The Orlando Magic fired head coach Stan Van Gundy and general manager Otis Smith per team's statement announced Monday afternoon.
Van Gundy was head coach of the Magic for five seasons, going 259-135 during the regular season. Orlando reached the playoffs in all five seasons of his tenure with a 31-28 mark including three Southeast Division titles, 2009 Eastern Conference Finals Championship and a 2009 NBA Finals appearance, losing to the eventual champion LA Lakers in six games.
The Magic were ousted by the Pacers in the first round after going 37-29 in the shortened 66-game season. All-star center Dwight Howard missed the end of the season due to back surgery.
The firing marks a bizzare end to the season. In April, Van Gundy himself said that Howard went to management and asked for him to be fired and would no longer play for the coach.
Howard has since denied that claim.
GM Smith leaves the Magic organization after six years. He was the architect behind the Magic's 2009 playoff run that garnered them the Eastern Conference Champions and an NBA Finals berth, the first since 1995.
Smith drew criticism after signing then-Magic Rashad Lewis to a six-year $118 million deal in 2008, which made Lewis one of the highest-paid forwards in the NBA.
Smith also dealt Rafer Alston, Courtney Lee, Tony Battie to New Jersey for Ryan Anderson and aging Vince Carter.
Carter never panned out with the Magic as they hoped and was shipped to Phoenix for Jason Richardson and Earl Clark and brought back fan-favorite Hedo Turkoglu after his brief stint with the Raptors.
Smith drew more flak for trading Lewis to the Washington Wizards for Gilbert Arenas, who was in the middle of an $111 million contract. The team used the amnesty clause in the new collective bargaining agreement to waive him and be financially cleared.
Van Gundy arrived to Orlando in 2007 after the team failed to get Florida's Billy Donovan. Donovan agreed to be Magic coach but had second thoughts and returned to college basketball. The Magic went to great lengths to woo Van Gundy, who was in line for the Sacramento coaching gig but called the Magic his first-choice.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Monday, May 14, 2012
Michael Eric Dyson calls out Black church on MSNBC's "The Ed Show"
President Obama stated in a Good Morning America interview last week that same-sex marriages should be allowed to be married. This personal opinion from the highest office in the land started a firestorm of backlash and controversy, especially from the Black church.
On Friday, Michael Eric Dyson (@MichaelEDyson) called out the Black church on this issue saying that they are "using God to cosign on their bigotry." I couldn't agree more.
Below is the segment on The Ed Show.
It saddens me that the Black church would have the audacity to use the Bible to justify their homophobia against the LGBT community when they are the same people asking for offering from the people they reject on Sunday mornings.
Lest they forget that the slave masters in the South used the very same Bible to justify slavery. Well look at the pot calling the kettle black.
My pastor, Dr. Frederick D. Haynes III (@fhunscripted) spoke on the very same issue during his sermon yesterday. He said that President Obama's job is to uphold, honor, and defend the US Constitution, NOT the Bible. He is not a pastor but the president.
The Constitution is based solely on the Declaration of Independence which starts off with "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that ALL men are created equal." It didn't say that all straight men.
Many people missed the point that President Obama also said that it was up to the STATES to decide on the legality of same-sex marriages. You did know that marriage is a STATE issue?
What disturbs me in terms of the Black community is that they want to criticize and have a say in gay marriage when they are out here having multiple relationships with people at the same time, having pre-marital sex and having babies out of wedlock. Who died and made them God? If gay marriage has no direct impact on your life why should you care?
We are clearly worrying about the wrong thing and in this case, the wrong issue. Many Black Americans should be more concerned about the potential doubling of student loan debt rates and the lack of jobs instead of who is marrying who. Let's be real, we all have that one family member or friend that we rather not talk about because of their sexual orientation.
We have NO right to decide what sins are ok and what are not. God said that no sin is higher than another. In addition, Jesus said to love our neighbors as ourselves. Most of us may not like the idea of gay marriage but we must be able to tolerate our LGBT brothers and sisters and continue to support President Obama.
Student debt rising at alarming rate
Now that graduation season is in full swing, many newly college graduates will now begin the transition from college life to the real world. However, there will be no parade, no confetti, no scores of fans cheering your name.
Instead, it will mark the never ending days of finding employment, considering post-grad options and steadily waiting for the first notice from good ole Sallie Mae.
The question I pose is, why is student debt increasing so rapidly instead of jobs for these newly college grads, including me? Why are potential employers not hiring college grads and instead hiring those age 50+ because they ASSUME they will work at the companies longer?
Yes, I, too am a recent college graduate (Texas Southern University, Class of 2011), that is currently unemployed and saddled with debt. I honestly believe that employers don't want to take the time and money to develop someone who is at the entry-level and instead hire someone who has 10+ years of experience.
Despite my current situation, I firmly believe that God will do more exceedingly and abundantly than what we could ever ask or think.
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban clearly agrees with what most of the pundits say on rising student loan debt. Here is his take.
I urge all college graduates to just remain patient, have faith in God and I assure you that He will come through for all of us.
Instead, it will mark the never ending days of finding employment, considering post-grad options and steadily waiting for the first notice from good ole Sallie Mae.
The question I pose is, why is student debt increasing so rapidly instead of jobs for these newly college grads, including me? Why are potential employers not hiring college grads and instead hiring those age 50+ because they ASSUME they will work at the companies longer?
Yes, I, too am a recent college graduate (Texas Southern University, Class of 2011), that is currently unemployed and saddled with debt. I honestly believe that employers don't want to take the time and money to develop someone who is at the entry-level and instead hire someone who has 10+ years of experience.
Despite my current situation, I firmly believe that God will do more exceedingly and abundantly than what we could ever ask or think.
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban clearly agrees with what most of the pundits say on rising student loan debt. Here is his take.
I urge all college graduates to just remain patient, have faith in God and I assure you that He will come through for all of us.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Wednesday's Top News Stories: May 2, 2012
Four players suspended for role in bounty program
The NFL continued to lay down the hammer on the New Orleans Saints Wednesday with suspensions of four players involved in the bounty program, according to reports.
According to an ESPN report, defensive captain and linebacker Jonathan Vilma received the stiffest penalty in a season-long ban. Defensive end Jonathan Hargrove, now with the Green Bay Packers was suspended for eight games. Saints defensive end Will Smith was banned the first four games of the season; linebacker Scott Fujita, now with the Browns was suspended three games.
All four players plan to appeal suspensions and all suspensions are without pay.
The league said in a statement that the players were suspended due to "conduct detrimental to the NFL as a result of their leadership roles" with the bounties.
Earlier last month, Goodell upheld suspensions of Saints head coach Sean Payton, GM Mickey Loomis and assistant head coach Joe Vitt after their attempts of appeal. Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams continues to be suspended indefinitely.
For the full story click here
Former NFL player Junior Seau dead at 43
Long-time San Diego Chargers linebacker Junior Seau was found dead at his home on Wednesday, police said. He was 43.
Oceanside Police Chief Frank McCoy said that Seau's girlfriend found him unconscious with a gunshot wound to the chest. McCoy later said that a gun was found near Seau and the incident is being investigated as a suicide.
Seau's mother weeped uncontrollably as she appeared before reporters.
He was an outstanding linebacker at the University of Southern California before leading the Chargers to a Super Bowl run in 1994.
Seau is the eighth member of the Super Bowl XXIX team, who lost to the 49ers, to die under the age of 50.
For the full story, click here
13 charged in drum major death
Authorities in Florida have brought charges against 13 people involved in the alleged hazing death of Florida A&M drum major Robert Champion, a prosecutor announced Wednesday.
State Attorney Lawson Lamar said at an Orlando press conference that Champion "died as a result of being beaten." The attorney for the family were disappointed that more severe charges were not filed.
11 individuals face one count of third-degree felony hazing resulting in death, according to officials. Each one is also accused of two counts of misdemeanor hazing.
Two people face one count of first-degree hazing.
For the full story, click here
Gingrich bows out of GOP presidential race
Former Speaker of the House and GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich officially suspended his campaign for president Wednesday in Virginia.
Gingrich thanked his supporters, continued to fight for his policy ideas and expressed supporter of GOP front-runner Mitt Romney.
It began to go downhill for Gingrich last week with news of campaign debt, compounded by consecutive losses in state primaries and falling poll numbers.
For the full story, click here
The NFL continued to lay down the hammer on the New Orleans Saints Wednesday with suspensions of four players involved in the bounty program, according to reports.
According to an ESPN report, defensive captain and linebacker Jonathan Vilma received the stiffest penalty in a season-long ban. Defensive end Jonathan Hargrove, now with the Green Bay Packers was suspended for eight games. Saints defensive end Will Smith was banned the first four games of the season; linebacker Scott Fujita, now with the Browns was suspended three games.
All four players plan to appeal suspensions and all suspensions are without pay.
The league said in a statement that the players were suspended due to "conduct detrimental to the NFL as a result of their leadership roles" with the bounties.
Earlier last month, Goodell upheld suspensions of Saints head coach Sean Payton, GM Mickey Loomis and assistant head coach Joe Vitt after their attempts of appeal. Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams continues to be suspended indefinitely.
For the full story click here
Former NFL player Junior Seau dead at 43
Long-time San Diego Chargers linebacker Junior Seau was found dead at his home on Wednesday, police said. He was 43.
Oceanside Police Chief Frank McCoy said that Seau's girlfriend found him unconscious with a gunshot wound to the chest. McCoy later said that a gun was found near Seau and the incident is being investigated as a suicide.
Seau's mother weeped uncontrollably as she appeared before reporters.
He was an outstanding linebacker at the University of Southern California before leading the Chargers to a Super Bowl run in 1994.
Seau is the eighth member of the Super Bowl XXIX team, who lost to the 49ers, to die under the age of 50.
For the full story, click here
13 charged in drum major death
Authorities in Florida have brought charges against 13 people involved in the alleged hazing death of Florida A&M drum major Robert Champion, a prosecutor announced Wednesday.
State Attorney Lawson Lamar said at an Orlando press conference that Champion "died as a result of being beaten." The attorney for the family were disappointed that more severe charges were not filed.
11 individuals face one count of third-degree felony hazing resulting in death, according to officials. Each one is also accused of two counts of misdemeanor hazing.
Two people face one count of first-degree hazing.
For the full story, click here
Gingrich bows out of GOP presidential race
Former Speaker of the House and GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich officially suspended his campaign for president Wednesday in Virginia.
Gingrich thanked his supporters, continued to fight for his policy ideas and expressed supporter of GOP front-runner Mitt Romney.
It began to go downhill for Gingrich last week with news of campaign debt, compounded by consecutive losses in state primaries and falling poll numbers.
For the full story, click here
Sunday, April 22, 2012
"Run Your Race"
I wanted to take this time and relay this message that I heard today at the 8am service at Friendship West. Today, April 22, was Pastor Haynes' 29th anniversary as the senior pastor of the church and invited Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr. to come and preach the Word of God.
The scritpure he used was Hebrews 12:1-3.
"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which easily ensnares us, and let us with endurance run the race that is set before us...looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith who for joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against himself lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls."
The images used here are that of an athlete entering, training, competing, continuing and winning the race. This race has taken place among a crowd of supporters and witnesses who ran their own race and "have been their done that" and saying "We did it! You can too!"
The writer refers to keeping at running the race of faith while leaping over the hurdles of sin---keeping in the race and not giving up when exausted.
The pioneers of the civil right movement pressed on despite racial hatred and daily threats. Harriet Tubman is watching to see if we are still free. MLK is still watching to see if we will bow to the altar of white supremacy. Rosa Parks is watching to see if we will take the baton and run the race of social justice despite dealing with mass incarceration and education gaps and economic inequality.
Dr. Wright put it in terms of a relay race. The first leg was ran by Abraham who trusted God that He would bring him a child and discovered that God is the Lord who provides. The baton was passed to the prophets who wrote and spoke about the the true Word of God and brought lost souls to Christ. Then it was passed to the church, however, this is where the church got out of its lane and multiplied by division with the different denominations of Christianity and arguing over trivial matters such as how much Baptismal water should be used....all seemed lost but thank God for Jesus who became our anchor leg and continued the race to Calvary and finished it at the Cross, dying for our sins.
Jesus is the perfecter of our faith!!! This is a call to persevere and draw closer to God's heart, not questioning our faith when times are bad. Rather we are to move forward, embrace the call and learn from it to be better.
I now realize that through my faith and trust in Jesus, alll crooked places will be made straight, He will comfort me in the stormy seas of life and He will do exceedingly abundantly above whatever we ask or think! THANK YOU JESUS!!! THANK YOU LORD!!!!
RUN YOUR RACE!!!!! JESUS IS WITH YOU ALWAYS!
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Tuesday's Headlines: April 17, 2012
NEWS
Secret Service clearances yanked amid sex scandal
Mother defends accused Tulsa shooter
Zimmerman's lawyers asks for new judge in Trayvon Martin case
Space shuttle Discovery finds new home
SPORTS
Nowtizki scores 40 as Mavs fall to Jazz in triple OT
NFL to release 2012 schedule Tuesday
Kenyans survive heat, sweep Boston Marathon
Bruins, Rangers, Blues take 2-1 series lead in Stanley Cup Playoffs
ENTERTAINMENT
Rapper Mystikal sentenced to 90 days in jail for probation violation
Tupac hologram may go on tour
Halle Berry gets engaged to Olivier Martinez
Oprah Magazine faces economic troubles
Secret Service clearances yanked amid sex scandal
Mother defends accused Tulsa shooter
Zimmerman's lawyers asks for new judge in Trayvon Martin case
Space shuttle Discovery finds new home
SPORTS
Nowtizki scores 40 as Mavs fall to Jazz in triple OT
NFL to release 2012 schedule Tuesday
Kenyans survive heat, sweep Boston Marathon
Bruins, Rangers, Blues take 2-1 series lead in Stanley Cup Playoffs
ENTERTAINMENT
Rapper Mystikal sentenced to 90 days in jail for probation violation
Tupac hologram may go on tour
Halle Berry gets engaged to Olivier Martinez
Oprah Magazine faces economic troubles
Monday, April 2, 2012
NCAA will crown men's basketball champion Monday night
The stage is set for Monday night in New Orleans where top-seeded Kentucky and second-seeded Kansas will vie for the right to be a national champion.
It is a rematch of an earlier meeting in mid-November where the Wildcats won 75-65 at Madison Square Garden.
Furthermore, it is also a rematch of coaches Bill Self and John Calipari where four years ago Calipari, then coaching at Memphis, lost in the national championship game to Bill Self's Jayhawks in overtime.
The road to the Final Four was quite different for both teams. Kentucky basically cruised its way to New Orleans from the South region, with wins over Iowa State, Indiana, Baylor and in-state rival Louisville on Saturday. Also, Kentucky didn't have to worry about playing Duke, who were eliminated by Lehigh in the 2nd round.
Kansas, on the other hand, had to claw its way back from the brink of elimination following its 2nd round win over Detroit with comeback victories over Purdue, NC State, North Carolina and Ohio State.
The keys to victory for Kansas is to bother AP and Naismith Player of the Year Anthony Davis. If the Jayhawks can get the 7'0-plus center in foul trouble, then Thomas Robinson can have a field day in the paint. Also, Tyshawn Taylor and Elijah Johnson must have a great offensive game and be able to finish at the rim.
Kentucky must play it's style of balanced basketball if they want to win and not take quick shots early in the shot clock, otherwise Kansas will turn those misses into fast break points.
The game will be decided by who can make clutch free throws if the game is close.
It is a rematch of an earlier meeting in mid-November where the Wildcats won 75-65 at Madison Square Garden.
Furthermore, it is also a rematch of coaches Bill Self and John Calipari where four years ago Calipari, then coaching at Memphis, lost in the national championship game to Bill Self's Jayhawks in overtime.
The road to the Final Four was quite different for both teams. Kentucky basically cruised its way to New Orleans from the South region, with wins over Iowa State, Indiana, Baylor and in-state rival Louisville on Saturday. Also, Kentucky didn't have to worry about playing Duke, who were eliminated by Lehigh in the 2nd round.
Kansas, on the other hand, had to claw its way back from the brink of elimination following its 2nd round win over Detroit with comeback victories over Purdue, NC State, North Carolina and Ohio State.
The keys to victory for Kansas is to bother AP and Naismith Player of the Year Anthony Davis. If the Jayhawks can get the 7'0-plus center in foul trouble, then Thomas Robinson can have a field day in the paint. Also, Tyshawn Taylor and Elijah Johnson must have a great offensive game and be able to finish at the rim.
Kentucky must play it's style of balanced basketball if they want to win and not take quick shots early in the shot clock, otherwise Kansas will turn those misses into fast break points.
The game will be decided by who can make clutch free throws if the game is close.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
