Category — Dwight Howard

She’s not with him because he has money is she? Didn’t think so.
You’ve probably seen Jimmy Goldstein courtside at NBA games throughout the season. And you’ll probably see him again tonight during Game 4 of the Thunder-Lakers. What’s his secret? Glad you asked.
GQ

And a belated congrats on that MVP thang.
We’re not the only ones who believe LeBron and R Kelly look like brothers, no?

We said it back in December, when the NBA season tipped off. Everyone and their mother picked the Heat, the favorite to win it all, while idiots like us took the Thunder.
The smart money says the Heat, and we get that. But for credibility sakes, we can’t change horses in the middle of the street. Can’t do it.
Our only reservation about the Thunder is Kendrick Perkins (and Russell Westbrook not getting out of hand and shooting them out of a contest) matching up with some of the big men in the Western Conference. Against the Heat, though, it’s even money since they don’t have a significant presence inside either.
So here’s how we see the playoffs playing out. Happy trails.
East
Bulls over 76ers in 6; Heat over Knicks in 5; Pacers over Magic in 5; Hawks over Celtics in 7.
Semis: Bulls over Hawks in 5; Heat over Pacers in 7.
Final: Heat over Bulls in 7.
West
Spurs over Jazz in 5; Thunder over Mavs in 6; Lakers over Nuggets in 7; Grizzlies over Clippers in 6.
Semis: Spurs over Grizzlies in 7; Thunder over Lakers in 5.
Final: Thunder over Spurs in 7.
For all the marbles: Thunder over Heat in 6.

With the NBA playoffs tipping off Saturday, the Heat remain the favorites to capture the title. The Bulls are the No. 2 pick at 3-1 odds, while the Thunder come in at 4-1. The Thunder are tabbed as the favorites to claim the Western Conference title, meaning they will meet the Heat in the final.
Vegas Insider

Billy Hunter is making the NBA players executive committee look like buffoons, particularly Mo Evans. Evans, once a teammate with Derek Fisher with the Lakers, has been the most vocal committee member about forcing Fisher out as president despite the union paying almost $5 million to Hunter’s family for union-related “work.” Please.
The committee went as far as dropping the name of Chris Paul, who also is a member of the committee and voted for Fisher’s ouster, as a possible successor to Fisher. Wonder where that came from?
Seriously, the stench is becoming unbearable.
Rick Fox was a guest on the “Petros & Money” show this afternoon on Fox Radio in L.A. Fox said the wackiness is just beginning. And though he didn’t elaborate, it’s a good guess more skeletons will be falling out of Hunter’s closet.
Bloomberg

Our daily thread.
If you don’t know what’s so relevant about Mr. Irrelevant then you need to ask somebody. In this case, we’ll point you to Gary Mihoces, who drops some knowledge about arguably the 2nd most popular pick of the NFL Draft.
USA Today
You say over, he says rated: Bucky Brooks offers his 5 overrated prospects heading into this week’s NFL Draft. Any surprise Ryan Tannehill is 1 of the 5? Didn’t think so.
NFL.com
Buyers’ remorse?: Some folks in Orlando believe the Magic missed an opportunity by not trading Dwight Howard for Andrew Bynum. Tell us again, which way is the wind blowing?
Orlando Sentinel
More trouble for Saints?: ESPN is wetting its pants with a report that GM Mickey Loomis, who already has been handed an 8-game suspension for Bounty Gate, used an electronic device at the Superdome to eavesdrop on opposing coaching staffs.
ESPN.com
Say goodbye to Brian Dawkins: The NFL safety is calling it quits after 16 seasons.
Denver Post
Hey, a writer who isn’t offended by kids smoking pot: We’re just following up on last week’s ESPN “exclusive,” about college football going to the dogs because some players smoke a joint or 2. Relax. Seriously, how many of you hypocrites are continuing to write this nonsense and play like you’re all offended?
CBS Sports
Players Club: The messy beef between Derek Fisher and the NBA players union continues with Chris Paul being mentioned as a possible successor. It’s interesting, though, that Maurice Evans, who plays with the Wizards and serves at the union VP, is playing defense attorney for Billy Hunter despite the latter having family members on the payroll, including a financial firm where he son works banking more than $500,000.
USA Today

A week ago, I listened to an outrageous sports-talk radio host rage about the greed of Dwyane Wade and Ray Allen for barking about playing in the Olympics for free. Worst, the radio host started comparing playing in the Olympics as an honor of serving your country just like fighting in a war. Stupid doesn’t begin to describe the latter. There isn’t ANYTHING that compares to war.
Mark Cuban has vehemently complained about this issue before. He’s right. And if it were up to Cuban, NBA players wouldn’t even be in the games. We find nothing wrong with that either.
Corporate America, the networks, Nike and many others rake in millions for serving their country (cough, cough), but the NBA players are expected to give away their services for free?
ESPN Dallas

Or will they trade him and stick with Stan Van Gundy? Coaches rarely win battles with superstars, but considering the way the Magic’s management has poorly handled these matters, it might be foolish enough to deal Howard and keep Van Gundy.
SI.com

Listen to me now.
The ongoing soap opera in Orlando got more interesting today when it was revealed that someone in the team’s management ratted out Dwight Howard for wanting Stan Van Gundy fired. Howard has no 1 to blame but himself, though. He allowed this toxic situation to fester when he could have bailed.
Regardless, Van Gundy is toast. He’ll either quit and look like a martyr or the Magic will fire him because Howard told them to.
Yahoo Sports

Some believe the Dwight Howard circus took its toll on Stan Van Gundy and the Ron Jeremy lookalike with either quit or be fired when the season ends.
Hoopsworld.com