It figures: mere hours after reports that the Nets were in "serious talks" with the Orlando Magic to trade for superstar Dwight Howard, Orlando has made it clear that they aren't planning on trading the face of their franchise (for now). For what it's worth, according to Yahoo Sports, Howard "is not a happy camper" with that decision. Which means we can all look forward to going through all this again in four months!
Oh Well: Orlando Says They Won't Trade Dwight Howard (For Now)
Nets In "Serious Talks" For Multi-Team Dwight Howard Trade
If there's anything we've learned over the last week of insane basketball trades and almost-trades, it's not to assume any deal is dead till another deal is done. To that end, the Lakers are back in the hunt for Chris Paul, competing directly with crosstown rivals the Clippers. And although things started to look bleak over the weekend, the Nets are reportedly in "serious talks" for a four-team trade that would bring superstar Dwight Howard to New Jersey (and Brooklyn). Maybe owner Mikhail Prokhorov sweetened the pot by offering someone a cabinet seat?
Nets On Dwight Howard's Wish List, But Hope Is Fading
The Nets really have the worst luck: first, Dwight Howard reportedly demanded a trade to the team last week, getting everyone excited about the prospect of a truly worthy crosstown basketball rivalry. The Nets understandably put all their other plans and trades in limbo to focus on him. Then the team was accused of tampering. Then the Chris Paul trade blew up, and the Lakers set their sights on Howard. Now, even as Howard has given the Nets hope by listing them as one of the four teams he'll sign a contract extension with, he's reportedly considering staying in Orlando after all. What's next? Is billionaire owner and Russian presidential candidate Mikhail Prokhorov going to have a mysterious "accident?"
NBA Rumormill: Have The Nets Been Screwed Out Of Dwight Howard?
There are still two weeks until the actual season starts, but the NBA has been dominating sports headlines this week (give or take a PED-positive MLB MVP and an incredibly worthy Heisman winner) with rumors, rejected trades and big name signings. And yesterday brought another twist in the ongoing saga of Where Will Chris Paul Go, when the NBA once again rejected a proposed three-team trade between the Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets and New Orleans Hornets. As The National Post's Bruce Arthur summarized, "The NBA screwed Houston, screwed NO/Chris Paul, made a joke of governance, and mayyy have helped the Lakers get Dwight Howard." Are the Nets screwed now as well?
NBA Trade Rumormill Insanity: Dwight Howard Reportedly Wants Trade To Nets
After all the rumors, trades and near-trades, yesterday did indeed turn out to be one of the craziest basketball days in years—except not in the way anyone expected. After the three-team Chris Paul trade was opposed by owners and blocked by NBA Commissioner David Stern, all bets are off as to what will happen next. But the latest report is that Orlando Magic star Dwight Howard wants to be traded to the soon-to-be Brooklyn Nets. And if it does happen, NYC can look forward to a truly worthy and competitive inner-city rivalry next year.
Krypto-Nate Uses Spritely Charm to Win Slam Dunk Crown
With none of the Knicks getting invited out to Phoenix to play in today's All-Star Game, New York's own Nate Robinson used his under six-foot status to play the role of underdog and swipe the Slam Dunk Competition crown away from Orlando's Dwight Howard. Howard won 2008's contest by donning a Superman cape that would see a reprisal last night—this time accompanied by the heightened theatrics of Howard busting out of a phone booth toward his dunk march. But Nate came prepared with a costume of his own, making the most of some leftover Knicks St. Patty's promotional gear and donning all green (surely to the delight of contest sponsor Sprite) to become "Krypto-Nate." Not since the 2000 3 Doors Down tour have so many fans found themselves on the side of Kryptonite as Robinson eked out Howard in the final round by a fans' text messaging vote count of 52 to 48 percent. It was Robinson's second victory after a win in 2006.
Last Night's Action: No Rest for the Weary
Last Night's Action: Not Quite Instant Returns
Last Night's Action: Still the Knicks
Magic 112, Knicks 102: As fun as it is to jump on Eddy Curry and his 80:1 pound/rebound ratio, the Knicks have other problems. Dwight Howard made things difficult for one of the Knicks big men -- though the other, Zach Randolph, did manage to have 23 points on 13 rebounds -- but the New York shooters' failure to back them up the frontcourt cost the Knicks this game. The perimeter players didn't play...
Last Night's Action: The Knicks Keep Sliding
Yes, it appeared that Dwight Howard committed a goaltending violation on Stephon Marbury’s subsequent drive, but Nelson came down and hit another 3, part of the 10-2 run the Magic used to seal the game.
NBA Draft Recap
Well, we didn't get alot right, but at least we called Sebastian Telfair to the Blazers at 13. Gothamist spent the last week looking up florists in Portland, Orgeon so we could send Blazers GM John Nash a big bouquet of flowers. Because Telfair went early, high school stud Al Jefferson fell to Boston at 15, providing the Celtics with the bruising PF they so desperately needed.
Gothamist 2004 NBA Mock Draft, Version 2
The offseason in the NBA has just begun and we’ve already seen the most dominant player in the league and the reigning scoring champion both involved in trade talks. This should set the stage very nicely for tonight’s draft.
Gothamist 2004 NBA Mock Draft, Version 1
With the Pistons Championship firmly in the books, the offseason is now underway. The other 28 teams that stopped playing a long time ago have been feverishly preparing for next week’s draft for some time now.

