MyTown: Orlando with Rashard Lewis

Last month, we kicked off an ambitious video project with Yardbarker and Wondershot Productions that’s taken us to 5 different cities to spend time with 5 NBA players, as part of myTown presented by T-Mobile myTouch 3G.

We just finished up the project by heading to Orlando to spend the day with the Magic's Rashard Lewis.

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FreeDarko Collaborates with adidas

Blogs With Balls panelist Bethlehem Shoals, known as “Nathaniel Friedman” to stuffier editors, is the founder, chief contributor and editor-in-chief of FreeDarko.com, whose Macrophenomenal Pro Basketball Almanac was published last fall by Bloomsbury, USA.

This week, Shoals, with FD artist Jacob Weinstein, teamed up with adidas “on two fully animated videos highlighting the inner-workings of Dwight [Howard] and Derrick [Rose].”

Reads an adidas press release: “FreeDarko’s uncanny analysis of both Dwight and Derrick spotlights their roles as the ultimate Commander and Creator, leading their teams and the performance revolution of the game. ”

The videos, like Macrophenomenal Pro Basketball Almanac, are a thing of beauty. But more specifically, the collaboration is a testament to the idea of companies working with online influencers to reach targeted markets in creative new ways and mediums.

Dwight Howard: The Detailed Mechanics of a Commander



Derrick Rose: The Inner Workings of a Creator

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The Curious Case of Dwight Howard

In a league based on the promotion of talented young, budding superstars, the fawning over "Superman" Dwight Howard has been, at best, nauseating.

In the Sports Illustrated's April 20, 2009 cover story it was noted: "But to spend a day with Howard—hell, to spend 10 minutes with him—is to realize that despite his imposing stature and freakish athleticism, he may be among the least badass big men in NBA history."

To back the point up, the author cited the following recent examples:

• "For starters, he has this unfortunate habit of smiling all the time, even when he's dunking on someone."
• "This is a guy who sings Beyoncé at the free throw line to ward off distractions, who quotes not Scarface but Finding Nemo."
• "He fools around during practice, during press conferences and during shootaround, where Magic coach Stan Van Gundy has had to institute a no-flatulence rule because, as forward Rashard Lewis says, "Dwight really likes to cut the cheese."
• "During the photo shoot for this story, Walter Iooss Jr. had such a difficult time getting a serious pose out of Howard that he eventually told the young star to just do whatever came to mind. Unshackled, Howard launched into 20 minutes of antic posturing (including fake gangster looks and a Will Ferrell imitation), eventually producing so many fey poses that were SI so inclined, it could now put out a coffee-table book titled Dwight Howard: Dandy-at-Large."

Two weeks after the issue came out, the Magic Center was suspended for, well, "toughening up," and sizing up the 76ers' Sammy Dalembert for a Dusty Rhodes-esq bionic elbow.



How did the star react to the suspension that, had the Sixers had any heart and a half-decent head coach, could have knocked the Magic from the playoffs?

First he blogged his innocence:

Well, I’m out of Game 6 tonight in Philly and there’s nothing I can do now but respect the NBA’s decision. I didn’t intend to hurt anyone, but there is a lot more pushing, grabbing and holding and elbowing that goes on down there in the paint than people realize.

And then Tweeted from the bench.


In one breath, it's a pleasure to see someone so freely and willingly interacting directly with fans.

And fans are very eager to defend him.

From this week's SI Letters:

The Joy of Dwight

Those who say Dwight Howard is too nice to win a title should take a look at the history books. Nice guys do finish first, including Tony Dungy, David Robinson and countless others who critics claimed could never win the big one.
Ray Bailey, Ottawa, Ill.

One thing is clear: Dwight Howard (The Happy Dunker, April 20) has more class than Shaquille O'Neal. Sounding quite jealous and bitter, Shaq could learn something from Howard, whose joy transcends the game. While it is unfortunate that Howard's coach and G.M. in Orlando don't seem to embrace this, I hope Howard doesn't try to conform to what they think he should be. By being himself, I have a feeling he will be just fine. Check that—Super.
Jonathan Fiskus, Jamaica Estates, N.Y.

Too nice? Maybe. But the Dalembert incident both spotlighted his immaturity on and off the court, and proved that any perceived toughness he may have is a detriment to him and his team if he is unable to control it.

For all of Shaq's off-the-court childlike goofiness, there was a controlled rage on the court while he was in his prime.

Meanwhile, Howard's team was on the brink of losing to a Philly team that had little business staying with them, while last night, as so eloquently put by one half of the NBA's resident Mario Brothers, Stan Van Gundy: "We didn’t take away anything; they [Boston] got everything they wanted. They just had us running around. … And we did not handle it well." Inexcusable.

To reach the pantheon of sports success and respectability, one must not only have heart, but play with heart. For all of the good will Howard has earned among fans with not just his social media usage, but with his All-Star Weekend spectaculars, there will be a time when, like Shaq today, all of the off-the-court nonsense becomes just that - nonsense. At least Shaq has the rings and legacy to fall back on.

At 23 and with 5 NBA seasons on his resume, like it or not, Howard is not a kid anymore. Should he spend less time bullshitting online and more time working on game outside of the paint and on free throws, Howard could be an even more dominating force than he already is. And what sports fan wouldn't want that from this lovable lug?

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Dwight Howard's Superhuman Swat

In case you missed it last night during the Magic's defeat of the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of their playoff series, Dwight Howard of the Magic just destroyed a shot by Ray Allen into the crowd behind the basket. Howard is no stranger to shot blocks, but this one looked like he was about to jump out of the gym.

Two things that made me realize this was a little extra special.

First was Marv Albert's call. Marv has been around the game a while now and doesn't break out the high enthusiasm unless it was warranted - and he got up on this one.

Second, watch as Howard uses his left hand as a support...on the backboard! You know you are getting up when you are bracing yourself on the backboard after smacking someone's shot in the stands. Howard looks like he came in off a trampoline, but I guess that's why they call him Superman.

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@DwightHoward Loves Him Some Ivan Putski

Having been suspended for last night's series-clinching game against the 76ers, Orlando's Superman Dwight Howard was "Tweeting on" his Magic teammates like a schoolgirl, while showing his affection for former WWF Tag Team Champion Ivan Putski:

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Dwight Howard: Ding Fries Are Done

Our friends at McDonald's passed along some great photos of Dwight Howard visiting fans at a McDonald’s in Phoenix before All Star Weekend's Slam Dunk contest.

Dwight Howard (Center) and Bill Walton (2nd from left in yellow) serving up a 1/4 Pounder with Cheese during All-Star Weekend.

Eat your heart out, Mark Cuban.

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The Cynic: The Ghost of Bison Dele

The Oklahoma City Thunder unveiled their new mascot last night.

Much to everyone’s surprise, Bison Dele is not dead. He’s just in Oklahoma.

Rumble the Bison and Bison Dele. Have you ever seen them in the same room together? Coincidence?

Although, if you’re free-spirited, liberal-thinking, African-American Muslim like Dele, it’s about a wash.

Election 2008: All the counties in blue voted for the liberal-thinking African-American guy with the Muslim sounding name. And no, you're not suddenly color blind.

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