Results tagged “magic,” from Robert Littal Presents The Infamous BlackSportsOnline

The conversation via Third Quarter Collapse, after the jump.

The differences between great NBA coaches and poor coaches are subtle because most coaches at the NBA level are basketball experts. For example, Stan Van Gundy has been widely criticized by the media during the 2009 NBA playoffs while Phil Jackson has been praised with very little criticism. Why does the sports media differ in their treatment of these two coaches when they have both coached their team to the NBA Finals?

In Game 4 of the NBA Finals the Orlando Magic displayed a complete mockery of a team attempting to become NBA Champions. I can't remember the last time I seen a team in the Finals refuse to put one foot in front of the other. Absolutely refuse to acknowledge that 1 + 1 = 2. It's almost like it's something about the purple and yellow that has the Magic scared and under the covers. Much like Rick Adelman, Stan Van Gundy can't seem to function with Phil Jackson on the other teams bench. The Zen-Master is like the Boogie Man who snatches away their late-game poise and ability to coach.

Stan Van Gundy did a disservice to the leader of this team that might have a lasting affect. What he did to Jameer Nelson and his team lastnight could be a fireable offense. Anyone with plain eyes knows that Jameer Nelson is not right and if he was the Magic would probably be winning the series but that's a different story. No way Stan should have Jameer playing the entire 4th quarter in a must win game coming off that long layoff. He's not able to help them on offense and Alston had played well the previous game. Totally inexcuseable but that's just the tip of the iceberg. The biggest sin commited against the City of Orlando,Walt Disney and everyone watching these Finals was the decision not to foul with L.A. down by 3. No need to get into why you foul real late up by 3 It's been well documented by our own Kali McIver is his "Ridiculous Late Game Strategy" article. I guess when you're a genius in sarcasm it doesn't do much for your common sense. The Lakers figured, hey if they don't want it we'll take it.

The Magic have actually lost this Series more than L.A. won it. The Lakers have just won games by not disrespecting the basketball gods. This L.A. team could of been had by this Magic team when you look at the matchups. But between Stans inability to get Howard the ball more and to take advantage of their 3 point shooting or threat of, either or... it just hasn't happened. Understand the Magic have been leaving plays on the floor all Series long. Whether it be not being able to get Dwight the ball when he has his man sealed off, Dwight missing layups and free throws and Lee missing that layup in game 2. Even lastnight with under 5 seconds left in a tie game not passing the ball to Dwight with Kobe guarding him at the rim. From coaching staff down to the players they are clearly just not ready to be Champions. Scary coaching leads to scary play on the court. All missed opportunities.

If you are the Orlando Magic the one thing you can not do is panic. Yes you were embarrassed last night, but losing game one doesn't mean you have lost the series (actually if you are playing against a Phil Jackson team it does, but work with me here).

Your fans are losing their minds, you coach looks like he rather be shooting his next porno than coaching and you looked like a deer in the headlights under the bright lights of LA, but all is not lost.

Unless you've slipped into a slight coma for the past week or so, you know all about the crushing upset the Orlando Magic pulled over the Cleveland Cavaliers, or, as most sports announcers would rather call them, the LeBron James'. You've probably also seen the Los Angeles Lakers, or, as Jerry West would like to call them, the LeBron James', pull out their respective Conference Finals' win over the Denver "Knucklehead" Nuggets.

Disappointments aside, forget about whom you'd rather see, take a moment and celebrate the NBA in all its glory. The Magic has proven that you don't need a bandwagon full of supporters to throw it down on your way to the Promised Land, and Kobe has proven that even a habitual complainer and a borderline scientologist (sorry, his press conferences remind me of Tom Cruise's interview with Matt Lauer) can prevail--to a point--without the Big Nickname mumblin' and stumblin' under the basket.

What we're going to witness, hopefully, is a full seven-game series of pure, unadulterated, highly entertaining basketball, with the winner being able to achieve the feat with gamesmanship, grace, and only three flagrant fouls per game.

For all the gambling types out there, this one may be too close to call.

The Orlando Magics have been the under dogs this whole season, playing big teams like the Celtics and Cavs and they haven't been receiving the RESPECT that they deserve. The franchise has also been in the playoffs for more than half of their existence (11 playoff appearances in 20 years). That is a great accomplishment for a team that only been around two decades. Most teams in the league haven't had that much success. But the media and fans has been counting them out.

Was Dwight Howard wrong for calling out his coach after the Orlando Magic's Game 5 loss to Boston? We can debate that forever and in truth, he probably was. After all, it's not like he did anything to step up to stop the bleeding during that fourth quarter collapse. Plus, calling out people is the press isn't for everyone, because he's not Phil Jackson.

But I do believe that this is a step in the right direction in the evolution of Dwight Howard. It wasn't that long ago that he planned on converting all of his teammates.

Dwight Howard has always been accused of being too nice. He's always joking, smiling, and laughing; enjoying himself. What's wrong with this guy? He's out there, having fun playing basketball, when he needs to get serious about this kid's game that he's paid millions to play. He should have never let Nate Robinson jump over him to win the slam dunk contest. He should have put his boot heel on Robinson's throat to assure that he won this exhibition that will do as much for his career as it did for Harold Miner's. The kid's just got no killer instinct, no competitive drive. He's just having too much fun.

That nameless kid in Orlando wasn't the only one hurt during Glen Davis' celebration Sunday night in Orlando. Dwight Howard's and Rashard Lewis's feelings were hurt by all of the celebrating and joy on their court because none of it was theirs.

Lost in the controversy surrounding Glen Davis' flying shoulderblock on a kid standing courtside in Orlando is Dwight Howard's and Rashard Lewis's distaste for post-game celebrations. Dwight Howard was shown with his face all frowned up and calling for a technical, while Rashard Lewis said the following:

"It most definitely adds fuel to the fire," Lewis said. "We don't like that type of stuff. You have to be professional about the game of basketball. We're a professional team and we expect them to be the same way.

"Those guys were jumping up and down, waving their hands at us, saying bye, but it's not over yet; it's just 2-2," Lewis added. "We could have done the same thing when we won on their court, but we're more professional than that. They still have to win ballgames. The series ain't over yet."

NBA Commish David Stern and partner Stu Jackson are on the clock for the above video that clearly shows what I would call an assault. Orlando Magic Center Dwight Howard has many talent. He does impersonations, commericals, can dance with the best of them even starting to get a little left hand hook shot working for him. What we didn't know was that he incorperated a vicious MMA-worthy elbow in the reportoire.

I watched in amazement after seeing that this was an intentional elbow and wondered how he was still on the court. All I can guess was that the ref didn't have a good vantage point which is the reason he only got a technical. Of course i'm trying to give the refs the benefit of the doubt here. Look Howard is a likeable player and I guess he just got caught up in the passion of the game and just reacted. That being said there's no way he should be on the flight to Philadelphia for game 6.

(1)Cleveland vs. (8)Detroit

People are wondering how the Cavs have only lost two games at home all season. Really one, that lost against the Sixers was given away. A friend of mines seems to think that the refs play a big part in why the Cavs can't be beat at home, I seem to really think it's the addition of Mo Williams. Lebron has been the best player in the league the past couple seasons, it's always good to argue but everything considered, he is. But this team graduated to another level with the addition of a the can't miss 2 guard. He is who they have been missing, teams can no longer just crowd James like they did in previous playoffs. Now when they do that, they pay. The Cavs went from a really good team to elite status. The Pistons will win one game in Detroit and that's it. Maybe now the Pistons brass will under that Curry can't coach and Stuckey isn't better than Hamilton... or Iverson. Cavs in 5

Series Guarantee: Detroit will lose a game by 30!

(2)Boston vs. (7)Chicago

KG's probably out for the entire playoffs. Chicago boast a long athletic group that will beat you if you do not bring your A- game. To be honest on paper it looks like Chicago is the deeper team but they lack killers. The C's still have two killers left, in Pierce and Allen. It's a good thing that the Celtics won the Chip last year because more than anything winning the Champonship elevates the play of the role players. This has obviously made players like Tony Allen, Rondo, Glen Davis grow up and become better players. The Bulls are still trying to find their way, they are probably at least two years away from being a serious PROBLEM. Boston is too much of a team to lose to Chicago even if they are missing KG. They will run like a well oiled machine is end the Bulls scare in 6 games. C's in 6

Series Guarantee: Derrick Rose will make another classic YouTube video at the expense of Rondo. Rondo loves to D'up and Rose is lightning quick with a sick handle. Eh, something has to give.

(3)Orlando vs. (6)Philadelphia

The Sixers acquired Elton Brand who again missed most of the season due to injury. So the player that was suppose to make them a serious contender was a non factor. You basically have the same Sixers team you had last year maybe just a little bit better. Hey if there wasn't a 3-point line Philly would be a great team, but there is and they are not. For the Sixers to beat Orlando they'll have to defend the mess out of the three point line and dare the Magic to make Howard score 40. A sensable stragedy but they won't employ it. They'll continue to try to double Howard, leave shooters open and refuse to use the shooters they have to combat the 3's made against them. There's too much post-game bark and not enough on the court bite from Iguodala. Too much of a inconsistent defensive game plan from the Sixers and Dalembert still trying to figure out what his role is. Too much Lewis, too much Turkoglu and too much Dwight Howard walking it out all over the Sixers bigs. Orlando in 6

Series Guarantee: You will like and know who Thaddeus Young is after this series.

Black Magic, by ESPN Films in association with Shoot the Moon Productions, has been honored with The George Foster Peabody Award. The Peabodys, the oldest awards in broadcasting, are considered among the most prestigious and selective prizes in electronic media.

Directed and produced by Dan Klores, and co-produced by basketball legend and Winston-Salem State University graduate Earl "The Pearl" Monroe, Black Magic tells the story of the injustice which characterized the Civil Rights Movement in America, as told through the lives of basketball players and coaches who attended Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). Black Magic aired as a commercial free, two-part, four-hour film in primetime Sunday and Monday, March 16 and 17 on ESPN. At the time, the film was ESPN's most highly rated documentary ever.

According to the Peabody judges, "this unusually penetrating sports documentary illuminated the lives of African American basketball players and their coaches at historically black colleges and universities during the civil rights era."

Keith Clinkscales, senior vice president content development and enterprises, ESPN, said, "Winning this award is a remarkable achievement for a sports film and an honor for everyone involved in it. We are so proud of this film and to work with Dan Klores, whose vision and passion brought this important story of social change and sports to life."

The 68th Annual George Foster Peabody Awards ceremony will take place on Monday, May 18, at the Waldorf=Astoria in New York.

You know I am one of ESPN's harshest critics. But I have to give credit when credit is due. I just finished watching their two-part documentary "Black Magic" and it was brilliant. (Sorry I am a slave to the DVR. I never watch anything on time anymore)

Even though I go by the moniker of "Sports Expert," deep down, I am just a person who loves sports just like you. I am also a young, Black male who. by the time I was on my way to a predominately white college (The Ohio State University), it wasn't a big deal to see a Black man walking around campus. I will be honest. I knew on some level about coaches like "Big House" Gaines, John McLendon and Ben Jobe, but I never understood their struggles. When I think of Willis Reed or Earl Monroe, my first thoughts are of the NBA not the historically Black college they came from.

What really stuck me with me, though, were the players that I had never heard of such as Cleo Hill, who was universally recognized as one of the greatest Black-college players of all time. Because of racism on the Saint Louis Hawks, he was black-balled from the league. Just imagine having a skill so great that you are one of the best in the world, but, because of the color of your skin, being denied a chance to showcase that skill. How difficult would that be?

When I heard about the great Bob Love, a player that my father admired, speak on his stuttering-problem and how his wife left him and took all of his possessions because she didn't want to be with a mute and a cripple. A knee injury forced him to retire. He moved me when he spoke of having to be a bus boy after 11-years in the NBA. How embarrassing and humiliating it was. His experience should make today's athletes think twice when they are complaining about being "under paid."

There are very many more stories from the documentary that I could write about. They are both inspirational, sad, and funny and sometimes all of those combined. But, I want you to watch "Black Magic" and draw your own conclusions.

It was truly an eye-opening experience for me. I feel as if I'm a better person for having watched it. There aren't many programs that one can say that about these days. I encourage everyone to watch it, if you haven't already, especially young athletes so they can better understand the basis for the opportunities they have today. Kudos to ESPN for bringing this to light.