These are strange times in the NBA. Strange times, indeed. We want to believe this whole fiasco revolving around the Chris Paul-to-the-L.A. Clippers trade is over. But we know, and y’all know, it isn’t. That’s what happens when a league is forced to trade one of its most visible and valuable assets. That’s what happens when there are accusations someone screwed around with the amnesty waiver process to make sure Chauncey Billups ended up a Clipper. That’s what happens when reporters ask a GM from Houston who thought he had a trade done last week, to comment on what exactly happened and the man backs off saying he isn’t allowed to speak on it. Read More »

Now things are getting real. In an official statement from the Orlando Magic – on their website – President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Otis Smith announced that they have waived Gilbert Arenas and designated him as the team’s “amnesty player,” paying him the $62.4 million left on his contract through 2013-14. Welcome to free agency, Gil. Read More »

Jim Buss may finally be willing to part with his love child, his project and his identity. Ever since the executive took over operations within the Laker organization, there was a belief he created a divide. Andrew Bynum was his guy, the person he worked to get drafted and the player he believed in. But finally, as Dwight Howard‘s name gets pushed further into the open market, a source around the organization told CBSSports.com that Buss has dropped his opposition to trading the big man “for the right deal.” Read More »

Did you hear the Magic brass isn’t too smart? That’s what it feels like. Since none of us are a part of Orlando’s organization, we can sit here and talk about “Well, they might as well trade Dwight Howard now and get the most for him. They can’t let him leave for nothing.” We can call for the GM, Otis Smith, to start reaching out to everyone, mainly the Nets and the Lakers, to figure something out. But if we were Smith, we definitely wouldn’t have said what he did yesterday. In an interview with Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel, Smith said about the Howard trade rumors: “I think you have to look at everything. I don’t think you can take anything out of consideration.” Read More »

Donovan McNabb. The real macaroni. Dyed hair. Angel-haired pasta. Rastafarian. 20 seconds, that’s all he needed to somehow connect the dots. Yep, Shady is back, finally barging through once again with his good friend and heavyweight lyricist Royce Da 5’ 9” on their new EP, “Hell: The Sequel.” The reunion of Bad Meets Evil was a long time coming, and whether or not it lived up to the expectations doesn’t really matter. Read More »

It’s winning time for the Orlando Magic. It has come down to that. 40-22 and 24-point comebacks just don’t cut it. If Dwight Howard is to spend his career in ocean-blue pinstripes, there better be a whole lot of winning going on in Disney World. Read More »

There was talk of Gilbert Arenas going to Orlando this summer, but all that cooled before the season. Now it appears to have warmed back up. According to Evan Dunlap of the Orlando Pinstriped Post, the Magic have engaged the Wizards in ongoing trade talks centered around Arenas, and here’s how it might look: Read More »

Lost amongst all of the Sports Illustrated covers, ESPY interviews and polls proclaiming the Heat to be nothing short of sensational, the best team in Florida could still be the Orlando Magic. For them, this summer was more about curtailing roster losses and keeping their core together. With two straight trips to the Eastern Conference Finals, Dwight Howard & Co. have the foundation to contend for years. Read More »

As his alma mater was advancing to the Final Four, J.J. Redick was doin’ work in the NBA. Last year this would have seemed impossible, but against the Nuggets yesterday, Redick had his best all-around game as he dropped 23 points, seven rebounds and eight assists. Redick filled in for Vince Carter, who played only 95 seconds before leaving with a “sprained right big toe.” What else is new? On the bright side, Redick showed that he could be a key contributor for the Magic heading into the playoffs and that he may have a place in the Magic’s future plans. Read More »

When the Magic re-signed Marcin Gortat this summer, a lot of people didn’t understand the move. And after bringing in Vince Carter, Brandon Bass, Matt Barnes, Jason Williams, Ryan Anderson and Morris Almond, you might think that Gortat and his new five-year, $34-million deal could be sent packing for another piece or if they need cap relief. But apparently GM Otis Smith wants no part of that, seeing The Polish Hammer as a tool you use in case of emergency. Read More »