WTF: Jason Williams
Help Me
I saw this photo of Orlando Magic Jason Williams being helped into the air by teammate Rashard Lewis to dunk and I had to ask myself if I ever remembered Williams dunking before?
I wasn’t ever his biggest fan so I don’t know if it’s just old age that has caught up to him or did he really have problems touching the rim on a consistent basis. I’m really perplexed.
New Jersey Nets Offer To Do Tax Returns, If You Just Go To Their Games
1,016 Fans
The New Jersey Nets have only won six games this season and are back at another gimmick to get people of New Jersey see them come play. This time, they’re giving fans a coupon to have their tax returns done for attending.
The Nets have combined with Roni Deutch Tax Center to offer a free New Jersey income tax return to state residents 18 years and older who attend their game against the Orlando Magic on Friday night at the Izod Center. Patrons won’t get their state taxes done on the spot. They’ll be given a coupon for a free state tax return. The cost is usually $29.
Some of the Nets other promotions have been the “Your Ticket to a Player” which offered fans the opportunity to have Devin Harris, Brook Lopez or any other player on the roster stop by at a family birthday party. All you had to do was pay $25,000 for four courtside tickets for 10 games. You got parking, food and drinks, too.
There also was a 10-game “Match-Up” ticket plan through which their fans got a collection of reversible jerseys with the uniforms of LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, Dwyane Wade and Howard on one side and a Nets player on the other.
But the bottom line is no matter how enticing this promotions are, you still going to watch the Nets.
Antawn Jamison & Sebastian Telfair Traded For Zydrunas Ilgauskas & Al Thornton
Moving Day
The Cleveland Cavaliers acquired Antawn Jamison and guard Sebastian Telfair in part of a three team trade that sent center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, a 2010 first-round draft pick and the rights to Emir Preldzic, who was selected in the second round of last year’s draft by Cleveland to the Washington Wizards. The Wizards also received forward Al Thornton from Los Angeles Clippers who in turn received Drew Gooden to the Los Angeles.
The Cavaliers had long coveted an athletic power forward who could play on the perimeter after they were eliminated by the Orlando Magic in last year’s Eastern Conference finals. Jamison, who had been with the Wizards since 2004, was an All-Star in both 2005 and 2008, and averaged 20.5 points in 41 games. He missed the first nine games of this season with a sprained right shoulder. Jamison is still owed $28 million over the next two seasons.
Telfair, who’s 24, will be playing for his fourth team. The former first-round pick has averaged 7.9 points in his career.
Ilgauskas, who is 34, has played his entire 12-year NBA career with the Cavaliers. He was supplanted as the starter center by Shaquille O’Neal this season. He’s averaging 7.5 points and 5.3 rebounds this season. His career averages are 13.9 points and 7.7 rebounds.
Ilgauskas’ agent, Herb Rudoy, told the Cleveland Plain Dealer that he would work quickly to get a buyout from Washington. That would free up Ilgauskas to sign with another team including re-signing with the Cavaliers, although he’d have to wait 30 days to return to Cleveland.
The 6-foot-7 Thornton has averaged 13.7 in his three-year career with the Clippers.
The Wizards acquired Gooden on Saturday in a multiplayer trade and was reportedly seeking a buyout but before that could happen he was sent to the Clippers.
Cavalries: Winners/ Wizards: Losers/ Clippers: Losers
Dwight Howard To Be 2010 World Cups Newest Reporter
How That Low Post Game Coming?
Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard has revealed that he will be attending a portion of soccer’s 2010 World Cup in South Africa as a sports reporter. The all-star said Adidas, a company he endorses, wants to send him to the event to cover the worlds biggest event.
Although Howard said he plays a soccer videogame on occasion, he acknowledges he doesn’t know much about the world’s most popular sport. When asked whether he’s a big supporter of the United States’ team, he volunteered that he doesn’t know the names of any of the players who likely will represent the U.S. in South Africa.
The NBA Finals are scheduled to begin as early as June 1 and end as late as June 17, league officials have noted. The World Cup, on the other hand, is scheduled to begin on June 11, but it is slated to run until July 11.
The U.S. will play its opening game on June 12 when it faces England.
Howard’s summer will continue to stay busy even after the World Cup as he has made a verbal commitment to play for Team USA in the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey. That event will begin in late August and end in mid-September, with a few tune-up games along the way.
Stephon Marbury Makes China Debut
How's The Shoe Sales?
Despite being jet lagged, former NBA player Stephon Marbury made his debut in the Chinese Basketball Association yesterday and tallied 15 points, 8 assist, 4 steals and 4 rebounds with his new club Shanxi Shanghai Sharks, who lost 102-101 to Dongguan Marco Polo.
“The time difference is a big problem,” Marbury told The New York Post. “I wake up early, in the middle of the night, and stay up most of the day. It stinks. I have not played since the last game against the Magic [in the second round of the playoffs last May]. So I was tired. I played 28 minutes, all of the fourth quarter. Talk about being tired. Wow. It was fun being out there though.”
This comes to me as a shock since Marbury is as well of a conditioning specimen as you will find considering the guy climbs mountains in Coney Island.
BLOCK CITY: Your Victim-Glen “Big Baby” Davis
Dwight Howard, you have been charged with the crime of Representin.
And the verdict is Guilty.
NBA’s Best-Selling Jerseys
#1
Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant is once again the top selling jersey in the NBA like he did in 2008-09 season. Here is the complete list of top sellers compiled from the NBA Store in New York City and NBAStore.com,
Top 15 NBA Jerseys
1. Kobe Bryant – Los Angeles Lakers
2. LeBron James – Cleveland Cavaliers
3. Dwight Howard- Orlando Magic
4. Derrick Rose – Chicago Bulls
5. Dwyane Wade – Miami Heat
6. Kevin Garnett – Boston Celtics
7. Chris Paul – New Orleans Hornets
8. Paul Pierce – Boston Celtics
9. Shaquille O’Neal – Cleveland Cavaliers
10. Pau Gasol – Los Angeles Lakers
11. Carmelo Anthony – Denver Nuggets
12. Steve Nash – Phoenix Suns
13. David Lee – New York Knicks
14. Allen Iverson – Philadelphia 76ers
15. Kevin Durant – Oklahoma City Thunder
I understand the New York fan needing a jersey to represent their team but isn’t it shocking to see David Lee in the top 15 but not a single San Antonio Spur. I guess Tim Duncans time has passed but your telling me Tony Parker cant crack the United States 15?
Shaquille O’Neal Has Tiger Woods Size Women Problems
Fatal Attraction
Cleveland Cavaliers Shaquille O’Neal has enjoyed a lot of success on the court but off the court it’s a different story with his well documented breakup, makeup, breakup marriage to Shaunie O’Neal as well as his affairs with Laura Govan, the fiancee of Washington Wizards Gilbert Arenas, Atlanta stripper LaTosha Lee and nude model Dominica Westling. Now his off the court relationship has hit center court once again with model Vanessa Lopez who has now hired Gloria Allred, the same woman representing several women linked to Tiger Woods including Rachel Uchitel,to represent her because she claims Shaq is harassing her.
Lopez has been connected with other NBA stars like Denver Nuggets Kenyon Martin, Orlando Magics J.J. Reddick,and O’Neal’s current teammate Delonte West, who had a brief relationship with Lopez in 2006 when he was a member of the Boston Celtics.
The alleged problems started when Shaq thought Lopez was seeing another guy, who had thoughtwas pregnant with the basketball player’s child, which prompted O’Neal and his sister to allegedly begin to harass her. The lawsuit also claims that Shaq hacked into her voice mail and text messages.
In 2004, she says she met O’Neal again while out at a club and says that he approached her and offered to buy her drinks. When Lopez told him she knew he was married, O’Neal told her he had an open marriage and that his union with wife Shaunie was for public image only. Lopez and O’Neal then began an “intimate” five year affair
Allred went on to reveal that in September 2009 “Ms. Lopez was late with her period and thought that she might be pregnant. She communicated this to Mr. O’Neal who responded by stating that she needed to tell the baby’s father and then went on to state that there was no way that the baby could be his.”
“Mr. O’Neal knew that he and Ms. Lopez engaged in unprotected sex and that they had been together numerous times in the preceding months and that she had not been with anyone else during this period of time. She felt that his response was very disrespectful and she was deeply hurt and offended. Though he apologized to her for his reaction she told him that it was over and that she wanted him to leave her alone but told her that he wanted to always have her in his life.”
Allred claims this is when the harassment started.
Tiger Woods is not impressed.
NBA To Outlaw Gambling On Team Planes? New Jersey Nets Does So
What Is A NBA Player To Do?
In the aftermath of the Washington Wizards Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton wild west gun showdown in the locker room over a gambling debt, the New Jersey Nets have banned all gambling games on team flights.
Rod Thorn the Nets president and former the chief of discipline for the NBA, said “I think after this incident with the Wizards that we just decided that we would not have any on our planes. We’ve never had a problem with it. But obviously, you can see what can happen.”
The NBA reportedly is considering to push that restricts gambling on team premises due to the Arenas and former referee Tim Donaghy situation.
One reason the gambling and card playing is so common is that players receive their daily per diem of $113 at the start of most road trips in one lump sum. A typical eight-day trip means that all players are boarding the first flight with more than $900 cash from the team. Losses can be settled quickly.
Orlando Magic general manager Ottis Smith said his team already does have a rule that discourages big wads of cash visible on the table but doesn’t look to ban the card games unless it becomes a requirement from the NBA.
“This whole thing has raised everyone’s awareness,” Smith said. “We’re constantly trying to educate our players, not just about guns, but about everything that’s out there. Have we done everything we can to avoid problems? Probably not. But with all this out there now, this is probably a good time to do it.”
Darko Milicic NBA Days Are Over
BYE
One of the top five all time NBA worst draft picks Darko Milicic is hanging up his NBA game at the end of 2009-10 season.
If you recall back in the summer of 2003 Joe Dumars choose to pass up NCAA champion Carmelo Anthony because their roster already included Tayshaun Prince for overseas superstar Darko Milicic with the number two overall pick.
Milicic began his career buried on the Detroit Pistons bench, then buried on the bench in Orlando, Memphis, and now New York. The latest has finally run its course on Darko as he has decided to take his game back overseas no matter the outcome of this season.
“Whatever happens, I’m going back next year,” the 7-foot-1 Milicic said to the New York Post. “It’s 100-percent certain. I have to be real and not lie. I’m not going to get it done in the NBA. I’m not going to get another opportunity and there’s nothing wrong with going back to Europe. I don’t want to create a bad atmosphere here, but it’s not working in the NBA. I don’t give a bleep about the money,” Milicic said. “I just want to enjoy the basketball. I’d like to have the ball in my hands and have an offense run through me. I’m not just a defensive player.”
I remember that summer asking that there was no way Dumars had watched any of the NCAA tournament in March, because if he had he would have for sure would have given former coach Larry Brown an opportunity to tinkle with Prince and Anthony in the lineup.
Other possible Pistons: Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Kirk Hinrich, David West, hell Dumars could have taken the Red Rocket Matt Bonner and things might have worked out better than Darko.
Matt Harpring Done For The Season & Possibly Career
BYE
Matt Harpring NBA career might be over, although it’s not official, one thing is and that’s his season is. Harping has fought through a lot of injuries throughout his career and lingering ankle and knee problems makes it extremely difficulty to physically perform at an NBA level.
The Georgia Tech product anticipates some day needing total knee replacement surgery as well as total ankle replacement. Not filing official retirement paperwork with the league allows him to collect the $6.5 million owed to him this season, and keeps open the possibility of his expiring contract getting used in a cost-saving trade.
Harpring who also played for Orlando, Cleveland and Philadelphia during his NBA career has been with the Jazz since signing as a free agent in the summer of 2002.
During seven seasons with Utah, he averaged 11.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 25.8 minutes in 474 games. His best statistical season was his first with the Jazz, when he started 69 of 78 games and scored 17.6 points per game on 51.1 percent shooting and pulled down 6.6 rebounds per game.
Four Spurs Among Sporting News 50 Best NBA Players
Est. 1946
[Via Spurs Press Release]
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant tops Sporting News’ list of the 50 greatest players in the NBA today, as selected by a panel of 107 Hall of Famers, major award winners, executives, current players and coaches and other basketball experts.
Bryant beat out Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James for the No. 1 spot and received 62 first-place votes. James received 34 first-place votes, and Heat guard Dwyane Wade, who was third on the list, received 11 first-place votes. Magic center Dwight Howard was fourth, and Spurs power forward Tim Duncan fifth.
Rounding out the top 10: 6. Hornets PG Chris Paul, 7. Celtics PF Kevin Garnett, 8. Mavericks PF Dirk Nowitzki, 9. Nuggets SF Carmelo Anthony, 10. Celtics SF Paul Pierce.
Among the NBA legends who filled out ballots for SN were 28 Hall of Famers: Rick Barry, Elgin Baylor, Walt Bellamy, Bill Bradley, Bob Cousy, Dave Cowens, Joe Dumars, Harry Gallatin, Cliff Hagan, Tom Heinsohn, Bob Houbregs, Bailey Howell, Bob Kurland, Earl Lloyd, Bob McAdoo, Dick McGuire, Earl Monroe, Bob Pettit, Jack Ramsay, Frank Ramsey, Arnie Risen, Oscar Robertson, Bill Sharman, Jack Twyman, Dick Vitale, Bobby Wanzer, Jerry West, Lenny Wilkens. The complete panel is below.
“I think what we’ve seen from Kobe in the last two, three years is that he has become an incredible leader,” former Lakers great Magic Johnson said about Bryant. “That was the only thing he had to do that was left on his resume. Before, there was no question that he was the best basketball player in the world, like he is now. He was dominant every night, but he didn’t take on that leadership role. … Now, he is the total package.”
The Spurs were tied (with Boston) for the second most player in the top 50, with four overall: 5. Tim Duncan; 13. Tony Parker; 22. Manu Ginobili; 46. Richard Jefferson.
How other teams fared:
— Four players picked: Celtics, Spurs
— Three: Hawks, Pistons, Rockets
— Two: Cavaliers, Grizzlies, Jazz, Magic, Mavericks, Nuggets, Raptors, 76ers, Suns
— One: Bulls, Bucks, Clippers, Heat, Hornets, Nets, Pacers, Thunder, Trail Blazers, Wizards
— None: Bobcats, Kings, Knicks, Timberwolves, Warriors
SPORTING NEWS TOP 50 PLAYERS
1. Kobe Bryant, SG, Lakers
2. LeBron James, SF, Cavaliers
3. Dwyane Wade, SG, Heat
4. Dwight Howard, C, Magic
5. Tim Duncan, PF, Spurs
6. Chris Paul, PG, Hornets
7. Kevin Garnett, PF, Celtics
8. Dirk Nowitzki, PF, Mavericks
9. Carmelo Anthony, SF, Nuggets
10. Paul Pierce, SF, Celtics
11. Steve Nash, PG, Suns
12. Deron Williams, PG, Jazz
13. Tony Parker, PG, Spurs
14. Brandon Roy, SG, Trail Blazers
15. Yao Ming, C, Rockets
16. Shaquille O’Neal, C, Cavaliers
17. Pau Gasol, PF, Lakers
18. Chris Bosh, PF, Raptors
19. Amare Stoudemire, PF, Suns
20. Chauncey Billups, PG, Nuggets
21. Kevin Durant, SF, Thunder
22. Manu Ginobili, SG, Spurs
23. Jason Kidd, PG, Mavericks
24. Tracy McGrady, SG, Rockets
25. Joe Johnson, SG, Hawks
26. Derrick Rose, PG, Bulls
27. Ray Allen, SG, Celtics
28. Gilbert Arenas, PG, Wizards
29. Ron Artest, SF, Lakers
30. Vince Carter, SG, Magic
31. Danny Granger, SF, Pacers
32. Baron Davis, PG, Clippers
33. Devin Harris, PG, Nets
34. Ben Gordon, SG, Pistons
35. Al Horford, C, Hawks
36. Carlos Boozer, PF, Jazz
37. Nene, C, Nuggets
38. Rajon Rondo, PG, Celtics
39. Andre Iguodala, SG, 76ers
40. Josh Smith, PF, Hawks
41. Rudy Gay, SF, Grizzlies
42. Hedo Turkoglu, SF, Raptors
43. Lamar Odom, SF, Lakers
44. Shane Battier, SF, Rockets
45. Elton Brand, PF, 76ers
46. Richard Jefferson, SF, Spurs
47. O.J. Mayo, SG, Grizzlies
48. Charlie Villanueva, PF, Pistons
49. Michael Redd, SG, Bucks
50. Andrew Bynum, C, Lakers
BLOCK CITY: Your Victim-Mickael Pietrus
Carlos Delfino, you have been charged with the crime of Representin.
And the verdict is Guilty.
NBA Attendance Only Down 2% Despite Economy
Est. 1946
It’s fairly earlier so don’t shoot the messenger but the numbers are out for early attendance in the NBA and despite the economy and the earliness of the season they are only down 2% from this point last year. Also the statistic is skewed by two teams, the Philadelphia 76ers and Memphis Grizzlies, who are drawing less than 70 percent.
The 76ers averaged 15,802 in 2008-’09, in five home games this season they’ve averaged 11,377, and are down more than 20 percent of capacity from last year. The Memphis Grizzlies ranked 29th in attendance last year only filling 70 percent of their arena are now only filling 66 percent, only outdrawing the 76ers. The Detroit Pistons have cause for concern, dropping from first in average attendance to 16th, falling 19.6 percent. The Spurs, a team retooled and trying to avenge their first round playoff exit rank 12th but are down 8%
Not all is doom and gloom as the Chicago Bulls are up over 100 percent of capacity after filling 97.7 percent of the United Center last season. The Cleveland Cavilers are in a similar boat, selling out each home game so far after drawing 97.3 percent last season. The Atlanta Hawks have seen significant gains, rising from 89.4 to 95.4 percent. Even the Minnesota Timberwolves fans are showing support no that Kevin McHale is ruining their team by filling their stadium by 8% more than last season.
Source: SportsBusiness Journal
Average attendances and percentage for each team:
| Rank | Team | Average Attendance | % (+/-) from year prior |
| 1 | Chicago | 21,111 | +3.3% |
| 2 | Cleveland | 20,562 | +2.7% |
| 3 | Portland | 20,350 | -.8% |
| 4 | Dallas | 19,823 | -1.4% |
| 5 | New York | 19,625 | +1.7% |
| 6 | Utah | 19,611 | -1.5% |
| 7 | LA Lakers | 18,997 | (no chg) |
| 8 | Boston | 18,624 | (no chg) |
| 9 | Toronto | 18,131 | -3.2% |
| 10 | Denver | 18,039 | +4.3% |
| 11 | Washington | 17,975 | +6.7% |
| 12 | San Antonio | 17,957 | -.8% |
| 13 | Oklahoma City | 17,882 | +.5% |
| 14 | Atlanta | 17,862 | +6% |
| 15 | Golden State | 17,827 | -5.7% |
| 16 | Detroit | 17,541 | -19.6% |
| 17 | Orlando | 17,541 | +2.4% |
| 18 | Miami | 17,421 | -4.1% |
| 19 | Houston | 17,130 | -2% |
| 20 | Phoenix | 16,771 | -9% |
| 21 | Minnesota | 16,088 | +8.2% |
| 22 | New Orleans | 15,156 | -10.5% |
| 23 | New Jersey | 14,919 | -1.4% |
| 24 | LA Clippers | 14,748 | -7.4% |
| 25 | Milwaukee | 14,636 | -4% |
| 26 | Charlotte | 14,633 | +.4% |
| 27 | Indiana | 14,439 | +1.4% |
| 28 | Sacramento | 12,422 | -.9% |
| 29 | Memphis | 12,095 | -3.5% |
| 30 | Philadelphia | 11,377 | -23.7% |
WTF LeBron James
#27
Prior to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic game LeBron James said he would stop talking about the upcoming 2010 free agency but then he goes out and wears these kicks to honor the NEW YORK Yankees.
Does James just bring this extra talk upon himself?
Dwight Howard Reads Bible Verses To Porn Star
USED TALENT
Porn star Mary Cary and former California governor candidate went on Sacramento KHTK Radio and claimed that Dwight Howard is a stalker and showed her his disco stick.
“Dwight’s a cool guy. For a month, we like talked on the phone, and he was always trying to give me prayers to get me out of porn and give me Bible verses to read. So then, I was going to go visit him when I was in Orlando, but I went over to this other guy’s house instead, Chris Kirkpatrick from N’Sync. And then Dwight started calling, and calling, and calling me, because he knew I was with Chris Kirkpatrick, so eventually at 3 in the morning, Chris was like don’t answer Dwight’s calls.
“I get a text from Dwight at 3 in the morning — I’m outside Chris’s house. I’m like oh my god, what do I do? I was like, I got Dwight here and I got Chris in the other room and I’m talking to them back and forth. So finally I had to just pull Dwight in the bathroom and tell him he needs to go home. I was like I’m really sorry, I really like you, but this isn’t the time or place. When I pull him in the bathroom, he pulls his pants down, I was like, whooa. Yeah, and so I ran and started screaming.”
I love how Dwight would read the bible to her to try to talk her out of doing porn. Classic.
But what I’m also being told is N’Sync is got more moves than Howard when it comes to the affections of a porn star?
J.J. Redick Enters The Rap Game
Fool
Orlando Magic guard J.J. Redick is the latest athlete that has decided that being a full time basketball player in the NBA just isn’t enough and would like to do what Jay-Z does. According to Redick, he’s part of a “rap super group” that will release a new single before the end of the year titled “Waste Management.”
“We’re working on a rap CD,” Redick revealed. “We actually haven’t come up with a name from the group, we’re throwing around some ideas right now.”
“The chorus has been written and the first verse and the direction we’re heading on the song has to deal with ‘waste management,’” Redick elaborated. “We’re not taking ourselves to seriously. We have some influences, and when you hear our sound eventually, you’ll pick up right away.”
Reddick just cause you got some throw away NBA money and think it would be all fun to be in the game, let me tell you something, the rap game isn’t a joke, this is how some people eat. Your game is a joke.
BLOCK CITY: Your Victim-Courtney Lee
Dwight Howard, you have been charged with the crime of Representin.
And the verdict is Guilty.
Superman Adds 10 Pounds Of Muscles
he's a beast he's a dog he's muthaf**kin problem
Alright we already know Magic center Dwight Howard is a beast, but that beast just got bigger. Howard reported to training camp with 10 more pounds of muscles to help him face new foes Rasheed Wallace and Shaquille ONeal in The East. The 10 pounds of muscles put Howard’s frame at 275 pounds.
Howard the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year said the added muscle wont be the only new addition to his game as he believes his 59 percent foul throw shooting will rise to the 70 percentile range. Howard shot 849 free throws, more than anyone in the league last season.
“I’m going to be better this season,” he said. “We’re going to be better. We fell short last season. We just want to win a championship now.”
Howard became just the fifth player in league history to lead the league in both rebounding (13.8 rpg) and blocked shots (2.9 bpg) in the same season. With a team around him that now includes Vince Carter, along with Rashard Lewis and Jameer Nelson, Howard knows that dominating around the basket may lead directly to that title he is seeking.
“My problem is not post moves because you can have a million of them, and if you get double- and triple-teamed, you can’t get them off,” he said. “It’s about being smarter and knowing when to pass out of them. It’s about putting the ball in the basket, however it gets there.”
You got 82 games for sure to show the NBA community that this just wasn’t talk.
Rashard Lewis Is A PED User
10 Game Suspension
Today Orlando Magic All-Star forward Rashard Lewis had been suspended by the NBA for 10 games for violating the Anti-Drug Program. Lewis tested positive recently for an elevated testosterone level, which is common among steroid users, and he will miss the first 10 games of the regular season without pay. According to league sources, Lewis was taking a supplement that contained a substance called Dehydroepiandrosterone, a chemical found in several over-the-counter products at nutrition stores. The substance is banned by most sports leagues, including the NBA.
Lewis issued the following statement through the Magic, who have not yet commented on the suspension:
“First and foremost I take full responsibility for the situation and accept the corresponding penalty. Toward the end of the season I took an over-the-counter supplement which at the time I did not realize included a substance banned by the NBA. I apologize to Magic fans, my teammates and this organization for not doing the research that should come with good judgment. I hope this unintentional mistake will not reflect poorly on our team and its great character. I hope every athlete can learn from my mistake that supplements, no matter how innocent they seem, should only be taken after consulting an expert in the field.”
NBA players are randomly tested four times each season under the league’s Anti-Drug Agreement. The first positive test for steroids or any performance enhancing drug results in a 10-game suspension. The second positive test is a 25-game suspension and the third positive test would be a one-year suspension.
Lewis, an 11-year veteran, was coming off his second All-Star appearance, carving his niche as one of the finest 3-point shooters in the league. The Magic’s recent success has elevated them among the league’s elite, as evidenced earlier this week by the national TV schedule that included 29 Magic games, most in franchise history.
In his absence for the first 10 games, the Magic likely will move Mickael Pietrus into his starting spot, alongside Brandon Bass at forward.
Spurs Franchise Saved
The Reason 4 Banners
This week marks the ninth year anniversary of Tim Duncan re-signing with the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs forward turned down a reported six year deal from the Orlando Magic worth $67.5 million and accepted a four year deal for $45.9. The city launched itself into a “Stay Tim Stay” campaign. It became such a hard decision that previous Spur savior David Robinson flew back from his trip in Hawaii to persuade Duncan to remain with the team. Looking back now it presents itself as a no brainer because the Magic’s problems with often injured forward Grant Hill who they pursued that summer as well and locking themselves up in a contract until 2007. Instead of the franchise taking a step backwards the city of San Antonio enjoyed three more river parades because of Duncan’s decision nine years ago.
