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List of NBA players cool enough to get a private visit at the White House

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Dwight Howard obviously makes the list, but what other NBA players are worthy of getting the nod for a private visit with Obama?

The agent for Hedo Turkoglu told the Sentinel on Monday that the Orlando Magic small forward will...

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The agent for Hedo Turkoglu told the Sentinel on Monday that the Orlando Magic small forward will opt out of his contract and become a free agent in two weeks. "It would make sense for him to opt out," Lon Babby, Turkoglu's agent said by phone. "I can't imagine a scenario in which he would not."

Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel .. the news shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone. This was expected.

3QC'ers. I know the activity at Third Quarter Collapse tapered a bit away from the norm,...

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3QC'ers. I know the activity at Third Quarter Collapse tapered a bit away from the norm, yesterday. I felt it was appropriate to let you, the community, know that I'm taking care of some personal business in my life right now. Nothing bad, but it does need my undivided attention that conflicts with my responsibilities helping run 3QC. I'll be here and there. Bear with me for a week and things will be back to normal soon enough. Thanks for understanding. I appreciate it. Eddy

Orlando Magic guard Mickael Pietrus won't receive any further discipline from the NBA for his...

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Orlando Magic guard Mickael Pietrus won't receive any further discipline from the NBA for his flagrant foul against Pau Gasol in the closing seconds of Game 4. Pietrus slammed into Gasol's back with both arms as Gasol dunked with 3.4 seconds left in overtime to put Los Angeles ahead 98-91. Gasol then turned toward Pietrus and the two exchanged words, resulting in a double technical.

Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel

Magic Willing Pay Luxury Tax to Re-Sign Hedo Turkoglu

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"The intoxicating effect of reaching the NBA Finals for just the second time in franchise history will prompt the Orlando Magic to loosen the purse strings and venture into the previously-dreaded luxury tax territory this summer to re-sign free agent-to-be Hedo Turkoglu."

Marcin Gortat Drives Fastest Car in NBA

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Magic center Marcin Gortat talks to Tim Povtak about his obscenely fast BMW M5, which has 800 horsepower.

We've worked extremely hard to get to where we're at today, so we weren't just happy with making it...

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We've worked extremely hard to get to where we're at today, so we weren't just happy with making it to The Finals and handing the Lakers an easy championship. We believe that if we play our game and play our style of basketball, this will be our year to win it. But we have to go out there and take it.

Henry Abbott of TrueHoop The above quote is from Dwight Howard in today's media session.

All-Access from Game 3 of the NBA Finals.

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All-Access from Game 3 of the NBA Finals.

"He's one of these coaches," says Mr. Jackson, his Lakers counterpart, "whose teams always seem to...

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"He's one of these coaches," says Mr. Jackson, his Lakers counterpart, "whose teams always seem to produce more than the sum of their parts. I'd describe him as resilient, resourceful and relentless." Mr. Riley, for whom Mr. Van Gundy served as a longtime assistant coach at Miami, calls him "the most important acquisition Orlando ever made. More than any single player, he's the one who turned the franchise around. He solidified the organization."

Allen Barra of the Wall Street Journal Phil Jackson and Pat Riley praising the ol' coach (HT: TrueHoop).