Once one of, if not the best center in the NBA, Patrick Ewing's career has been on the spiral downward ever since he left the NBA's big apple. How bad has it done for the big fella? In a recent game against the Indiana Pacers Ewing failed to enter a game for the first time in his career while being on the active roster, breaking a streak of 1,175 consecutive games he had played in which he was healthy.
"I'm going to get a stat sheet and frame it," a glum Ewing said, only half joking. "But yeah, it's disappointing."
Things may get worse for the ex-Knick as well, the big man may also sit out today's game against the team where he spent the first 15 years of his career.
"I think it was the right decision," Rivers said of not playing Ewing Friday. "It would have been a tough matchup for Patrick. We decided to go with (DeClercq) and (Reid). Otherwise, we'll go with Patrick when we can."
Marc Berman of the New York Post reports that Ewing's career may come to a close. Two of Ewing's closest friends, Mark Jackson and Herb Williams, predict that may be the case if he's not traded or released.
Williams, who spoke by phone to Ewing yesterday morning and planned to have dinner with him last night in Orlando, reported the Ewing was shocked and disappointed and warned Rivers it's not a good idea to have an unhappy Ewing with the playoffs around the bend.
Jackson said Ewing is ready to retire if things don't change. Ewing visits the Garden possibly for the last time April 9. "I think if it was like this, yes [he'll retire,]" Jackson said before the Knicks flew to Disney City. "He's a guy with tremendous heart, tremendous pride. He's a warrior. He's not doing it for the money. So I think if it was like this, yes. If it was like this, he'll probably call it quits. But I'm sure he feels he can help some teams. He can help them."
Ewing has one year and $2.25 million left on his contract. Expect superagent David Falk to demand a summer trade like he did to the Knicks in 2000
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It looks like Tracy McGrady's injury which saw him rolling in pain before being stretchered off against the Charlotte Hornets was not so bad after all. The All-Star guard of the Orlando Magic is due to suit up against the Chicago Bulls tonight as part of an Orlando homestand, one which could forge their path in this year's playoffs.
"I'm playing," McGrady promised Monday. "It's still sore, but it looked worse than it turned out to be. Hopefully, I can help get us back on track."
"The pain just shot up my back. I thought that was it," said McGrady. "I was like, 'Don't touch me, don't try to turn me, just get a stretcher.' I couldn't move. Once I got to the hospital, they drugged me up a little, and things got better."
Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel writes that Milwaukee (37-31) assumed the No. 4 spot with its victory over the Magic (37-32), who hold a tie-breaker over No. 6 Philadelphia (37-32). Although they only are a half-game behind Milwaukee, the Bucks hold the tie-breaker with more head-to-head wins than the Magic. Only 2½ games separate the Bucks and the eighth-place Indiana Pacers. Orlando travels to No. 7 Charlotte on Wednesday and then hosts the Pacers on Friday. The top four teams have home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs while the top 8 actually make the post season.
Via Orlando Sentinel
Orlando Magic, Chicago Bulls
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Healthiest team will likely win East
Published March 25, 2002
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McGrady since the all-star break
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Mar 24, 2002
SEASON RESET
RECORD
37-32, 3rd in Atlantic Division
NEXT GAME
Tuesday, vs. Chicago, 7:30 p.m.
LAST GAME
Sunday, lost to Milwaukee, 110-85
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RECENT COLUMNS
Healthiest team will likely win East
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E-MAIL
Tim Povtak
In a season when there are no certainties in the Eastern Conference, the best players aren't going to reach the NBA Finals.
The healthiest will.
Toronto's Vince Carter, who had been struggling for weeks with a sore knee, was shut down for the season and faces surgery today.
Philadelphia's Allen Iverson broke his hand last week, and he isn't expected back for a month.
Orlando's Tracy McGrady scared the life right out of an entire organization Friday with his frightening fall, leaving him overnight in the hospital with back spasms.
Together last week, the three proved just how delicate the balance of power really is in the East. Without Carter healthy, the Raptors have been woeful. Without Iverson, the Sixers are nothing. Without McGrady, the Magic are dreadful.
Health -- and not stars -- will decide who wins the East.
If Jason Kidd had a bad ankle sprain, the Nets would do a free fall. If Ben Wallace wasn't there to rebound and block shots, the Detroit Piston would become the Atlanta Hawks.
"Whoever gets hot -- and stays healthy -- will come out of the East," said Magic point guard Darrell Armstrong. "It's so up for grabs, and we think we have as good a chance as anyone. I think this just shows you how important it is to stay healthy."
The Charlotte Hornets were without Jamal Mashburn early this season, and they weren't very good. With him and everyone else back, they are as good as anyone in the East, now riding a six-game winning streak.
The Magic are fortunate that McGrady could be back as early as Tuesday against Chicago. Once he left Friday, the Magic hardly challenged the Hornets. They never even made the Milwaukee Bucks sweat Sunday. Without him this season, they are 1-4.
"Everything is so balance in the East this season," said Hornets veteran P.J. Brown. It's like parity in college basketball. The eight teams that go into the playoffs from the East -- if they are healthy -- will all believe they can reach the NBA Finals. In the nine years I've been in the league, I've never seen it like this."
McGrady's stock on the rise
Tracy McGrady isn't going to win the NBA's Most Valuable Player Award this season -- Jason Kidd built too much of an early lead, and Shaquille O'Neal qualifies to win it every year -- but he certainly has put himself into strong contention for the future.
Voters normally go for the stars that have been knocking on the door for years. Just look at the last six winners.
Allen Iverson, who won the award last season, had to win two scoring titles and turn 26 before he became a MVP. O'Neal was 28 when he won, after two scoring titles and a month before his first NBA title.
Karl Malone and Michael Jordan alternated winning the prior four seasons. Jordan already had established himself as the greatest player in history, and Malone was an All-Star 10 times before he won.
McGrady, 22, has put himself into a favorite's role for next season with a dazzling second half. If he wins it then, at the ripe age of 23, he would become the youngest winner since Bob McAdoo became MVP in 1975 at 23.
McGrady, before he was hurt Friday, had been the best player in the league since the All-Star break, carrying the Magic to a 12-6 record after he stole the show with the All-Star Game, raising his confidence another level.
Since the break, he has averaged 29.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.1 blocks. No one else in the league has won games in so many different ways.
Iverson has scored more. Duncan and O'Neal have rebounded better. Kidd has dished more assists. But no one has done it like McGrady in every statistical category.
Carter tired of criticism
Vince Carter says he will have a short memory next season, and he's going hunting for his critics.
As the Raptors struggled the last several weeks, falling out of playoff contention, Carter has been attacked for his lack of leadership and his inability to upright a sinking ship.
Most of the criticism, from players, fans and media, came from those who didn't know how badly he was slowed by the cartilage damage in his knee.
"In the summer, when I'm home, I can just sit there and think about all the rough times, all this, all that, all the players who tried to come at me when I was hurt,'' he said. "All that stuff. I'm gonna remember so there's going to be some hell to pay next year.''
The Raptors, remember, were supposed to be contenders this season after re-signing Carter and everyone else they wanted last summer. But the season became a disaster. Carter took much of the blame.
"They're all going to eat those words. I'm going to do what I have to do to get to the situation where I want to be, and once I'm healthy and ready to go, I'm gonna start attacking people,'' he said. "I refuse to make excuses. Like I said a long time ago, if I choose to go out there and play, I have to go out there and perform regardless of my situation. I wasn't looking for some sympathy. If I was hurt and playing well, no one would have said anything."
Popularity almost 'Shaq-like'
Interesting scene at the Meet the Magic night for season ticket holders at the RDV Sportplex last week. The doors opened, and there was a flood of fans all racing to the table where Tracy McGrady was sitting. The difference from last season -- his first with the Magic -- to this season has been huge for McGrady in the eyes of the fans. "It's become Shaq-like,'' said Chris D'Orso, Magic director of marketing. "It's exciting to see, but I just hope it doesn't overwhelm him.''
Officials watching Martin closely
Rod Thorn, general manager of the Nets, said officials have been picking on his power forward/thug Kenyon Martin ever since he tried to take off McGrady's head under the basket.
Martin has five flagrant fouls this season, and he will receive a two-game suspension now for any more.
"He's looked at very closely. Since the (Tracy) McGrady foul, he's been looked at extraordinarily close," said Thorn.
And that's a good thing for the rest of the NBA.
Hardaway complaining . . . again
Penny Hardaway of Phoenix had an outstanding game against the Magic, his former teammates, earlier this month, but then things quickly turned sour again. He and Coach Frank Johnson are not seeing eye-to-eye very often.
"I'm getting sick and tired of reading little comments (from Johnson) that I don't know anything about after every game,'' he said. "If I don't have the pop, tell me, 'Hey, give me a little more energy.' I don't know what it is I'm not doing when I'm out there. I'd love to know.''
Via Orlando Sentinel
New Jersey Nets, Detroit Pistons, Milwaukee Bucks, Orlando Magic
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Magic Mar 2002 Archive
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Philadelphia Inquirer | Mar 25, 2002
In an open letter to Milwaukee Bucks coach George Karl, Claire Smith of the Philadelphia Inquirer reminds him that minority coaching is alive and well.
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Florida Today | Mar 23, 2002
John Denton of the Florida Today reports: Orlando Magic owner Rich DeVos said before Friday's game that he believes the NBA will allow the Charlotte Hornets to relocate to New Orleans.
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Boston Globe | Mar 23, 2002
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| Mar 23, 2002
March 22 was not a good night for NBA Superstars
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Orlando Sentinel | Mar 21, 2002
Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel reports: The Orlando Magic will be without Mike Miller in their playoff push longer than they thought.
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Florida Today | Mar 20, 2002
-- Troy Hudson, Orlando's surprisingly dynamic reserve point guard, is being promoted by the Magic for the NBA's Most Improved Player award.
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Florida Today | Mar 20, 2002
Milwaukee Bucks' coach George Karl was uncharacteristically contrite prior to Tuesday's game against the Orlando Magic and proposed to meet with Doc Rivers this offseason in hopes of smoothing out their differences.
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Florida Today | Mar 20, 2002
George Karl might have finally done it this time.
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Orlando Sentinel | Mar 20, 2002
Published March 20, 2002
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RELATED STORIES
Doc and Karl head-to-head
Mar 20, 2002
PHOTOS
Hello.
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Milwaukee Journal | Mar 20, 2002
By MICHAEL HUNT
of the Journal Sentinel staff
Last Updated: March 20, 2002
Orlando, Fla.
-
Orlando Sentinel | Mar 19, 2002
Sports world needs more guys like Karl
Published March 19, 2002
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The feud simmers
Mar 19, 2002
SEASON RESET
RECORD
36-30, 3rd in Atlantic Division
NEXT GAME
Tuesday, vs.
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Orlando Sentinel | Mar 19, 2002
The feud simmers
By Tim Povtak | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted March 19, 2002
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ARTICLE SEARCH
COLUMNS
Sports world needs more guys like Karl
Mar 19, 2002
RELATED STORIES
Tale of the Tape: George Karl vs.
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Orlando Sentinel | Mar 18, 2002
Hudson makes case
Reserve guard Troy Hudson made a good case for his NBA Player of the Week nomination that the Magic are expected to make today.
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Daytona News-Journal | Mar 18, 2002
Even during their run to the NBA Finals last season, when the Philadelphia 76ers had bodies like George Lynch and Tyrone Hill to run at Tracy McGrady, they still had major trouble guarding the Orlando Magic's oversized top scoring guard.
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Orlando Sentinel | Mar 18, 2002
They weren't wearing green, but Pat Garrity and Tracy McGrady still made this one look and sound like a St.
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Philadelphia Daily News | Mar 18, 2002
Orlando Magic coach Doc Rivers has spent a lot of time these last few weeks answering George Karl's statements.
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Philadelphia Daily News | Mar 18, 2002
This was a day in which the Magic improved its No.
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Daytona News-Journal | Mar 17, 2002
If the worst thing George Karl had mentioned in an article in the current issue of Esquire magazine was that he doesn't wear underwear while coaching, he still would have gotten razzed Tuesday night when the Milwaukee Bucks come to Orlando.
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Daytona News-Journal | Mar 17, 2002
As Philadelphia has become a favorite city for Tracy McGrady, so have the 76ers become a favorite opponent for the Orlando Magic.
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Orlando Sentinel | Mar 17, 2002
For public consumption, Tracy McGrady is the Magic's young, unbridled star, object of adoring fans, media and Madison Avenue advertisers.
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Orlando Sentinel | Mar 17, 2002
The Orlando Magic can stop their search for a young, creative point guard to replace Darrell Armstrong for the future.
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Lakeland Ledger | Mar 17, 2002
Penny Hardaway has never forgiven Orlando.
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| Mar 16, 2002
Hardaway gets 2 games
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Daytona News-Journal | Mar 16, 2002
The only reason George McCloud has never played center in the NBA is because no one's ever asked.
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Daytona News-Journal | Mar 16, 2002
Now that was something you don't always see.
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Orlando Sentinel | Mar 16, 2002
It was the Tracy & Troy Show again that dominated the game, but veteran Tim Hardaway provided the Friday night fireworks when he heaved a television monitor across midcourt to protest his third-quarter ejection.
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Orlando Sentinel | Mar 16, 2002
Tim Povtak of the Orlando Sentinel reports: Magic Coach Doc Rivers, an assistant coach for the USA team in the Goodwill Games last summer, said he would encourage McGrady to accept a spot on the USA World Championship team this summer, knowing it probably would lead to a spot on the 2004 Olympic team.
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Florida Today | Mar 16, 2002
John Denton of the Florida Today reports: -- Orlando Magic head coach Doc Rivers said the agent for George Karl called this week to issue an apology for the Milwaukee coach's recent comments that he was "anointed.
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Denver Post | Mar 16, 2002
Marc J.
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Denver Post | Mar 16, 2002
Timmy tosses a tv
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Orlando Sentinel | Mar 15, 2002
TONIGHT: Denver Nuggets, 7:30
WHERE: TD Waterhouse Centre.
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Orlando Sentinel | Mar 15, 2002
Magic Coach Doc Rivers is starting yoga classes.
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The Denver Post | Mar 15, 2002
A piece by Marc Spears on Patrick Ewing and what he brings to the Magic.
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The Daily Camera | Mar 15, 2002
Denver faces Tracy McGrady and the Orlando Magic tonight.
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Florida Today | Mar 14, 2002
Peter Kerasotis
Sports
ORLANDO -- There is no pain involved.
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Florida Today | Mar 14, 2002
The fans inside TD Waterhouse Centre obviously came to cheer Bo Outlaw and jeer Penny Hardaway Wednesday night.
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Florida Today | Mar 14, 2002
The waitress' eyes got wider and Harvey Grant knew what was coming next -- yet another person mistaking him for his twin brother Horace.
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Florida Today | Mar 14, 2002
Orlando Magic star guard Tracy McGrady said Wednesday that he will accept USA Basketball's invitation to play in this summer's FIBA World Championships, paving the way for him to play in the 2004 Summer Olympics.
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Daytona News-Journal | Mar 14, 2002
There was probably more of a buzz Wednesday night around town about the Tonya Harding-Paula Jones schlockfest on Fox than for Penny Hardaway's return to where he and the Orlando Magic reached the NBA Finals in 1995.
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Orlando Sentinel | Mar 14, 2002
Defense is key
The loss of Mike Miller and his 15.
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Orlando Sentinel | Mar 14, 2002
It was a night of basketball in which you saw anything and everything.
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Orlando Sentinel | Mar 13, 2002
TONIGHT: Phoenix Suns, 7:30
WHERE: TD Waterhouse Centre.
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Orlando Sentinel | Mar 13, 2002
Scott Skiles, the coach, is gone.
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Daytona News-Journal | Mar 13, 2002
Dee Brown is temporarily trading in his usual seat in the southeast corner of the lower bowl of the TD Waterhouse Centre for one on the Orlando Magic's bench.
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New York Times | Mar 13, 2002
The rough road is not so bumpy now.
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Florida Today | Mar 13, 2002
Magic host Suns
Who: Orlando Magic vs.
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Florida Today | Mar 13, 2002
After further review, Milwaukee Bucks' head coach George Karl might not be the insensitive louse he first seemed when he implied recently that Orlando's Doc Rivers received his head coaching position merely because of his race.
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Florida Today | Mar 13, 2002
Not only was Penny Hardaway once a four-time All-Star and a three-time all-NBA selection, but he was considered one of the players who eventually would revolutionize basketball.
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Lakeland Ledger | Mar 12, 2002
This is the part of the season the Orlando Magic have been waiting for since the schedule came out.
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Florida Today | Mar 12, 2002
Dee Brown missed the first 75 games of last season with a torn quadriceps tendon, but returned in time for the playoffs and remarkably was one of the Orlando Magic's top outside shooters.
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Orlando Sentinel | Mar 12, 2002
After sifting through minor-league rosters and lists of unemployed players across the country, the Orlando Magic may have come to the conclusion that their best chance to find immediate help was sitting right under their noses.
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(AP) | Mar 12, 2002
The (AP) reports: The Orlando Magic signed guard Dee Brown to a 10-day contract, General Manager John Gabriel announced Tuesday.
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Daytona News-Journal | Mar 11, 2002
The Orlando Magic may not necessarily be able to prove it, but they would like to believe good news travels every bit as fast as bad news.
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Lakeland Ledger | Mar 11, 2002
Magic Coach Doc Rivers responded Sunday to more verbal shots from Milwaukee Bucks Coach George Karl in a magazine article.
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Florida Today | Mar 11, 2002
Milwaukee Bucks head coach George Karl breathed new life into his long-running feud with Orlando's Doc Rivers when he implied in this month's Esquire magazine that Rivers got his head coaching job simply because of his race.
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Orlando Sentinel | Mar 11, 2002
The long-simmering George Karl/Doc Rivers verbal jousting has heated up again -- and it's getting a little more serious.
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Orlando Sentinel | Mar 11, 2002
The Orlando Magic put Mike Miller on the injured list Sunday, and they replaced him on the active roster with seldom-used Danny Defense.
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Orlando Sentinel | Mar 11, 2002
An elite player
Magic veteran Monty Williams admits to being a little biased, but he said there shouldn't even be a debate anymore over who's better: teammate Tracy McGrady or Toronto's Vince Carter.
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Orlando Sentinel | Mar 11, 2002
Tim Povtak of the Orlando Sentinel reports: This doesn't look good for Magic rookie guard Jeryl Sasser, who has been on the injured list since Feb.
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Milwaukee Journal | Mar 11, 2002
By MICHAEL HUNT
of the Journal Sentinel staff
Last Updated: March 11, 2002
For years, Milwaukee Bucks coach George Karl has expressed frustration that his lead assistant, Terry Stotts, could not get his own National Basketball Association team to lead while other less-qualified candidates were hired out of television studios.
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Orlando Sentinel | Mar 11, 2002
It seems as though Orlando Magic coach Doc Rivers and Milwaukee Bucks head guru George Karl just cannot forgive and forget, the pair starting a new dispute over some comments Karl made in the current issue of Esquire magazine.
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Orlando Sentinel | Mar 10, 2002
To start each championship ceremony at this week's state basketball tournament, the Florida High School Activities Association played the song "Faith of the Heart" by Rod Stewart:
"It's been a long road, getting from there to here.
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Orlando Sentinel | Mar 10, 2002
Regardless of what you think about Rich DeVos’s decision to take his NBA franchise off the market, he’s right about one thing: The Magic have to do a better job marketing their basketball team as a hot ticket item again in Orlando.
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Orlando Sentinel | Mar 10, 2002
TODAY: Toronto Raptors, 12:30 p.
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Orlando Sentinel | Mar 10, 2002
With Mike Miller out for three weeks, the Magic will turn to Monty Williams to help carry the load.
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| Mar 10, 2002
George Karl is featured in the April issue of Esquire magazine.
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| Mar 9, 2002
Besides the usual bumps, bruises and weary legs associated with the recently completed seven-game, 11-day roadtrip, the Orlando Magic are becoming increasingly concerned with Tracy McGrady's nagging foot injury.
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| Mar 9, 2002
On Friday morning, Tracy McGrady said, "Trust me," everything was going to be all right.
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Orlando Sentinel | Mar 9, 2002
Tim Povtak of the Orlando Sentinel reports: The playoff hopes of the Orlando Magic took a dive Saturday when it was announced that second-leading scorer Mike Miller would be out for three weeks with a deep bone bruise and a badly sprained left ankle.
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| Mar 7, 2002
He is no longer hitting up the taxpayers.
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| Mar 7, 2002
The high price of speech
Ask -- make that criticize -- and you shall receive.
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| Mar 7, 2002
An arena that has been judged by their owner to be past its usefulness has never looked so comforting to the Orlando Magic.
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| Mar 7, 2002
The Raptors' Vince Carter and the Magic's Tracy McGrady are distant cousins who both possess tremendous basketball skills.
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| Mar 6, 2002
Maybe, in retrospect, the Indiana Pacers should send a thank-you note to Stu Jackson.
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| Mar 6, 2002
Doc Rivers watched the end of the Orlando Magic's 111-98 loss to the Indiana Pacers on a locker-room television at Conseco Fieldhouse on Tuesday.
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| Mar 5, 2002
Tracy was one of many relived Magicians to hear the news
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| Mar 4, 2002
Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel reports: Magic General Manager John Gabriel hasn't broached the subject yet with center Horace Grant, but he'll probably ask Grant if he would consider playing another year.
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| Mar 3, 2002
Regardless of when or whether he returns from his arthroscopic knee surgery, the first season of Michael Jordan III is essentially in the books.
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| Mar 3, 2002
Magic visit Wizards
Who: Orlando Magic (31-27) at Washington Wizards (27-30).
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| Mar 3, 2002
He is the star of his team, the future of the NBA, the owner of his own line of shoes and a pitchman in two national TV advertising campaigns.
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| Mar 3, 2002
By the time you read this today, I will have been on four flights to reach two major cities, tracking the Magic's playoff push.
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| Mar 3, 2002
Rich DeVos stuck his head in the office of Orlando Magic coach Doc Rivers before a recent home game and playfully blurted out, "Just wanted to let you know I'm still here.
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| Mar 3, 2002
The most talked about cut here didn't happen on Capitol Hill.
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| Mar 3, 2002
Tracy McGrady sent the crowd at the 2002 NBA All-Star Game into a momentary frenzy with his show-stopping dunk, creating a highlight that will last for years.
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| Mar 2, 2002
John Denton of the Florida Today reports: Orlando Magic guard Tracy McGrady was named the NBA's Eastern Conference Player of the Month for February on Friday.
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| Mar 2, 2002
T-Mac top player for month
Magic guard Tracy McGrady, making a late-season run at Most Valuable Player, was chosen the NBA's Eastern Conference Player of the Month for February on Friday.
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| Mar 2, 2002
When the Orlando Magic weren't standing around watching Tracy McGrady score, they were standing around watching the Detroit Pistons score.
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| Mar 1, 2002
TONIGHT: Detroit Pistons, 8
WHERE: Palace at Auburn Hills.
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| Mar 1, 2002
Something happened at all-star weekend in Philadelphia last month that changed the Orlando Magic and altered the way they think, act and play.
