Southeast Division News Blog

Big hopes rest with small forwards

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 09:32:15 +0000

When you dream of yourself on the court, you're probably dreaming you're a small forward.

You're long and athletic like Tayshaun Prince, have a good handle like Caron Butler, and can score like Carmelo Anthony, rebound like Rashard Lewis, and leap out of the building like Andre Iguodala - yet you're tough enough to defend like Bruce Bowen.

Maybe, like LeBron James, you can do just about all of the above.

Letters to the Editor

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 18:40:22 +0000

Rashmi Joshi?s contention that abortion is a topic that has been definitively decided is, in my opinion, shortsighted.

She states in her column (?Politicians babble while real issues burn,? Viewpoint, June 7) that presidential candidates who debate the still controversial topic of abortion forget ?that we decided on the matter in Roe v. Wade.? In truth, nine Supreme Court Justices decided that the question should be taken out of our hands.

A different decision in Roe v. Wade would not have resulted in abortion being illegal across the nation. Rather, it would give individual states and their citizens the freedom to decide for themselves if abortion should be legal in their state.

Two-guards less one-dimensional

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 18:40:22 +0000

If they fill it up in college, they tend to fill it up in the pros. And Thursday's NBA draft, like most, is filled to bursting with shooting guards. But the way the pro game is evolving, many two guards are now asked to do more than just shoot. They have to bring the ball up against pressure, initiate offense, and guard the opposition's point guard, if need be. When you think of NBA guards, think Gilbert Arenas, think Dwyane Wade, think Joe Johnson.

Just don't think you can stop them.

Here is a look at shooting guards available in the draft. Rankings are based on conversations with pro and college coaches, NBA general managers, scouts and player personnel directors. Players are included at the position they are expected to play most - at least initially - in the NBA, not the position they played in college or abroad:

Guards who get the point

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 17:11:46 +0000

It's the hardest position to fill adequately in the NBA, and that includes center.

You can score and defend down low with power forwards, but finding a true point guard to run your offense and get his teammates not only open shots but also easy shots is almost impossible. There are a handful of prospects this year who might be able to handle that toughest of assignments.

Here is a look at point guards available in Thursday's NBA draft. These rankings are based on conversations with pro and college coaches, NBA general managers, scouts and player personnel directors. Players are included at the position they are expected to play most - at least initially - in the NBA, not the position they played in college or abroad:

Search for scorers starts today

Sat, 23 Jun 2007 08:19:07 +0000

Feaster feels no pressure to jump and make trades this free agency.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Head scout Jake Goertzen said he thought about it "briefly" when a friend called and asked if the Lightning's lack of a first-round draft pick was a bummer.

More like a shrug, Goertzen replied.

Atlanta the test ground for new Wal-Mart Money Center

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 08:42:30 +0000

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is renewing its effort to get un-banked customers in its stores, and that effort starts in Atlanta.

The Bentonville, Ark.-based retail giant (NYSE: WMT) has relaunched its Money Center concept nationwide, and introduced the Wal-Mart prepaid Visa card. The national kickoff was held on June 21 at Wal-Mart's Gresham Road store in East Atlanta, the first redesigned Money Center open nationally.

Wal-Mart expects to have 15 Money Centers open in Georgia by year's end, and will open 1,000 Money Centers in stores nationwide by the end of 2008.

Big facility, little blood

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 08:42:30 +0000

GIMME 5: It's hot, but the Thrashers stay busy

Tue, 19 Jun 2007 19:04:40 +0000

Thrashers general manager Don Waddell (right) gives us his five biggest offseason priorities, in no particular order:

1. Sign prospects from previous drafts. All teams have to come to terms with certain unsigned draft picks from previous years and have them under contract by June 1 (which we did), or those players would go back into this year's draft.

2. Free agency. We have until July 1 to sign our own key free agents, and after that point teams are free to negotiate with all unrestricted free agents from around the league.

Owners like the view from Mirador

Tue, 12 Jun 2007 15:37:52 +0000

GREEN BUSINESS Baking supply shop became sustainable community one-stop

Pamplin Media Group, Jun 12, 2007

Latest Magic trick: Van Gundy is coach

Sun, 10 Jun 2007 14:56:47 +0000

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- The Orlando Magic have their man ... again.

This time, it's Stan Van Gundy. Billy Donovan says he feels "terrible" about all the confusion, but insists Florida is where he belongs.

The Magic finally resolved their coaching quandary Thursday, ending a rough two weeks in which they fired Brian Hill, pulled off the Donovan coup, then watched the bottom drop out on nearly everything.

Stan Van Gundy gets chance with Magic

Sat, 09 Jun 2007 06:47:53 +0000

ORLANDO, Fla. ? Having been burned by Billy Donovan, the Orlando Magic now wonder if they have the right coach in Stan Van Gundy.

In Van Gundy, they got an NBA-proven leader already familiar with the team. Donovan was a $27.5 million question mark ? even before he decided to leave after his first day on the job.

The Magic insist Van Gundy was a close second. He and Donovan were the only two guys the team interviewed.

Magic hires Stan Van Gundy

Sat, 09 Jun 2007 06:47:53 +0000

ASSOCIATED PRESSArticle Launched: 06/08/2007 04:49:52 PM PDT

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Having been burned by Billy Donovan, the Orlando Magic now wonder if they have the right coach in Stan Van Gundy.

In Van Gundy, a Martinez native and Alhambra High School graduate, they got an NBA-proven leader already familiar with the team. Donovan was a $27.5 million question mark -- even before he decided to leave after his first day on the job.

Magic-Heat rivalry heats up after hiring

Sat, 09 Jun 2007 06:47:53 +0000

ORLANDO - The question was posed to Stan Van Gundy during his introductory news conference about whether the recent tug-of-war between the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat for Van Gundy's coaching services might ratchet up the in-state rivalry.

But before Van Gundy could even answer, Magic general manager Otis Smith piped in with an answer. Later in the day, Smith would say that he had no problem with Miami playing hardball and demanding compensation for Van Gundy to be allowed out of his Heat contract so that he could become the Magic's new coach.

But in that instant during the news conference, Smith's likely true feelings rushed to the surface, unfiltered by any sort of political correctness.

Latest Magic trick: Van Gundy hired

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 17:28:27 +0000

This time, it?s Stan Van Gundy. Billy Donovan says he feels ??terrible?? about all the confusion, but insists Florida is where he belongs.

They were lucky to reel in Van Gundy ? their second choice from the beginning ? because the Sacramento Kings were pursuing the former Miami Heat coach.

Latest Magic trick: Van Gundy is the coach |

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 17:28:27 +0000

NBA Finals: Spurs 85, Cavaliers 76

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 17:28:27 +0000

SAN ANTONIO -- One of the most anticipated debuts in NBA finals history was way, way off the mark.

A LeBrick, if you will.

LeBron James couldn't solve San Antonio's stifling defense and the pick-and-rolling Spurs, as fundamental and selfless as ever, outclassed Cleveland in an 85-76 win over the Cavaliers in Game 1 on Thursday night.

Orland Magic settle on coach

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 17:28:27 +0000

ORLANDO, Fla. -- The Orlando Magic have their man ... again.

This time, it's Stan Van Gundy. Billy Donovan says he feels "terrible" about all the confusion, but insists Florida is where he belongs.

Stan Van Gundy Hired as Magic Coach - Los Angeles Times

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 17:28:27 +0000

Negotiations advanced and dissolved by the hour between Stan Van Gundy and the Orlando Magic. Finally, the Magic caught a break -- and hope they've found a coach who'll keep the job longer than a week. The Magic introduced Van Gundy on Thursday, ending Billy Donovan's franchise record-short tenure and finally resolving one of the most bizarre coaching fiascos in NBA history.

Donovan said his apologies. He agonized over the decision -- just like leaving Florida -- but knew within a day it just wasn't right.

For the second time in six days, general manager Otis Smith posed for pictures with his new head coach.

Riley: Van Gundy back 'where he belongs'