Bleacher Report - Articles by Alex Kennedy

Brandon Bass vs. Marcin Gortat: Tale of the Tape

Alex Kennedy — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 16:18:59 -0400

When Marcin Gortat signed an offer sheet with the Dallas Mavericks one week ago, nobody knew how the Orlando Magic would react.

Would they match the offer? Would they replace him? Going with the latter, Magic General Manager Otis Smith signed Brandon Bass on Friday.

Assuming the Magic do not match Dallas’ offer for Gortat, let’s take a look at the tale of the tape between the reserve big men who essentially swapped places this offseason.

Brandon Bass Marcin Gortat

24-years old AGE 25-years old

Baton Rouge, Louisiana HOMETOWN Łódź, Poland

6’8" HEIGHT 7’0"

8’10.5" STANDING REACH 9’2"

250 pounds WEIGHT 240 pounds

Four YEARS PRO Two

Four years, $18 million CONTRACT Five years, $34 million

Power Forward POSITION Center

8.5 pts, 4.5 rebs STATS 3.8 pts, 4.5 rebs

19.4 per game MINUTES 12.6 per game

Trevor Ariza's Hard Work Finally Paying Off

Alex Kennedy — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 21:42:44 -0400

The game wouldn't start for another three hours.

The parking lot was empty.

Fans hadn't yet left their homes.

Players and media were just making their way into the building—but a familiar noise could be heard.

A basketball was swishing through a net. Over and over again.

The culprit was Trevor Ariza, already dressed in his warm-ups, alone on the court, hoisting jump-shot after jump-shot. The sweat-drenched swing-man was intensely focused on the rack of balls by his side and the basket that stood twenty feet away.

This was a regular occurrence back in 2006—when Ariza was a member of the Orlando Magic.

At that point his jump shot was inconsistent and needed tweaking, which is exactly what he aimed to do during those afternoon workout sessions.

To anyone who has witnessed his outstanding work ethic and drive, it’s clear that he isn’t satisfied with mediocrity. He isn't happy just being in the league and isn't content with being a career role player. Trevor Ariza is constantly working to improve his game because he wants more than that.

“Everybody wants to play. Everybody wants to be a starter, be an All-Star, be whatever, be the best that they can be. That's what I'm trying to do."

But where did this motivation and focus come from?

Over time, part of it developed as more and more doubters questioned aspects of his game. His jump-shot, his ball-handling, and his skinny frame were just several things keeping Ariza from being the total package, according to critics.

But the main source for Ariza’s drive and dedication came from a tragic incident 13 years ago. His father, Ken McClary, played college basketball at Florida before beginning a successful career overseas. During one of the family’s trips to Venezuela in 1996 to watch their father play, Ariza’s two younger brothers Tajh, age six, and Kenny, age nine, were in the hotel with a babysitter. The children began wrestling and horsing around near a window and somehow, Tajh fell to his death 30 stories below.

Trevor, only 11 at the time, would be haunted by Tajh’s death for a very long time.

"It was real hard," he says. "My little brother was my best friend. We slept in the same bed together every night. We did everything together. For my mom—for anyone to lose a child—it was very hard. And Kenny actually saw him fall. He had nightmares for a long time.”

Flying home from Venezuela was just as hard for Ariza, "knowing [his] little brother was in a box on that plane."

During these dark times, Ariza was forced to mature. He turned to basketball and lived for a year with John Fischer, founder of the Hoop Masters Camp.

"That tragedy spurred him and really made him headstrong, and he [had] something he really want[ed] to prove to himself," says former NBA star and family friend Reggie Theus. "There was a period of time when he could've gone either way. He could've gone on the dark side. But he's got a very strong mom who's been there for him the whole time. They pulled each other through."

Quickly, Trevor fell in love with basketball. It was a stress reliever, a peaceful place, and something that came very easy for him. He was blessed with an astounding vertical leap, long arms, and the game in his genes. This was a formula for success and Ariza quickly showed promise.

READ THE REST: http://www.realgm.com/src_feature_article/201/20090430/arizas_hard_work_finally_paying_off/

Tracy McGrady Doesn't Believe the Houston Rockets Will Win the Title

Alex Kennedy — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 23:19:42 -0400

Can someone remind Tracy McGrady that he is a still a member of the Houston Rockets?

Despite missing 47 games during the regular season and the playoffs, you'd think that McGrady would remember which team was signing his paychecks.

But in a radio interview with Atlanta's 790 The Zone, the Rockets' star didn't seem to have much faith in the franchise that traded for him in 2004, even going as far as leaving them out of his Finals predictions.

When asked who he thought would win the championship, McGrady didn't even hesitate.

"Lakers," said the veteran forward. "It's no knock on Cleveland, I think Cleveland's gonna get there. [But] Cleveland to me is really not that good. If you take what the Celtics did last year, you knew they were either gonna get to the Finals or were gonna win it. You can't really say the same thing about the Cavaliers," he added.

So Tracy McGrady believes the Los Angeles Lakers will win it all.

The same Lakers team that would face Houston in the second round if the Rockets were to hold onto their series lead and advance (and if Sunday's rout was any indication, they'll advance).

So not only does McGrady have no faith in his team to come out of the Western Conference, he is predicting that their potential second round opponent will advance and win it all. What is he thinking?

At this point, I think McGrady realizes his time in Houston is done, and he doesn't care anymore.

The Houston media has been turned against him for well over a year now, with the Houston Chronicle at one point running a ticker counting the number of games he had missed, and the money "wasted" just by having McGrady on the roster. After a flurry of emails, the counter was removed but the point had already been made.

The fans are sick of his injuries, distractions, and the losing that has been associated with McGrady ever since demanding a trade out of Orlando only five years ago.

The front office that has tried and tried to accommodate McGrady, but has grown tired of paying him superstar money for first round exits year in and year out. They now realize the difference between their team when McGrady is on the floor and when he is off.

The Rockets are playing their best basketball of the season with McGrady out of the lineup. Coincidence? I think not.

Their defense is better, the offense is flowing without him dominating the ball, and the distractions are gone. Ball movement is improved and the team is clicking on all cylinders. Sure, the team occasionally misses him at the end of games, but is he worth it?

I think it's safe to say the McGrady Experiment in Houston has failed and is over.

Luckily for the Rockets, his contract expires after next season meaning that this offseason, McGrady will be a $23.2 million expiring contract. This means that teams trying to enter the LeBron Sweepstakes will be drooling over the available cap room that acquiring McGrady would give them for the summer of 2010.

Tracy's recent comments have to be the last straw for the organization. He has lost faith in his team and they have, in turn, given up on him. This offseason should be an interesting one for the Rockets, whose phones will be ringing with potential suitors.

Who knows, maybe the Lakers will call. After all, McGrady is already a firm believer in them.

Thumbs Up Otis Smith: Rafer Alston is Perfect Fit

Alex Kennedy — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 22:53:58 -0400

As soon as the trade was reported, the message boards and blogs went crazy.

ESPN announced that the Magic had acquired Rafer Alston in exchange for a draft pick and fillers and immediately fans, especially Rockets' fans, bashed the Magic.

"I've NEVER seen someone so happy to GET Rafer. I've seen people happy to get rid of him, but never to get him. He's a horrible player. Don't get too excited," said one fan.

"Well, there goes Orlando's chances at the ECF's," added another.

"You'll hate Rafer. He sucks, worst starting point guard in the league. Because of Rafer being point guard, Dwight's stats will go down, quote it," predicted a Houston fan

So now that Rafer is approaching his twentieth game with the Magic, I have to ask the critics: Care to reassess?

Since acquiring Alston, the Magic have gone 15-4 while taking the number two seed in the East away from the Boston Celtics.

His scoring, assists, steals, rebounding, and field goal percentage are all topping both his career stats and his numbers from earlier this season in Houston. He's doing all of this while playing nearly four minutes less each game and has also lowered his turnovers despite his larger role.

Stan Van Gundy, who had Alston as his starting point guard during his stint in Miami, knew what he was getting in the nine year veteran. An experienced point with a quick first step who likes to push the ball up court and play a fast tempo that has helped improve Orlando's scoring to 102.16 points per game.

He can also disrupt the passing lanes which is important for Van Gundy as he likes his teams to be among the best in the league defensively (Orlando is currently top five in nearly all defensive statistic categories).

While it's easy to see that he's fit in with his teammates on the court, he has also made an impact in the locker room. Positioned right next to Dwight Howard's locker, the center and point guard joke and playfully jab at fellow teammates about all topics, ranging from their playing time to what they're wearing as they leave the arena.

Even "Skip", as many of the players call Alston referencing his streetball days, can't escape the teases. As he changed into an bright orange polo following a game last week, "James and the Giant Peach" and "Florida Orange" were among the names tossed in his direction. Alston took the jabs with a smile and quickly retaliated with clever comebacks.

The team's chemistry is amazing considering that injuries and front office moves have kept the rotation ever changing. Jameer Nelson, Anthony Johnson, Tyronn Lue, and Alston have all seen big minutes at the point guard position but have moved around for various reasons.

Courtney Lee, Keith Bogans, J.J. Redick, and Mickael Pietrus all started at least five games this season at shooting guard.

Thankfully, Otis Smith has done an excellent job assembling this team and the Rafer Alston trade was just the latest example of this. Despite what the critics said early on, Smith's move is looking brilliant as the Magic inch closer and closer to breaking the franchise record of sixty wins in a season and securing homecourt advantage.

If Orlando hopes to do this, Alston will have to keep up his consistent play and continue to lead the team.

Luckily, this is what he has done all along and has shown that he is the perfect fit for this team, no matter what anyone says.

March Madness: The Epidemic is Widespread

Alex Kennedy — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:49:24 -0400

For as long as I can remember, I have been handed a bracket on Selection Sunday and told to fill it out. As a middle school student who knew very little about sports, I found the competition, and the chance to win bragging rights, fun.

Today my family is still filling out brackets and every March, everybody has an equal chance to win.

My brother, who as a sixth grader somehow predicted George Mason's Final Four run on his way to winning without watching one minute of college basketball during the season, has won. My mom, who likes to make her selections based off school names and jersey colors, has beaten us all. My girlfriend, who prefers putting team mascots up against one another as she makes her picks, is currently leading.

My father and I, who know each of the teams and can name one hundred more players than the rest of our family combined, have never won. We spend too much time looking at individual match-ups, free throw shooting problems, and point guard play rather than focusing on the truly important things. You know, things like how the Utah Utes have a weird name so of course the Arizona Wildcats are going to upset them.

This chance for everyone to participate, and win for that matter, is part of the reason that March Madness has reached all demographics and become similar to the Super Bowl in a sense that everyone is excited about something. This widespread epidemic known as March Madness Fever is highly contagious and spreading rapidly.

From a basketball sense, what fan of the sport wouldn't want to watch the best teams in the country go head to head for a title? Sixteen games packed into one day makes for excellent basketball, individual match-ups, and excitement.

And this isn't the NBA. Teams can't lose three games and then still come back and win a title. If you lose, you're done. Every big play is more important and every mistake is magnified. March Madness is a basketball fan's heaven, there is no doubting that.

But what about those who don't understand or like the sport? They love it too. Most of the people in my family's pool are either casual sports fan or have very little interest and they get just as into it.

Even if they had never heard of the Sienna Saints until this month, they are now rooting for them to beat Ohio State just as hard as Michigan fans because their bracket needs them to. But that's not all. Anyone who loves rooting for the underdog or their favorite school can get into the Big Dance. Heck, if you love winning money and gambling, this is the time of year for you.

The Super Bowl has the commercials, parties and media frenzy, but March Madness is getting up there in terms of diverse audiences. One reason for this is that fans love the intensity, pressure, and excitement of a single game determining a winner. Everything this team worked for during the season is decided in these twenty minutes. The suspense is always that of a game seven. That is why March is the month where heroes are made and rivalries are strengthened.

The players who make these games so excited never lose the passion and intensity towards the tournament either.

On Saturday, following the game between the Orlando Magic and New York Knicks, I made my way into the locker room for post-game interviews. Rather than seeing all of the guys dressed and ready to leave, many of them hadn't moved from the television long enough to get ready. Duke and Texas were playing on the big screen as I walked in and sure enough, J.J. Redick, one of the best Blue Devils of all-time, was sitting there rooting his team on.

Courtney Lee, the most successful Hilltopper in the team's history, was also focused on the screen, but at the top left corner where the Western Kentucky and Gonzaga score was being displayed.

Twenty minutes later, CBS was still airing Texas and Duke but Lee's gaze was still fixed on the score, either groaning or grinning with each update. One of the workers for the team turned off the showers which finally broke his trance. While the rest of his peers were dressed and heading to the team parking lot, Lee was still sitting at locker in his game shorts and towel that he got to using.

Exactly one year before this night, I had witnessed Lee's twelfth ranked Hilltoppers upset the fifth ranked Drake squad in an overtime thriller in Tampa. Throughout the team's run to the Sweet Sixteen, Lee averaged 20.6 points, 8 rebounds, 2.6 steals, and 1.7 blocks. It was his performance during these nationally televised games that caught the attention of scouts and NBA circles.

The Magic then went on to select him twenty second overall in last year's NBA Draft. It was largely because of his performance in the NCAA Tournament the year before that he was able to be sitting in his new team's locker room rooting on his old school. As I said, performances are magnified and heroes are made in March and Lee is yet another example of that.

Players and fans, adults and children, sports geeks and jock haters alike can all get into what March Madness has to offer. It is more than just a basketball tournament and means different things depending on who you ask.

To the college basketball player, it is everything they've worked for and a chance to prove themselves to the world. It is a chance to begin interviewing for NBA front offices and to bring recognition and respect to the school that put faith in them out of high school.

For the sports fan, it is nonstop excitement and a reason to call into work. They can root for their favorite team and maybe even attend one of the games. Extra points go to those who paint their bodies.

For the daughter of the sports fan, it is a chance to kick their dad's butt in his bracket and prove that she is, in fact, always right. She also may get the chance to win some money and have bragging rights when she successfully predicts her father's Alma Mater to lose in the first round while dad has them winning it all.

For the mom, she likes cheering on the underdogs and getting the whole family together to watch the games and fill out their bracket. It's all harmless fun and Memphis isn't just playing for pride and a title, they're also playing for her new pair of shoes so they better come through for her.

This is the fun of March Madness and I hope you enjoy it, no matter who you are.

NBA Stars, Bump These: Recommended Songs, Pt. 1

Alex Kennedy — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:16:35 -0400

Throughout Phil Jackson's tenure as coach of the Lakers, he has been known to provide his players with inspirational books on an array of topics. Usually, the books deal with something going on in the player's life and relate to the individual.

But we know how busy professional athletes can be. So rather than recommending books, we're going to give out some songs for certain players to take a listen to. Maybe these tunes will help them solve a problem or simply come to a realization.

Without further ado, let's check out the playlist.

For the Boston Celtics' Kevin Garnett: "When You're Gone" by Avril Lavigne

Relevant lyrics:

When you walk away, I count the steps that you take

Do you see how much I need you right now?

I miss you

Since losing Garnett to injury in late February, the Celtics have gone 6-7, including 1-4 in their last five, and are now only one game ahead of the third-seed Orlando Magic in the East. They've looked very beatable and have lost to the Bucks, Clippers, and Bulls.

Clearly, the Celtics see how much they need Kevin right now. Saying that they "miss him" is definitely an understatement.

Another suggestion for the Celtics and KG: "My Life Would Suck Without You" by Kelly Clarkson

Other players who should bump this: the Orlando Magic's Jameer Nelson, the Los Angeles Lakers' Andrew Bynum, and the Philadelphia Sixers' Elton Brand

For the Houston Rockets' Tracy McGrady: "Hurt" by T.I. and Busta Rhymes

Relevant Lyrics:

Ain't a damn thang change

I still keep that thang right up under my shirt

Better tell 'em I ain't playin'

Because it's all fun and games until somebody get hurt

Sure, that second line doesn't make sense, but everything else describes McGrady's injury woes perfectly.

Tracy is one of the top players in the league when healthy, but each season "ain't a damn thing change" because after a brief stint, he always goes down, and everyone knows he "ain't playin" for awhile.

Check out this song, T-Mac, it seems as if it were written for you.

Another suggestion for McGrady: "You Will Always Hurt" by Waterdeep

Other players who should bump this: the Portland Trail Blazers' Greg Oden, the Miami Heat's Jermaine O'Neal, the Washington Wizards' Gilbert Arenas, and (in the past) the Phoenix Suns' Grant Hill

From the L.A. Clippers' Baron Davis to the Philadelphia 76ers' Elton Brand: "Heartless" by Kanye West

Relevant Lyrics:

How could you be so heartless?

How could you be so, cold as the winter wind when it breeze, yo

Just remember that you talkin' to me though

You need to watch the way you talkin' to me, yo

I mean after all the things that we've been through

I mean after all the things we got into

Hey yo, I know of some things that you ain't told me

Hey yo, I did some things but that's the old me

But in the end it's still so lonely

This past offseason, Baron Davis and Elton Brand were supposed to form a dynamic duo in Los Angeles. The Clippers were going to have a big man-guard duo of their own in the Staples Center, and things were looking great. That is, until Brand fled for Philly when negotiations with the Clips broke down.

This left Davis on a below-average team with a tiny fan base in a city dominated by the Lakers.

The two former friends, emphasis on former, have not talked since the offseason, and these lyrics perfectly describe Baron's pain.

Another suggestion for this situation: "Where'd You Go?" by Fort Minor

Other players who might send this one out: the Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James (to the Utah Jazz's Carlos Boozer)

For the Detroit Pistons' Allen Iverson: "Viva La Vida" by Coldplay

Relevant Lyrics:

I used to rule the world

Seas would rise when I gave the word

Now in the morning I sleep alone

Sweep the streets I used to own

I used to roll the dice

Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes

Listen as the crowd would sing

"Now the old king is dead! Long live the king!"

One minute I held the key

Next the walls were closed on me

And I discovered that my castles stand

Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand

Iverson used to "rule the (basketball) world," as the song says. But lately, he hasn't had any Playoff success, and teams have found it harder and harder to win with him on their team.

The Nuggets dealt him after failing to advance past the first round every season since they acquired him from Philadelphia. The Pistons picked up the veteran guard and have been struggling since; they often play better with Iverson not in the lineup.

Recently, rumors have surfaced that Detroit could have A.I. shut it down for the season in a classic "addition by subtraction" move. He no longer "feels the fear in his enemy's eyes" and the "walls are (quickly) closing" on the Answer.

Another suggestion for A.I.: "Life Is Not What It Used To Be" by Bruce Springsteen

Other players who should take a listen: retired star Alonzo Mourning, the New Jersey Nets' Vince Carter, and the Boston Celtics' Stephon Marbury

For the Phoenix Suns' Jason Richardson: "I'm So Paid" by Akon, Lil Wayne, and Young Jeezy

Relevant Lyrics:

I get it in til the sun rise

Doing 90 in a 65

Windows rolled down screamin out

Hey-ey-ey I'm so paid!

While Jason Richardson isn't making the most money in the NBA, these lyrics are perfect for him.

Not only is he a Sun, but he has recently had some problems speeding; "90 in a 65" is pretty fast, but that's nothing for Richardson. He was recently pulled over going 90 in a 35 with his three-year-old son unrestrained in the vehicle.

That's right, 55 miles per hour over the speed limit. Take that, Akon!

Another suggestion for J-Rich: "Speedin'" by Rick Ross and R. Kelly

Other players who should take a listen: LeBron James (for monetary and speeding ticket reasons)

Bleacher Report, using their power as a major sports media outlet, will be sending iPods with these songs already loaded to each player mentioned in the article. Thanks, Zander!

Part Two of this article will be released in the next few days.

Orlando Magic's Bench Torches Bulls In 107-79 Victory

Alex Kennedy — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 22:02:56 -0400

When a team has six players score in double figures, it usually means that the starters and sixth man all played well. But on Wednesday night, three of the double-digit scorers came from the Orlando Magic's bench on the way to a 107-79 beat down of the Chicago Bulls.

Tony Battie led the second unit with 18 points and eight rebounds. Marcin Gortat, in just 23 minutes of action, recorded his second double-double of the season with 13 points and 15 rebounds. J.J. Redick saw an increase in playing time because of Hedo Turkoglu's foot injury and made the most of it scoring 13 points on 4-6 shooting.

The Magic reserves outscored (56-42), outrebounded (27-23), and threw more assists (15-8) than Chicago's starters in a combined 27 less minutes. The backups shot 59 percent from the field and were dominating against Chicago's first unit. This was somewhat of surprise considering the team's sixth man and bench scorer, Mickael Pietrus, was forced into the starting lineup in place of Turkoglu.

Orlando's bench production has improved drastically in the last few seasons.

In the past, teams had learned that they can beat the Magic by getting Dwight Howard into foul trouble. But tonight, Gortat stepped up when Howard picked up two early fouls that kept him on the bench.

After the "Polish Prince", as Howard calls him, helped the Magic gain a very comfortable lead, coach Stan Van Gundy didn't find it necessary to put Dwight back in the game, ending his night with 15 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks in just 22 minutes.

This season the Magic have relied on their starting forwards, Rashard Lewis and Turkoglu, to produce points. But on a night where Lewis and Pietrus combined for just 14 points on 3-18 shooting, Redick and Battie were hitting everything as they combined for 31 points while shooting 65 percent from the field (a number that would be higher if Battie didn't get greedy and miss a few shots during garbage time).

On a night in which things weren't clicking for the starters, it's always great to see the bench come through big and lead the team to victory. The win clinched a playoff berth for the Magic which is somewhat symbolic considering how important the bench play will be for the team come the postseason.

"We didn't have Turkoglu, Rashard doesn't make a shot, and Dwight plays twenty two minutes and that's the formula for a blowout win?" joked Van Gundy after the game.

Tonight, the formula worked perfectly and Orlando hopes it will continue to work if needed for the rest of the season and into May.

Jay Cutler Meets With Broncos, Bleacher Report Retrieves Transcript

Alex Kennedy — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 00:25:53 -0400

Today is a very big day for Bleacher Report.

Believe it or not, we were able to sneak a tape recorder into the office of Denver Broncos' coach Josh McDaniels during his conference call with Jay Cutler and the following is a transcript of what was said.

McDaniels: Hey Jay, how have you been doing?

Cutler: ... Can we just get this over with?

McDaniels: Okay, listen. We don't want to trade you, we never did.

Cutler: Then what was up with those Matt Cassel rumors? Huh? You think he's better than me? Because he's not.

McDaniels: No, why would you say that? We didn't contact the Patriots about Matt Cassel. The media blew things out of proportion. In fact, I forgot who Cassel was until I read the reports. Then I was like, "Oh yeah, that guy. He's horrible."

Cutler: Seriously, the guy played in an offense with Randy Moss, Wes Welker, and not six different running backs. Of course his stats look good. I'm the better player though. You know, I have a stronger arm than John Elway. Have I told you that?

McDaniels: That's nice, Jay. I'm just here to tell you that we don't want Cassel or any other quarterback...that's available. I mean if the right guy came along...

Cutler: WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?

McDaniels: Whoa, whoa, calm down. Don't go all Brandon Marshall on me. I was just saying that you're my right hand man...for now.

Cutler: This is bullshit. I want out of Denver. I'm calling ESPN and telling them that things just got worse.

McDaniels: Wait Jay, hear me out. As a head coach, you're by far the best quarterback I've ever had. I mean that.

Cutler: This is your first head coaching job. I'm not a dumbass So-Cal guy like your butt buddy Cassel.

McDaniels: I just think this whole situation is ridiculous and we need to start over and move on.

Cutler: You think so?

McDaniels: Yes. Hi Jay, my name is Josh McDaniels and I'm your new head coach. I look forward to working with you.

Cutler: Oh nice to meet you Coach McDaniels. You couldn't hold Mike Shanahan's jockstrap and I want out of Denver.

McDaniels: Yeah? Well I did want Matt Cassel. I think you're a shitty quarterback and honestly, last season I wanted Phillip Rivers to kick your ass! Even as your coach, I would still root for him in a fight.

Cutler: Well, you just lost your franchise quarterback. Have fun with Patrick Ramsey.

McDaniels: So will we be seeing you for conditioning Monday?

Cutler: Suck my...

Unfortunately, we ran out of tape at that point in the conversation.

Hours later, ESPN was reporting that, "The conference call was anything but genial and the two sides are now further apart than prior to it", just as Cutler had threatened.

Things don't look too good in Denver and things seem to be getting personal. As soon as the two talk again, Bleacher Report will have the transcript.

LaDainian Tomlinson Restructures Deal With Chargers

Alex Kennedy — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 23:44:37 -0400

After mocking comments from his general manager, a "doesn't look promising" update from his mother, and Drew Brees planting the seed for a reunion, LaDainian Tomlinson has restructured his deal with the San Diego Chargers and will remain with the team for at least one more season.

Tomlinson, who will take a pay cut in 2010 and 2011 to give the team more cap room, will stay with the team that drafted him fifth overall in 2001.

"I love San Diego and being a part of this team with my teammates. My number one priority was to stay here in San Diego," said Tomlinson. "I truly believe this is the place that gives me the best chance to be successful and win a championship. I want to finish the job we started when I got here eight years ago. My heart has always been in San Diego. I couldn't imagine putting on another uniform."

Last season, LaDainian's numbers took a turn for the worse. He rushed for a career low 1,100 yards and recorded only 11 touchdowns, his lowest total since his rookie season. This was partially due to the fact that Tomlinson attempted a career low 292 carries (his first time finishing below 300 attempts in his career) but his yards per carry (3.8) were also the lowest since he entered the league.

San Diego hopes that Tomlinson can return next season as the elite running back that they know and love and while the eight-year veteran is happy to return to the Bolts, he won't be truly satisfied until he leads the team to a championship.

Breaking News: Dallas Cowboys Release Terrell Owens

Alex Kennedy — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 00:29:38 -0500

According to sources, the Dallas Cowboys have released wide receiver Terrell Owens.

Owens, who is known for his controversial behavior, was let go by the team late Wednesday night.

Last season, Owens was considered by many to be a distraction in the Cowboys' locker room when he reportedly met with the team's offensive coordinator, Jason Garrett, to ask for the ball while questioning Tony Romo's relationship with tight end Jason Witten. He even went as far as to accuse the two of making secret plays.

Owens denied the comments, but owner Jerry Jones was clearly tired of the constant soap opera that he brought to Dallas.

Just like in San Francisco and Philadelphia, Owens wore out his welcome with the Cowboys.

Last season, he had a noticeable decline in production, and his 1,052 receiving yards along with his 69 receptions were the lowest in a full season since 1999 when he was a member of the 49ers.

Owens joins a fellow Pro-Bowl wide receiver on the free agency market in Marvin Harrison and could garner interest from Minnesota and Tampa Bay, who are shopping for a wide receiver.

Suns-Magic: Shaquille O'Neal's Flopping Earns Him New Nickname: Big Hypocrite

Alex Kennedy — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 00:12:09 -0500

"Cowards flop. If you're a good defensive player, you shouldn't have to flop. (Defenders) know they can't stop me straight up, so they act like cowards and flop."

Shaquille O'Neal had these harsh comments for floppers on May 19, 2008.

Less than one year later, he may be eating his words.

In a physical match up between the Orlando Magic and Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night, Magic center Dwight Howard and O'Neal were matched up for most of the game.

Howard picked up several fouls away from the ball early on and was in foul trouble for most of the night. Normally, this means that Shaq would attack his opponent, whose defensive ability would be limited for fear of picking up their sixth and final foul.

But not tonight.

When Howard received the ball in the post late in the game, O'Neal found himself flopping to the floor. Longtime Orlando Magic announcer David Steele was stunned. "Shaq flopped? Shaq just flopped," he screamed in surprise. Did the man who always talks about flopping being cracked down on and offenders being penalized really just throw himself to the ground looking for a call?

Minutes later, Shaq was at it again. Howard catches the ball, puts in on the floor and the second he made contact, The Big Hypocrite was sent spiralling to the floor. Twice down the stretch, O'Neal became the coward who couldn't stop Howard, flopping to the floor with worse acting than he displayed in the movie Kazaam.

"I was shocked, seriously, shocked. And very disappointed cause he knows what it's like," said Magic coach Stan Van Gundy who coached O'Neal in Miami. "Let's stand up and play like men, and I think our guy did that tonight.

So why the change of heart for O'Neal? Could it be that he's finally met his match in Howard? For once, Shaquille was the hopeless big man on an island against the league's most dominant center and he resorted to the same cheap strategy that "cowards" have been using against him for years.

Prior the game on Tuesday night, Shaq would tell reporters that "everyone knows who the real Superman is." Indeed we do—and you had no answer for him in the second half.

If he hadn't trashed the art of flopping, (once saying "Bill Russell and Bill Walton would be ashamed to watch this game, big men flopping around."), called out players for these antics (see Danny Fortson, Vlade Divac, and Jason Collins), and been so negative towards the flop in the past, this wouldn't be such a big deal.

But because of his anti-flopping resume, we can now label him as a true hypocrite who looked just as weak and cowardly as the "flopternity", as he calls of it, of players that he has called out over the years.

Shaquille, when you flopped to the Amway Arena floor Tuesday night, you hit a new low.

Derrick Ward Signed by Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Alex Kennedy — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 00:38:17 -0500

According to sources, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed free agent running back Derrick Ward to a four year, $17 million contract.

Ward, who spent the first five years of his career with the New York Giants, will split carries with Earnest Graham. Both backs have experience in systems in which they shared the ball with several other players.

In Graham's two seasons as a starter, he has split carries with the likes of Cadillac Williams, Warrick Dunn, and Michael Bennett. Ward only started eight games in the last two seasons but received plenty of carries alongside Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw in New York.

Last season, Ward recorded a career high 1,025 rushing yards on just 182 carries. He also had 384 receiving yards. His average of 5.6 yards per carry was the highest among all players with at least 100 rushing attempts. He was also the only player to run for over 1,000 yards despite not starting the majority of his team's games, and his attempts per game (11.4) were significantly lower than his peers (who averaged 17.7 attempts per game).

His consistency and ability to step up and start whenever needed made him a valuable part of the Giants' offense. His most impressive game came in a battle for homefield advantage against the Carolina Panthers in Week 16. In only his third game as a starter that season, Ward rushed for 215 yards and carried the Giants on his back.

Now, he looks to bring his explosive ground attack to Tampa Bay and revitalize an offense that ranked 19th in rushing touchdowns and 15th in rushing yards per game.

This is the second move that Tampa Bay has made to improve their offense after trading for tight end Kellen Winslow earlier this week. Ward, who many agree was the top back on the market, gives the Buccaneers another offensive weapon as they fight to return to the playoffs.

An official announcement is expected Tuesday.

Dear Jay Cutler, Come to Tampa Bay!

Alex Kennedy — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 23:52:44 -0500

Rumor has it you're not too happy with the Denver Broncos, Jay. I can't blame you.

The team fired Mike Shanahan after nearly a decade and a half with the organization before hiring a rookie coach, Josh McDaniels, whom you have reportedly clashed with.

They also put you on the trading block and felt that the inexperienced Matt Cassel was a better option at quarterback than yourself. I mean, who wouldn't have amazing stats if they had Randy Moss and Wes Welker to throw to, right?

Anyways, I know you've said that you're "shocked" and "upset" that the Broncos would treat you like that, but instead of dreading a trade, I say you welcome it. In that three-way deal involving Cassel, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were ready to do anything necessary, including giving up a first and fourth round pick, in order to make you their franchise quarterback. They were the first team to contact Denver about acquiring you, so you're definitely the team's first option.

"I don’t know if they think I can’t run the system or I don’t have the skills for it. I just don’t get it. Or if they don’t think they can sign me with my next contract. I just don’t know what it is," you told The Denver Post.

If it's a show of confidence that you want, it's about time you demanded a trade to Tampa Bay.

You'd easily beat out Luke McCown for the starting job, and would have players like Antonio Bryant, Kellen Winslow, and Michael Clayton to throw to. Not to mention that the Buccaneers have a ton of cap space and could add some more weapons to your arsenal.

In fact, minutes after publication, the Buccaneers signed former Giants' running back Derrick Ward, who will split carries with Earnest Graham. That means we're deep at the running back position with Cadillac Williams healthy again, so you won't have to deal with any sixth stringers like you did last season in Denver.

While Raheem Morris may not have a lengthy resume like Shanahan, he's a player's coach, so there won't be any problems between the two of you. He's extremely friendly and knows that his forte is defense, so there will be no clashing. Not to mention we just hired Jeff Jagodzinski as our offensive coordinator. He is known for his high-flying, deep pass attack, which would perfectly compliment your cannon of an arm.

And trust me, I have an aunt who lives in Denver, and the weather is much nicer here in the Sunshine State. We have beaches and it never gets cold, which is great for you since you play better when it's warm (judging by your late season collapse).

Not to mention, there's no state income tax in Florida. That means you get to keep more of your $48 million contract than you would in Denver!

Besides, look at the other teams going after you: Detroit, Chicago, and Minnesota.

Sure, the Lions have Calvin Johnson, but the team is coming off the worst season in the history of the NFL. Not to mention that city has more problems than Brandon Marshall, and will likely be rebuilding for the rest of your contract.

Chicago doesn't have the offensive weapons the Bucs do, and like we said before, you're not a big fan of the colder weather.

Minnesota has Adrian Peterson, but they also have Brad Childress. The two pretty much cancel one another out. Not to mention, the team just traded for Sage Rosenfels and it's no secret that Childress likes quarterback controversies, so that's not exactly the show of confidence you're looking for.

Tampa Bay, on the other hand, gives you a clear starting job, a system you can have a huge role in developing, offensive weapons, and a perennial top defense. And did I mention the amazing weather and more cash in your wallet?

So, Jay, I know by now you're drooling at the thought of being a Buccaneer. Go ahead and call Brian Xanders and let him know that you're demanding a trade to the pewter and red. They denied you when you asked permission to speak with other teams but they can't do anything if you threaten to hold out until your demands are met!

I speak for all Buccaneers fans when I say we'd love to have you leading this team and have full faith in your abilities.

Also, this weekend the high here is 81° compared to 56° in Denver. Just saying.

How Rafer Alston Is Bringing Hope Back to Orlando

Alex Kennedy — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 19:00:37 -0500

When Jameer Nelson ran to the locker room clutching his right shoulder against the Dallas Mavericks, Orlando Magic fans across the country collectively held their breath.

When it was announced that he would need season-ending surgery to repair the torn labrum, Magic fans feared for their season and analysts stated that Orlando was no longer a contender.

With Anthony Johnson as the team's only other point guard, it was an understatement to say that a move needed to be made. Shortly after, Tyronn Lue was acquired from the Milwaukee Bucks.

But in the following game, the Magic barely squeezed out an overtime win over the Charlotte Bobcats despite Dwight Howard contributing 45 points, 19 rebounds, and eight blocks. It was pretty clear that this team wouldn't be getting that type of production from Howard each night and a move had to be made.

One night later, the Magic played their worst game of the season, losing 117-85 to the New Orleans Hornets. Chris Paul abused Orlando's point guards and his 36 points and 10 assists were a big reason for the 32-point blowout. After seeing Johnson and Lue combine for nine points and three assists, GM Otis Smith started working the phones.

The next day, Magic fans waited to see if a move would be made. As the trade deadline came and passed, no trades involving the Magic were being reported. But 20 minutes after the deadline, ESPN broke the news of a three-team deal that sent Houston Rockets' point guard Rafer Alston to Orlando.

The next night, Alston was suited up for the Magic and making his debut against the team that Orlando had struggled against just a few nights before, the Bobcats.

A mixture of nerves and unfamiliarity led to a poor shooting night for Alston, but Magic fans saw what the guard was capable of. In 29 minutes, he dished out eight assists and had three steals in a 92-80 win in which Orlando led for most of the game.

They also noticed some changes to the team's offense. Rather than the slower, half-court tempo that the Magic had been playing with Nelson running the show, Alston looked to push the ball as often as possible.

He also knew his role within the offense, looking for the open man before pulling up. He was the distributor that focused on putting the ball into the hands of Orlando's many offensive weapons.

"Rashard (Lewis) can post on the block and step out and shoot the three," he said to NBA.com. "You know Dwight is a good lob catcher and you want to give him the ball deep in the lane. And the rest of the guys are great shooters. It's exciting."

During his post game interview, Alston continued to show his excitement saying, "To go to a contender, I had a smile from cheek to cheek, from ear to ear when they told me I was coming to Orlando."

Contender.

When Nelson went down, so did the fans' hope in Orlando after the team's terrific start. And here is Alston still calling the Magic a contender? Just like the Magic's offense, expectations were starting to change.

"I think this trade puts Orlando ahead of Cleveland in the East," said one ESPN analyst.

While all of this sounded great, it was just one game and there were still questions to be answered.

Two nights later against the division rival Miami Heat, Alston started his first game as a member of the Magic and it didn't take long to see that he was ready to run this team.

In the first quarter, he had seven assists along with a pair of three-pointers that helped the Magic build an early lead that they wouldn't lose. Unlike Jameer Nelson, who has averaged 4.5 assists per game throughout the course of his career, Rafer could make the difficult pass that led to wide-open shots for his teammates.

Behind-the-back and over-the-shoulder passes set up shooters Hedo Turkoglu and Courtney Lee repeatedly during this stretch.

Alston would finish the game one assist shy of a double-double with 12 points and nine assists against his former team. For the first time in a long time, the Magic were starting a point guard who could rack up double-digit assists with ease and the team's confidence was rising.

"He definitely brought [our swagger] back," said All-Star forward Rashard Lewis. "We were trying to figure ourselves out after Jameer got hurt but I feel like Otis did a great job making that trade and now we're back."

Nelson was having the best season of his career before his injury, but he thrived because of his ability to score and familiarity with his teammates.

When you consider that Alston had been with his new team for just two-and-a-half days and he could count the number of Orlando's plays he knew one hand, it makes his impressive debut as a starter even more amazing.

Before acquiring Alston, the Magic had lost four of seven games since the Nelson injury, but things have improved under Rafer. The team has won its last two games by an average margin of 17 points and only trailed once in both games combined. The team is playing at a faster pace and there is a winning atmosphere at the Amway Arena once again.

"We're a contending team, and the point guard has to be rock solid out there," said Alston following the Miami game.

If these last two games are any indication, Alston is just the rock-solid point guard that Orlando needs and the Magic are indeed a contending team once more.

Superman Returns from Phoenix with Career Night for Magic

Alex Kennedy — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 23:26:27 -0500

This past weekend, Dwight Howard was a very busy man.

On Friday night, he coached the rookie-sophomore game. Saturday, he was competing in the dunk contest and pranking fellow All-Stars until 3:00 in the morning. On Sunday, he started for the East in the All-Star game and logged a team high 28 minutes.

Not to mention all of the parties that go on during the All-Star festivities and the charity work Howard did with his Orlando Magic teammates, Rashard Lewis and Jameer Nelson.

Most people would be exhausted after such a weekend.

Luckily for the Magic, Dwight Howard isn't most people.

"Dwight doesn't know the meaning of tired," says Orlando Magic commentator David Steele.

In Orlando's first game since the break, Howard proved just that. In Orlando's 107-102 overtime win over the Charlotte Bobcats, he recorded a career high 45 points while chipping in 19 rebounds and eight blocks.

That's right. 45 points, 19 rebounds, and eight blocks while shooting 70 percent from the field. That's impressive in NBA Live, nonetheless in an actual game.

In a remarkable game, the Magic trailed the Bobcats for much of the third and fourth quarter, and it took a J.J. Redick three-pointer to send the game into overtime. But once there, the Magic led for most of the way thanks to Howard's perfect free throw shooting and the big man's tenacious defense in the paint.

Howard came just two blocks shy of his second career triple-double. His first just three months ago against the Oklahoma City Thunder when he recorded 30 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 blocks in the Ford Center.

In the past, Howard has had impressive performances against the second overall pick in the 2004 draft, Emeka Okafor. Leading up to the draft, some analysts and fans said that Okafor would be the better pick for Orlando. The Magic, however, didn't listen and took a risk on the high schooler from Atlanta. Today, there is no debating which player is better overall and Dwight continued to silence his critics tonight.

Just two days after a game dedicated to the game's best players, Howard solidified his place among the league's best players.

Several aspects of his game, which have been criticized in the past, include his free throw shooting and post moves. But tonight, both flaws couldn't have been further from the truth. Howard finished 13-18 from the line including 4-4 during overtime. His 32 other points came mainly with his back to the basket, using an array of post moves over Okafor. He only had two dunks on the night, an impressive feat considering how dependant he used to be on the two-handed slam.

This performance shows us that the All-Star break was a fun break, but Dwight Howard isn't wasting any time getting back to business and knows it's his responsibility to lead his team in the second half of the season with Jameer Nelson out indefinitely.

For Howard and the Orlando Magic, there's no time to rest. Luckily, Superman needs no rest.

With Jameer Nelson Injured, Orlando Magic Search for Replacement

Alex Kennedy — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 01:26:23 -0500

When Jameer Nelson staggered to the locker room grabbing his shoulder on Monday night, everyone watching knew right away that the injury was serious. In the locker room, trainers diagnosed his injury as a dislocated shoulder and Nelson was in obvious pain, still in the same position as when he left the court.

On Tuesday, an MRI revealed that Nelson has a torn labrum in his right shoulder. If he undergoes surgery, he'll be out for the remainder of the season. If he opts for rehab and waits for the offseason to go under the knife, he'll still ride the pine for several weeks.

First of all, this is terrible timing. Nelson, who was just selected to his first All-Star game, was playing the best basketball of his career and nothing was going wrong for the point guard.

His shot was falling, he was weeks away from a busy All-Star weekend that included competing in the Skills Competition, playing in the game, and a cameo with Dwight Howard in the Dunk Contest, and was leading the Magic to their best start in franchise history.

While Nelson's impact cannot be replaced, the Magic will shop around and try to bring in some help for the team's only reserve point guard, Anthony Johnson. Stan Van Gundy has said that Hedo Turkoglu and Courtney Lee will spend some time running the offense, but Orlando will also look into signing or trading someone as an insurance policy.

"It's a matter of making the best deal that's available for us," says Orlando Magic general manager Otis Smith. "Whether it's to find a free agent that's available or to do it through a trade, we are actively (considering options) and have been since last night."

In an Orlando Sentinel article published Tuesday, several options including Eddie Gill, Raymond Felton, Earl Watson, and Shaun Livingston were mentioned. While those are all possibilities, here are some other options for the Magic.

Jason Williams | Free Agent

Despite the fact that Jason Williams retired in September of last year, rumor has it he wouldn't mind returning to the hardwood. In Miami, Williams played under Van Gundy and filled his role well during the team's championship run in 2005. While nobody is quite sure what type of shape he is in, it couldn't hurt to bring him in for a workout.

The 10-year NBA veteran would provide depth and experience at the point guard position for Orlando during Nelson's absence. And his familiarity with Van Gundy's style of play along with the fact that he lives in Orlando, makes him a strong candidate to fill the Magic's back court needs.

Andre Miller | Philadelphia 76ers

Each year around this time, Andre Miller's name gets brought up in trade rumors. With the trade deadline nearing, the most recent team seeking Miller's services is said to be the Portland Trailblazers. If the Sixers are talking with the Blazers, then Otis Smith ought to give Ed Stefanski a call as well.

Miller, like Williams, is an experienced, nine-year veteran who knows his role on a team.

But Miller is still playing excellent basketball at this point in his career and it will cost some pieces to pry him away from Philadelphia.

Orlando is deepest at the shooting guard position with Mickael Pietrus, Courtney Lee, Keith Bogans, and JJ Redick, so expect either Bogans or Redick to be included in any deal. The Magic could also offer picks or the expiring contract of either Brian Cook or Tony Battie (in which case other players would likely be involved).

This season, Miller is averaging 16 points per game, 6.3 assists per game, 1.3 steals per game and 4.3 rebounds per game and there wouldn't be as huge of a drop off if Orlando were to bring him in as their new starter.

Earl Boykins | Virtus Bologna, Italy

Like Nenad Krstic, who returned from overseas to join the Oklahoma City Thunder earlier this season, Earl Boykins' contract was terminated by his overseas club about a month ago.

Boykins has since returned to the team but he would likely welcome a spot back on an NBA squad. Boykins, who played one game in Orlando during the 1999 season, has career averages of 9.4 points per game and 3.4 assists per game.

Throughout his career, he has been a good scorer and three-point shooter, a quality that is important in Orlando's offense. His playoff averages are also exceptional for a player coming off of the bench and he could provide a spark for the Magic during both the regular season as well as the playoffs.

Kirk Hinrich | Chicago Bulls

Another player who is no stranger to trade rumors, Kirk Hinrich, seems to be the odd man out in Chicago. After the Bulls used their first overall pick to select point guard Derrick Rose, many wondered what would be done with the five-year veteran.

He started the year coming off of the bench and missed much of November and December due to injury. Since returning in January, he has continued coming off of the bench starting only one game this season.

Hinrich is still a very capable starter and can produce when given minutes, as evidenced by his impressive numbers as a starter.

Chicago is a young team who could use the picks and expiring contracts that Orlando has to offer. On most teams, Hinrich would be starting and if the Magic can add him, they'll be acquiring a capable scorer and talented floor general.

Other options for Orlando include Memphis' Mike Conley or Milwaukee's Ramon Sessions who have each been mentioned in trade rumors.

We'll find out what Otis Smith has in mind in the next couple of days and as news continues to leak, I'll keep everyone updated.

Dear Bleacher Report, What Are We Doing?

Alex Kennedy — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 01:13:59 -0500

Dear Bleacher Report,

I think this site is great, and I enjoy writing here. I really do.

But one thing that always drives me crazy is how the "top articles" that go on the front page of the site are chosen.

Today is Super Bowl Sunday. The biggest day in sports for many Americans. Yet all day, we've had basketball articles, both pro and college, as well as random articles scrolling on the front page.

Now that the Super Bowl is over, you'd think we would have something about the game on the front page. But no, we have two college basketball articles, two college football articles, and a Sunday review NBA article. No disrespect to Erick Blasco, the guy is a great writer, but what are we doing?

If we want to be a place where people consistently turn for their sports news and stories, we need to stay relevant. Yes, I'd love to read what Gonzaga has to do to succeed in the NCAA Tournament a month from now, but let's cover the biggest night in American sports like all of the other sports sites in the world.

I've always wondered what goes into picking the articles that go on the front page. It's not that the articles aren't being written. If you look under the NFL section, you'll find article by Bryan Hollister titled "Defining Greatness: Pittsburgh Steelers Win Six." Why isn't that the first article featured on our front page?

I think we have some amazing writers on this site, and the concept is great. But if we want to be taken seriously, we need to figure out a way to update our front page to correspond with what people want to read. Whether that means handing control over to a group of people or administrators or changing the formula; something needs to be done. I've always had some concerns about the system, but when I saw that we had absolutely no Super Bowl coverage, I knew I had to write this. We're a great site, so let's keep it that way!

Twenty-Five Years and Counting: The Legacy of David Stern

Alex Kennedy — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 02:16:05 -0500

LeBron James, Dwight Howard, and Chris Paul are three of the best players in the NBA. They will all be starting in the All-Star game on Feb. 15 and have their teams playing excellent basketball. But despite their success, none of these men can fully understand the impact David Stern has had on professional basketball.

Why, you ask? They are simply too young.

When David Stern started his tenure as the NBA's commissioner 25 years ago, none of the aforementioned men had been born yet.

A quarter of a century ago, Stern was handed a league that was in much need of help. Drug use was prevalent among players, management-labor wars had the league close to bankruptcy, and fan interest was significantly decreasing at a steady pace.

Just one year prior to Stern's appointment, Commissioner Larry O'Brien decided that drug testing was a necessity and that a salary cap had to be developed. Both were put into place but nobody was sure how the changes would affect the league. To say that the league was in trouble is an understatement.

In came David Stern and with him several young men by the names of Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley, and John Stockton in what is often regarded as the greatest rookie class of all-time.

But before anything else, Stern realized he had to first fix the problems at hand. His approach to the league's drug problem was simple. If a player came forward and asked for help, they would receive treatment and avoid punishment. Those who didn't seek treatment but failed a drug test would face suspensions and severe consequences.

Stern was also prepared to work under the new salary cap as he was one of the men who helped create it as the league's executive vice president under O'Brien. When he took over as the NBA's commissioner, 17 of the league's 23 teams were losing money and he knew this had to change. By creating a salary cap, Stern knew it would make the players and owners partners and established a revenue-sharing system for the league.

With those issues sorted out, Stern knew he also had to bring in fans if he wanted the league to strive. How would he do this? He would improve how the sport was marketed.

Magic Johnson and Larry Bird were no longer just talented players, they were marketed as superstars. The two were appearing in commercials, leading their large-market teams to the Finals each year, and appealing to all basketball fans, regardless of race, gender, and social status. From 1984 to 1989, either Johnson, Bird, or both men had advanced their teams to the Finals, which led to a rivalry that was great for both fans and the league.

While Magic and Larry were competing for championships each year, another player was refining his game and electrifying the league. If the duo of Johnson and Bird was the defibrillator that revived the NBA, Michael Jordan was the prescription that made it healthier than ever.

Having already led the league in scoring, winning an MVP award, and producing a popular signature shoe with Nike, Jordan was ready to take the torch as the league's next superstar. Suddenly, "Air Jordan" was the face of the league.

Ratings for games, which were now shown on NBC live rather than on tape delay as was the case in the past, were skyrocketing. Jordan, like both Bird and Johnson, was popular and respected by people from every walk of life. By hyping up and marketing these players as superstars, Stern generated buzz and interest in the league. While basketball lovers were still able to appreciate the fundamentals of the game, casual sports fans appreciated the individual stars and the league had reached a new audience.

Jordan quickly became one of the greatest players of all time and also one of the most famous men in the world. He won championship after championship and the NBA was full of stars. Seeing this, Stern knew it was time to focus on spreading his product globally.

How could he put his players on display to the rest of the world? And just like that, the Dream Team was created. For the first time, Olympic basketball would feature NBA players who would dominate their opposition. Shortly after, the NBA started opening international offices across the world. NBA Entertainment, another Stern creation, was a production company that focused on making tapes and programs that gave fans in both the United States and worldwide another medium for watching their favorite teams and players.

In the following decade, Stern would also provide basketball fans with more ways to follow the league with the creation of NBA.com and the first league owned and operated television network, NBA TV. These globalization efforts would not only increase the NBA's fan base but also raise the amount of international players entering the league as the sport was gaining popularity across the world.

In 1997, Stern wanted to give woman basketball players their own professional league so he created the Women's National Basketball Association. While the league hasn't gained the popularity that the NBA has, it has been successful.

Recently, Stern has focused on increasing the talent level and readiness of players entering the NBA. In 2001, he formed the National Basketball Development League, which is basically the league's minor league farm system. It focuses on helping players refine their skills and allows teams to provide their raw players with experience that they wouldn't get by sitting on the end of a bench.

He also implemented the age minimum that requires a player to be 19 years old in order to be eligible for the draft. This stopped high school players who weren't ready for the competition, fame, and fortune from jumping straight to the NBA and forgoing college.

Stern has also shown that he can handle controversy. The Malice at the Palace between the Indiana Pacers and the Detroit Pistons several years ago was handled well. Suspensions were handed out and the league has been strict about interactions between players and fans as well as reserves leaving the bench during games.

Last year, Stern had another problem arise by the name of Tim Donaghy, a referee who was caught betting on games. But after investigating and determining the situation was an isolated incident, he focused on reviewing officials calls tougher than in the past and convinced the world that it would not happen again.

Despite the controversy, the league continued to receive support from fans and Finals ratings were higher than they had been in years.

Today, Stern's main concern is preventing players from fleeing for more money in Europe, where no salary cap exists, but he doesn't feel threatened by the international competition that, in a way, he helped create. The state of the economy and how it will impact the league is also something he's paying attention to.

But if anyone can handle this, it's David Stern. The NBA was essentially falling apart until he pulled the pieces back together, made drastic changes, and then watched his product become more successful than ever.

In the last 25 years "the NBA's revenue has increased by 500 percent" according to Sports Encyclopedia.com, a number that speaks volumes about Stern's tenure as commissioner. The league will forever have his finger prints all over it and his legacy will be celebrated for years to come. He will be remembered as one of the greatest sports commissioners of all-time and saved the league that so many of us love today.

Exclusive Interview: One on One with the Orlando Magic's Courtney Lee

Alex Kennedy — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 13:22:15 -0500

Last March, I had the opportunity to attend the first round of the NCAA Tournament at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa.

The weekend had several outstanding games, none better than the 12th-seeded Western Kentucky Hilltoppers defeating the 5th-seeded Drake Bulldogs on a buzzer-beating three in overtime.

It was March Madness at its finest and every fan in the building that day was standing for the final minutes of regulation and overtime. The Hilltoppers continued their unlikely journey all the way to the Elite Eight, where they went on to lose to the top seed in their bracket, the UCLA Bruins.

Throughout the tournament run, one player in particular stood out to me. He was explosive, quicker than his peers, and seemed to be all over the court making an impact. He was senior Courtney Lee, who would be chosen with the 22nd pick in the 2008 NBA by the Orlando Magic.

Nearly 10 months after I first witnessed Lee's dominance in Tampa, I was sitting face-to-face with him courtside in Orlando after his pregame shootaround prior to a game against the Indiana Pacers.

In this RealGM exclusive interview, Lee displays the personality that has allowed him to fit in so well with his new teammates and the confidence that has helped make the transition from college basketball to the NBA so easy.

To read the rest of this article including Alex Kennedy's exclusive interview with Courtney Lee, click here.

Deion Sanders, Bo Jackson, and LeBron James?

Alex Kennedy — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 01:14:06 -0500

"First of all, I want to thank everyone for coming out here today. After having a long discussion with friends and family, I've decided to follow my first love," said LeBron James

And just like that, James had the sports world buzzing.

In a video released last Thursday, the Cleveland Cavaliers' star reveals just enough information to leave viewers speculating on what "first love" he may be pursuing. Early guesses included releasing a rap album or getting involved in something football related.

The video doesn't tell much other than that something is happening on January 18, 2009 before the words "brace yourself" flash onto the screen.

While the 16 second YouTube posting drew some interest, it wasn't until these pictures of James leaked that people started talking.

The photoshoot pictures show LeBron suited up from head to toe in a Cleveland Browns uniform.

Some have argued that this just means James will start selling football apparel. However, that just doesn't make any sense.

Any new clothing line or product featuring LeBron would be through Nike, which has the Cleveland Cavaliers star under contract until 2010. But in these pictures, James is wearing an authentic NFL jersey, complete with several very visible Reebok logos on each shoulder suggesting that Nike has nothing to do with this. This also wouldn't explain LeBron's quote about deciding to follow his first love.

Looking at the pictures, we also see at least one other Cleveland Brown in the background so either this is a commercial (which wouldn't be any fun) or the announcement coming from James is, indeed, very big.

Which brings us to one possibility, no matter how unlikely, that has gained momentum amongst bloggers and message board posters. This theory has James following in the footsteps of Deion Sanders and Bo Jackson, playing two professional sports.

It may sound crazy but when you look deeper, the rumor makes a little bit of sense.

James dominated as a wide receiver in high school, thanks to his athleticism and size, and was named First-Team All-State as a sophomore and junior. He was recruited heavily by top colleges such as Miami, Southern California, Michigan, and Ohio State before choosing to focus solely on basketball.

In this brief segment from a Cavaliers' game on TNT, we see some highlights from LeBron on the gridiron. Even more interestingly, the announcer says that James admitted in an interview that he misses football "every day."

At 6'8", 250 pounds, there are few players, if any, who would be able to match up against the star forward whose amazing mix of size, speed, and athleticism would require much game planning against.

LeBron's basketball coach at St. Vincent-St. Mary knew that his top player's skill stretched beyond the basketball court.

"I will tell you that when I was at St. V’s, they had two football coaches who’d been in the NFL," Dambrot said in an interview with Pistons.com's Keith Langlois. "Jay Brophy played for Miami and has a Super Bowl ring and Mark Murphy was a strong safety for 12 years. And they told me he was a sure-fire NFL receiver. He was devastating. It was like he was Randy Moss out there."

Except for the fact that LeBron has four inches and 40 pounds on Moss, not to mention a vertical leap (44") that is five inches greater than the New England Patriots' wideout.

While no forty time can be found for James, his quickness is on display every night. "I don’t know what his 40 time was, but I’ll tell this: If you ever watch an NBA game, there’s no one quicker from one end of the floor to the other,” says Coach Dambrot.

While James likely won't crossover to the NFL, it'd be fun as hell to watch and Browns' fans are already salivating over the idea of LeBron lining up alongside Braylon Edwards. It still remains a possibility and on January 18, 2009, we'll be bracing ourselves for The King's big announcement.

Nike's Role in the LeBron James Sweepstakes

Alex Kennedy — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 04:05:13 -0500

What do the New York Knicks, New Jersey Nets, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons, and Portland Trail Blazers all have in common?

Each team has been mentioned as a potential suitor for LeBron James in 2010, when his contract expires with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

These franchises all have the cap room to make a run at James and the media has had a field day weighing the pros and cons of each destination, even though his decision is still two offseasons down the road.

While each team feels that they have the pieces to lure LeBron, the biggest player come 2010 may very well be Nike, who can offer the superstar more money than any of the competing NBA clubs and will definitely make their presence felt throughout the course of the LeBron James sweepstakes.

For the past couple of years, a rumor has continued to pop up that a clause exists in James' contract that would increase his earnings if he were to sign with a team in a large market such as New York or Chicago. While this sounds good, it is simply not true.

No such clause exists and I'm not sure how the rumor started. One thing that is true however is that LeBron would likely make more money if he were playing in a larger market, even without this imaginary contract clause.

Nike rewards bonuses to its athletes if they reach certain sales goals. According to reports, LeBron has failed to reach any of these marks during his tenure with the Cavaliers, a trend that would likely change were he to play for a larger market.

So while it’s false that LeBron's salary will jump if he heads to a larger city, he would likely make more money in the form of bonuses in a bigger market, increasing his earnings without any clauses.

Even if there were a kicker in LeBron's current contract, it wouldn't matter in 2010. This is because James' contract will expire that year, making him a free agent in both the NBA and the shoe market.

This gives Nike even more power as they'll be able to offer a larger contract if he signs with the team of their choice. This means they could be improving James' bank account with both guaranteed money depending on where he signs and through the bonuses he'll rack up once he gets there.

But Cleveland has LeBron's Bird Rights, meaning they can offer him a lot more money thanks to the NBA's Collective Bargaining Agreement, canceling out any attempts by Nike to control his destination, right?

Wrong.

In an interview with Sports Illustrated several years ago, when LeBron's rookie contract was coming to an end, one Western Conference executive pointed out that Nike doesn't have to follow the NBA's salary cap and can eliminate Cleveland's Bird Rights advantage.

"He may be willing to sign for nothing more than the mid-level-exception [$5 million] with the understanding that Nike will make up the difference," the executive said.

That means LeBron could sign with a team like the Los Angeles Lakers or Boston Celtics for cheap, forming an instant championship favorite while still making the same amount of money as he would signing a max deal with a less dominant club. While this is unlikely, it's a possibility and shows just how much weight Nike carries in this process.

A similar technique was used by the New York Knicks in 1996 offseason when they were pursuing Michael Jordan. While they couldn't offer a higher salary than the Chicago Bulls because of the NBA's salary cap rules, they could sweeten their deal with potential endorsement money and holdings in Sheraton Hotels, a property of ITT that was run by Knicks' ownership.

Sam Smith, a writer for Bulls.com, would go on to write that "the plan being cooked up was to somehow get Jordan substantial Sheraton holdings, perhaps in endorsement money which would be separate from the salary cap and seemingly within the rules."

While the details are sketchy because a deal never went down, Nike could work out a similar plan if it wanted to direct James to a large market and, as the Western Conference executive said, "make up the difference" between Cleveland's offer and another team's proposal.

Nike not only has the power to offer LeBron incentives based on his sales performance, but also work outside the constrictions of the NBA salary cap to rid Cleveland of any monetary advantages, evening the playing field for teams that Nike wants LeBron playing for.

Based on his past career moves, LeBron's main objective when his contract expires is to get the most dough possible.

When his rookie contract ended in 2006, James rejected a max deal, opting to sign a three-year contract with an option for the fourth year instead, putting himself in position to sign another large contract when he hit his prime in 2010. He was criticized for this at the time as other young stars, such as Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard, chose to sign for max contracts, deciding to show loyalty to their team rather than collecting the extra cash.

And if money is what LeBron wants, money is what he will get if he cooperates with Nike in 2010.

They undoubtedly want basketball's biggest star playing in a market that will lead to increased sales production and a wave of new fans drooling over his shoes and in 2010, we will all “Witness" the company doing its best to guide LeBron to a larger market that benefits both him and the brand.

Alex Kennedy can be reached at swishkennedy@yahoo.com. This article was originally published on RealGM.com, where Alex is a featured columnist.

Kevin Garnett: The Big Ticket Becomes The Big Bully

Alex Kennedy — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 12:00:44 -0500

Prior to joining the Boston Celtics, Kevin Garnett's passion and intensity made him one of the NBA's most likable players.

During his 12-year tenure with the Minnesota Timberwolves, his competitive snarl and primal screams showed his ferocity, as Garnett played each game as if it were his last.

Minnesota was never a true contender, as the team's management could never assemble much talent around their superstar forward. Garnett was the league's lovable loser and everyone wanted to see him win a ring because they felt he deserved it.

And he did just that when the Celtics acquired him last season. But with winning, came a side of Garnett that we had not previously seen.

An unlikable, obnoxious side that has been rearing its ugly head for much of this season.

For some time, I had heard stories about Garnett's off-court behavior.

One such instance involved the All-Star confronting a reporter who had used a quote in one of his articles that made Garnett come off as not so intelligent.

Similarly, Detroit News ran a story not too long ago that bluntly stated, "Garnett can be a jerk. He is rude to ball boys and locker-room attendants. He gets himself so intensely wound before games, he's even a jerk to his teammates at times."

But you can't always believe what you hear, so I reserved my judgment.

That's until this behavior started occurring on the court, for all the world to see.

These situations, like the ones detailed in the Detroit News' article, involved an "intensely wound" Garnett who showed little respect to both his opponents or teammates.

The first confrontation involved Jose Calderon, the 6-foot-3 point guard for the Toronto Raptors. The two began trash talking, and things became heated as the team's headed to their benches during a timeout, with Garnett pointing in the guard's face and barking at him as he made his way up the court.

Instances such as this one happen often in the NBA and if isolated, this wouldn't have been an issue. But just several nights later, Garnett harassed Milwaukee Bucks' point guard Luke Ridnour throughout the game and was involved in an altercation with center Andrew Bogut as well.

This resulted in a one-game suspension for the Celtics' star and led one league executive to label Garnett as "nothing but an instigator."

The NBA let everyone know that they would be keeping their eyes on Garnett and that his actions would not be tolerated. But did that stop Kevin? Not quite.

Several games later, he would be involved in a heated exchange with Portland Trailblazers' point guard, Jerryd Bayless. But not only did Garnett take things too far with Bayless, he ended up looking ridiculous.

After Portland inbounded the ball, he got on his hands and knees, snarled and barked at the point guard, and then continued to talk trash during later possessions. Is he trying to be intimidating? Does he think that he's scary to these smaller guards? In reality, he made a fool of himself.

One person who does find him intimidating is his Celtics' teammate, Glen "Big Baby" Davis, who was reduced to tears on the Boston bench after being yelled at by Garnett. It is moments such as this one where Kevin's intensity and passion are taken too far and he hurts rather than helps his team.

While all of these situations show the Boston big man acting obnoxious, you can argue that he's not hurting anything (aside from Glen Davis' feelings) and his actions aren't that big of a deal.

But what happens when Garnett does start putting others in danger? We've witnessed it several times since he joined the Celtics. One thing that he has perfected since leaving Minnesota is setting cheap screens that leave his opposition flat on the floor.

The Celtics have had much success with Garnett and it seems to have hurt the way he handles losing. While hard screens are going to happen in basketball, Garnett's cheap shots stem from frustration and show a lack of sportsmanship.

In last year's first round playoff series with the Atlanta Hawks, Garnett exchanged words with Hawks' center Zaza Pachulia. In the following game, he would step right in front of an unsuspecting Pachulia as the Celtics advanced the ball to half court. It was completely unnecessary and uncalled for.

Another example of this dangerous behavior occurred just last night when the Celtics found themselves behind late in the fourth quarter against the underdog Golden State Warriors.

With one minute and 20 seconds left in the game and Boston trailing by nine points, Garnett threw his body in front of the Warriors' Marco Belinelli, injuring the young guard. He then jawed with Belinelli until the game concluded and ended up looking like a sore loser.

While the NBA has suspended him once, they must continue to punish Garnett. He seems to think he is above the rules and the officials have only affirmed this with their no-calls.

What other player could bark, scream, or point in a player's face without being called for a technical? Nobody. If the NBA was indeed, "keeping an eye" on Garnett, wouldn't he be getting called for taunting or thrown out of games for leveling much smaller players?

There is no question that the Celtics are a talented team and Garnett is a huge reason for their success. He's one of the best big men in the league and until this season, had the respect and support of myself as well as many other basketball fans.

But with his recent behavior, he has become very hard to root for and his descent from fan favorite to bully has been tough on those who once cheered for him.

But it is what it is and clearly Garnett isn't going to change his ways. That is why the NBA needs to take a stand and show him that no matter how much his team continues to win, he can't disregard all rules and mistreat his peers.

As with any bully, he needs to be punished for his actions and watched closely to make sure he is behaving. While he has surely changed, suspending Garnett may just show us the extent of his transformation.

Would he continue to act out if his actions were hurting his team? If Kevin is the ultimate competitor whose intensity just gets out of control at times, isn't taking him away from the game the perfect way to show him that he has been crossing the line and it will not be tolerated?

If he stops, these altercations will be a thing of the past and Garnett can work on fixing his tarnished image.

But if he continues to cause problems, we'll all see that he clearly wasn't the passionate, team oriented player that we once thought and as disapointing as this would be, at least basketball will have removed the bully from the playground.

Cowboys-Eagles Game Rescheduled by NFL: Playoff Conspiracy?

Alex Kennedy — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:47:43 -0500

What would the NFL playoffs be without America's team competing? The league doesn't want to find out.

Rather than keeping the Dallas Cowboys' matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1:00 PM time slot, the league has moved the game to 4:15 PM in an attempt to gain more viewers. While this may not seem like a big deal, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beg to differ.

You see, the Buccaneers play the Oakland Raiders at 1:00 PM. In order for Tampa Bay to make the playoffs, they must win their game and hope for a Cowboys loss against the Eagles.

But because a win by Tampa Bay eliminates Philadelphia from the postseason, the Eagles will have nothing but pride to play for when their game gets underway in the event of a Buccaneers' win. Philadelphia can also be eliminated mathematically if both Minnesota and Chicago win their 1:00 PM games.

When these crucial games were scheduled to start at the same time, this wasn't an issue. Each game would end around the same time and we'd know which teams would be representing the NFC in the playoffs by 4:00 PM.

But now that the Eagles will know their fate before their game kicks off, it could really affect their performance. "To learn after you have warmed up and just before kickoff that you have been eliminated can be devastating," writes Tim Cowlishaw of The Dallas Morning News.

So who does this benefit? The Dallas Cowboys.

Before their game starts, their competition will know whether or not they have a chance at furthering their season. They'll know if all of the hard work they have put in for the last four months amounted to anything.

If Tampa Bay wins, as they are expected to against the 4-11 Raiders, the Eagles will be rattled and will have to find motivation outside of their playoff chances. Dallas, meanwhile, will have a distracted opponent and an easier road to a wild card spot.

The Cowboys garner more media attention than any other team in professional football and according to the annual Harris Poll, are the most watched and rooted for out of the NFL's 32 franchises.

It's clear the NFL would want their top product competing in the playoffs and while they can say all they want that this rescheduling was an attempt to gain viewers this Sunday, it's also an assist to the Cowboys organization and an attempt to gain audiences during the NFL's version of "sweeps," the postseason.

While the Buccaneers have nobody to blame but themselves for being in this position, the NFL shouldn't tweak game times if they can change the outcome of a team's season.

If Philadelphia comes out and plays their hardest, then this won't be an issue. But if the Bucs win and a sluggish, unmotivated team takes the field Sunday against Dallas, consider this an early Christmas present from the NFL to the Cowboys and a way for the league to keep bringing in viewers and money during the playoffs, regardless of the fairness behind it.

The NFL's Biggest Surprises of 2008

Alex Kennedy — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 16:42:20 -0500

At the start of every NFL season, there are certain things that are a given. Terrell Owens will dominate the headlines at some point during the season, Brett Favre will be behind a center when Week One rolls around, and Peyton Manning will find some way to keep Indianapolis a perennial contender. But each year, a number of players make the jump from average to outstanding and several rookies take little time to adjust, making their mark from day one. The young backup who finally has the chance to prove himself as a starter or the aging veteran who shakes off critics and proves that he can still perform at a top level, these players stepped up and made their presence felt in 2008. Some led their teams to records unimaginable just four months ago.

Begin Slideshow

Is Your Love of Sports Out of Control?

Alex Kennedy — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 03:34:06 -0500

Ever since elementary school, I have been fascinated with sports.

Football, basketball, soccer, baseball; You name it and I played it. While other children were watching Nickelodeon, I was learning about the Buccaneers' nickel defense. In middle school, it wasn't the fall dance that I was excited for, but rather the Big Dance in March.

Even today, sometimes it feels like my life is revolving around sports. Buying lottery tickets? No thanks. Analyzing the NBA Draft Lottery? Now that's the ticket.

But how much is too much? Is there a line to be crossed? Recently, I discovered several situations that suggest the breaking point might be near.

Without further ado, your love for sports may be out of control if...

You see a clock and immediately two jersey numbers pop into your head. 3:28? Dwyane Wade and Adrian Peterson. 4:13? Brett Favre and Alex Rodriguez.

You watch SportsCenter for several hours straight, despite the fact that it's on a loop and you've been watching the same highlights over and over again.

You know the third-string shooting guards of more than half of the teams in the NBA.

You can name last year's Mr. Irrelevant—he has that nickname for a reason!

You know Smush Parker's stats from 2005, when he started for the Lakers (yeah, they were that bad).

You eat “Wheaties.” You know where certain food scents are found in your team's stadium. You sleep in sports pajamas. Individually, these aren't too bad. But doing all three? You now literally eat, breathe, and sleep sports.

You have a logo or helmet of your favorite team tattooed somewhere on your body (and are praying they don't change their color scheme).

It's noon on a Sunday and, oh no! You forgot to set your fantasy football team in your family league! Oh, and your other team in that league with your friends. Oh, and your other team in that keeper league. And your team in the public league that you signed up for. And those are just your Yahoo teams. Now it's time to head over to ESPN.com!

You not only have Reggie Wayne and Dustin Pedroia's numbers memorized, you know the stupid statistics they keep on ESPN’s Around the Horn. If you know Jay Mariotti's record on the show, you really need to sort your priorities out.

You can name more than one long snapper off the top of your head.

If your team loses on Sunday, you enter a state of depression and snap at people for the rest of the week.

You use sports to make huge decisions. For example, "I'm voting for Barack Obama because he plays basketball!" or "If I make this shot, I'll drop out of college and become an inventor!" Stars and astrology work for some but whether or not the Dallas Stars and Houston Astros win should not affect your career moves or love life.

You have begged your pregnant wife to please, please, please let you name your baby after your favorite player. When denied, you focus your energy on getting to select the baby's middle names which, if it's up to you, will be Air Jordan.

You actually watch ESPN Classic.

You not only hate a rival sports team but anyone and everyone from that team's region.

Your name is Trevor Wikre.

You don't buy products or services unless your favorite player or team endorses them.

And lastly…

You would do someone else's job for free, writing articles for a sports website, not for a paycheck but because of your love for the game.

If you find yourself doing several of things from this list, try taking a break from sports for a while. Even though you probably love sports more than your family and friends, they miss you so check in with them.

And no, posting a message on your family's fantasy league home page does not count.

The Evolution of Dwight Howard

Alex Kennedy — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 11:26:14 -0500

When Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard bullies an opposing big man down low for position in the paint or throws down a dunk over two soaring defenders, words such as "intimidating," "powerful," and "dominant" are thrown around by analysts to describe the twenty-two year old All-Star.

Many years ago, however, few would have predicted that these adjectives would someday be associated with the Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy student.

At the start of eighth grade, Howard wasn't the dominant post presence that he is today. Instead, he was a scrawny point guard who stood at just 5'10" and was overlooked by many of his peers. “I was really skinny and went to a smaller Christian school. No one thought I’d ever make it out or do anything with my basketball career," he recalls.

Upon entering high school, however, things started changing.

In two years, Dwight had a freakish growth spurt, growing almost an entire foot. At 6'9", he made the Varsity squad and was immediately switched to power forward. While he was much taller, he was still lanky and possessed the skills of a guard after playing that position for years.

During the following year, Dwight had the opportunity to meet Charles Barkley, who would give him some advice he would never forget. Barkley told the high-school sophomore that he must bulk up because he would never play professional basketball with his small frame. This is when Howard started going to the gym with his father to workout. "I remember in high school my dad [taking] me to the gym and I couldn’t bench press one plate," he recalls.

Years later, Howard would recount this conversation with Barkley during an interview on TNT's NBA Fastbreak drawing laughs from the analyst, who didn't remember the encounter but was glad to have motivated the man that many consider the league's best big man.

Today, Howard is quickly turning into one of the most dominant and marketable players in the league. But how did Howard reach that level of success and recognition? As someone who has covered the Orlando Magic since Dwight entered the league in 2004, I have seen every stage of his evolution, both on and off the court.

From a soft spoken teenager with braces in his mouth to a ripped superstar whose body is so out of this world, he once joked to NBA Commissioner David Stern that he “got big from BALCO," Dwight's transformation has been nothing short of amazing.

Howard's name first started entering NBA circles during his eleventh grade season, when scouts started attending his games. During his senior season, he would prove that he could make a name for himself on the court, averaging 26 points, 18 boards, 8 blocks, and 3.5 assists per game.

Dwight led his team to a state title that year and took home almost every award possible including the Naismith, Morgan Wooten, Gatorade and McDonald’s National Player of the Year—as well as being named Georgia's Mr. Basketball.

Dwight Howard had arrived.

It was then that the young man had to make a decision. Should he attend college and polish his game or jump to the NBA and start living out his dream? He kept hearing that he would be a high lottery pick if he were to make himself eligible for the NBA Draft but he was in serious discussions with Roy Williams and the University of North Carolina—not Georgia Tech, as many believed —to make his is choice even harder.

While he knew the importance of education, Dwight also had the chance to complete one of the goals he had set for himself as a seventh grader—to be the top selection in the NBA Draft.

He knew that it was time to compete with the best players in the world and following in the footsteps of his basketball idol, Kevin Garnett, he officially declared himself eligible for the Draft.

His mother, Sheryl, who worked as a P.E. teacher in the Atlanta school system, was very supportive. She understood that this was her son's dream and just wanted what was best for him. That’s all she has ever wanted for Dwight who she calls her “Miracle Boy,” and not because of his athleticism. This nickname has been with Dwight much longer than basketball and stems from the extraordinary circumstances of his birth.

Prior to having Dwight, Sheryl had seven miscarriages, including two sets of twins. When she became pregnant with Dwight, he was born premature, less than seven months into the pregnancy.

But unlike most babies born prematurely, Howard was normal-sized.

“He was 21 inches long,” says Dwight Howard Sr. “He's always been big, and from that Sunday morning that he was born, we always said, ‘Oh, this boy's going to be an NBA player.’” Howard’s family, who is openly religious, saw his good health and unusual birth as a beautiful gift from God.

Today, God still plays a large part in Howard’s life. He often goes to the chapel, located in the Amway Arena, before Orlando Magic home games to reflect and pray. He also attends the Fellowship of Faith Church when he’s back home in Atlanta and is active in the church’s youth programs.

So when the Magic drafted Dwight first overall in 2004 over University of Connecticut center Emeka Okafor, you can probably guess who Howard thanked first.

That year, the Magic also added Jameer Nelson, Saint Joseph’s star point guard, through the draft, acquiring him from the Denver Nuggets in exchange for a future first round pick. And just like that, the team had young talent at both the point guard and center positions. Being the two rookies, Nelson and Howard quickly developed a friendship, even calling each other "The Little Midget" and "The Fifth Grader".

During that rookie season, Howard was sparsely used offensively as he was sharing the ball with other scorers including Steve Francis, Grant Hill, and Cuttino Mobley. The majority of his points would come off of put backs and after offensive rebounds. Magic head coach Johnny Davis, when asked why Dwight didn't get more opportunities on offense, pointed to the backboard saying Howard knows what he needs to do for shots.

At that point in his career, Howard was big but not the beast he is today. It wasn't until that offseason that he hit the weight room and really made an effort to strengthen his body. It was that offseason that he could finally be satisfied with how much he could bench press. "365 pounds," he would say with a smile. He wasn't the lanky high school kid anymore. Dwight was a man and knew his time for dominance was right around the corner.

After several frustrating years under head coach Brian Hill, who ran a bland offense and never connected with his players, Howard was thrilled when Orlando hired Stan Van Gundy to lead the team.

Dwight started becoming a household name when his highlight dunks and blocks would appear on ESPN, but it wasn't until playing under Van Gundy last year and becoming the focal point of Orlando's offense that he really started to blossom.

Just one year after a dunk contest in which he was eliminated in the first round, Howard had more than a sticker dunk up his sleeve this time around. The moment he pulled off his Magic jersey to unveil a Superman costume, it was clear his life would never be the same. Many endorsement deals and YouTube views later, the nickname has stuck with Howard, who accepts the new persona and even brings it up in a new Adidas commercial in which he informs his childhood hero, Garnett, that everyone calls him Superman now after the Celtics forward refers to him by his real name.

That same year, he led Orlando to 52 wins and the second round of the playoffs, something the club hadn't done in twelve years. His averages during the first round of the playoffs were remarkable—23 PPG, 18.2 RPG, and 3.8 BPG—and showed the league that at twenty one years old, he was already able to single handedly advance his team to through the post season.

After winning a gold medal with Team USA over the summer, Dwight has used the skills he picked up to improve his game even further this season. He is averaging over twenty points per game while leading the league in rebounds and blocks, proving that there are very few players who can impact a game at both ends of the court like he can.

Howard also recorded the first triple double of his career earlier this season with 30 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 blocks against the Oklahoma City Thunder which demonstrates that while he has made great progress in the last several years, he has yet to hit his ceiling and still has much room for improvement.

After all, he's only twenty-two years old and while it may be a scary thought for opposing teams, his best basketball is still years down the road.

So while the transition from lanky high schooler to Superman has been remarkable, the evolution of Dwight Howard is still far from over. In fact, it has just begun.

No Bull: I'm Going to South Florida!

Alex Kennedy — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 06:59:28 -0400

After years of trekking over to Raymond James Stadium in downtown Tampa on Saturday nights, I'm more than just a fan.

I sat on the edge of my seat during some of the school's most memorable games.

When the Bulls spanked the ninth ranked Louisville Cardinals in 2005, back when we were hardly a top five team in the state of Florida, I was there.

When we climbed all the way up to No. 2 in last season's rankings, I was there.

I've supported players who are now leaving their mark on professional teams such as Buffalo Bills' linebacker Kawika Mitchell, Denver Broncos' running back Andre Hall, and Dallas Cowboys' cornerback Anthony Henry.

Back when nobody knew when USF stood for, I just laughed and continued rooting on the Bulls.

And through it all, I was always curious what it would be like to sit in the student section, screaming with hundreds of others who are as passionate about the Bulls as I am. Painting my body gold and green and chanting "U-S-F" with my fellow students.

I no longer have to wonder.

Last Monday, I received the letter in the mail. As soon as I read the word, "Congratulations" I started beaming. I had been admitted into the University of South Florida. I will be majoring in Mass Communications and starting down the path towards a career in Journalism.

After four years of stressing out about SATs and GPAs, it's time to focus on more important things.

You know, things like college football, partying, and relishing the college experience.

There's one last thing I have to say for this article to be complete and the majority of you probably already know what's coming.

GO BULLS!

The Life Of Adam "Pacman" Jones

Alex Kennedy — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 18:15:54 -0400

So the other night, I was out with some friends at a party and we were having a good time.

But then my bodyguard starts bothering me. He's so obnoxious and just keeps on getting in my way and bossing me around. Ugh, it got really annoying, really quick. So of course I react, as anyone would, by taking him to the bathroom and punching the guy. He was bothering me so problem solved, right?

Who cares that my job and future were on the line? I had to take care of business.

And this one time, I was in a strip club when I see my boy, Nelly, making it rain, so I join in. But I wasn't heaving money at the naked women for them to keep, I was obviously just doing it for the visual effect.

So when they started grabbing the money, I became outraged of course. Who the hell do they think they are grabbing my money that I'm throwing at them and leaving on the stage? So, naturally, I had to grab the girl by the hair and slam her head on the stage. Silly strippers.

Speaking of crazy women, did you know cops get angry when you accuse them of stealing your wallet?

Well maybe it's just the police in Tennessee because they were pissed when I was drunk in public, spat on a woman's face who I thought took my wallet, and then yelled profanities at her until I was removed from the area.

They granted me probation or whatever but when that one girl at Club Mystic in Nashville gave me attitude, I had to spit in her face too. How else would I let her know that she's inferior to me?

Nightclubs are always getting people in trouble, man. I mean, this one time I just wanted to go out and have a fun night with friends and then next thing you know, there are valet people trying to make me wait in a line, something I simply do not stand for.

They also wanted me to give them money, which I didn't have, for their services but I refused. Some policemen came and told me to relax and to stop yelling at the valet people. But do you think some cops were going to calm me down? I don't think so. I mean, they wanted me to pay to wait in line? Yeah, right.

And speaking of cops, man, they sure do love clubs, don't they? Every time I go out clubbing, I run into a couple cops each time. They must hang out at the clubs even more often than I do!

Oh yeah, I got probation for that valet incident but I didn't see my probation officer when I was supposed too. I wasn't feeling it.

That reminds me of this time I was in Atlanta with my boys and we were posted up in a strip club.

There was this girl, Wanda, and I don't even remember what she did, I was so hammered, but whatever it was, it made me lose my cool (which I rarely do). The next thing I remember, I'm being accused of hitting her or something and she wants me arrested. God, what a crazy night!

About six months later, I was in another Atlanta strip club and someone pulled out a gun and started firing off shots. Me and my crew ran but someone accused one of my boys of shooting the gun. He was innocent and was with me the whole time.

It's disgusting that someone would make the assumption that he was guilty with very few facts to base it on.

Man, the things some people do.

NBA Preseason Power Rankings

Alex Kennedy — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 05:30:02 -0400

After the roller coaster ride that was the 2007-08 NBA season, we're back to square one. Thirty teams with a fresh slate that all have their eyes on one prize: an NBA title.

Last season, we saw that a team can transform from a bottom feeder to a contender in just one offseason, (the Celtics) or in less time if the right moves are made before the trade deadline (the Lakers).

We saw a historic rivalry regain form. Out West, we witnessed one of the most competitive conferences in the history of the game. We saw Superman soar past his competition in the dunk contest and Chris Paul make the transition from great to unstoppable.

We saw Kobe Bryant finally, and I mean finally, take home the Most Valuable Player award after demanding a trade earlier in the season. We saw Kevin Garnett reject a trade to Boston, weeks later approve the deal, and then end up winning his first ever ring.

What stories will unfold during this upcoming NBA season? What team will surprise everyone and win a considerable amount of games?

Without further ado, here are the Preseason Power Rankings for the 2008-09 NBA season.

1. Boston Celtics—You can't look past the world champions. While the Lakers have the potential to steal this spot pretty quickly with the return of Andrew Bynum, I have to go with the sure thing for now, and that is Boston.

2. Los Angeles Lakers—Kobe, Pau, Lamar, and Andrew. The Lakers went to the Finals and did fairly well without all of their weapons in place. This should be a great team and if you're a general manager out West, how can you not be scared of that foursome?

3. New Orleans Hornets—Chris Paul had an MVP caliber season last year and proved he's the best point guard in the league. With one more year under his belt and pieces like David West, Peja Stojakovic, Tyson Chandler, and newly acquired James Posey, this team has all of the tools to come out of the West.

4. Houston Rockets—On paper, this team is amazing. If they can get the team chemistry down and avoid injuries, the Rockets may just get out of the first round this year. Just kidding. The team looks like a contender if all goes as planned.

5. San Antonio Spurs—Manu Ginobili may be hurt but you can't count out Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Gregg Popovich. They have a habit of getting through the regular season relatively laid back and easy, and then turning their game up about 10 notches when it counts in May.

6. Detroit Pistons—They’ve been an annual powerhouse for awhile now and with the emergence of guard Rodney Stuckey, I don’t see that changing anytime soon. Any team that can advance to the Conference Finals, despite being without their veteran floor general, deserves a high spot in these rankings.

7. Cleveland Cavaliers—LeBron James will somehow continue to find ways to improve his game. Mo Williams may be the sidekick that Cleveland has been looking for, and the pieces acquired by the Cavs midway through last season have now had time to gel with their new teammates.

8. Orlando Magic—Last season, Stan Van Gundy showed why he was one of the best coaches in the league by revamping Orlando’s offense and using weapons such as Dwight Howard, Hedo Turkoglu, and Rashard Lewis effectively. This group returns with an improvement at shooting guard in Mickael Pietrus and a chance to build off of last year’s success.

9. Phoenix Suns—While the Shaquille O’Neal experiment seemed to have failed against San Antonio in the playoffs, let’s see what a whole year of the Big Cactus in Phoenix can do for the Suns. Aside from O’Neal, the Suns still have Steve Nash and a rejuvenated Amare Stoudemire making them a scary team, regardless.

10. Utah Jazz—Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer are home from the Olympics and ready to compete for a title. With another year of experience under Williams’ belt and Boozer playing for a new contract, the Jazz look poised for success and should compete in the tough West.

11. Philadelphia 76ers—The team that stole two games from the Pistons in the playoffs returns with forward Elton Brand holding down the paint. Allen Iverson who? This team has much more upside than any led by No. 3 because they are exactly that, a team. With veterans Andre Miller and Brand and young studs Andre Igoudala and Thaddeus Young, this team has a very high ceiling.

12. Toronto Raptors—With the acquisition of Jermaine O’Neal, the Raptors now have one of the best frontcourts in the league. If he can stay healthy and play like pre-brawl O’Neal, Toronto will be a tough team to beat and could make a run come playoff time.

13. Dallas Mavericks—A new coach in Rick Carlisle, a controversial offseason for star Josh Howard, and a team that failed to meet high expectations last season. Despite all of that, this team is loaded with talent and I think Jason Kidd will be more effective now that Avery Johnson is out of the equation, which will really help Dallas.

14. Portland Trail Blazers—What happens when you take a .500 team with studs like Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge and add a beast like Greg Oden down low? To be honest, nobody is sure and that is why Portland isn’t higher in these rankings. While they look destined to break out on paper, they are just a young team with a lot of potential at this point. With that said, they could shoot up very quickly if things click in Portland.

15. Denver Nuggets—Any team with Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony looks good on paper. But for some reason, the duo is never enough to make the Nuggets a contender. Subtract Marcus Camby from this squad and you now have a team with no defensive presence what-so-ever. Not to mention, the fact that Anthony uses the NBA merely as training for the next Olympics. Seriously, what’s up with that? The dude plays barely any defense for Denver and doesn’t take things seriously, and then the second the Olympics roll around, he’s one of the best players in the world? Pretty strange.

16. Miami Heat—Pat Riley is out as head coach and the team only won 15 games last season. With that said, Dwyane Wade looked healthy as ever during the Olympics, Shawn Marion is a beast, and Michael Beasley, immature or not, gives this team another dimension offensively. So, don’t count Miami out in a weak Eastern Conference.

17. Chicago Bulls—After a strange year in Chicago, the Bulls trek back to the playoffs will be tough with a rookie point guard and a brand new coach. But, the good news is that Luol Deng was resigned and Ben Gordon is back for at least one season, so the Bulls still have the play makers to compete if used right.

18. Charlotte Bobcats—While Larry Brown wasn’t particularly successful in his last head coaching stint with the Knicks, he does have the ability to transform a team if they buy into his style of play. With Emeka Okafor, Jason Richardson, Gerald Wallace, and new point guard D.J. Augustin, this team has some talented players and very low expectations; two characteristics of a team that could surprise many people.

19. Milwaukee Bucks—Richard Jefferson, Michael Redd, and rookie Joe Alexander are all very skilled players. Add newly hired coach Scott Skiles, and you have a team that will definitely surpass their win total of 26 games last season.

20. Atlanta Hawks—The Hawks nearly defeated the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs last season. This is significant for the two reasons. First, the Hawks made the playoffs! Second, they almost took down the eventual champs. This should provide them with some confidence this season, and I really think Al Horford is going to break out.

21. Los Angeles Clippers—They lost Elton Brand and Corey Maggette but added Baron Davis, Marcus Camby, and Ricky Davis to their already formidable roster that features Al Thornton and Chris Kaman. While this team would be a lot better if Brand didn’t jump ship, veteran leadership from Davis and Camby could have this team competing for a late seed in the West.

22. Washington Wizards—On Tuesday night, Antawn Jamison went down with a knee injury that could keep him out for a good chunk of time. When Jamison will return may be the difference between this team making the playoffs or becoming a lottery team. The Washington Injuries Ruin Us Season After Season have the worst of luck, don’t they?

23. Sacramento Kings—While the Kings are still in a rebuilding mode, Kevin Martin is one bright spot in Sacramento. He has become a great scorer and may be one of the league’s stars when he’s surrounded by some talent in a few years.

24. Indiana Pacers—The Jermaine O’Neal era is over and while Danny Granger is very talented (I’m still disappointed the Magic didn’t draft him over Redick several years ago), this team isn’t going to return to pre-brawl form anytime soon.

25. New York Knicks—Mike D’Antoni is a great coach, whose style may work well for this team. Then again, we are talking about the Knicks so there’s bound to be drama, distractions, and failure to meet expectations in the Big Apple.

26. Memphis Grizzlies—They had a disappointing 07-08 campaign and were bashed for the midseason Pau Gasol trade that sent the disgruntled star to Los Angeles. But with Marc Gasol looking more like a steal each and every day, this team led by Rudy Gay and OJ Mayo may just make some noise this season. At the very least, they’ll be fun to watch thanks to the athleticism of Gay and Mayo.

27. New Jersey Nets—They have an aging Vince Carter and a lot of young talent, but it’s obvious to see that the Nets are waiting patiently for the 2010 offseason, in which they hope to lure LeBron James to Brooklyn. At this point, making the lottery and adding another top prospect may help them more than a late playoff seed.

28. Minnesota Timberwolves—Al Jefferson is developing into one of the best big men in the league, but this team is still a couple years away from competing. They knew they would have a rebuilding period after trading Kevin Garnett and as of now, they’re just trying to gather young talent that could be great down the line.

29. Golden State Warriors—They lost Baron Davis to free agency, Monta Ellis to injury, and pretty much all hope at competing for a playoff spot. They acquired Corey Maggette, but unless the team makes a lot of moves before the deadline, they have way too many holes to match their 48-34 record of last season.

30. Oklahoma City Thunder—When Kevin Durant and the Thunder’s other young pieces hit their primes, this group could make some noise. But as of now, the Thunder will be pretty quiet in Oklahoma City.

So there you have it! Do you agree with your teams spot on the list? Weigh in below!

Orlando Magic Must Take Advantage of Team Chemistry

Alex Kennedy — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 05:28:11 -0400

For the past three offseasons, Jameer Nelson has flown his Orlando Magic teammates to his hometown of Philadelphia for a week-long event in which the team goes bowling, attends comedy clubs, visits Atlantic City, gets competitive in team paintball fights, and more.

Ah, the life of a professional athlete.

But all jealousy aside, Nelson doesn't just plan these activities because they're fun. He does this because he understands the importance of team chemistry.

His team get-togethers allow the players, both veterans and new acquisitions alike, to bond in a relaxed setting and become comfortable with the people that they'll be seeing very much of throughout the 82-game season.

As a writer who has covered the Orlando Magic for the past four seasons, I've watched these players develop both chemistry and trust in one another that have been instrumental in their recent success.

While bringing the team together over the offseason speeds up the process, it's fairly easy for a team to bond when they have the personalities that the Magic have.

If you know a thing about the Magic or even basketball in general, you know Dwight Howard is pretty much as goofy as they come. Whether it's his dance off with Shaquille O'Neal and LeBron James during All-Star Weekend two years ago or his ESPY audition tape, Howard is always joking around. He's one of the easiest guys to get along with in all of professional sports.

Put him on a team with his best friend Jameer Nelson (who once told reporters that he was impressed with Dwight considering "he's only like 12"), Hedo Turkoglu (who is always cracking jokes in the locker room), and Rashard Lewis (who gets along with everyone), and you have a group of friends that click both on and off the court.

Two new additions in Mickael Pietrus, who took no time to break out of his shell, and Courtney Lee, who has struck a friendship with Howard but still wasn't able to dodge rookie pranks, have also reached a comfort level with their teammates. They are fitting right in with the team's other personalities.

Throughout the years, the Magic have always had an ample amount of team chemistry and avoided any major internal problems. But during this upcoming season, in which the team's average age is 25 years old, the players must come together if they want to advance past the second round of the playoffs and contend for a championship.

Last season, they made huge strides as they finished with 52 wins and won the franchise's first playoff series in over a decade. A big part of that success came as the core of Howard, Lewis, Turkoglu, and Nelson gelled together, trumping preseason expectations.

While paintball fights and being friends is just peachy, the players must have chemistry on the court. Many of the players have been together for several seasons now and know each other’s tendencies, which should help the Magic players get on the same page.

Teams such as the Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons have veterans who know how to win and look very talented on paper. In order for Orlando to contend in the East and make the jump from above average team to serious contender, team chemistry will be essential and the Magic are definitely on the right track.