FanHouse

No Shot? No Problem for D-Wade

Tim Povtak — 2009-11-26T01:30:00 00:00

Filed under: Heat, Magic

ORLANDO -- Even when he struggles -- and he struggled badly Wednesday night -- Dwyane Wade will find a way to win games for the Miami Heat.

It's what the great ones do.

Wade rarely shoots this poorly -- six of 22 from the field -- but he still had the Orlando Magic defense on a string, reacting to his every move, opening the door again for his sometimes-forgotten, oft-maligned teammates.

"He just did it with his intelligence at the end,'' said Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra. "He's been in this situation so many times before.''

More NBA: Cavs Top Pistons | Kidd Climbs All-Time List | Full Scoreboard

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Wade's Free Agency Could End With Dwight in Orlando

Tim Povtak — 2009-11-25T14:43:00 00:00

by Tim Povtak

Filed under: Heat, Magic, FanHouse Exclusive

ORLANDO -- Miami's Dwyane Wade just raised the intrigue -- and opened a world of possibilities -- over his pending free agency when he was asked Wednesday afternoon who he really would like to play with in the NBA.

Wade will become an unrestricted free agent this summer, allowing him to play anywhere he wants.

"If I could pick one player in the league today to play with -- and most people think I'd say LeBron James -- I would pick Dwight (Howard)," Wade told FanHouse Wednesday after practice at Amway Arena. "I'd love for that to happen at some point. Dwight is already close right here in Orlando. People who say it couldn't happen (us playing on the same team), they don't know. I've learned in this league that anything is possible."

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To Hell and Back With Luther Wright

Tim Povtak — 2009-11-24T15:22:00 00:00

by Tim Povtak

Filed under: Jazz, FanHouse Exclusive

JERSEY CITY, NJ -- Luther Wright wakes up at 5:15 every morning, kisses his peacefully sleeping wife, then looks down at the toes on his right foot -- the three remaining ones -- to help prepare for the battle he must wage that day.

It's his key to staying sober, his key to staying alive.

Wright is the former Seton Hall University basketball giant whose stunning washout from the NBA's Utah Jazz started a destructive spiral that led him through a decade of drug addiction, rehab clinics, a mental institution and eventual homelessness on the streets where he once was so revered.

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Dean Meminger Critical After Suspected Crack-Pipe Fire

Tim Povtak — 2009-11-24T11:40:00 00:00

by Tim Povtak

Filed under: Knicks

Dean Meminger once played in the shadows of the greatest backcourt in the history of the New York Knicks -- Walt Frazier and Earl Monroe. He almost died in the shadows earlier this week.

Meminger was still in critical condition Tuesday in the burn unit of New York's Jacobi Medical Center after being rescued from a Sunday night fire in a Bronx housing project that investigators suspect was sparked by a crack cocaine pipe, according to the New York Daily News.

Meminger was found unconscious near his bed. Several crack pipes were found inside his room of the small, run-down building. It was not clear whether the pipes belonged to Meminger, 62, but he has spoken publicly many times about his long battle with drug abuse.

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Free-Agent Salvation for Knicks, Nets? Won't Happen

Tim Povtak — 2009-11-23T19:20:00 00:00

by Tim Povtak

Filed under: Knicks, Nets

It's time for the Knicks and the Nets to end this nonsense and stop teasing their fans. It's time to stop dreaming. All the salary cap room in the world this summer isn't going to save NBA basketball in the New York/New Jersey area.

The two worst teams in the Eastern Conference will remain the worst for the next few years. So get used to it.

LeBron James won't be walking through the door anytime soon. It doesn't matter how storied Madison Square Garden feels, or how many celebrities come to the games, or how wonderful the Nets-to-Brooklyn blueprint looks, or even the intensity of James' crush on rapper Jay-Z.

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Durant Struggles Against Childhood Hero

Tim Povtak — 2009-11-18T23:50:00 00:00

by Tim Povtak

Filed under: Magic, Thunder

ORLANDO -- You figured it might be a long night for young Kevin Durant and his Oklahoma City teammates after he spent a good portion of his pre-game chat Wednesday talking about idolizing Magic veteran guard Vince Carter.

"When I was growing up, I always thought Vince was the best. I still look up to him, and I'm still a big fan,'' Durant said. "I used to watch his highlights as a kid. When I was about 11, my mom bought me a Vince Carter jersey and shorts, his Raptors uniform, and I wore it to every game. I guess that's a little embarrassing to say now, but it's something I'll never forget.''

Durant's innocence was refreshing. It made him and everyone around him smile. But it's probably not the kind of competitive edge that the Thunder needed from him. He is on the verge of becoming an NBA All-Star, but he sure didn't play like one Wednesday night, sinking to his worst performance of the season.

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Williams: Magic More Talented Than Heat Championship Team

Tim Povtak — 2009-11-18T16:00:00 00:00

by Tim Povtak

Filed under: Magic

ORLANDO -- Veteran point guard Jason Williams takes over the reins of the Orlando Magic Wednesday night, drawing his own comparison to the Miami Heat team he piloted four seasons ago to the NBA title.

"I've said if from the day I got here: this team is more talented than the championship team I played on in '06,'' Williams said Wednesday morning after a morning practice. "There are more weapons here."

Williams, who turned 34 on Wednesday, is replacing Jameer Nelson, who had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Wednesday morning. Nelson is expected to be out from four to six weeks, leaving the team in the hands of Williams and journeyman Anthony Johnson.

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Hawks' Patience Finally Paying Off

Tim Povtak — 2009-11-18T08:00:00 00:00

by Tim Povtak

Filed under: Hawks

The surprising Atlanta Hawks -- and the way they were built -- should become required study for those NBA general managers who wheel and deal too fast, making change for the sake of change, always searching for the quick fix.

The Hawks are proving that patience does work.

The Hawks (9-2) have become the top team in the East, quietly moving past the freer spending Celtics, Cavaliers and Magic, the high-profile contenders who previously thought it was a three-team race to the top of the conference.

No. 4 has crashed the party.

More: Hawks Soar to Top of NBA Power Rankings

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Jameer Nelson Out at Least a Month

Tim Povtak — 2009-11-17T16:05:00 00:00

by Tim Povtak

Filed under: Magic, NBA Injuries

This is where good depth can really come in handy.

Veteran Jason Williams, the point guard on Miami's NBA Championship team of 2006, will become a starter once again with a serious contender. The Orlando Magic announced Tuesday that All-Star Jameer Nelson will undergo arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. He is expected to be out for 4-6 weeks.

Nelson was injured in the fourth quarter of Monday night's victory over Charlotte. Williams sat out last season after retiring prematurely, then signed as a free agent for the veteran's minimum in Orlando, where he already had a home.

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Van Gundy Love Note Inspires Howard

Tim Povtak — 2009-11-13T23:35:00 00:00

by Tim Povtak

Filed under: Magic, Nets

ORLANDO -- Magic center Dwight Howard arrived at Amway Arena for Friday night's game against the New Jersey Nets to find a handwritten note in his locker.

It was signed by the same guy who had been prodding him the past couple days, criticizing him for his lack of energy, his rebounding drop off and his sudden inability to block shots.

Howard read the note twice, then left it where he could see it again at halftime. He also saw it after the game, and he smiled.

"There is no one better or smarter in the NBA. All you need to do is play with great energy and enthusiasm,'' the note said. It was signed "Stan,'' as in Coach Van Gundy.

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Alston Still Thrilled by Finals Experience

Tim Povtak — 2009-11-13T17:25:00 00:00

by Tim Povtak

Filed under: Magic, Nets

ORLANDO -- It doesn't matter how much you poke, prod, lead, bait or beg New Jersey guard Rafer Alston during a conversation, he just sticks to the high road.

Alston has every reason to be upset -- or at least frustrated -- by the way he was treated a few months ago, yet he just shrugs and smiles, still thankful to be living his dream in the NBA.

Alston rescued the Orlando Magic when he came from Houston at midseason, giving them a starting veteran point guard who guided them all the way to the NBA Finals. After Jameer Nelson was lost for the season with a shoulder injury in late January, the Magic were desperate, sinking without a ball handler, and Alston delivered big time.

Then, two weeks after the Finals, they threw him overboard. Or even worse, they sent him packing to New Jersey, the worst team in the league.

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Stan Van Gundy on Retiring No. 23: '(Jordan) Is Not Jackie Robinson'

Tim Povtak — 2009-11-13T13:20:00 00:00

by Tim Povtak

Filed under: Bulls, Heat, Magic

ORLANDO -- LeBron James can stop wearing his No. 23 if he wants -- in deference to Michael Jordan -- but asking the rest of the league to follow his lead is only showing his immaturity.

Magic coach Stan Van Gundy was asked Friday morning about James' request, and he didn't hesitate to say he thinks the idea is misplaced.

"It's a nice gesture, but he (Jordan) is not Jackie Robinson. Baseball did it because it had historical significance,'' Van Gundy said. "There actually were guys before Michael who could play the game. Then you should retire numbers that (Bill) Russell, Wilt (Chamberlain), and certainly Oscar (Robertson) wore. I understand LeBron didn't grow up watching those guys, but still. ''

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Howard's Slide Is Big Magic Problem

Tim Povtak — 2009-11-12T02:00:00 00:00

by Tim Povtak

Filed under: Cavaliers, Magic

ORLANDO -- If Dwight Howard wants to keep that Superman moniker -- if he wants to deliver on his promise to bring an NBA title to Orlando -- he better turn his game up another notch real soon.

Playing Shaquille O'Neal -- who is well past his prime and 14 years older -- to an uninspired standstill like he did Wednesday night won't get his team anywhere close to the Finals again.

He knows it. And his coach certainly does, too. The Defensive Player of the Year and defending rebounding champion has been rather pedestrian lately.

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LeBron: No More Free Agency Questions

Tim Povtak — 2009-11-11T20:15:00 00:00

by Tim Povtak

Filed under: Cavaliers, Heat, NBA Rumors

ORLANDO -- If the thought of playing in Miami alongside Dwyane Wade next season had any appeal to LeBron James, it was hard to tell from his comments Wednesday night before his Cavaliers played the Orlando Magic.

Wade started the conversation, but James had no intention of finishing it Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, Wade had addressed the issue with reporters in Miami, touching off another frenzy of speculation concerning next summer's free agent market, which will include both Wade and James.

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Mo Williams: Cavs Will Get Better

Tim Povtak — 2009-11-11T18:00:00 00:00

by Tim Povtak

Filed under: Cavaliers

ORLANDO -- Mo Williams just scoffed at the suggestion Wednesday afternoon that his Cleveland Cavaliers won't be as good this season because of the changes they made to the roster.

The biggest change was adding center Shaquille O'Neal. The Cavs won a league-best 66 games last season before losing in the Eastern Conference final to the Magic, their opponent tonight.

"It's too early to tell anything,'' Williams said after practice, almost miffed at the suggestion that they have gone backward. "But obviously, we can be better. We have the personnel to be better. You can't make any assumptions this early.''

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Shaq Simply Can't Handle Howard

Tim Povtak — 2009-11-11T06:00:00 00:00

by Tim Povtak

Filed under: Cavaliers, Magic

It's hard not to like Shaquille O'Neal, the most compelling NBA player of his era and arguably the best center in history. His love of the spotlight, his often-outrageous, sometimes-egotistical, always-entertaining behavior made him a must-see attraction since he entered the league with Orlando a long, long time ago.

It's why there will be some sadness in seeing him get destroyed on his former home court Wednesday night by Dwight Howard.

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At 37, Grant Hill Restarts His Career

Tim Povtak — 2009-11-09T15:35:00 00:00

by Tim Povtak

Filed under: Suns

Grant Hill today is like that low-mileage, late-model used car you bought from the little old lady, who parked it in her garage for 10 years and hardly drove, selling it in surprising good condition for as old as it was.

He is a bargain at this age.

"For an old guy, I'm still low mileage,'' Hill told FanHouse last week. "Limited wear and tear.''

Hill, 37, is the fourth-oldest player in the NBA today, but he has given the resurging Phoenix Suns a big boost as they return to their roots as a high-scoring, quick-shooting team on the run. The Suns (6-1) go into tonight's game in Philadelphia tied with the best record in the Western Conference.

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J.J. Redick Finally Carving His Niche

Tim Povtak — 2009-11-07T01:30:00 00:00

by Tim Povtak

Filed under: Magic

ORLANDO -- After three seasons of banging his head against a wall, J.J. Redick finally has proven he belongs in the NBA.

He never thought it would take this long.

Redick may have come into the league as one of the most celebrated college basketball players in recent history, but it has taken a complete remaking of his game and his attitude to finally carve his niche.

"I've been thinking about it recently, and maybe I wasn't ready to do this last year, or my second year, and certainly not as a rookie,'' Redick said Friday night after helping the Orlando Magic hold off the Detroit Pistons 110-103. "I could not have stepped in and played well like this, but I've learned how to be a pro. And that wasn't easy.''

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Vaccaro: adidas Wrong With MJ's Son

Tim Povtak — 2009-11-06T18:15:00 00:00

by Tim Povtak

Filed under: Conference USA, Coaches, UCF

Take it from the pioneer who started this idea of cozy, contractual relationships between the shoe giants and the NCAA schools: adidas has screwed up this time.

Sonny Vaccaro speaks from experience.

"What a PR nightmare for adidas. This should have been a no-brainer,'' Vaccaro said. "It's nothing but a personal thing against Michael Jordan.''

At issue is the recent decision by adidas to severe its relationship with the University of Central Florida, which has a contract that requires all of its athletes and coaches to wear adidas products.

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Ben Wallace Turns Back the Clock

Tim Povtak — 2009-11-06T17:05:00 00:00

by Tim Povtak

Filed under: Pistons

ORLANDO -- Pistons general manager Joe Dumars signed broken-down Ben Wallace this summer to be a figure-head, to serve as a low-budget example for his young, talented guys to see where hard work could take them.

Dumars never expected this kind of start.

Wallace, 35, is one of the biggest and most pleasant surprises of this young season. In the first five games, he has averaged 10 rebounds in 31 minutes while also playing the kind of hard-nosed interior defense that once helped him anchor Detroit's NBA championship team in 2004.

"I just thought he'd be great for the young guys to be around, an undrafted guy who worked his way up without any shortcuts. Just for the young guys to see him every day. That's why I got him,'' Dumars said Friday before the Pistons played in Orlando. "But he's been better than I ever imagined. It's like an added bonus.''

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