Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

Ryan Anderson will get an MRI on right ankle Saturday morning

Comment

November 7

Orlando Sentinel

"Magic power forward Ryan Anderson walked out of the Magic locker room, sullenly, on crutches, his right foot lifted from the ground. "I'm getting an MRI in the morning," Anderson said as he left. His ankle and part of his foot were wrapped. Anderson sprained his right ankle in the third quarter of the Magic's 110-103 win over the Detroit Pistons. He didn't return to the game. Magic Coach Stan Van Gundy didn't know much about the injury, but said Anderson's ankle is sprained, not broken."

Brandon Bass ready for bigger role with Ryan Anderson hurt

Comment

November 7

Orlando Sentinel

"Brandon Bass has played in six regular-season games for the Orlando Magic, but he's already demonstrated a knack for making the highlight reel. He unleashed his latest jaw-dropping dunk Friday night in the third quarter of Orlando's 110-103 victory over the Detroit Pistons. His right-handed put-back dunk off a Jameer Nelson miss sent the Amway Arena crowd into a frenzy. Soon, though, Bass could transition from SportsCenter "Top 10 Plays" contributor to Magic starter. Starting power forward Ryan Anderson sprained his right ankle against the Pistons, and the injury almost certainly will thrust Bass into an expanded role. Bass could be in the starting five Sunday against the Oklahoma City ..."

Bench comes up big as Orlando Magic hold off Detroit Pistons

Comment

November 7

Orlando Sentinel

"The Orlando Magic have a deep bench, but this is stretching it to ridiculous proportions. They finished an 110-103 victory against the Detroit Pistons on Friday night with just eight players after power forward Ryan Anderson became the latest to be miss time. Anderson limped off the floor at Amway Arena early in the third quarter after spraining his right ankle and is listed day-to-day. The Magic already were without starting shooting guard Vince Carter (sprained left ankle), back-up point guard Anthony Johnson (personal reasons) and, of course, power forward Rashard Lewis (suspension) on their active roster. Center Adonal Foyle is recovering from knee surgery. At one point early in the ..."

Easy looks doom Detroit as coach's words ring true

Comment

November 7

Detroit Free Press

"Pistons coach John Kuester emphasized during the Friday morning shoot-around that the Magic would go for a knockout punch in the first quarter. And it appears the team didn't do a very good job of listening. The Magic (5-1) scored 40 points, rolled to a 17-point lead at the end of the first quarter and held off a late Pistons' (2-4) rally to take a 110-103 victory. The victory gave the Magic some momentary respite as it had lost 20 of the past 25 games to the Pistons. And Dwight Howard was the catalyst with 22 points and 12 rebounds to bounce back from his poor performance when he fouled out against the Pistons at the Palace on Tuesday night."

Slow traffic delays bus after Orlando shootings Pistons Basketball

Comment

November 7

Detroit Free Press

"Pistons coach John Kuester knew something was up when the team bus, headed to Friday morning's shoot-around, was delayed by slow-moving traffic and sirens. Just over a mile away from the Grand Bohemian, where the team was staying, a gunman had entered a downtown Orlando office building, killing one and injuring five, and law enforcement had started a manhunt. Bustling downtown Orlando came to a stop for almost 3 hours before the suspect was apprehended, but not before he caused some concern for the Pistons. Kuester learned of the situation after the team had returned from the shoot-around and received a call from trainer Mike Abdenour. The team was in contact with the league office, which ..."

Hamilton, Prince to miss Pistons game

Comment

November 6

Detroit News

"The Pistons aren't going to have Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince tonight when they face the Orlando Magic. This will be the fifth game Hamilton has missed with a sprained right ankle. Prince will miss his second game with a lower back problem."

In the tales of two cities, Detroit and Orlando, one isn't pretty

Comment

November 6

Orlando Sentinel

"On Tuesday night in Auburn Hills, Mich., the Orlando Magic and Detroit Pistons played a basketball game in front of an announced crowd of 15,487. That left at least 6,589 empty seats inside an arena that until recently had hosted five consecutive years of sold-out NBA games. On Thursday morning in downtown Orlando, about 200 guests gathered as workmen fastened the final two structural steel beams to Amway Center, the future home of the Orlando Magic. That arena — which opens next October — and the team's 2009 NBA Finals appearance have helped the Magic build their ticket base and maintain sponsorship levels. Teams like the Pistons, who face the Magic tonight at Amway Arena, haven't been so ..."

Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy says Rashard Lewis will start immediately after his suspension

Comment

November 6

Orlando Sentinel

"Magic Coach Stan Van Gundy said on Thursday --- an off-day for his team --- that he will start suspended forward Rashard Lewis the very game he becomes eligible. There'll be no easing Lewis into the lineup. Lewis, suspended by the league for the first 10 games of the season for taking a banned supplement, can play on Nov. 16 against the Charlotte Bobcats at home. "I'm starting him the first game --- for who, I don't know," Van Gundy said. "It's like when we got Rafer (Alston) at midseason last year. When you know a guy is going to be there long term, you don't mess around.""

Magic coach Stan Van Gundy doesn't expect him to play vs. Pistons

Comment

November 6

Orlando Sentinel

"Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said he doesn't expect to have SG Vince Carter (sprained left ankle) available Friday night against the Pistons. Carter sat out Wednesday night's game against the Phoenix Suns. Carter reinjured the ankle on Tuesday night against Detroit in Auburn Hills, Mich, and Van Gundy is second-guessing himself on whether he should have played him. "We probably shouldn't have played him in Detroit, but Vince said he wanted to go," Van Gundy said."We'd probably would have been better off sitting him." Carter originally injured the ankle last Friday night in New Jersey against the Nets."

Magic's Mickael Pietrus picture of perfect health in win over Phoenix Suns

Comment

November 5

Orlando Sentinel

"Mickael Pietrus sat at home Tuesday night as his teammates lost to the Detroit Pistons. He could barely watch the game on TV — not because the Orlando Magic played poorly, but because he suffered from a fever, an aching body and a pounding headache. Twenty-four hours later, he made the Phoenix Suns feel ill. Pietrus woke up Wednesday morning feeling better and told Magic trainer Tom Smith that he wanted to play against the Suns at Amway Arena. He would come off the bench to score 15 points in 27 minutes and help the Magic to a 122-100 victory over the Suns. "I'm feeling better now that we won that game," Pietrus said. "It doesn't matter if I have the flu or how I feel. Every time I step on ..."

Grant Hill advised Jameer Nelson not to play in last season's NBA Finals

Comment

November 5

Orlando Sentinel

"Magic fans probably don't want to hear about Phoenix Suns SF Grant Hill advising any Magic player about playing with injuries. But Hill said before facing his old club on Wednesday night that he did speak with point guard Jameer Nelson last season and encouraged his former teammate not to come back to play in the playoffs. "Put that on the record. You can ask him. I told him not to play, just from my own experience," Hill said. "Not so much from a basketball standpoint. Maybe I shouldn't have, because you don't want to plant that seed in somebody before they're going out to play. But I said, 'Look, I've been out there when [I'm] not right and even when you are right, it's a process when ..."

Relax! Magic have long road ahead

Comment

November 5

Orlando Sentinel

columnist George Diaz

"So the Orlando Magic aren't going to go 90-0 this season? Whoa. Didn't see that one coming. Wasn't everybody enjoying the euphoric rush of an 8-0 preseason, followed by a 3-game winning streak to start the regular season? Only 79 more games to reach perfection before making an undefeated playoff run! "We're deeper, stronger, with so many shooters at least remove the fictional asterisk you nay sayers have assigned to the Orlando Magic's Eastern Conference Championship last year," read a comment on my En Fuego blog post on the Magic last week . "Hear me roar, Respect Us, That's right we Bad. The East the Black and Blue Defense Division." All-righty then. Get those NBA Finals tickets now ..."

Shots fall in home return as Orlando Magic scorch Phoenix Suns

Comment

November 5

Orlando Sentinel

"Sometimes the worst thing for players about the NBA marathon schedule is that there's always another game. And sometimes the best thing for players about the NBA marathon schedule is that there's always another game. In World Series parlance, they can't wait for that next at-bat after a strikeout — or in this case, a flame-out. Dwight Howard, Jameer Nelson and Ryan Anderson were eager to jettison the memories of Motown out of their minds from the previous 24 hours. They all erased the taste on Wednesday night at Amway Arena in a collective comeback, helping the Magic beat Phoenix 122-100 and hand the Suns their first loss. For once, this was a blessed back-to-back bounce-back after the ..."

Revamped Pistons humble Orlando Magic just like the old version

Comment

November 4

Orlando Sentinel

"And they call this place "The Palace?" For the Orlando Magic, who entered the building as NBA royalty, it's more of a prison. There's simply no escaping their Detroit demons. The Pistons did not resemble the same team that has bedeviled the Magic for years and years, but the result was no different. Despite missing two starters, the rebuilding Pistons beat the Magic 85-80 to hand Orlando its first loss of the season on Tuesday night at the, ahem, Palace of Auburn Hills. The Magic were looking to become the first team in franchise history to start a season 4-0, and they had Vince Carter back in the lineup while the Pistons were missing stalwarts Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince. Oh, and ..."

Pistons continue spell over Magic without Prince

Comment

November 4

Detroit Free Press

"Dwight Howard has been known to don a Superman cape for dunk contests, but it's the blue-and-red uniform of the Pistons that appears to be his Kryptonite. The short-handed Pistons handed the Eastern Conference champion Orlando Magic its first loss of the season on Tuesday night, 85-80, and in the process continued their mastery over Howard. The Pistons were without shooting guard Rip Hamilton (right ankle sprain) and Tayshaun Prince (lower back strain), but it didn't matter against the team the Pistons were a perfect 3-0 against last season. That's because Howard was limited to only 17 minutes before fouling out and the backcourt trio of Ben Gordon, Will Bynum and Rodney Stuckey combined ..."

Will Bynum, Pistons frustrate Magic

Comment

November 4

Detroit News

"Will Bynum saw white flashes before his eyes. It scared him and he immediately thought he had a detached retina when he was knocked to the floor during the Pistons 85-80 victory over the previously unbeaten Orlando Magic on Tuesday night at The Palace. He had surgery on both eyes a year ago, and doctors said if he got hit the wrong way he might have to have surgery again. "I was scared," he admitted. "But I am OK now." Bynum was blinded by the white but he kept on attacking the basket. He knows that's his job and it was the only way the Pistons could win this game. He finished with 20 points and made a number of critical baskets during a grind-it-out second half. "We knew if we could ..."

V.C. Mulling plan to be feted at ACC

Comment

November 3

Toronto Sun

"As part of the club's 15th anniversary celebrations, the Raptors are hoping to honour, of all people, Vince Carter on Nov. 22 when Orlando returns. ''Everybody wants to know how we can do it, but Vince is part of the history here," GM Bryan Colangelo told the Orlando Sentinel. "Most of the people that he had problems with here are gone.'' Fans who love to bash Vinsanity may differ. Baffling Bargs Head coach Jay Triano says Andrea Bargnani's inconsistent shooting is letting it affect other parts of his game. "Like everyone, when your shot is not going, the key is do the other things -- get rebounds, defend and make sure you're coverages are complete," Triano said."

Howard, Anthony named Players of the Week

Comment

November 3

NBA.com

"The Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard and the Denver Nuggets' Carmelo Anthony today were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Tuesday, Oct. 27, through Sunday, Nov. 1. Howard led the Magic to a 3-0 week, including two road wins, averaging 21.7 points, 16.0 rebounds and 2.3 blocks. The 6-11 center posted point-rebound double-doubles in all three of Orlando's games, including a 20-point, 22-rebound performance on Oct. 30 at New Jersey. Behind the league's leading rebounder, the Magic is off to a 3-0 start for the first time since 1993-94. Anthony led the Nuggets to a 3-0 week, averaging a league-best 37.7 points on .536 shooting from the ..."

Hot shooting Magic down Raptors to improve to 3-0

Comment

November 2

Orlando Sentinel

"As if winning the game wasn't difficult enough on Sunday for the Orlando Magic, who'd have thought there would be a need afterwards to also spell Krzyzewski correctly? The Magic (3-0) are doing things the hard way this early in the season to remain unbeaten, an NBA Finalist needing to rely on surprise performances. They overcame the loss of two starters and a scary moment involving superstar Dwight Howard on Sunday to beat the Toronto Raptors in a 125-116 shoot-out. J.J. Redick started for injured Vince Carter at shooting guard and provided the latest surprise after receiving a pep talk from his old college coach at Duke, Mike K-r-z-y-z-e-w-s-k-i. Prophetic Coach K should be on the Magic's ..."

Raptors fans' taunts for Magic SG Vince Carter will have to wait

Comment

November 2

Orlando Sentinel

"Raptors fans with long memories didn't get the chance to boo Magic SG Vince Carter, who was scratched with an injury on Sunday. But that opportunity might come Nov. 22 at Air Canada Centre when the player who demanded out of Toronto after six-plus seasons will be ... honored by the franchise as part of their 15th anniversary celebration. The Raptors say they will first ask Carter if he wants to go through with a ceremony, realizing the back-story. "Everybody wants to know how we can do it, but Vince is part of the history here," Raptors General Manager Bryan Colangelo told the Sentinel. "Most of the people that he had problems with here are gone.""

Plenty of Magic to go around

Comment

November 2

Toronto Sun

"One player was forced to fly home to central Florida because of flu-like symptoms. Another was unavailable because of a tender ankle. And yet one more was un able to play in the wake of a suspension that won't expire for another seven games. There has been a lot of talk about Orlando's depth and the off-season commitment the franchise made by exceeding the league's salary cap. As far as statements go, the Magic's win over the Raptors yesterday wasn't the most profound. Given Toronto's deficiencies on defence and lack of mental fortitude, even a short-handed version of the Magic, which still fielded healthy pieces in Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson, was more than capable of producing a ..."

No Vince for Orlando today

Comment

November 1

Toronto Star

"At least it'll cut down on the incessant booing. Just got finished listening to Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy say Vince Carter won't go Sunday afternoon against the Raptors. Carter's out with a mildly sprained left ankle suffered Friday in New Jersey We had seen Vince come down from the practice gym about 20 minutes earlier after trying to loosen up the ankle but it didn't work."

At least Raps won't underestimate Magic

Comment

November 1

Toronto Sun

"How can the Raptors look so energetic and focussed in a win over an NBA-elite team like Cleveland, then look so lethargic and slow against the comparatively star-starved Memphis Grizzlies? The easy answer is that they underestimated, overlooked and disrespected -- pick your favourite verb -- the Grizzlies in a 115-107 loss on Friday. From head coach Jay Triano to Chris Bosh, to Jarrett Jack, the consensus was that, for whatever reason, the Raps didn't bring the intensity necessary to beat any NBA team. "Obviously when you play against guys the calibre of a LeBron and a Shaq, your focus might be a little more intense than say against a team like Memphis that does not have the same type ..."

Suspended Orlando Magic F Rashard Lewis tried to watch Magic-Nets game in his hotel room, but ...

Comment

November 1

Orlando Sentinel

"Suspended Magic PF Rashard Lewis wanted to watch his team's game against the New Jersey Nets on Friday night in his hotel room but that game-plan fell apart. "I couldn't find it on my TV, must have gone through a 100 channels, back and forth," Lewis said. "I guess the hotel didn't carry the station. So we went to a sports bar and would you believe of all the basketball games on their TVs, they didn't have ours on?"

Vince Carter ankle injury update: 'We'll see how it feels in the morning'

Comment

November 1

Orlando Sentinel

"Across the hall in Air Canada Centre late Saturday afternoon, Jay-Z's road crew was performing ear-splitting sound-checks, seeing if all systems were go for the rapper's show that night. Inside the practice facility a few feet away, the Orlando Magic were doing some tests on the left ankle of VC — shooting guard Vince Carter. Carter was stretched out on a table, applying a flashing light of a laser device to the area he sprained Friday night while playing the Nets — his old team — in New Jersey. "This thing is incredible," Carter said of the laser's healing powers. Carter hopes modern science does the job. He said he's going to attempt to play today against the Toronto Raptors, the team he ..."

At least Raps won't underestimate Magic

Comment

November 1

Toronto Sun

"How can the Raptors look so energetic and focussed in a win over an NBA-elite team like Cleveland, then look so lethargic and slow against the comparatively star-starved Memphis Grizzlies? The easy answer is that they underestimated, overlooked and disrespected -- pick your favourite verb -- the Grizzlies in a 115-107 loss on Friday. From head coach Jay Triano to Chris Bosh, to Jarrett Jack, the consensus was that, for whatever reason, the Raps didn't bring the intensity necessary to beat any NBA team. "Obviously when you play against guys the calibre of a LeBron and a Shaq, your focus might be a little more intense than say against a team like Memphis that does not have the same type of ..."

Courtney Lee was joking "bring me back"...or was he?

Comment

October 31

Orlando Sentinel

"Having survived the New Jersey turnpike drive, I walked into the New Jersey Nets locker room on Friday morning and thought I made a wrong turn. I was in the right lockeroom, right? There was Tony Battie in one corner. There was Rafer Alston dressing next to Courtney Lee. And then came the voice from on the other side of the room, "B! What, no love?" That was Keyon Dooling. It was the Orlando Nets. Or the New Jersey Magic. Least it felt that way. (Only minutes early, I was on the phone with Hedo Turkoglu. He and the Raptors were in Memphis. Another story for another day --- Sunday, actually.) Let me tell you --- all terrific guys. The Magic and Nets play tonight, and it's like a family ..."

Lee: Everything's all Dwight

Comment

October 31

New York Post

"Courtney Lee has looked at Dwight Howard from both sides now. And no matter where the view comes from, Lee's assessment is that the guy is great. "Yeah, man. Playing with him, it's a bonus," said Lee, who went to the Finals with Howard as a member of the Magic last season then saw Howard give a 20-20 effort to beat Lee and the Nets, 95-85, last night. "Playing against him is a negative bonus. He distracts a lot of shots. He caught a couple of my shots. I left them pretty high. Not playing and practicing against him for a while, I forget how athletic he is and how high he can jump.""

Vince joins contender in Orlando

Comment

October 31

New York Post

"So much has changed. There was Vince Carter running around in the colors of the Magic, urging the likes of Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson. And then there was Carter engaging in a shooting contest with teammate Mickael Pietrus at the Meadowlands yesterday morning. They shot from beyond the front row of courtside seats. Pietrus barely hit the side of the backboard. Carter swished his try as if it came from the foul line. So little has changed. The uniform colors were different, but Carter was still Carter, firing in impossibly long shots with ease and then speaking earnestly about winning above all. And there is another noticeable difference for Carter this season, beyond home zip codes and ..."

Vince returns, but Howard steals the show as Nets fall

Comment

October 31

New York Post

"The NBA schedule maker planned a reunion party for Vince Carter at the Meadowlands last night, as the Nets' home opener featured Carter and the defending Eastern champ Orlando Magic. But Carter didn't stay around very long. Unfortunately for the Nets, neither did Brook Lopez. Even worse, Dwight Howard did. "Howard had such a profound impact on that game defensively," said coach Lawrence Frank, whose Nets fell to 0-2 through a 95-85 defeat that was sculpted by Howard with a 20-point, 22-rebound, four-block masterpiece. "That's why the guy is defensive player of the year. Not only did he do what he did to Brook, he did it to our whole team." Carter, traded on draft night after nearly five ..."

Magic defeat New Jersey Nets in painful return for Vince Carter

Comment

October 31

New York Daily News

"Against Boston or Cleveland , the Magic might have a hard time without Vince Carter . But against the Nets, Orlando cruised. Carter made a fine return to the Meadowlands Friday night, scoring 16 points in his first game back since the June 25 trade that sent him to Orlando after 4-1/2 seasons in New Jersey . But he left the game after spraining his ankle in the second quarter. Still, the Magic had more than enough firepower to withstand the pesky Nets for an 95-85 win in front of 17,525 at the Nets' home opener. Carter made six of eight shots and had four assists before he stepped on Devin Harris ' foot and turned his ankle with 2:55 left in the second quarter. Dwight Howard ..."

Magic lose Carter, beat Nets 95-85

Comment

October 31

Orlando Sentinel

"The plot, along with Vince Carter's ankle, was twisted Friday night as adversity dropped by to pay the Orlando Magic an early visit this season. The Magic responded like a contender, beating the New Jersey Nets 95-85 despite losing Carter after he was injured, but not seriously, in his return against his former team. Carter sprained his left ankle in the second quarter when he stepped on the foot of Nets point guard Devin Harris. He did not come back on the floor at Izod Center, where he played the past four-plus years before he and forward Ryan Anderson were sent to Orlando in a blockbuster trade. He was off to a spectacular night, scoring 13 in the first period before finishing with 16 ..."

In Injury-Marred Return, Carter Helps Spoil Nets' Home Opener

Comment

October 31

New York Times

"The Orlando Magic pulled up here Friday night in the Nets' latest reunion caravan, equipped with the prerequisite handshakes, high fives and hugs. Those were given by Vince Carter, who returned to the Izod Center for the first time since being jettisoned from the Nets and landing with the tailored-for-the-playoffs Magic. Carter left in the second quarter with a sprained ankle, but he played an early role in dealing the Nets their second consecutive loss, a 95-85 defeat in their home debut. Carter said he was hopeful that the injury would not force him to miss a game. "I'm just going to be smart about it," he said. "It's a long season and I'm already feeling better than I did before." ..."

Ex-Net Vince Carter in town with new team

Comment

October 30

New York Post

"The hangover was worse than anything resulting from beer mixed with your basic rotgut liquor. Blow a 16-point lead in less than seven minutes and your skull would be pounding, too. But the Nets found little time to nurse their injured pride and senses. Vince Carter and the Magic visit the Meadowlands tonight, so the Nets needed to flush out the sour aftertaste of their opening-night debacle ASAP. "He was great. He was a guy I always could depend on," point guard Devin Harris said of Carter, who scored 15 in the Magic's season-opening rout of the Sixers. "They could never double-team both of us because that other guy was always there. It was a great one-two punch. We talked a lot. He was a ..."

A look back at Rafer Alston, Tony Battie and Courtney Lee's time with Orlando

Comment

October 30

Orlando Sentinel

"Some highlights from the Magic tenures of Rafer Alston, Tony Battie and Courtney Lee: Alston • Hello, Magic: Alston was traded to Orlando from Houston on Feb. 19, 2009, as part of a three-team deal. • Take that, Cavs: He scores 11 points and dishes out 10 assists in a 116-87 win over Cleveland on April 3, 2009 • One step closer: With 26 points on 10-of-17 shooting, Alston sparks the Magic to a 116-114 overtime victory over Cleveland in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals on May 26. Battie • Farewell, Cleveland: Battie comes to Orlando on July 23, 2004, in a trade with the Cavaliers."

Let the Vinsanity reunion tour begin for Vince Carter

Comment

October 30

Orlando Sentinel

"The first three games of the season for Magic SG Vince Carter practically serve as a retrospective of his NBA career. There was his homecoming of sorts on Wednesday night in Orlando as the Daytona Beach-born Carter made his debut against the Philadelphia 76ers. Tonight, he returns to New Jersey to play against the Nets, who traded him after three seasons with the team to the Magic this summer. And then Sunday, Carter goes back to where he began his career, in 1998, facing the Raptors in Toronto. Carter was dealt by the Raptors in 2004 to the Nets. On returning to New Jersey, he said, "I'm thankful for the opportunity. As difficult as it was the past two years, I tried to lay it on the ..."

Former Magic guard Courtney Lee still has love for city of Orlando and its fans

Comment

October 30

Orlando Sentinel

"On June 25, Courtney Lee prepared to settle in and watch the NBA draft on TV. Maybe, just maybe, the Orlando Magic would make a move to help the team return to the Finals. He just never dreamed anything would involve him. Lee felt floored when he learned that he, Rafer Alston and Tony Battie had been traded to the New Jersey Nets for eight-time all-star Vince Carter and Ryan Anderson. "It was devastating," Lee says now. "I was just at home getting ready to watch the draft, and then you get a phone call saying that you've been traded. It was a big shocker at the time. It hit me pretty hard. Time heals a lot." Tonight, he has an opportunity to show the Magic what they lost when Orlando (1-0) ..."

Rashard Lewis can only watch from home as season begins

Comment

October 29

Orlando Sentinel

"Rashard Lewis predicted that he wouldn't enjoy the Orlando Magic's season opener. Lewis is serving a 10-game suspension for testing positive for an elevated testosterone level, and league rules prevented him from being inside Amway Arena during the game. "Of course you want to be out there on the court helping your teammates, especially when they're making mistakes or even if they lose a game," Lewis said recently. "If they lose the game, you put the blame on yourself, because you know you could be out there helping the team." The Magic's strength and conditioning coaches have put together a workout plan to ensure Lewis is in shape when he returns on Nov. 16. Lewis said he planned to ..."

Jason Williams helps lead the Orlando Magic in season opener

Comment

October 29

Orlando Sentinel

"After sitting out all of last season, 33-year-old Jason Williams would be forgiven if he showed some rust on the basketball court. That's why the Orlando Magic put him through a workout in August before they signed him to a one-year deal. The team wanted to make certain he was injury-free and still could compete in the NBA. Williams passed that test. And he passed another Wednesday. The backup point guard played a key role in Orlando's 120-106 season-opening victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. When starter Jameer Nelson picked up his second foul midway through the first quarter, J-Will came into the game and gave the Magic a boost. Orlando led by four points when Williams stepped onto the ..."

Orlando Magic would love to win title for owner Rich DeVos

Comment

October 29

Orlando Sentinel

columnist George Diaz

"He took in all the frantic energy from his seat caddy-corner to the Orlando Magic bench Wednesday night: The pregame pyrotechnics, the screaming fans and rock anthems from Queen and Phil Collins. At 83, Rich DeVos still stands strong, despite the cane he uses to get around. It marks the resilience of a man who needed someone else's heart to stay alive. The transplant took place on June 2, 1997. Every day since then has been a gift. There is an unspoken sense of purpose for the Magic as they begin another chase for the championship. To a man, from the executives in suits to the guys in baggy shorts sweating it out in the paint, they want to win one for the patriarch of this organization. ..."

This NBA season is about unfinished business for the Orlando Magic

Comment

October 29

Orlando Sentinel

columnist Mike Bianchi

"O'er the land of the free. And the home of the future NBA champions. If little Gina Marie Incandela had her way, that's probably how she would have ended her incredible rendition of the national anthem Wednesday night. That's how much faith she has in her Orlando Magic. Looking ahead. Not back. Unfinished business. That's what this Magic season is about. Not just for the team. But for the fans. Even the littlest fan. "It was sad when we lost last year," said Gina, the Magic's melodic good luck charm during their playoff run of a season ago. "That's why I couldn't wait for this season to begin. "The Magic are going to win it all this year! I just know they are!" Who are we to argue after ..."

Magic open their season with a rout of the Sixers at home

Comment

October 29

Orlando Sentinel

"The official report will read that the Orlando Magic opened the season by trouncing the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night. The Magic actually won this particular game this summer. General Manager Otis Smith didn't break a sweat in the Magic's 120-106 victory at Amway Arena, but the moves he made this offseason showed up in the franchise's first meaningful game since they trudged off the floor as NBA Finals runner-ups. They especially revealed themselves in the second quarter, when new players on a second-team run reflected the Magic's impressive depth. Point guard Jason Williams (15 points, five assists) power forward Brandon Bass (eight points, four rebounds) and small forward Matt ..."

Sixers mauled by Magic in opener

Comment

October 29

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Tiger Woods, relaxing in one of the Amway Arena's courtside seats, left at halftime.In those first two quarters, Woods had seen enough of tonight's season opener between the 76ers and Orlando Magic to assume the outcome without watching it unfold.He was right.After a competitive first quarter, the Sixers' game deteriorated: They lost 120-106, giving up 16 three-pointers and trailing by as many as 31 points.Orlando had 70 points at the half and 100 after three quarters.Six players scored in double figures for the Magic, whose starters spent much of the second half stretching their legs on the bench. Star center Dwight Howard finished 9 for 11 from the floor, collecting 21 points and 15 ..."

Magic makes Sixers disappear in opener

Comment

October 29

Philadelphia Daily News

"Yes, sports fans, there was another Game 1 last night as the 76ers and the defending Eastern Conference champion Orlando Magic opened their seasons at the Amway Arena. And the best thing that came out of it for the Sixers was that they won't play the Magic in Game 2.The Magic made 26 of their first 39 shots, including 10 of 14 from beyond the arc, got a phenomenal performance from the bench and torched the Sixers, 120-106.For the game, Orlando finished 45 of 81 (55.6 percent), including nailing 16 of their 29 three-point attempts (55.2 percent)."They are really, really good," said Sixers coach Eddie Jordan, following his first regular-season game as the team's head coach. "The fact that ..."

Orlando Magic forward Ryan Anderson amped up for start against Sixers

Comment

October 28

Orlando Sentinel

"Ryan Anderson once was the forgotten man in the draft-day trade that brought Vince Carter to Orlando, but he's no longer an afterthought. The second-year power forward said he will start in place of suspended all-star Rashard Lewis in tonight's season-opener against the Philadelphia 76ers. "I know I am starting tomorrow," Anderson said Tuesday, responding to a reporter's question. "I have no idea if while Rashard's out if that's a regular thing. We don't really talk much about lineups, because we have so many guys who can start." The Magic have faith in Anderson. Last month, the club picked up its option on Anderson's contract for the 2010-11 season, General Manager Otis Smith said. ..."

Nothing less than a championship will do for the Orlando Magic this season

Comment

October 28

Orlando Sentinel

"The coach of the team scoffs when asked Tuesday if he has a special outfit picked out for Opening Night tonight. "It'll take me a minute or two to decide what to wear," Stan Van Gundy says indifferently. "I'll walk into my closet and the first clean thing I see I'll throw in a bag. Same as every other game." The captain of the team, too, seems unexcited about the Magic's first game tonight against the Philadelphia 76ers. "Opening night," Dwight Howard says halfheartedly. "Rah, rah. Or whatever." Can you sense the indifference and dispassion when they talk of the inaugural game of the new season? Can you tell they could not care less about all the pomp and circumstance? Are you alarmed ..."

For Magic's Vince Carter, tonight is a true 'home' game at last

Comment

October 28

Orlando Sentinel

"Vince Carter was relaxing in his Isleworth mansion recently, staring out from his balcony and into the moonlight. He lives alone in one of Orlando's most exclusive communities — and he likes it that way. But for the first time his house of eight years feels like home. "Out on that balcony, it finally hit me — I'm in Florida," Carter said. Orlando is finally Vince Carter's basketball home. For the past 11 years, Carter, 32, has played for teams in two other cities. His dream, first envisioned on the basketball blacktops of Daytona Beach, his hometown, becomes reality tonight when the eight-time all-star guard steps onto the court at Amway Arena. Tonight's season opener against the ..."

Hawks could make NBA's Eastern Conference a 4-team race

Comment

October 27

Orlando Sentinel

columnist Josh Robbins

"Don't let Friday night's rout at Amway Arena fool you. The Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers and the Orlando Magic deservedly enter the new NBA season as the Eastern Conference's teams to beat. But if any club can turn the East into a four-team race, it's the Atlanta Hawks. "Everybody's entitled to an opinion," Hawks point guard Mike Bibby said before his team lost to the Magic 123-86 on Friday. "That's when we'll sneak up on people. No one really is giving us a chance anyway. No one ever gave us a chance. Being kind of under the radar isn't bad." Under the radar is exactly where the Hawks find themselves. Boston added Rasheed Wallace this offseason. Cleveland brought in Shaquille ..."

Sixers' new coach no stranger to Magic

Comment

October 27

Orlando Sentinel

"The Philadelphia 76ers have a new coach, but what they'll attempt to do against the Orlando Magic in Wednesday's season opener shouldn't be a big surprise. The Magic are familiar with the Sixers' new coach, Eddie Jordan, because Jordan used to coach the Washington Wizards and the Sacramento Kings. The Magic started to prepare for the 76ers during Monday's practice at RDV Sportsplex. "We were really today just sort of talking to them about what the game will be like, how they'll try to scramble the game up [with] a lot of pressing and trapping and zone defense," Orlando Coach Stan Van Gundy said. "The one thing you know that Eddie Jordan's teams aren't going to do is just come out and play ..."

Three beasts in NBA East: Celtics, Cavaliers, Magic

Comment

October 26

Denver Post

columnist Chris Dempsey

"In the NBA this season, things will look familiar at the top in an Eastern Conference with established power teams. Boston, Cleveland and Orlando ruled the conference last season and should compete for the best record in the conference again this season. Getting the best record and No. 1 seed in the playoffs will be a big advantage. "That will be so important this year because that will prevent you from having to go through two of those teams to get to the NBA Finals," TNT analyst Doug Collins said. "The three-horse race in the East is going to be really exciting to watch." Of those three, the Cavaliers made the biggest splash during the offseason - figuratively and literally - with the ..."

Magic News