magic Page 22 - Sports News, Headlines & Highlights

Isiah Still Has Powerful Friends, For Some Reason
Magic Johnson's request for Knicks tickets was denied because of his very public criticism of Isiah Thomas. If trashing Isiah precluded attendance, the Knicks would be playing in an empty arena. [NY Daily News]...

Last Night's Loser: Santa Stan Van Gundy
You know the NBA is pleased with its Christmas tradition when it earnestly compares Shaq and Kobe to Jimmy Stewart and Peter Billingsley. Casting Stan Van Gundy in the role of Scrooge was probably not part of the plan....

A New, Moderately Offensive Podcast Is Open For Business
Please go take a listen to the Spider And The Henchman show on Adam Carolla's podcast network. I'm honored I was picked to be their first guest. Topics of note: Tiger, Magic's HIV, and Eddie Murphy's tranny parties. Gurgle. [SpiderAndTheHenchman]...

Madness Is...A 49ers Taquería Mural
Because no one reads the newspaper, and SportsCenter's anchors are too perky for this early in the morning, Deadspin combs the best of the broadsheets and the blogosphere to bring you everything you need to know to start your day....

Thug Life: Marv Albert Says There's No Beef With 50 Cent
What sounded like one of the most bizarre fights since Axl Rose attacked karate-chopping fashion mogul Tommy Hilfiger, longtime NBA announcer Marv Albert told the Dan Patrick show that he "never crossed paths" with angry rapper 50 Cent. [DPShow]...

TV Guide Writers Captivated By Any Ex-Dukie Matchup (Update)
What was the most compelling storyline of this weekend's Orlando-Boston showdown? The heated rivalry between J.J. Redick and Shelden Williams that dates to the time Williams stole Redick's juice box on the team bus to Wake Forest. [Thanks, Todd]...

J.J. Redick's Got A Rap Album
Of course he does. The Magic guard will be heading a "supergroup," which is a generous term when Jonathan Clay Redick is the most famous member....

Magic And Isiah's Friendship Is Not So Friendly Anymore
Magic Johnson and Larry Bird have "co-written" a new book about their lives in the NBA that, among other things, paints a not very flattering portrait of their sometime rival Isiah Thomas. With friends like these, who needs Bill Simmons?...

The NBA Has Its Own Adorable Steroid Problem
Orlando's Rashard Lewis has been suspended for the first 10 games of next season after testing positive for steroids. He blames it on over the counter "supplements." It's so cute! Almost like a real sports league! [Orlando Sentinel]...

Somehow, Michael Jackson Was Partly Responsible For Magic Johnson's Greatness
I applaud Magic Johnson's ability to personalize it: "the way he controlled the band...the stage." But I'm sure he'd use the same approach if he were eulogizing a painter or a vacuum cleaner repairman. [Gawker]...

Artie Lange's Post-Buck Interview Round-Up
Plus, Stern's odd little shout-out to Tommy Craggs ("I think he's from Miami") at the 9:20 mark here. 11 years later, Lange's firebombing is still not as awkwardHoward's on the ill-fated "Magic Hour."[Bob's Blitz]...

Watch Your Step, Boobsy
Got an image you'd like to see in here first thing in the morning? Send it to [email protected]. Subject: Morning crap...

Stan Van Gundy A "Working-Class Hero," Says Newspaper For Rich People (UPDATE)
There is no worse fate for an NBA final than to be turned into a roundtable discussion on the brilliance of the coach. Someone please tell the Wall Street Journal: Stan Van Gundy is not the reason people are watching....

Reebok Gives Shoe Contracts First, Asks Questions Later
Reebok belatedly discovers that they gave a shoe contract to a white guy with an "Air Jordan" tattoo on his leg. To be fair, it was Marcin Gortat, and no one wanted to look that closely. [Skeets]...

What's The Deal With The Confetti?
Orlando prematurely celebrated their four-point win (after setting a record for field goal percentage) that still leaves them down a game in the NBA Finals. Way to pick your spots, guys. [Los Angeles Times]...

Oh, Courtney
Beautiful play, but flawed execution. Courtney Lee probably needed .2 of a second more to make that layup instead of bonking it off the backboard. Instead, Lakers win in OT, go up 2-0. [ESPN]...

The Playoff Stress Has Really Taken A Toll On Stan Van Gundy
Got an image you'd like to see in here first thing in the morning? Send it to [email protected]. Subject: Morning crap...

Orlando Basketball For Dummies
The Orlando Sentinel is well aware that 80% of their city's population is amped about the Magic—but could not have given a crap about the NBA until six days ago. Hence their bandwagon-friendly primer for the very uninitiated....

Redick And Morrison, Reunited And It Feels So Good
"Remember when they cried in college? Remember when they played Halo against each other? They were like Magic and Bird in college, except that they weren't in any way." Redick scored seven points in the conference finals. Morrison hasn't played since April 14. Guess that settles SI's cover question!...