((HT: Winnipeg Free Press))
It took all of 17 minutes...
After a little over 7,000 season ticket packages were sold to Manitoba Moose season ticket holders, the online version was opened up today in the Peg...
And it took that long for the addition 5,000-plus to get wiped off the books...
The Board of Governors meeting should now be a formality on the 21st. Shortly after 2 p.m., a ticket waiting list had been capped at 8,000 people.
Capped... at 8,000 people...
From the Free Press article by Ed Tait:
"It’s a testament to everybody in the city and we owe a lot to our fans in the city, this province and across Canada because we had people buying from across Canada," said Jim Ludlow, President & CEO, True North Sports & Entertainment.
"It’s a very, very powerful message that goes out throughout North America to 29 other NHL cities. (Commissioner) Gary Bettman has issued a statement as to the power of this marketplace.
"Many of us are beyond words to explain what’s happened in the past three or four days. This was one of the most anticipated on-sales that we’ve had in our history in Winnipeg so we did have a sense Winnipeggers would push through this very, very quickly."
Here's the presser from the Free Press...
And here's "analysis" from InTheOT.com
Nice drop by Jim Hughson there, eh...???
PM UPDATE: Atlanta Thrashers GM Rick Dudley is not joining the franchise for its run in Winnipeg. No immediate word on an interim GM, but odds are this is the push for True North to give current Maniyoba Moose GM Craig Heisinger his shot..t
Not entirely a surprise considering the True North contention that 'Zinger is ready for his first pro-GM gig...
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Jamie McMurray Goes Home To Joplin
((HT: ESPN))
The HQ knows what the folks in Joplin, MIssouri are going through... not from actual experience, but by having covered the similar events in Ringgold, Georgia...
NASCAR drive Jamie McMurray lives in North Carolina, but was raised in Joplin...
Marty Smith went home with him to see what's left...
The HQ recommends helping Tuscaloosa, Ringgold, or Joplin...
Hell, here's an idea...
How 'bout all of them...
The HQ knows what the folks in Joplin, MIssouri are going through... not from actual experience, but by having covered the similar events in Ringgold, Georgia...
NASCAR drive Jamie McMurray lives in North Carolina, but was raised in Joplin...
Marty Smith went home with him to see what's left...
The HQ recommends helping Tuscaloosa, Ringgold, or Joplin...
Hell, here's an idea...
How 'bout all of them...
Friday, June 3, 2011
How NOT To Move A Golf Cart Out Of The Way And How To Get A New Car Out Of The Deal... Separately...
((HT: Ladies' European Tour via Break.com/youtube))
The HQ has seen this before... just not by a rules official or some equivalent...
Decision's made, golfer needs to play her shot, golf cart moves...
Just not like this...
The golfer, Anja Monke's, look is priceless... she shot an opening round even par-72 at the Deloitte Dutch Ladies Open...
BUT...
Nontaya Srisawang gets to leave the tourney with a new car worth 102,500Euros on the street for this shot at last week's Slovak Open...
((HT: LadiesEuropeanTour))
Not bad from 225 on a par-3...
Anyone ever heard of a Skoda Yeti...???
The HQ has seen this before... just not by a rules official or some equivalent...
Decision's made, golfer needs to play her shot, golf cart moves...
Just not like this...
The golfer, Anja Monke's, look is priceless... she shot an opening round even par-72 at the Deloitte Dutch Ladies Open...
BUT...
Nontaya Srisawang gets to leave the tourney with a new car worth 102,500Euros on the street for this shot at last week's Slovak Open...
((HT: LadiesEuropeanTour))
Not bad from 225 on a par-3...
Anyone ever heard of a Skoda Yeti...???
The Diesel Retires: The Big AARP Begins
((HT: ESPN))
There are just times when you let those who are legitmately funny let themselves go- and after 19 years of playing hoops- the HQ is going to let Enrico Gonzalez take the floor...
What's up, doc...? Can we rock...?
And we think he's headed straight for the booth... just don't take a job with James Dolan. On that sidebar, there's talk that D'Antoni is heading to Toronto to take over for Jay Triano...
Interesting...
There are just times when you let those who are legitmately funny let themselves go- and after 19 years of playing hoops- the HQ is going to let Enrico Gonzalez take the floor...
What's up, doc...? Can we rock...?
And we think he's headed straight for the booth... just don't take a job with James Dolan. On that sidebar, there's talk that D'Antoni is heading to Toronto to take over for Jay Triano...
Interesting...
Your Weekend Entertainment: The Brian Wilson Show
((HT: BattingStanceGuy via Traina))
What if the Giants closer had his own late night talk show...???
Evidence below...
What if the Giants closer had his own late night talk show...???
Evidence below...
More Ohio State woes: Compliance department warned in audit
 |
| E.Gordon Gee/courtesy: coacheshotseat.com |
Is this like piling on? Or is this the set-up for when the hammer drops so there is someone to blame that isn't E. Gordon Gee or Gene Smith?
A report released in this mornings Columbus Dispatch details an Ohio State University audit this past November that says tOSU's Compliance Department, under director Doug Archie "Wasn't doing enough to monitor the use of cars, uniforms and equipment by the schools athletes."
And considering the problems and allegations that have spawned out of the athletic department since that audit, there may be a problem.
According to the Dispatch, E.Gordon Gee says the school is "Taking a look at our failures" in the compliance department. But in the kiss of death, added "He wants Ohio State to set the standard for how a compliance department should operate."
Read the interestingly timed story RIGHT HERE
Here's the report from our friends at NBC4...
((HT: NBC4i.com))
We find it interesting that the department has six people monitoring some 1,000 plus athletes. There's no way they can keep up with that. Though they supposedly are adding two more positions.
With all the allegations, which you can read if you scan the OSG Sports archives over the past couple of months, we wonder if there may be a plan for some scapegoating going on here. That isn't to absolve Archie, though we seriously doubt he or his staff could keep up with every detail involving that many athletes.
What we do know is the school is in serious trouble and is in damage control mode. Don't think for a minute that Coach Jim Tressel's resignation wasn't suggested or asked for. There appears, at least on the surface, an atmosphere of entitlement for Football players who seem to be able to do whatever they want, when they want and it will always be taken care of. No, Columbus is not the 1st place this has ever happened and it isn't the only place it's happening now. But its not right and somebody is going to be taking the fall for this, the question is only who?
Your NFL Strike/Lockout Update: Meetings and decisions (Rich vs. Rich--Day 4,112)
 |
| Roger Goodell/File |
1st things first. Yes, the league and the NFLPA (not a union) have been meeting the past 2 days in Chicago. The hope: getting negotiations jumpstarted. The outcome: Unkown. Both sides were decidedly non-committal with their answers saying that "The fact they were meeting is good".
Several of the principals took part in those meetings. For the NFL: The Jolly Roger along with owners Jerry Jones, Robert Kraft, Jerry Richardson, John Mara and Art Rooney. For the NFLPA: DeMaurice Smith, Kevin Mawae, Mike Vrabel, Jeff Saturday, Tony Richardson and Dominique Foxworth.
And while they didn't go into detail about what was discussed, enough came out of it that Judge/Mediator Arthur Boylan has postponed next weeks scheduled mediation sessions.
Now as for today (Friday):
We are supposed to find out the decision on the owners appeal of Judge Susan Nelson's decision to lift the lockout back in late April. The 8th Circuit granted the owners a stay on that decision which is why we've had no mini-camps or anything like that.
The expectation is that the owners are going to win their appeal and the lockout will continue. Why? We don't really know. We aren't labor-law experts and quite honestly, we don't understand the reason why there is a lockout/strike going on anyway. We know it has something to do with the owners and the players both wanting a bigger "piece of the pie" along with a few other minor details.
Don't get your hopes up yet for your NFL Football, though it's coming. We think this is going to drag on a bit longer, but both sides are starting to realize the longer this goes on, the more likely they are to piss people off. Though we've been a bit disappointed in the lack of concern on the fans part.
The decision comes at approximately 11:00 a.m eastern time and we will update you as soon as we are able to.
Here's another group who wanted a "Piece of the Pie":
Gilbert Brule picks up hitch hiker by the name of Bono
 |
| Gilbert Brule'/Courtesy: oilers.nhl.com |
True story, Edmonton Oiler forward Gilbert Brule' was out in his West Vancouver neighborhood with his girlfriend headed to a park with his girlfriend to take their dog for a walk. They saw someone who they thought was hitchhiking near the park when it started to rain. He looks over and thought it looked like Bono but then thought "I had no idea what he'd be doing in Vancouver or why he'd be hitchhiking for that matter".
Finally, his girlfriend yelled "Bono" out the window...and got a reaction.
Bono told the couple he got lost and needed a ride to Horseshoe Bay, so they drove him over there and who comes out and greets the car? The Edge.
During the ride, Brule' told Bono he was a hockey player and Bono gave him a ticket to the U2 Concert a couple of nights later in Edmonton.
Brule' and his family got to go backstage, meet the band and got called out during the concert.
Not bad for someone who's never picked up a hitchhiker before.
Check out who he picked up, in case you've never heard of him:
Mavs miracle: Miami melts, Dirk steals game 2
Well, who saw this coming? By this we mean the Dallas Mavericks literally stealing game 2 of the NBA Finals from the Miami Heat.
Dallas overcame a 15-point deficit in the 4th quarter and tied the best of 7 series at 1 game apiece. And to say the comeback was a "Stunner" would be understating the meaning of "Stunner". Dirk Nowitzki, bad left finger and all scored 22 of the last 27 points his team scored and reminded those casual observer that the Heat had a tendency all year long of fading down the stretch.
Perhaps the defining moment in this game wasn't even a Mavericks play. It was after Miami's Dwayne Wade had just dropped a 3-pointer from the corner. Wade stood and held the follow through for a long time, as the shot had put the Heat up 88-73.
Dallas wasn't fond of the gesture.
Wade did score 36 for Miami, but none after the 3-pointer. LeBron wasn't a factor despite 28 points, neither was the 3rd Beatle, Chris Bosh. No, this one was the Nowitzki show. Dirk with the fade-away, Dirk passes to an open Jason Kidd, Dirk with the left hand (bad one) finish, Dirk with the driving layup with 3.6 seconds left and all of a sudden...it was over. Advantage Mavs.
Game 3 is Sunday night in Dallas.
Your highlights from SI.com/NBA.com:
Dallas overcame a 15-point deficit in the 4th quarter and tied the best of 7 series at 1 game apiece. And to say the comeback was a "Stunner" would be understating the meaning of "Stunner". Dirk Nowitzki, bad left finger and all scored 22 of the last 27 points his team scored and reminded those casual observer that the Heat had a tendency all year long of fading down the stretch.
Perhaps the defining moment in this game wasn't even a Mavericks play. It was after Miami's Dwayne Wade had just dropped a 3-pointer from the corner. Wade stood and held the follow through for a long time, as the shot had put the Heat up 88-73.
Dallas wasn't fond of the gesture.
Wade did score 36 for Miami, but none after the 3-pointer. LeBron wasn't a factor despite 28 points, neither was the 3rd Beatle, Chris Bosh. No, this one was the Nowitzki show. Dirk with the fade-away, Dirk passes to an open Jason Kidd, Dirk with the left hand (bad one) finish, Dirk with the driving layup with 3.6 seconds left and all of a sudden...it was over. Advantage Mavs.
Game 3 is Sunday night in Dallas.
Your highlights from SI.com/NBA.com:
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Terrelle Pryor's mom: I bought the 350Z
((ht: dispatch.com/wbns-tv))
Good for Thomasina Pryor for "buying" a car for her son. Her son, Terrelle Pryor has become the center of and NCAA investigation and other investigations after being found to have some "issues" connected to the cars he's driven.
It would appear, at least on the surface, that he has a serious "Car Jones", and somehow he and/or his mother have been able to afford multiple cars for him over the past 4-years.
The most recent car in question, the 350Z Pryor was seen driving, rather quickly, off the Ohio State campus on Tuesday, despite apparently, not having a drivers license, apparently was bought for him by mom.
The Dispatch.com story is RIGHT HERE
WBNS-TV, did a little more digging RIGHT HERE
There are still more than a few unanswered questions here: One, we don't cast aspersions on a mom buying her son a car, but we wonder how she and/or he can afford to go from a relatively new Dodge Charger to a Nissan 350Z so quickly. Most people, using a finance term, would be upside down, if they did that, since there is no evidence, the Charger was paid in full.
We still think there is a ton of "Fire" in this story. Precious few college age kids/families can afford to go through cars the way Pryor has. Period. We have no reason to believe his family is inordinately wealthy and can afford a car every year or two, yet that is exactly what they've done. And if "Mom" lives in Columbus, Ohio, what was Pryor driving the Denali to Pennsylvania for?
Anyway, here's your updated TV story from our friends at WBNS, who've been doing an excellent job digging on this story.
Good for Thomasina Pryor for "buying" a car for her son. Her son, Terrelle Pryor has become the center of and NCAA investigation and other investigations after being found to have some "issues" connected to the cars he's driven.
It would appear, at least on the surface, that he has a serious "Car Jones", and somehow he and/or his mother have been able to afford multiple cars for him over the past 4-years.
The most recent car in question, the 350Z Pryor was seen driving, rather quickly, off the Ohio State campus on Tuesday, despite apparently, not having a drivers license, apparently was bought for him by mom.
The Dispatch.com story is RIGHT HERE
WBNS-TV, did a little more digging RIGHT HERE
There are still more than a few unanswered questions here: One, we don't cast aspersions on a mom buying her son a car, but we wonder how she and/or he can afford to go from a relatively new Dodge Charger to a Nissan 350Z so quickly. Most people, using a finance term, would be upside down, if they did that, since there is no evidence, the Charger was paid in full.
We still think there is a ton of "Fire" in this story. Precious few college age kids/families can afford to go through cars the way Pryor has. Period. We have no reason to believe his family is inordinately wealthy and can afford a car every year or two, yet that is exactly what they've done. And if "Mom" lives in Columbus, Ohio, what was Pryor driving the Denali to Pennsylvania for?
Anyway, here's your updated TV story from our friends at WBNS, who've been doing an excellent job digging on this story.
Shaquille O'Neal hangs 'em up
 |
| Shaquille O'Neal/Courtesy: askmen.com |
He made the announcement on a social media site called Tout (never heard of it). He's yet to let the last team he played for, the Boston Celtics, know his plans, he's still on their active roster.
You could almost, but not quite, call O'Neal the reincarnation of Wilt Chamberlain. A guy so big, so strong, that when he demanded the ball near the basket, there wasn't much you could do.
He leaves, we think, the NBA as the 5th all-time leading scorer, 12th in rebounds. Numbers that pretty much guarantee him a spot in the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Shaq's story has been chronicled a lot of his career from his upbringing to his time at LSU to the Orlando Magic, LA Lakers, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers and finally Boston. (Did we miss anyone?). Most of the players in the league loved him for his engaging and witty personality and willingness to share laughs, even if he was the center of the joke.
Ever the TV Personality, Shaq had his own TV show for awhile (Shaq Vs.), and appeared in tons of commercials. He also, on occasion showed up in other venues.
Terry Collins Is At Wits End
((HT: MLBAM/SNY/youtube))
And we would be, too, if we just lost to the Pittsburgh Pirates in another horrible seventh inning fold-up and gave Kevin Correia his 8th win of the year...
Evidence below...
Kevin Correia... no one had him in the pool...
Gare-on-tee...
And we would be, too, if we just lost to the Pittsburgh Pirates in another horrible seventh inning fold-up and gave Kevin Correia his 8th win of the year...
Evidence below...
Kevin Correia... no one had him in the pool...
Gare-on-tee...
Late Goal By Torres Gives Vancouver Game One
((HT: NHL on NBC/CBC))
We enjoyed the abject chipiness of Game One of the Stanley Cup Finals...
The HQ knows what this would mean to the province of BC to win three more games, but they went bananas after Tico Torres ((as explained by Ryan Kesler)) scored late...
Very late... last minute late...
And it was awesome...
Here's the highlights... there are a lot of them, just one goal...
And post-game sound with Bruins Goaltender Tim Thomas, who had 33 saves in Game one against the Canucks.
Game two is Saturday... and the larger issue for Vancouver is the physical state of defenseman Dan Hamhuis- who is, officially, day-to-day...
Aren't we all...
FOSG Scott Burnside and Pierre LeBrun discuss Game One...
((HT: ESPN))
We enjoyed the abject chipiness of Game One of the Stanley Cup Finals...
The HQ knows what this would mean to the province of BC to win three more games, but they went bananas after Tico Torres ((as explained by Ryan Kesler)) scored late...
Very late... last minute late...
And it was awesome...
Here's the highlights... there are a lot of them, just one goal...
And post-game sound with Bruins Goaltender Tim Thomas, who had 33 saves in Game one against the Canucks.
Game two is Saturday... and the larger issue for Vancouver is the physical state of defenseman Dan Hamhuis- who is, officially, day-to-day...
Aren't we all...
FOSG Scott Burnside and Pierre LeBrun discuss Game One...
((HT: ESPN))
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Burrows Enjoying In-Game Meal During Stanley Cup Finals... ((UPDATED: No Suspension))
((HT: NHL on NBC))
To say the Game One of the Stanley Cup Finals has been a chippy one is a bit of an understatement... face washes, cross-checks, and two high-sticking on Zdeno Chara's face are just the beginning...
The HQ thinks we'll be here a while...
Alexandre Burrows may not after this...
((HT: PuckDaddy))
Our guess is that there will be a one-game suspension from NHL League Minster of Defence pro tem Mike Murphy...
At least... silly play at a bad time...
OFF DAY UPDATE: Burrows is not suspended...
"After reviewing the incident, including speaking with the on-ice officials, I can find no conclusive evidence that Alex Burrows intentionally bit the finger of Patrice Bergeron," Mike Murphy said in a statement.
Burrows denied biting Bergeron...
"I don't mind rough play and scrums at the end, as long as it's just pushing and shoving and all that," Bergeron said following the game. "But biting? I mean come on."
This should go over well for Game 2...
To say the Game One of the Stanley Cup Finals has been a chippy one is a bit of an understatement... face washes, cross-checks, and two high-sticking on Zdeno Chara's face are just the beginning...
The HQ thinks we'll be here a while...
Alexandre Burrows may not after this...
((HT: PuckDaddy))
Our guess is that there will be a one-game suspension from NHL League Minster of Defence pro tem Mike Murphy...
At least... silly play at a bad time...
OFF DAY UPDATE: Burrows is not suspended...
"After reviewing the incident, including speaking with the on-ice officials, I can find no conclusive evidence that Alex Burrows intentionally bit the finger of Patrice Bergeron," Mike Murphy said in a statement.
Burrows denied biting Bergeron...
"I don't mind rough play and scrums at the end, as long as it's just pushing and shoving and all that," Bergeron said following the game. "But biting? I mean come on."
This should go over well for Game 2...
Tattoo You: Gee Says Gene Smith Is Safe
((HT: NBC4i.com Columbus))
Although the HQ would tend to wholly and unequivocally disagree, Ohio State University president Gordon Gee maintains that the job of his Athletics Director, Gene Smith, is safe in light of all the current allegations on campus...
We don't think he mentioned the compliance department in the interview below, though.
Here's the interview in full...
The HQ still thinks that Smith is on a short leash in all of this, and if the situation gets worse ((which we think it will in light of George Dohrmann's laughter on "The Dan Patrick Show" yesterday)) Smith is gone...
And Gee may be gone after this all settles...
Maybe Tressel's firing will get Gee fired after all...
Tressel- check...
Smith- waiting...
Gee- we're thinking Nixonian here...
Here's WBNS-TV's Kevin Landers with his version...
((HT: 10TV Columbus))
More when we know more...
Although the HQ would tend to wholly and unequivocally disagree, Ohio State University president Gordon Gee maintains that the job of his Athletics Director, Gene Smith, is safe in light of all the current allegations on campus...
We don't think he mentioned the compliance department in the interview below, though.
Here's the interview in full...
The HQ still thinks that Smith is on a short leash in all of this, and if the situation gets worse ((which we think it will in light of George Dohrmann's laughter on "The Dan Patrick Show" yesterday)) Smith is gone...
And Gee may be gone after this all settles...
Maybe Tressel's firing will get Gee fired after all...
Tressel- check...
Smith- waiting...
Gee- we're thinking Nixonian here...
Here's WBNS-TV's Kevin Landers with his version...
((HT: 10TV Columbus))
More when we know more...
Pryor's Mom Denies Any Car Issues With Terrelle
((HT: WBNS-TV))
The HQ can't thank the investigative unit at 10TV enough these days...
We enjoy how they advance the story on Terrelle Pryor, his cars, and tOSU...
The latest allegations center around all the rental cars Pryor has had during his tenure at Ohio State and the fact that he's had some moving violations while he's been in and around campus... in all the different cars...
Sometimes without insurance and all the other appropriate paperwork...
Now 10TV has caught up with Pryor's mom- off camera- and she is claiming that there's nothing wrong...
The HQ continues to think that tOSU is so screwed, it's not even funny...
The HQ can't thank the investigative unit at 10TV enough these days...
We enjoy how they advance the story on Terrelle Pryor, his cars, and tOSU...
The latest allegations center around all the rental cars Pryor has had during his tenure at Ohio State and the fact that he's had some moving violations while he's been in and around campus... in all the different cars...
Sometimes without insurance and all the other appropriate paperwork...
Now 10TV has caught up with Pryor's mom- off camera- and she is claiming that there's nothing wrong...
The HQ continues to think that tOSU is so screwed, it's not even funny...
Terrelle Pryor's Driver's License Suspended Early In May, Involved In New Tattoo Allegations... ((UPDATED- His License Is Still Suspended))
((HT: WBNS-TV))
And the HQ doesn't think that it has anything to do with the stop sign he rolled through when our friends at 10TV saw him leaving his tOSU team meeting Monday night...
But, earlier in May, it was disclosed that Pryor's license had been suspended for a failure to provide proof of insurance. There is no word on whether or not he fixed the issue and was driving around on a provisional license- or the Ohio equivalent to something like that...
Paul Aker has new allegations from another worker over at Fine Line Ink who has proof that athletes, including Pryor, dealt memorabilia for tattoos last December- after former head coach Jim Tressel claimed to know of the problems arising on campus... and just before the Feds told tOSU of the problems in Columbus...
Here's the interview...
2215 UPDATE: WCMH-TV/NBC4i says the Franklin County ((OH)) Clerk of Courts told them that Pryor was not given driving privileges. Pryor's license was suspended for no proof of insurance and is in effect through August 18.
Driving with a suspended license is a first-degree misdemeanor in Ohio punishable by a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Also from NBC4i
Sources tell NBC4 Sports that nine current Ohio State football players are being interviewed Wednesday by the NCAA as part of the ongoing investigation. These are the current players who were named in the recent article by Sports Illustrated.
Oops...again...
And the HQ doesn't think that it has anything to do with the stop sign he rolled through when our friends at 10TV saw him leaving his tOSU team meeting Monday night...
But, earlier in May, it was disclosed that Pryor's license had been suspended for a failure to provide proof of insurance. There is no word on whether or not he fixed the issue and was driving around on a provisional license- or the Ohio equivalent to something like that...
Paul Aker has new allegations from another worker over at Fine Line Ink who has proof that athletes, including Pryor, dealt memorabilia for tattoos last December- after former head coach Jim Tressel claimed to know of the problems arising on campus... and just before the Feds told tOSU of the problems in Columbus...
Here's the interview...
2215 UPDATE: WCMH-TV/NBC4i says the Franklin County ((OH)) Clerk of Courts told them that Pryor was not given driving privileges. Pryor's license was suspended for no proof of insurance and is in effect through August 18.
Driving with a suspended license is a first-degree misdemeanor in Ohio punishable by a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Also from NBC4i
Sources tell NBC4 Sports that nine current Ohio State football players are being interviewed Wednesday by the NCAA as part of the ongoing investigation. These are the current players who were named in the recent article by Sports Illustrated.
Oops...again...
The HQ Knows The Score
((HT: ScoreRadio))
Last night, the HQ made another appearance on "Norm At Night" to talk about the move of moves... the Atlanta Thrashers heading to Winnipeg to become the Falcons, Jets, or whatever they're going to be called now...
"Stormin' Norm Rumack" had a long chat with us...
Listen to it hyah...
Last night, the HQ made another appearance on "Norm At Night" to talk about the move of moves... the Atlanta Thrashers heading to Winnipeg to become the Falcons, Jets, or whatever they're going to be called now...
"Stormin' Norm Rumack" had a long chat with us...
Listen to it hyah...
Dwight Howard: To stay in Orlando...or not
 |
| Dwight Howard |
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:
Mavs can't take the Heat in Game 1
Having a couple of days off wasn't necessarily a good thing for the Dallas Mavericks. But it sure didn't slow down the Miami Heat.
The Heat slugged out a somewhat ugly 92-84 victory in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Lebron James had 24 points, Dwayne Wade 22 and Chris Bosh 19 to lead the Heat, who seem like a different team since the return of utility man Udonis Haslem.
It was a tough night for Dallas as star Dirk Nowitzki, despite scoring 27 points going only 7 for 18 from the field. He didn't get much help. Nowitzki also apparently tore a tendon in his left middle finger during the game going for a steal. The injury while annoying, is not expected to keep Dirk from paying in the rest of the series.
Game 2 is Thursday night in Miami.
Your highlights from SI.com:
Dewayne Wade and Lebron James speak. (Thanks CBS Sports.com)
The Heat slugged out a somewhat ugly 92-84 victory in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Lebron James had 24 points, Dwayne Wade 22 and Chris Bosh 19 to lead the Heat, who seem like a different team since the return of utility man Udonis Haslem.
It was a tough night for Dallas as star Dirk Nowitzki, despite scoring 27 points going only 7 for 18 from the field. He didn't get much help. Nowitzki also apparently tore a tendon in his left middle finger during the game going for a steal. The injury while annoying, is not expected to keep Dirk from paying in the rest of the series.
Game 2 is Thursday night in Miami.
Your highlights from SI.com:
Dewayne Wade and Lebron James speak. (Thanks CBS Sports.com)
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