The Orlando Magic management has struck a golden deal by extending the contract of their general manager Otis Smith and this glad news was announced by the President of the Magic Bob Vander Weide. He said that the Magic team was looking better and focused under the guidance and leadership of Otis and hopes that he leads the team to lift the NBA Championships. The Magics had won the South Eastern Division championships last season under Otis Smith and also gave the team its fourth 50-win plateau. The Orlando Magic fans will be booking their game tickets well in advance as their team has been showcasing good performances at the fag end of the last season.

You scratch my back, I scratch yours. This statement best describes the scenario that is the new partnership between Larry Brown and Michael Jordan, both whom are former North Carolina basketball players. Jordan has asked the 67 year old Brown if he is able to take up his ninth NBA coaching stint as head coach for the Charlotte Bobcats, and Brown needed little persuasion to agree. For that he was rewarded a four-year contract. Jordan is relieved as he now has the veteran Brown on his side to revive his sagging career as NBA executive while Brown now has the chance to increase his reputation as Hall of Fame coach. Ironically Brown is now back to where he first started his long standing teaching career.

Brown was hired to replace Sam Vincent who was brought in by Jordan himself even though he has had no prior NBA coaching experience. Vincent was let off last Saturday for failing to do his job well.

It was a tragic case of the giant stomping on the ant when the almighty Orlando Magic dragged the Toronto Raptors into submission with a 114-100 score during last Sunday’s NBA playoffs.

Things went from bad to worse for the helpless Raptors, culminating in a shameful defeat against the Orlando Magic. It must be said that their star players did not stand out like they should on the court. Most notably under-performing player was Rasho Nesterovic, who was the Raptors’ centre. He admitted that they were not ready for the onslaught dished out by Magic. Additionally, Sam Mitchell who was the Raptors’ coach, might have made the biggest mistake this season by rolling out a dusty starting lineup that was hardly used since last season. Andrea Bargnani was placed at small forward, but the Italian player only managed to score a measly five points in the game.

Things started looking up when the Raptors trailed only five points behind the Orlando Magic with ten minutes remaining in the fourth quarter but the opposing team scored ten consecutive points, finally crushing the Raptors’ spirit and determination.