Dwight Howard: To stay in Orlando...or not

Dwight Howard

((ht: clickorlando.com/orlandosentinel.com))

Well, it depends a little bit on who you believe. Orlando Magic franchise/center Dwight Howard is an upcoming free agent (in next 2 years) and has recently expressed some frustration with the Magic's inability to get beyond the 1st or 2nd round of the NBA Playoffs.

He's vented, more than once about this, including the inane statement at one point that "The Orlando Media want me gone". They don't. Whether you realize it or not Dwight, you are all they've got.

With that in mind, a pissing match...or debate of sorts is developing in the land of the Mouse.

According to a broadcast report on the local CBS affiliate in Orlando and their Sports Director Dave Pingalore, Howard is about to sign a 2-year extension with the Magic. He was "Mulling" it over the Labor Day weekend. It was "All but signed."

The story from ClickOrlando.com RIGHT HERE

However, it hasn't happened just yet.

In fact, according to the local newspaper, the Orlando Sentinel and columnist Mike Bianchi, it may never have "Been" happening.

In a column in today's paper, Bianchi questions Pingalore's accuracy on this and other stories and says according to one of the Sentinel's sports reporters, who spoke to Howard over the weekend, the contract wasn't mentioned.

Read Bianchi's story RIGHT HERE

Interesting.

Having worked for many years in a TV Sports department, this isn't the 1st time a "Newspaper" has questioned a TV guys credibility. We believe that Pingalore was told by someone that Howard was going to sign a deal. We just wonder if that person really knew what they were talking about.

We think Howard will eventually re-sign with the Magic because it is in both parties best interest.

We also know that Bianchi likes to spout off at times. But he's not wrong here for raising the question. It's a legitimate one. He is right that some TV guys will throw stuff out there more to boost themselves or their image rather than tell a good story. We know the Orlando media is "All Over" this story and each wants to be the one to break it wide open.

Be patient reporter types. It will come. You will eventually get the correct information from someone. And yes, while you might get credit for being the 1st to report it, you will all get the same information and video and soundbites when it happens. As for being the "1st to report it", it means more to you than it does you readers/viewers.

NBATV gives us Howard's 10-best plays this year:

Hawks don't believe in Magic: NBA Playoffs

A brief recap of the 3-month long NBA Playoff season is in order here:

To the apparent surprise of more people than it should, the Atlanta Hawks last night again took advantage of the Orlando Magic and now lead their best of 7 series, 3-1.

The Hawks, possibly the most schizophrenic team in the history of the NBA, matchup incredibly well with the 4th seeded Magic and if its possible, they've managed to out think Magic coach Stan Van Gundy.

Michael Cunningham of the AJC.com gives you the Atlanta re-cap RIGHT HERE

Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel with the Orlando version RIGHT HERE

The 5th seeded Hawks, despite losing their last 6 games leading into the playoffs, look the better prepared of the two teams.

The strategy has been simple. Leave Dwight Howard alone, if he scores 40 points so be it. The Hawks have managed to play the other 4 guys Orlando puts on the floor very well. Orlando's other 4 guys can only shoot what my former High School coach called "Dollar Bill" jump shots (meaning they can't jump over a $1 bill). And they aren't making them. At all. The Magic haven't adjusted to this and thusly will lose this series if not Tuesday, then by the end of the week.

Your highlights from SI.com/Turner Sports:

Two Magic Suspensions For Three Games

((HT: NBA/youtube))

Just in time to rest for the playoffs...

Dwight Howard picked up his 18th technical of the year and he's suspended for the Chicago Bulls game on Sunday...

Quentin Richardson gets two games for pushing Gerald Henderson in the face in the same game against Charlotte...

Here's the highlights, lowlights, and aftereffects...
((HT: NBA/nba.com/youtube))

This Is What It's Like To Blow A 24-Point Lead

((HT: NBA.com/youtube))

All the HQ can do is laugh at this one...
Orlando comes from behind to beat the Three Kings...
Enjoy...

Cancer Victim touched by Dwight Howard passes away...

Dwight Howard hugs Kay Kellogg at Magic Game/Courtesy: orlandosentinel.com

It was only a matter of time. In September, we told you about the story of Howard, granting a dying woman's wish. A 30-minute visit, that turned into 2-hours and a deep friendship. You can read that RIGHT HERE

Sadly, the woman featured in the story, 62-year old Kay Kellogg passed away Monday night at here Orlando Home.

You can read more about her from the Orlando Sentinel RIGHT HERE

Kellogg forged quite a bond with Howard in a short period of time. Our thoughts to her family and we know that it has affected Howard as well. Life experiences have a tendency to do that to people.

Dwight Howard gets dunked in New Smyrna Beach....

Howard getting baptized/courtesy: michelle hughes via orlando sentinel

((ht: orlando sentinel))

No, not dunked on. Dunked. Dwight Howard has not made a secret of his faith and how important it is in his life. It's one of the things we respect most about him.

Well, apparently, Sunday afternoon, he re-affirmed that faith when he was baptized just south of New Smyrna Beach, Florida.

Read more from OrlandoSentinel.com RIGHT HERE

We've talked at length about covering Dwight since he was a mere pup in Atlanta. When he talks about his faith and what it means, he isn't kidding. Many say it for effect. There are precious few athletes that walk the walk, though many can talk it.

 We can only imagine the sight of the 6-11, 250lb. Howard wading into the ocean and getting dunked in the water. For anyone sitting on that beach it must of been very strange.

This video shows why, you might want to be worried about Howard this year, he trained this offseason with "The Dream"...Hakeem Olajuwon. And he does a nifty impression. Thanks dr34mshake and drm34.com and YouTube:

Dwight Howard grants dying woman's wish....

Dwight and Kay Kellogg/Courtesy: Orlando Sentinel/Shanda Brown

This is why we love athletes who care. We've followed Dwight Howard since he was a high school star in Southwest Atlanta. We've known he's a little different, different in a good way.

He was raised the right way. His father, a retired Georgia State Patrol officer. His uncle, the Fulton County (Atlanta) district attorney. He gets it. He always has.

Recently, he granted a wish to an Orlando area woman who is dying of cancer. She wanted nothing more then to spend time with Dwight. He was supposed to visit for a half-hour, he stayed for two hours. We could go on about this story, but you need to read it for your own self.

Read a great story from Mike Bianchi and the Orlando Sentinel....RIGHT HERE

There are oh, so many athletes who would never do something like this. The fact that Dwight did, doesn't surprise us in the least. Having seen him with kids at his annual camp in Atlanta and seen him when he returns each year to Southwest Atlanta Christian School, we've seen what he's about.

Sure, he's about playing basketball and winning, but more importantly, he's also about doing right for others. We've seen the joy he gets out of making people happy and quite honestly, it makes us happy too.

Best of luck to both Dwight and the subject of this story Kay Kellogg, your lives are already blessed, we are just happy someone was willing to share your stories.

Vinsanity Rules..

Before anyone says anything, we know this happened and was posted on several sites yesterday, but it is still too cool to leave alone.

Orlando Magic Guard Vince Carter, seated, throws the basketball towards the hoop...some 86 feet away...the ball arc's and then...nothin' but net. Ironically, just a few days previous, Carter's teammate Dwight Howard had been certified by Guiness (no, not the beer) for hitting a 52 foot shot while seated, calling it a World Record.

My how quickly things change.

Video Courtesy: NBA.comn/Magic

This is Insane, I think?

OK, so I was checking out Yahoo Sports this morning and I came across this video that they posted of an 8th grader in Ohio making a ridiculous basketball trick shot. I'm not sure what to make of it because it sure looks legit. One camera, on You Tube, not the highest of quality but aside from the title graphics at the beginning, it looks pretty convincing.

If this is legit, it sure makes those pre-game half courters from LeBron James and Dwight Howard look pretty tame. If it is legit, bravo, congrats to you Aaron Shutway, you are now going to be famous...or at least a viral video legend.

Check it out here, Courtesy of the You Tube:

You Can't 'T' Superman!

Apparently the NBA has had 2nd thoughts about Dwight Howard's Technical Foul in last night's Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Championships. Howard who was...well...happy about the ball going in after he shot it and was fouled really hard by Cleveland's Anderson Varejao. Howard proceeded to what he called "Celebrate" was issued a Technical for Taunting. The reason it was a "Big" issue, that would raise Howard's total to 6 Technical's in the playoffs, one more and he would be suspended for a game. Not good for a team going after a title.

Check out the story on Dwighthoward.com. ((scroll on down towards the bottom, there wasn't a specific link for the story itself))

It's interesting that we found this story here before it was released to the masses...but that is a story for another day.

((Video Courtesy: You Tube/TNT Sports))

Dwight Howard Does Not Like Your Shot Clock

((HT: NBA/TNT))

He likes nothing of your Ohio ways, sir...
Especially, your electronics...

The New Superman Suspended

***BREAKING NEWS*** (Because when News Breaks, we fix it)

Orlando Magic Center/Strong guy Dwight Howard has been suspended for Game 6 of the Magic/Philadelphia 76ers series for throwing elbows. Ok, so he did physically throw his elbow joint, though he did wildly swing his elbows at the 76ers Samuel Dalembert while fighting for a rebound in Tuesday nights game. The Magic by the way won that game 91-78.

The Orlando Sentinel reports here

Check out video of the incident from NBA.com and the You Tube



Part of the reason Howard has no arguement with this, the league has the right to suspend Howard, who recieved his 2nd technical of the playoffs and his 14th of the season.

The 76ers, for there part are protesting/complaining rather loudly about Howard's physicality. Needless to say, Magic Coach Stan Van Gundy is none to pleased about the complaints and complains about the complaints.

((more thanks Orlando Sentinel for the video))




So now, Game 6 is in Philly and Orlando no longer has the services of its best player. How do you think that's going to work out? Well, there is always game 7

Running Out Of Magic In O-Town

Before the NBA Playoffs began the Orlando Magic really liked the chances to win the NBA championship this season. The team even went so far to talk about it boldly.

Everything looked great for Orlando up by 18 points on the Philadelphia 76ers after 3 quarters but then.... you know what happened.

I doubt the Sixers thought they had the Magic where they wanted heading into the 4th quarter but Philly filled the nets and stole game one of that NBA Playoff series 100-98.

Here's the final few seconds of the game. Thanks NBA/TNT/Youtube.com



Now some post game comments from Dwight Howard. Thanks Orlando Sentinel



And here's a not so happy Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy. Thanks Orlando Sentinel.