The Dallas Mavericks have needed more size and strength in recent years. On Thursday, they addressed that need by getting a commitment from Marcin Gortat. The native of Poland spent the first two years of his NBA career backup up Dwight Howard on the Orlando Magic.
The contract the Mavs will reportedly give Gortat is the entire mid-level exception. Over five years, Gortat is expected to make more than $30 million. Due to Gortat being a restricted free agent, the Magic will have a chance to match the contract offer.
Last year, Gortat averaged 3.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per game …read more

On Sunday, two NBA Game 7s will take place. First, the Los Angeles Lakers will play the Houston Rockets in the decided game of their Western Conference battle. After that game, the Boston Celtics will host the Orlando Magic in a Game 7 in the Eastern Conference.
If you are playing playoff fantasy basketball, these two games could hold a lot of meaning for you. Which players could shine in their Game 7 contest?
Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
After the Magic lost Game 5, Dwight Howard had a meltdown. He basically blamed the loss on not getting the ball enough. Howard got the …read more

For those playing playoff fantasy basketball, you now have eight teams to choose from instead of 16. Here is the fantasy All-Star team comprised of those players still alive in the 2009 NBA Playoffs:
C Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
After plenty of rest following his Game 6 suspension in the first round, look for Dwight Howard to try to beat up on the depleted Boston Celtics. With Kevin Garnett out, Howard could go off.
PF Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks
The Nuggets are a difficult matchup but Dirk Nowitzki should be able to have a solid series. He started off slow against the San Antonio …read more

Courtney Lee, the rookie sensation for the Orlando Magic, could miss the rest of the playoffs. Lee suffered a fractured sinus after taking an elbow to the face from superstar teammate Dwight Howard during Game 5 of the team’s first round series versus the Philadelphia 76ers. In the contest, Lee was only able to play six minutes before leaving the game.
While there’s a chance he could return in the playoffs, those chances don’t seem very likely. He has to undergo surgery to repair the fractured sinus.
During the regular season, Lee played in 77 games and started 41 of those …read more

Dwight Howard’s first playoff games of the 2009 NBA postseason was filled with injury and insult. First he got hit in the eye by Samuel Dalembert of the Philadelphia 76ers, then he watched Andre Iguodala hit a game-winner that sent Howard and the Orlando Magic to a 100-98 loss.
Howard had to leave the game for a little while after getting his eye scratched. Although he said after the game that his eye was pulsating and that he wasn’t seeing clearly, Howard insisted that he won’t miss Game 2 in Orlando. Just to make sure Howard is healthy, he will meet …read more

Nate Robinson won the 2009 NBA Slam Dunk Contest thanks in large part to this memorable dunk over the back of Dwight Howard. You can see the Nate Robinson dunk video at the end of this entry.
Other winners on All-Star Saturday Night were the Detroit Pistons in the Shooting Stars, Derrick Rose in the Skills Challenge and Daequan Cook in the three-point shootout. However, the star of the night was the short guard on the New York Knicks.
In the fantasy basketball world, Robinson has had his ups and downs. He’s struggled both with injuries and his perimeter jumper at times …read more

Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
As much as Dwight Howard can help you in a variety of categories, he’s an absolute killer as far as free throws are concerned. He leads the league in free throw attempts per game but he’s shooting only 57% at the line. All those misses can bring down any team’s percentage.
Shaquille O’Neal, Phoenix Suns
Even though Shaquille O’Neal isn’t quite as spry as he was when he was younger, he still gets to the line a whole lot. And Shaq is still Shaq as far as his pitiful free throw percentage. The only good news is that he’s …read more

One stat that can be difficult to win is the blocked shot category. There are so few players who excel at blocking shots that it makes those players extra valuable. Here are some players who can really block some shots and thus help your fantasy basketball team.

Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
Although he wasn’t much of a shot blocker until this season, Dwight Howard is suddenly the best in the business of blocking shots. Using his strength, length and athleticism, he’s become a terror around the rim.
Marcus Camby, Los Angeles Clippers
Over the last few seasons, Marcus Camby has been the player who …read more

With the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games a thing of the past and training camp approximately one month away, let’s take a look at 2008 NBA power rankings:
1. Boston Celtics – The defending champs are the team to beat.
2. Los Angeles Lakers – The Lakers with Andrew Bynum will be tough.
3. San Antonio Spurs – The Spurs always seem to lurk near the top.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers – With the addition of Mo Williams, watch out.
5. New Orleans Hornets – James Posey will add a mean streak in NO.
6. Detroit Pistons – The Pistons should once again win a lot of …read more

Dwight Howard has never been accused of not having a personality. When the Orlando Magic center met Dominique Dawes at an Olympic practice, Howard nearly lost it. Watch the video at the end of this entry to see Howard’s reaction for yourself.
Howard apparently was a big fan of Dominique Dawes, who many remember as one of the most famous female gymnasts of the last quarter century. Dawes is working for Yahoo these days covering the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
While this news doesn’t affect Howard’s fantasy basketball stock, it appears he meant one of his real life fantasies.
Watch …read more