Dwight Howard has asked the Orlando Magic for a lot, hasn’t he? Over the past couple of years, Howard has asked management to try to acquire a handful of players, including Monta Ellis and Deron Williams. During the preseason, he asked for a trade. Then he asked that any trade be limited to a handful of teams – the New Jersey Nets, Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks — that his agent was given permission to talk to. Now, Howard apparently again is
Notes from around the NBA: February 29, 2012
The rumblings we’re hearing out of Orlando seem to say that the Magic are leaning toward holding onto Dwight Howard and trying to figure something out in the summer. Of course, that can change if the right offer comes along. Frankly, if I’m the Magic I’d take what the Nets are offering Lopez, + role players a mountain of picks or what the Lakers are offering Bynum possibly Gasol. Either one is better than the end game of losing Howard for
Notes from around the NBA: February 27, 2012
Kobe Bryant and the best of the West held off a furious East comeback, winning 152-149 in the NBA’s 61st All-Star Game. Bryant scored 27 points, moving past Michael Jordan as the career scoring leader in the game. MVP Kevin Durant had 36, and Thunder teammate Russell Westbrookfinished with 21. LeBron James and the East cut a 21-point deficit to one in the closing seconds, but weren’t able to move in front. James had 36 points and fellow Heat star Dwyane Wade finished with a triple-double — 24 points, 10
All-Star snubs: A.Varejao, R.Allen, B.Jennings, P.Millsap, M.Ellis, K.Lowry
Dirk? Apparently, the Western Conference coaches chose this year’s All-Star reserves based upon last year’s accomplishments. The 14 All-Star reserves were announced tonight on TNT, and there were a couple of surprises. None was bigger than the selection of Nowitzki, who is averaging the lowest numbers since his sophomore season. His points per game (17.6) are down 5.4 from last season, his field-goal percentage has dropped from.517 to .461, and whose 3-point percentage has nosedived from .393 to .211. He even acknowledged recently
Tonight’s best game: LA Lakers at Boston
The rivalry between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics doesn’t need any added incentive. But it may have some in Thursday night’s best NBA game. The first of two meetings between the greatest franchises in league history will be televised nationally at 8 p.m. ET by TNT, which has a one-hour pregame show that will reveal the reserves for the All-Star Game later this month. Both proud teams have former All-Stars who have taken a step back this season and may
Tonight’s best game: Boston at Cleveland
Thus far, the Boston Celtics have been riding a rollercoaster of wins and losses. As the ride begins another plunge, they would like to stop and get off. The Celtics visit the Cleveland Cavaliers in Tuesday’s best NBA game, hoping to avenge their inexplicable last-second home loss Sunday. Boston held an 11-point lead with 4 1/2 minutes to play and appeared to be headed for a fifth straight win. However, the ride took an unexpected sudden turn as the Cavaliers scored the
Tonight’s best game: Boston at Orlando
The Orlando Magic host the Boston Celtics in the NBA’s best game Thursday night, three days after they were embarrassed in Beantown. And no one should be more embarrassed than Jameer Nelson. Nelson has gotten off to an awful start this season. He appeared to turn a corner last week with a pair of 17-point games, but that turn only took him down a dark alley. In Monday’s 87-56 loss, Nelson “piloted” the Magic’s offense to the lowest total in franchise history.
Tonight’s best game: Orlando at Boston
Glen “Big Baby” Davis returns to Boston in Monday’s best NBA game. No word yet as to whether he and the Orlando Magic will leave Celtics fans crying in their beer. A fan favorite and Kevin Garnett’s occasional whipping boy, Davis spent his first four seasons with Boston and was a member of the 2008 championship team. Prior to this season, he joined the Magic in a sign-and-trade for Brandon Bass. “He’s emotional. He might cry. We’ll make sure we bring a