to Howard. While interesting it would appear the Warriors would have to get a third team involved to make a realistic offer.

Ken Berger of CBSSports.com wrote that the Chicago Bulls would be interested in trading for Howard which isn’t news but he also wrote that the New York Knicks could put together a package centered around Amar’e Stoudemire.

If the Knicks keep struggling, the focus will spread from the coaching to the roster, and sources advise not to be surprised if the notion of a possible deal sending Amar’e Stoudemire to Orlando for Howard gains traction. If the Magic opt to convert Howard into a superstar of reasonably comparable stature, they could do a lot worse than selling Stoudemire — a central Florida native — to their restless fan base. The biggest issue would be Stoudemire’s uninsurable knees, but there is risk involved in every scenario Orlando will be presented with between now and March 15. From the Knicks’ standpoint, such an arrangement would break up the ill-fitting offensive combo of Stoudemire and Anthony and allow the versatile Chandler to move to the power forward spot, where he’d be a terror as a weak-side shot blocker and in Stoudemire’s spot as the roll man in D’Antoni’s pick-and-roll offense. A deeper question exists in whether Madison Square Garden chairman James Dolan would sign off on trading Stoudemire, who was the only star willing to commit to the Knicks and embrace the challenges of New York in July 2010. For the aforementioned reasons, sources say it’s plausible but unlikely that the Knicks and Orlando would be able to get any such talks off the ground. For one thing, it makes too much sense.

It’s hard to envision a scenario where the Knicks become desperate enough to break up their trio but they would have to be intrigued at the possibility of obtaining Howard.

For now the Orlando Magic are in the driver’s seat. They are winning and can continue to field sweet offers as teams rack their brains and get creative. That said the driver’s seat becomes a hot seat in an instant. If Howard holds onto to his trade request despite team success, the Magic will have to relent and send him to one of their many current suitors.

Or one that has yet to emerge.

All things considered, the Orlando Magic are in a better position than many had predicted they would be this early in the season. The reason behind that success might surprise even the most astute NBA analysts.

Of course Dwight Howard and his 19.1 points, 16 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks have been MVP-esque but those numbers are somewhat expected.  The key behind the Magic’s success this season has been the improved and consistent play of Ryan Anderson.

It has only been seven games but it is Anderson, not Howard, who leads Orlando in scoring at 19.7 points per game. He is shooting a blistering 46 percent from the three point line and his ability to stretch the floor has been instrumental in the success of the Magic thus far. Although he is considered a “stretch four” Anderson still manages to rebound the ball at an impressive rate of 7.4 per game. 

Anderson pulled down a season high 15 rebounds against the Wizards and said the following after the game:  “Just coming out and rebounding, and going towards the glass as much as I can and keeping that in the back of my mind at all times, I think is a good mentality to have.”  He understands that his shot may not always fall but if he rebounds and plays defense he can still be an asset.

Many thought it would be Glen Davis who would be the Magic’s starting power forward to begin the season, leaving Anderson in the same role he provided last season. Coach Van Gundy has elected to use Davis as a primary backup to Howard at center. Much to the chagrin of Davis. While that decision has not worked out for Davis, Anderson is garnering respect around the league and more importantly allowing Howard a reliable outlet when doubled down low.

Anderson should continue to keep Davis away from starters minutes with the Magic off to a 5-2 start. At this rate Anderson could easily win the NBA’s Most Improved Player award and could vie for a spot in the 3 point shooting contest at All-Star Weekend in Orlando.

Potential accolades for Anderson aside, the bigger picture is the Magic’s hot start and the silencer being placed on the trigger of any potential Dwight Howard trade.

The attention  has been diverted from the Orlando Magic front office and now is rightfully focused on the hardwood. A large part of that is thanks to Mr. Anderson.

Who knew?

Shrouded in a cloud of uncertainty the Orlando Magic enter the season trying to make one last effort to convince their star, Dwight Howard, that there is no place like home.

Howard has been a pendulum of inconsistency in his demeanor towards possibly returning but the one constant has been his request to be on a championship team. That championship team could be in Orlando, Dallas, Los Angeles, or his preferred destination of New Jersey as of right now.

Well Howard’s wish is not necessarily the Magic’s command and Orlando is hoping to convince him they are committed to his championship goals.  As a result they are now, at Howards request, consulting him in the decision making process of incoming players.

Enter Glen “Big Baby” Davis.

Davis was acquired with Von Wafer in a sign and trade deal that sent Brandon Bass to Boston Celtics. Big Baby is hoping for a bigger role with Orlando than he had with the Celtics and brings a championship pedigree with him of sorts.

Aside from the acqusititon of Davis, Orlando was relatively quiet on the roster improvement front. Gilbert Arenas was amnestied which is addition by subtraction in the minds of many. Other additions include rookies Justin Harper and DeAndre Liggins, as well as veteran journeyman Larry Hughes. The rest of the Magic lineup remains largely intact with Jason Richardson and Earl Clark both returning after the free agent market proved unfruitful. 

Continuity should be high on this Magic roster although talent is not equal to that of the Easter conference elite. With a projected starting lineup of  Jameer Nelson, Richardson, Hedo Turkgolu, Davis, and Howard this team is a playoff (not championship) contender.  Howard’s request to be traded will not affect his ability to contribute on the court. Nelson (if healthy) and Richardson are also fairly consistent. The wild cards in the starting lineup are Davis and the wildly inconsistent Turkgolu.

How will Big Baby handle an increased role?

How will Davis handle a bigger a role? Will he be the offensively efficient charge taking monster he was at the beginning of last season or the shoot first abyss he developed into at the end of Boston’s playoff run?

The answer is probably somewhere in the middle. Davis, under control, is an underrated scoring threat both inside and out. Defensively he plays the angles well despite being a tweener at his position. His playful personality should mesh well with that of Howard’s, for the time being.

Turkgolu is coming off another disappointing season. His shooting percentages and decision making both need to improve this season to give Orlando a chance at a deep playoff run.

Ryan Anderson, J.J. Redick, and Chris Duhon will likely be the first players off the bench but the remaining contributors will be determined on a game to game basis.

Wafer is capable of providing a nice offensive spark off the bench and Quentin Richardson is still a solid perimeter defender who can shoot the 3. Both should receive time sparingly. The rookies have been played sparsely in the pre-season and it is unclear if Daniel Orton or Earl Clark are ready for an increased role.

The Magic will continue to struggle when Howard leaves the game as Davis or Anderson will likely have to slide over to play center in his absence. That is when the offense becomes 100% perimeter orientated and the 3’s reign like dollar bills in a gentleman’s club.

The Magic’s “you can’t make ‘em unless you take ‘em” approach to the 3 point shot has been a constant for the last four seasons. Not much is likely to change in that respect. So where they need to improve is on defensive consistency and scoring off the bench. If those two things happen Orlando could surprise some people as long as the 3 point shot is also falling.

Otherwise the Orlando Magic are looking at a seed anywhere between 4-6 in the Eastern Conference and a probable first round exit. Clearly that will not be enough for Howard.

Common thinking is that Howard will be moved somewhere around the trade deadline depending on Orlando’s position in the East.  That is another roster decision he is likely to have a large role in.