March 2011 Orlando Magic Wiretap

Arenas, Van Gundy Clear The Air

Jun 30, 2011 4:16 PM

GM Otis Smith said after the season that Gilbert Arenas and Stan Van Gundy --- at odds over Arenas' role last season --- needed to work on their "relationship."

Dwight Howard made noise recently when he said Van Gundy didn't always use Arenas correctly, even though Arenas struggled mightily.

Van Gundy said he and Arenas have had a meeting of the minds and cleared the air.

"He talked about what upset him," Van Gundy said. "Gilbert was not as frustrated with his playing time as he was (during the season). It's different once you're out of the heat of battle. He's an intelligent guy. He had a frustration that we didn't play to his strengths.

"I think he had a valid point."

Brian Schmitz/Orlando Sentinel

Tags: Gilbert Arenas, Orlando Magic, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Tony Allen Mentoring Rookie DeAndre Liggins

Jun 29, 2011 7:08 PM

DeAndre Liggins, the No. 56 overall draft pick for the Orlando Magic, considers Tony Allen a mentor.

They met in Chicago – the city where they both grew up – after Liggins freshman year at Kentucky while hanging out in some of the same basketball circles. These days they exchange text messages often, and they hung out earlier this week in Chicago before Liggins flew to Orlando to meet with his new team.

“He tells me the NBA is not easy,” Liggins said of Allen. “Defending the best player every night is not easy, especially in the NBA. You just have to continue to be tough.

“We’re real close,” Liggins said.

Zach McCann/Orlando Sentinel

Tags: Tony Allen, DeAndre Liggins, Memphis Grizzlies, Orlando Magic, NBA

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Orlando May Let Jason Richardson Walk In Free Agency

Jun 25, 2011 6:35 PM

The drafting of Kentucky shooting guard DeAndre Liggins has some in Orlando believing that impending free agent Jason Richardson's days with the Magic are numbered.

Orlando GM Otis Smith has said that he believes that JJ Redick, a valuable reserve who has steadily improved his game since being drafted in 2006, is ready to be an NBA starter. After a disappointing first-round exit to the Atlanta Hawks, the Magic are looking to make significant line-up changes in an effort to re-sign Dwight Howard before his free agency next summer.

Orlando Sentinel

Tags: Jason Richardson, J.J. Redick, DeAndre Liggins, Orlando Magic, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Magic Acquire Justin Harper

Jun 23, 2011 11:17 PM

The Magic have acquired the draft rights to Justin Harper from the Cavaliers for two future second round picks.

Harper is a stretch-four from Richmond.

Chad Ford/ESPN

Tags: Justin Harper, Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Blazers, Magic Discussing Miller For Nelson Trade

Jun 23, 2011 12:30 PM

The Magic and Blazers are holding discussions centered around a trade of Andre Miller and the No. 21 overall pick for Jameer Nelson.

Portland has been attempting to unload their first round pick in exchange for immediate veteran help.

Jonathan Givony/Draft Express (via Twitter)

Tags: Jameer Nelson, Andre Miller, Orlando Magic, Portland Trail Blazers, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Smith Wants Arenas To Refrain From Basketball Activities

Jun 22, 2011 3:56 PM

Orlando Magic GM Otis Smith wants Gilbert Arenas, who weighs about 225 pounds, to lose 10 to 15 pounds this summer. And he wants Arenas to continue strengthening his injured knee. Smith called both of those goals a “non-issue” and something he has no worries about.

What Smith does worry about, however, is Arenas playing basketball too much.

“The thing I have to fight with him on a daily basis is the the guys who are basketball players, that love to play basketball, like to play basketball all the time, year-round. And he’s one of those guys,” Smith said. “He’s a gym rat. That’s counter-productive for him. He actually has to play little to no basketball up until September and then he can pick up a ball and start shooting. Guys who are that skilled get those things back.”

Zach McCann/Orlando Sentinel

Tags: Orlando Magic, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Vazquez Re-Signs With Barcelona For One Season

Jun 21, 2011 11:37 AM

Regal FC Barcelona has re-signed Fran Vazquez for the 11-12 season.

The draft rights of Vazquez belong to the Orlando Magic.

"Of course Fran would give serious consideration to the Magic," Vazquez's agent Jose Cobelo said. "That has been his intention all of these years. He signed with Barçelona for a year to keep that door open. Once we get a tangible offer we will evaluate it. Unfortunately, we can't do that now with the potential of a lockout lurking."

Orlando had hoped Vazquez would make the jump this summer.

"The Magic, with the potential of a lockout, weren't a viable option for Fran," Cabelo said. "We don't know with any degree of certainty what the conditions would be or whether he'd get to play [any games because of the labor situation]."

Euroleague.net

Tags: Fran Vazquez, Orlando Magic, Euroleague, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor, International, International League

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Magic Encourage Players To Find Benefits In Boxing

Jun 19, 2011 2:34 PM

Encouraged by team officials, Gilbert Arenas, Brandon Bass, Earl Clark and Chris Duhon have incorporated boxing into their training regimens.

"I thought it was kind of weird that they were sending me in here to box at first, but I love it," said Anderson, who has been boxing since he was traded to the Magic in June 2009. "It's just a great workout, and I see now why we keep coming back here and bringing guys here."

The goal of these sessions isn't to become better fighters: No one is punching the Magic players, and they're not punching anyone unless they're aiming jabs, hooks and uppercuts into the pads Drespling often wears on his hands or over his ribs and stomach.

Magic strength and conditioning coach Joe Rogowski endorses the boxing workouts because they improve the players' stamina, balance and mental toughness. The boxing also breaks up the monotony of players' usual training routines of shooting baskets and weightlifting at Amway Center and running on the Jones High School track.

"It gets boring doing the conditioning on the court, so this provides more one arrow in the quiver," Rogowski said. "I just like to get them out of the gym once in a while. It's a great workout. It's different. The guys look at it as a challenge."

Josh Robbins/Orlando Sentinel

Tags: Gilbert Arenas, Brandon Bass, Earl Clark, Chris Duhon, Orlando Magic, NBA

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Vazquez Pulls Out Of FIBA Tournament

Jun 19, 2011 2:20 PM

Spain center Fran Vazquez has decided not to play for the country this summer when the national team tries to defend its EuroBasket title.

The Barcelona big man, who just helped his club side capture the ACB title, competed for Spain last year at the FIBA World Championship in Turkey.

He has contacted Spain coach Sergio Scariolo and informed him of his desire to take the summer off.

"I have asked the national team coach not to include me in the team," Vazquez said in a statement.

"I think the best thing for me is to not play the EuroBasket and rest this summer so as to face next season with all guarantees."

Fiba.com

Tags: Fran Vazquez, Orlando Magic, Spanish ACB, NBA, International, National, National World Championships, International League

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Howard: Magic Didn't Properly Use Arenas

Jun 19, 2011 2:03 PM

Dwight Howard had some praise Saturday for teammate Gilbert Arenas and was critical of the use the coaching staff made of him in Orlando.

“I don’t think our coach used him the right way, but I think he can do a lot of great things for our team,” Howard said. “He promised me this summer he was going to get better, physically and mentally, so he can come back and have an awesome year. I’m looking forward to that.

“I just felt like he didn’t get the opportunity to play his style but also play with me. I think he needed to. I think he got a couple of opportunities to do it in the playoffs, but it was kind of too late. So I think he will be great for us.”

Jorge Sierra/HoopsHype.com

Tags: Dwight Howard, Gilbert Arenas, Orlando Magic, NBA

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Howard Reiterates Desire To Stay In Orlando, Says He'll Opt Out After Next Season

Scott Howard-Cooper/NBA.com

JVG Suggests Heat Break Up Big Three

Zach McCann/Orlando Sentinel

Arenas Fined For Comments Made On Twitter

Zach McCann/Orlando Sentinel

Redick Underwent Hernia Surgery

Zach McCann/Orlando Sentinel

Shaq Expects Howard To Win Multiple Titles

Zach McCann/Orlando Sentinel

Howard Not Interested In Signing Two-Year Extension

Josh Robbins/Orlando Sentinel

Howard To Hire Shooting Coach

Josh Robbins/Orlando Sentinel