Jun

12

ESPN: Former NBA Referee Talked To FBI About Bavetta

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Jun

12

ESPN: David Stern Defends Officiating

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Jun

12

Slam Dunk Central Reporter Stephen Rhodes’ 2008 NBA Mock Draft

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?????????????????????????????????????????????????? Orlando Magic

Yesterday, I covered the New Jersey Nets’ draft needs and also projected who they would select with their first-round draft pick.? Today I cover the Orlando Magic’s draft needs and will also predict who they will?select with their first-round pick.

Orlando Magic

Draft Position - #22

Needs -?Shooting guard, small forward.? What is known is that Keyon Dooling is leaning towards free agency; will J.J. Redick and Keith Bogans step up this season?? They’re also a bit thin at small forward which may present matchup problems.?

Orlando Magic selects: Courtney Lee, SG, Western Kentucky?

Tomorrow: Utah Jazz

Jun

12

Dooling Says It’s All About The Benjamins!

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When most professional athletes declare for free agency, they try to spin it so that it sounds like they are embarking on a noble mission. They talk about being part of an organization that’s striving for a championship, or they want to be in a clubhouse with good chemistry. Sometimes they bring up loyalty, or playing in an area that is good for raising a family. But the phrase you usually hear over and over again is “it’s not about the money.” For a rare few that truly is the case, but in most circumstances, it is the furthest thing from the truth!

The “Orlando Sentinel” reported on Thursday that Orlando Magic guard Keyon Dooling, is not playing that game. The veteran who just completed his eighth season in the Association, and his third with the Magic is basically saying it’s all about the money with him. Dooling who will be a free agent at the end of the season has had a great run with Orlando, but he wants the cash! Dooling told reporters “There is a personal side to this, and a business side. I’ve enjoyed Orlando. It’s a great place to raise a family, but when the stakes are this high, you have to consider all options. You play this game to win a championship, but it’s also our livelihood. This is a way you can set up your family for generations.”

Now you may say to yourself that Dooling sounds like a mercenary. Personally,?I find his honesty refreshing. Dooling realizes, that he has a limited number of peak earning years being an athlete, and he wants to make hay while the sun shines. After all isn’t that the “American Way“? Reportedly Dallas, Miami, and Utah have an interest in Dooling.

? Copyright 2008 thesackattack.net?

Jun

12

Reports Say Clippers Have Interest In Calderon

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The “Los Angeles Times” reported Thursday that the Los Angeles Clippers have interest in Toronto Raptors point guard Jose Calderon. Calderon becomes a restricted free agent at the end of the season. The Clippers could offer the 27 year old native of Spain an offer sheet, but it would probably be an effort in futility. Toronto General Manager Bryan Colanagelo has made it abundantly clear that the Raptors look at Calderon as a core member of their team. He has inferred that he will match any offer sheet that Calderon is signed to. Calderon just completed his third season in the Association, he had his strongest?campaign of his career averaging? 11.2 points, 8.3 assists per game.

? Copyright 2008 thesackattack.net?

Jun

12

Foyle’s Magic Act To Disappear

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????????????????????????????????????????????????????? Adonal Foyle (left) and Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy

The Orlando Magic will be without a center - at least for now - as according to John Denton of Florida Today, veteran center Adonal Foyle will opt out of his remaining year of his current contract, in the hopes of finding more money, contract years and playing time elsewhere; he was due to earn $1.26 million this season.? But the Magic shouldn’t be short-handed for long as Tony Battie - who was out all of last season with a shoulder injury - will return to back up starting center Dwight Howard.

According to Magic general manager Otis Smith, “I was assuming he’d come back, but he’s keeping his options open, and we’re still open to Adonal returning.? Adonal did a good job for us playing behind our best player (Howard), and that’s not an easy thing to do.? He’s going to look around and see what’s out there.? He’s in the twilight of his career, and I’m sure he wants to play more.? Our best player plays a lot of minutes, and Tony is coming back, so I’m sure he’s wondering how many minutes he’s going to get.”

Foyle bought out?the remainder of his long-term contract?with the Golden State Warriors so he could sign with Orlando, in the hopes that he would play for a championship contender and getting playing time.? Foyle played all 82 games this season for the Magic, but saw very limited postseason action.? Whether Foyle’s objectives will be realized is up for debate, but I don’t like his chances of getting exactly what he wants.? He’ll probably find a job in the league but not as he envisions it to be.

Jun

12

Garbajosa’s Days As Raptor Numbered

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????????????????????????????????Toronto Raptors forward Jorge Garbajosa

It appears that Toronto Raptors forward Jorge Garbajosa will soon be amongst the NBA unemployed as according to the Toronto Globe and Mail and verified by various Spanish media reports, Garbajosa and the team are negotiating a buyout of his current contract - currently worth $4.25 million; his inevitable release will end a promising relationship which went down in flames, capped by a severe leg injury suffered in March 2006.? Team president Bryan Colangelo has confirmed the buyout negotiations, but would not go into specifics at press time.

The downward spiral between Garbajosa and the Raptors began when the organizing body of Spanish basketball took out a $1 million insurance policy to protect the Raptors if Garbajosa injured his leg further; however, the Raptors were very reluctant to let Garbajosa play, yet with Garbajosa determined to play and the insurance policy in place, permission was granted.? At that time, Raptors doctors recommended that Garbajosa have further surgery when examinations of the leg revealed that it was still broken.? Last October, Garbajosa participated in the team’s training camp but was unable to crack the team’s frontcourt rotation.

The buyout several purposes for the Raptors:

  • Passing an NBA physical.? In Garbajosa’s current state of health, no NBA team will want to take a chance on a player whose health is questionable - especially Garbajosa.
  • Spain’s stake.? The Spanish national team wants Garbajosa to play in the 2008 Olympics; the Raptors - smartly - would more than likely not grant permission for Garbajosa to go to Beijing as long as he was under contract with Toronto.
  • Salary cap.? The buyout, depending on what the final numbers of the negotiations are, will allow the Raptors to realize savings under their current salary cap and use the savings on other contracts.

So basically, the bottom line is this: Toronto obviously does not want to be paying a player who isn’t fit to play for an extended period of time, so the most logical and prudent thing to do is negotiate a buyout - as opposed to an outright release (the Raptors would be responsible for the balance of Garbajosa’s contract in that scenario).? It’s extra money they can use for other contracts and/or for their first-round pick in late June.? A smart move by Toronto, in the grand scheme of things.


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