Philadelphia 76ers Face Lose-Lose Situation Waiting on Andrew Bynum’s Return

 Philadelphia  No Responses »
Nov 072012
 

The Philadelphia 76ers might not be saying so publicly but they’re probably wishing privately that the NBA had a version of a lemon law. It seems they might have gotten a seven-foot, 285-pound lemon. Or they got the best center in the Eastern Conference and they’re still very happy privately. 

That’s the conundrum the Philadelphia 76ers are in right now, and there doesn’t seem to be anything they can do about it. They obtained a player who, when healthy, has every bit the ability to become a dominant player in the game.

In a time when the great low-post scorers are more rare than jelly doughnuts in the presence of Stan Van Gundy, a healthy Andrew Bynum would gobble up Eastern Conference centers like…Stan Van Gundy gobbling up a box full of jelly doughnuts. . 

But the operative word here is “healthy.” The problem is that he’s not healthy, and there’s no telling when he’s going to be healthy. After undergoing a knee procedure which was supposed to be minor, he has a bone bruise according ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, who points to the problem the 76ers have.  

It was going to be the third week in October and now we’re sitting at the end of the first week of November, and for all we know, we are further away from Bynum Day than we were when he had his knee procedure.

There’s no estimated date, no notion of when Bynum will come in. And the 76ers are sitting on the second-worst offense in the NBA while they’re waiting for him to come in.  

So much of the depth that helped them to the second round of the playoffs last year is now gone and its just a bad team without them or him no matter how well coached they are.

There could be a feeling to press him into action before he’s ready. Yet if they do that they risk him being hurt even worse. And then they traded away all that talent for nothing. 

If they play him, they risk the rest of the season. If they don’t, they risk the rest of the season not mattering. How far can they afford to fall back in the improving Eastern Conference? They’re not likely to get lucky enough to land an eighth seed that gets beaten by injuries again this year.

It seems to be a lose-lose situation, but it could just as easily become a lose-lose-lose situation since Bynum is an unrestricted free agent next year. He’s expressed interest in sticking around, but for how much?

How much can they offer him when they can’t rely on him. How can they know if they can rely on him if they don’t know if he can play? If they do play him, what happens if his knee goes out?

It seems like in regard to Bynum the Sixers are in a no-win situation, and because of that there’s no way of knowing what kind of contract to offer him. 

It’s hard to imagine there’s not a certain amount of cursing in the Philadelphia front office right now, or for that matter a lot of giggling in the Los Angeles Lakers front office. 

Read more Philadelphia 76ers news on BleacherReport.com

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Dwight Howard on the ground floor

 Rumors  No Responses »
Nov 072012
 


Jim Rogash, Noah Graham NBAE/Getty Images
He is not jumping like he used to but Dwight Howard has been magnificently productive anyway.
Nobody knows what to make of the things Dwight Howard says. He loves attention and will clown around to get it. And ever since l’affaire Stan Van Gundy, where he appeared to have been caught on video in a bold-faced lie, there are real questions about his credibility.

So when Howard told reporters in training camp rather dire things about his state of health — for instance that his entire left leg had been “dead” just months ago, that before back April surgery to repair a herniated disk he couldn’t complete a simple calf raise and that entering training camp walking was one of his forms of workout — alarms did not exactly sound.

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Stan Van Gundy rips ESPN for allegedly pulling offer of TV gig, letting NBA ‘run [their] business’ (Ball Don’t Lie)

 Orlando  No Responses »
Oct 112012
 

While we’d all love to see Stan Van Gundy stalking the sidelines for an NBA team this season rather than sitting at home after getting fired by the Orlando Magic back in May, most NBA fans have been very excited by the prospect of the famously irascible coach joining ESPN’s “NBA Countdown” broadcast. The rumor, first reported last month by Sports by Brooks , that Van Gundy would add his strategic smarts and acerbic wit to a studio show that often seems like it could use more of both seemed inspired, and maybe too good to be true.
So it was kind of a bummer (if not a shock) to read Wednesday that an ESPN spokesman had told Jason McIntyre of The Big Lead that SVG and the Worldwide Leader “differed on potential assignments and we moved in another direction.” While failing to come to terms with ESPN doesn’t preclude Van Gundy from finding other TV work, the EJ-Kenny-Charles-Shaq squad at TNT doesn’t seem to have much room for new blood and saddling up with Rick Kamla nightly on NBA TV doesn’t seem like something the ex-coach would be too interested in (though I know Eric Freeman would love it). Less than three weeks left before Opening Night, this could mean no big-time national gig for Stan heading into the regular season, which would be disappointing for anyone interested in seeing and hearing more SVG (READ: any right-thinking individual).
McIntyre notes that ESPN is a broadcast partner of the NBA, with the network paying nearly $1 billion for the right to show NBA content, and wonders whether Van Gundy’s longstanding frostiness (and, in more recent settings like this ESPN.com podcast , outright animus) toward NBA Commissioner David Stern had something to do with the scuttling of the deal. (Van Gundy’s also had less-than-kind words for an ESPN personality in the recent past, too.)
It all seemed like the kind of inside baseball that media types find interesting, but doesn’t really go anywhere after the fact. Except that, after the fact, Van Gundy did go somewhere — to “The Dan LeBatard Show” on Miami sports radio station 790 The Ticket, where (at about the 28-minute mark) he discussed the TBL report with his trademark tact, reserve and hahahahaha, no, just kidding, he broke out the napalm.
Van Gundy called the ESPN spokesperson’s account “just a flat-out lie,” said he hadn’t gotten a straight answer on what happened “nobody there has the guts to say anything,” and much more. From McIntyre’s transcript of that portion of the interview :

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Stan Van Gundy is now on the board of directors of a zoo (Ball Don’t Lie)

 Orlando  No Responses »
Sep 192012
 

Last holiday season, audiences around the world fell in love with Cameron Crowe’s ” We Bought A Zoo ,” a delightful romp about a single dad (Matt Damon) who buys a zoo, turns it into something special, and (SPOILER ALERT) falls in love with Scarlett Johansson. Ever since, America has caught Zoo Fever™, with record numbers of attendees and thousands of families losing their life savings by trying to recreate that unique Crowe/Damon magic. (Note: These facts are entirely made up.)
As of yet, none of our favorite NBA personalities have exploited the zoo boom. Let’s credit former Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy, then, for his new venture. From Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel on Twitter :

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Dwight Howard and Stan Van Gundy are working together to help Florida schools (Ball Don’t Lie)

 Orlando  No Responses »
Sep 182012
 

It is very well known that the working relationship between star center Dwight Howard and head coach Stan Van Gundy did not end well in Orlando. SVG said that Howard was trying to get him fired , Howard issued several complaints that SVG would make his actions public, Van Gundy was fired , and Dwight left in trade . All things considered, it was pretty much the worst possible resolution to the issues.
On the bright side, not all has been lost in the relationship between the two men. Currently, they’re teaming up to do substantive good for Florida schools. From Mike Bianchi for the Orlando Sentinel (via EOB ):

If you read  my column last week , you know Van Gundy is the chairman of a political group in Seminole County called Citizens for Preservation of Property Values. The goal of the group is to increase property taxes in Seminole County to help preserve the area’s traditionally strong public school system — a system that has been decimated by $73 million in budget cuts over the past five years. In the Nov. 6 general election, Seminole voters will decide whether to approve a 1-mill increase in property taxes for four years beginning a year from now. The increase would bring in as much as $25 million annually to the school district.
Van Gundy says Dwight, who was recently traded to the Lakers, is going to lend some financial backing  to the cause. ”Dwight has pledged his support,” Van Gundy said Monday during an interview on our  Open Mike radio show on 740 The Game. “He’s a resident of Seminole County, and he’s keeping his house here. I think his history will show that he’s had great concern for kids in the Central Florida community. With him still living here, we asked him to help and he didn’t hesitate.”
Surprisingly to some, both Stan and Dwight say they are on good terms and have been communicating regularly over the last several weeks. Van Gundy even texted Howard and wished him good luck after he was traded to L.A.

It is typically considered good form to forgive and forget, and so we must give credit to SVG and Howard for working together to help others. Still, it’s surprising that they could put all this behind them after some truly ugly action in Orlando. On the other hand, both seem to be happier now, and maybe that’s all that matters.
[Also: Orlando Magic fan sues franchise over use of her image in ads ]
It’s a cliche to say that squabbles like the ones Van Gundy and Howard had in Orlando are “just business,” but that seems to be their point of view in this case. Personally, I’m not sure that I could have seen past the arguments of the past, particularly if I’d been fired as a result. It’s unlikely that these two are best friends these days, but it’s also genuinely impressive that they were able to move on and do good for others. Dwight Howard has often looked like a child during this ordeal, but he deserves credit here for putting the past aside and doing good for the kids.
Outside the Game from Yahoo! Sports:

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Stan Van Gundy, after being fired, blasts Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins’ ‘naiveté’ (Ball Don’t Lie)

 Chicago  No Responses »
Aug 212012
 

When former Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy “resigned” to spend more time with his family following the Heat’s slow start to the 2005-06 season, he took the high road after being replaced by Heat President Pat Riley, stepping aside silently in the wake of Shaquille O’Neal’s displeasure with SVG’s exacting ways while remaining on the Miami payroll. Stan was fired by the Magic in late May, and even though he’ll remain on the team’s payroll, and he’s not exactly taking the high and silent road this time around.
Lucky for us, his aim on the low road is absolutely spot on. In an interview with Orlando Sentinel scribe Mike Bianchi on Bianchi’s radio show , Van Gundy blasted newly ensconced Magic CEO Alex Martins for the embarrassing turn the team has made since Martins took over the position from the retiring Bob Vander Weide last winter.
“It’s a typical lack of understanding from someone who has no sports knowledge, who has never coached or played, who has never been in a locker room….it’s a naiveté,” Van Gundy said of Martins Monday morning on Mike Bianchi’s show on AM 740.

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NBA Rumors: Orlando Magic GM Foolish to Try to Convince Dwight Howard to Stay

 Rumors  No Responses »
Jul 122012
 

The Orlando Magic have been feverishly trying to grant Dwight Howard his wish of being traded this offseason but reportedly had some recent doubts about that course of action and attempted to convince the superstar to stay.

According to ESPN The Magazine’s Ric Bucher, Rob Hennigan, the new GM of the Magic, attempted to make an appeal to DH12 after a potential trade to the Brooklyn Nets broke down for good with their signing of Brook Lopez.

Bucher’s source relayed some details of Hennigan’s pitch, stating that the GM and Magic CEO Alex Martins tried to convince Howard that they were not associated with the people who forced Howard to request a trade, namely former coach Stan Van Gundy and GM Otis Smith.

As expected, Howard rebuffed the plea and will be leaving as a free agent next summer if the team cannot find a suitable trade for the big man before the deadline.

It was a foolish move by Hennigan to even waste his time trying to convince the petulant diva to remain with the organization. He would have made better use of his time attempting to field more trade offers and continuing to talk to other GMs around the league about possible deals.

There is a clear rift between the Magic and Howard that will likely never be repaired, and trying to convince the three-time Defensive Player of the Year that some sort of civility is still possible was just a wild, desperate move.

Hennigan must realize that DH12 is not going to be anything more than a distraction if he is still on the roster by the start of the season, and the longer Orlando waits to deal him, the less likely it’ll receive any significant compensation for his services. 

Hennigan would be wise to find and accept the first reasonable offer that comes down the pipeline at this point, as there is no turning back.

Read more NBA news on BleacherReport.com

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NBA Trade Rumors: Time for the Magic to Execute the D12 Exit Strategy

 Rumors  No Responses »
Jul 122012
 

Can the Dwight Howard saga please just go away? At every step and turn the top story around the NBA is whether or not the Brooklyn Nets will trade for Howard. If not the Nets, the Houston Rockets and LA Lakers are in trade talks for the superstar center.

I have a question for the Orlando Magic front office.

Why in the hell are you all accommodating a player who has told you he does not want to play for your team?

The rift Howard has had with the Magic has cost head coach Stan Van Gundy his job. It has also cost the team its general manager. Hell, I think even the mascot has decided to take a hike.

Why the Magic are not moving fast to end this poisonous situation is beyond me. The best and only remedy is to trade him. Trade him somewhere for a bag of peanuts. Trade him for a bag of balls. Trade him just so the story can go away. Please just trade him already!

The Magic’s latest trade talks with the Nets hit a snag when the contract of free-agent Kris Humphries came about. Wait, let me get this straight. The Magic would rather have a disgruntled Howard over the front-bloated contract of Humphries, which is only fully-guaranteed for a year?

It sounds like the Magic are holding out for the best deal. Well why didn’t you say so? Several teams can offer better packages, including the Rockets, Lakers, Hawks, Bulls and Kings. 

Did I hear somebody say the (insert cuss word here) Kings?

You heard it or, read it here first. Trade Dwight Howard to the Sacramento Kings.

Why the Kings? Well let’s see here. First, you can probably get the uber-talented DeMarcus Cousins. How about a side of Tyreke Evans for seconds? Lastly, you can have rookie Thomas Robinson for dessert. All that for Dwight Howard, who could save Sac-Town just in time for a new arena deal.

This is the best deal they could get. To put the icing on the cake, the Magic would seize the power of their franchise from their star player who no longer wants to be a part of it.

For those of you who want to know what good it does for Howard, eh, who cares? The Magic have to do what is best for their team. Keeping Howard happy should no longer be their concern. It is time for the exit strategy.  

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How Dwight Howard Ripped the Heart of Orlando Magic Fans

 Rumors  No Responses »
Jul 112012
 

Once upon a time, the city of Orlando loved Dwight Howard as much as a city possibly could love a player. Howard, with his goofy personality and excellent on-court play, was once one of the most popular players in the NBA. 

All of that is a thing of the past now, as Howard is now among the least-liked players in the league. An argument could be made that Howard is disliked more than LeBron James. This seemed impossible two years ago but is a reality now. 

He claimed that he didn’t want to put his teammates and fans through the media circus that he created. 

Howard was a demi-god in the city of Orlando. We built a new arena that we thought was worthy of our Superman.  Magic fans could laugh in the face of Miami Heat fans, and claim that our superstar was more loyal than LeBron. 

How silly we look now. Howard’s actions have made LeBron look as loyal as Tim Duncan. 

The entire situation has been so painful because of the past. How could Howard, Orlando’s Superman, hurt Magic fans so much? 

How could the man who led us to the 2009 NBA Finals, mess with our emotions for over a year?

The answer?

Orlando just isn’t a big enough pond for Howard anymore. 

Howard wants to play with other superstars in a big market. Due to Orlando’s cap situation and limited market, he needed to go elsewhere to do get his wish. 

When Howard signed away his early termination right earlier this year, he said that he had been given bad advice and that he loved Orlando. 

I wonder what he would say now. 

Is he still getting bad advice?  

Does he still love Orlando?

We know the answer, and that is why we need him to be traded. The pain has gotten too great. As amazing as Howard’s career in Orlando was, it will take time for us to remember him as the greatest player in Orlando Magic history.

Superman has betrayed us. Orlando used to be enough for Howard but not anymore. He wants a big market and all the endorsements that come with that. 

The problem in his plan?

He has lost the popularity that made him the target of so many endorsement deals.

If Howard had been honest from the start about wanting to leave Orlando, it wouldn’t have ended like this. Sure, Magic fans would have been upset if he said he wanted out, but nothing like how upset we are now. 

It is unbelievable to say that Magic fans are anticipating the day that Howard is dealt to another team, but that is the truth. 

The way Howard has handled this situation has been nothing short of heartbreaking for Magic fans. We backed Howard throughout most of the season, slamming GM Otis Smith’s personnel decisions. We believed that Howard wanted to be in Orlando if we could put a championship caliber team on the floor. 

That wasn’t the case though.

We believed that if the Magic made the coaching change that Howard demanded, then maybe he would consider staying for the long term. 

As it turns out, our optimism was more than misguided. Stan Van Gundy, who was the winningest coach in Magic history, was fired in a final attempt to appease Howard. Our final attempt to satiate Howard was to fire one of the best coaches in the league; the question is, why did we think that would work?

If only we could have Van Gundy back; he never deserved to be fired. In the first round of last season’s playoffs, he proved that he was among the best coaches in the league. Somehow, someway, he managed to make our under-manned squad look competitive in four of the five games against the Indiana Pacers. 

The writing was on the wall, we just didn’t want to believe it. 

Looking back, it is clear that he wanted to move on. But at the moment, Howard has devastated the city of Orlando.

Whether Howard regains his league-wide popularity remains a question mark, but his actions have guaranteed that Magic fans will root against him, no matter where he ends up. 

This isn’t the first time that we have lost a Hall of Fame center, as Shaquille O’Neal left us for the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996.

Being a Magic fan at the moment is difficult, for what looked like a bright future is now dark and uncertain. 

We will be fine, because Howard will have to go through LeBron to get a ring. It’s funny how yesterday’s villain can become tomorrow’s hero.

I would rather see LeBron James win a dozen rings before Howard wins one; that is how much Dwight has hurt Magic fans.

Howard will make another team’s fanbase very happy, but his betrayal to a city that loved him will never be forgotten. 

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