An Incomplete History of Magic Basketball Online
Magic Basketball Online was once a powerful, sarcasm-tinged haven for the connoisseur of all things Orlando Magic. An entrepreneurial idea birthed in a grey-walled cubicle during the daydreamiest of daydreams. How can one do something they love, while creating an exciting new business venture? Start a free blog! The site plan itself was scribbled on a piece of notebook paper, with ambitions rousing deep.
The initial site itself, hosted on the free WordPress platform you’re reading this on, was launched on March 15, 2010. After 255 posts, a small semblance of “success”, and zero revenue produced, I decided that it was time to expand! During the previously mentioned 255 posts, sarcasm aside, MBO was recognized through the local media community as a serious place to turn for insight. I began to promote the site by writing for other team blogs and quickly became credentialed to cover the team. During the following season, I began covering the team as a fully credentialed media member. And still producing negative revenue.
The original MBO logo at launch in March, 2010
In July of 2011, I began to host the site outside of the free WordPress platform and http://www.magicbasketballonline.com lived as a unique site with 100% control of content, themes and advertisements. While I’d quickly learn that the path to riches in the land of sports media was but a mere myth, I did manage to produce upwards of $10/month in ad revenue. But I enjoyed my newfound hobby, infiltrating the local scene and masquerading as a reporter. I cultivated sources, broke legitimate stories, and on occasion annoyed the then team superstar with pesky, yet pertinent, questions. The NBA credentialed the site for multiple NBA All-Star games, as well as the NBA Draft in Brooklyn. I even swung myself an Influencer deal with Crown Royal that brought along some nice perks to make up for the utter lack of revenue produced.
MBO logo for 2013-2014 season, sponsored by Crown Royal
I owned and operated the site, along with a small team of writers, from it’s inception in March 2010 until I sold the site off (for free) prior to the 2014-2015 season to a member of the writing team that I knew had a passion for keeping the site vibrant. While I still wrote from time to time and remained on as Sr. Editor Emeritus, “life” became a bit too hectic to worry about recapping 3am West Coast road trip losses on random weeknights in the middle of January. Unfortunately for MBO the new owner was eventually struck with the same bit of “life” re-focus and the final post of the site was a dual-eulogy from the two of us, signing off for good in November 2016. The hosting itself would expire in January 2017, thus erasing thousands of posts and years of devotion and writing about the team. What began as a random creative outlet, turned me into a website developer/media member/jaded basketball fan/salary cap expert*/rumor peddler/whiskey drinker/writer. While some of those qualities are gone and some remain, the pride of knowing I created something real and meaningful will always be the most special.
As of February 2017, I have recreated and updated the original, free version of the MBO site with a fresh logo, newly created pages for “About”, “Salaries”, “Schedule”, and “Roster” which closely resemble what MBO looked like just prior to it’s death just a few months back, and updated/refreshed the sidebar widgets to help any poor soul that has stumbled across this page in a random google search and would like to get to more relevant information.
Brian Serra is the founder and killer of Magic Basketball Online, still providing plentiful hot takes on Twitter.
Gilbert Arenas: GREATEST PLANKER OF ALL TIME
Game over. Gil has won. Dude just planked in the middle of a running car wash. The celebrity plank game just can’t keep up with Gilbert Arenas. Dwight Howard can go ahead and retire. Lockout 2011. Newest pictures below.
#winning
Making amends.
The longer the lockout goes, the more of this we get. Quite bittersweet.
For past pictures of Gilbert Arenas and Dwight Howard planking, visit the following links:
Dwight Howard and Gilbert Arenas Team Up to Plank Orlando – Until Gil Goes Rogue!
Dwight Howard has Become MotherPlankin Obsessed with Plankin
Dwight Howard Teaches Gilbert Arenas How to Plank. It’s a Plank Off!
Gilbert Arenas Planking in the Weight Room
You can follow Magic Basketball Online on Twitter and add MBO on Facebook to get the latest story updates! You can now download the MBO app for the Android and Windows Phone platforms by searching for Magic Basketball Online.
In what has become the annual offseason bro-building event, Jameer Nelson’s “Building Magic” is likely to be cancelled this year. In a conversation with Jameer’s agent, Steve Mountain, Magic Basketball Online has learned that there are currently no plans to hold this event. The lockout was cited as the primary reason.
With players all working on their own schedules all over the country, logistically it wasn’t going to work.
The Building Magic event has taken place since 2006 and is always held by Jameer Nelson and his camp. Every minute of the week is planned with events such as strength and conditioning workouts, scrimmages, dinners and nightlife. All attendees always receive elaborate gift bags as well. Past events have included bowling, paintball and baseball games amongst others. Planking has not been involved in previous events.
This is likely to be the only team building conducted this offseason.
Although the event is typically held in August, planning for the event is normally in high gear at this time. Although it may seem like a simple boys trip, it takes a lot of resources and time to plan the event according to Jameer’s camp.
While there may be no plans at the moment to hold the event, it should be noted that things could change at any second depending on all the variables that could play out. Normally at this time of year, players are starting to really buckle down from their time off and start locking in on getting in shape. This lovely lockout changes everything.
With the recent cancellation of the Orlando Summer League, it certainly doesn’t look promising that team officials are confident that this lockout will be a short one. It makes little sense to hold a team building event in August, which normally takes place right before training camp, when that training camp is unlikely to take place until November or December.
Bottom Line: Don’t expect to see Magic players tweeting that they are heading to Philadelphia for Building Magic anytime soon. Building Magic takes a lot of time and effort from many people, and according to Jameer’s Agent no plans are currently in process.
You can follow Magic Basketball Online on Twitter and add MBO on Facebook to get the latest story updates! You can now download the MBO app for the Android and Windows Phone platforms by searching for Magic Basketball Online.
Here is the video of Justin Harper, DeAndre Liggins and Stan Van Gundy speaking at the Introductory Press Conference for the two 2011 draft picks. DeAndre was admittedly a little nervous afterwards and Stan wasn’t expecting to speak. Also of note, I am not a great cameraman. Here ya go:
Stan Van Gundy
DeAndre Liggins
Justin Harper
You can follow Magic Basketball Online on Twitter and add MBO on Facebook to get the latest story updates! You can now download the MBO app for the Android and Windows Phone platforms by searching for Magic Basketball Online.
Notes from the Justin Harper and DeAndre Liggins Introductory Press Conference and Why Stan Thinks They’ll Make the Roster
It’s hard to get excited about 2nd round draft picks. It’s just reality. For every Gilbert Arenas and Rashard Lewis, there are 15 Stanley Robinson’s. Rarely do these picks “pan out” and even if they make rosters, it’s not likely that they stick around longer than a year or two. So it’s no surprise that Orlando Magic fans haven’t exactly been rushing out to get custom-made Justin Harper and DeAndre Liggins jerseys.
Something seems different with these guys though. They both have unique talents that can provide value to the roster and after hearing Stan Van Gundy speak glowingly about both prospects, it’s hard to imagine that both guys won’t end up making this team’s roster.
Let’s take a look at some notes from today’s introductory press conference. Starring Otis Smith, Stan Van Gundy, Justin Harper and DeAndre Liggins:
General Thoughts on Both Guys
- Both players mentioned during their introductions that they spoke with Gil and know that he was also a second pick success story.
- Both guys have been talking to Gilbert Arenas and acknowledged they use his path as motivation. Read into that what you will.
- On the lockout and their potential tougher path, both guys seemed just to acknowledge that is was out of their hands. On top of that, neither guy even knows anything besides what they are going through right now.
Justin Harper
- Being that he was always much bigger than the guys around him, he always played the 5 growing up. That all changed in 8th grade when he started expanding his game and turning into the player he is now.
- In the last 3 days that he has been in Orlando he has been going through a lot of workouts with the staff and has spent a large chunk of time working with Patrick Ewing on refining his post game.
- If the lockout comes, Justin will likely workout either back in Richmond, here in Orlando or up in Boston with some of his trainers he worked with prior to his Senior season.
- There was a loose rumor floating around the draft that Harper had some medical issues that were causing him to slip. Harper addressed it head on when asked and cited a minor shoulder injury that happened prior to his Senior season during a pick up game. Obviously it didn’t hold him back and the Magic training staff found nothing wrong either.
- Justin also got a chance to meet Dwight Howard and Gilbert and Dwight shared some of his own rookie stories with him. I asked Justin if he was the secret photographer behind the “Plank Off” and he laughed and said he wasn’t around for that one.
DeAndre Liggins
- DeAndre actually knows Tony Allen and has played against him before. Liggins has often been compared to Tony due to his defensive tenacity. DeAndre told the crowd that Tony stressed to him that his job isn’t easy and that he must work hard every day to get better. Tony Allen is from Chicago just like Liggins. Not too shabby of a role model.
- When asked if he could defend the PG position as well, DeAndre quickly responded with, “I can guard 1-3. That’s my job.” He seems to be owning potential niche as a stopper. Remember that Liggins played some point guard as well as a freshman.
- If the lockout hits, DeAndre is planning to go back to Lexington to work out with the team. Although, pointed out that he hadn’t talked to Coach Cal about that yet.
- Another guy that Liggins has played against back home in Chicago is Orlando’s own, Quentin Richardson. According to Stan Van Gundy, Q had nothing but great things to say about how tough he is to play against.
Stan Van Gundy
- Stan is not always known as the most positive guy in the room, but today he spoke glowingly about both Justin Harper and DeAndre Liggins. He continuously praised what great shape they are both in; stressing that you’d be surprised how often that isn’t the case.
- The last three days that Harper and Liggins have been with the team has been more of getting to know the players strengths and weaknesses and less of trying to teach them the Magic system.
- Stan stressed that both players pleasantly surprised him. For Harper he was very pleased with his ability to put the ball on the floor and his overall ball handling.
- The pleasant surprise for Stan in regards to Liggins was his ability to shoot. Stan stressed that DeAndre has shot the ball much better than he originally had been led to believe and pointed out that he certainly would not be an NBA player who could just be left unguarded.
- Another praise Stan had for both guys was that they both have great basketball bodies. It sounds generic, but Harper is long and lean yet still strong and Liggins has incredible length. Stan pointed out that every great defender he has ever seen (Bowen, Deng, Rondo) were/are very long guys.
- Stan also pointed out that while Liggins is known as a great defender in the SEC, it all changes in the NBA when you are chasing Ray Allen around screens or being posted up by Joe Johnson. Those are the types of things (being able to adapt) that set guys apart.
- Stan also spoke very positively about how well coached both guys are. Adding that they have a leg up and aren’t raw guys and further stating that “They are as ready as guys coming out of college can be.”
Otis Smith
- Otis pointed out that the Magic are in better shape than most teams because they only have 2 free agents (Clark and Richardson).
- “We like our team” – #otisspeak
- Otis also stopped Harper at one point when Justin was talking about all the great 2nd round picks that have come into the league by making sure everyone in the room knew that Otis was the #41 overall pick.
- Watch the full video of Otis speaking before the press conference:
The most telling information moving forward came from Stan Van Gundy when I asked him if we can expect to see these guys on the roster come November 1st. While prefacing that everything moving forward has a lot of different variations to play through with free agency, a new CBA, the actual lockout and etc., he implied that the Orlando Magic organization fully expects both guys to make the roster.
That in itself should be exciting news to the fans that were pining for more youth and versatility from last year’s squad. It’s not splashy and certainly not sexy, but the simple fact that both Otis and Stan speak so glowingly about these guys should mean that the fans should be excited as well.
You can follow Magic Basketball Online on Twitter and add MBO on Facebook to get the latest story updates! You can now download the MBO app for the Android and Windows Phone platforms by searching for Magic Basketball Online.
You can’t leave Twitter for more than an hour without coming back to see that Dwight Howard and Gilbert Arenas are planning a plank of Cinderella’s Castle or some other concocted craziness. Last night Gil and Dwight teamed up to raid the Grand Bohemian Hotel in Downtown Orlando. The following pictures are what came of it… and then the final picture is Gil getting his Sarah Palin on and going after Dwight after he turned his back.
i.e. Gil planked Dwight’s Porsche
Gilbert Arenas planks a toll booth.
Gilbert and Dwight with the Team Plank
Gilbert Charles
Gilbert Arenas and Dwight Howard in "Double Decker"
Gilbert Arenas Goes Rogue on Dwight Howard
Expect more to come…
Past pictures from “Dwight Howard and Gilbert Arenas’ PlankMania”:
Dwight Howard has Become MotherPlankin Obsessed with Plankin
Dwight Howard Teaches Gilbert Arenas How to Plank. It’s a Plank Off!
Gilbert Arenas Planking in the Weight Room
You can follow Magic Basketball Online on Twitter and add MBO on Facebook to get the latest story updates! You can now download the MBO app for the Android and Windows Phone platforms by searching for Magic Basketball Online.
Here are a few more for you as Dwight Howard officially declares Plank Waaaaaaarrrr on the……World?
Has it come to… this…?
Click here for additional Dwight Howard Planking Pics.
You can follow Magic Basketball Online on Twitter and add MBO on Facebook to get the latest story updates! You can now download the MBO app for the Android and Windows Phone platforms by searching for Magic Basketball Online.
Planking is getting out of hand fast. After Gilbert was droppin planks on fools in the weight room last night, Dwight Howard countered back to show Gil that you can’t plank on a budget. Go plank or go home. It’s only a matter of time before Dwight’s”Teach Me How To Plank” mixtape goes viral…
Plank or Die
Three more plankin pics after the jump:
Gilbert Arenas Planking in the Weight Room (Picture)
Take your palm, now slam it against your forehead. Facepalm. Do it 25 more times.
Done?
OK, now read the following tweets from Gilbert Arenas:
Now by me making you give yourself 25 facepalms, I ultimately saved you probably at least 30 minutes of continuous disbelief and head shaking.
My gut reaction when reading this was to get mad at Gilbert for being, well… Gilbert. But the blame is not with him. Not in the slightest. He is a basketball player that goes and plays basketball. I’m assuming that someone told him that the cold was causing him arthritis. Even if they weren’t, they sure didn’t stop him, and the media, from believing that it was. Gilbert has been back from his knee injury since March 28th, 2009 minus the Gunbert incident which cost him half of the 09-10 season. So in over two years, he either was not told or did not choose to believe that he wasn’t healed properly.
Both the Washington Wizards and the Orlando Magic had a pretty strong vested interested in getting Arenas back to full health (he sort of makes a lot of money). How could they miss this? How could two entire training staffs fail to realize that Gilbert was firing off the wrong muscles when it took him 1.5 seconds to realize that Mike Bibby was burning past him?
I’d like to think that the team(s) were just caught up in the season and failed to capture what was truly going on, but it’s really hard to believe. Even if Gilbert ignored the trainers statements telling him that his leg muscles weren’t where they needed to be, the organization has the ultimate responsibility to make sure it’s asset is taken care of and for a lack of a better word, fixed.
The Magic (and the Wizards) training staff dropped the ball on this big time. Bottom line.
The good news for Magic fans is that HOPEFULLY the Hibachi will be back and better than ever come training camp in October. He seems to be committed to his recovery plan, including staying off the court for a few months, and that could mean the Magic might potentially have a new starting PG come late October.
You can follow Magic Basketball Online on Twitter and add MBO on Facebook to get the latest story updates! You can now download the MBO app for the Android and Windows Phone platforms by searching for Magic Basketball Online.
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