I love my PTSD.

Yes, I think this whole thing is being done just to spite me. You finally figured it out.

DOM, you did a great job of analysis of the situation. On paper, and perhaps in real life, the NBA and the players don't need to worry about how the fans feel about this strike. That doesn't mean that I have to like it, and that I have to sit happily by while they dawdle in finding a solution. And even though you believe that there are honest efforts to get the parties together, I have trouble seeing it. It is as bad as the Democrats and the Republicans. The only talk I have heard has been false hope or rumor, or each side declaring solidarity. My favorite Magic team ever was the Heart and Hustle team. They gained my respect because of their obvious effort and love of the game. I don't see any effort from either side of this dispute. And I don't see any remorse from either side because of the situation. If they really wanted to they could resolve this thing now, but instead they will likely drag it out for a long time, then resolve it. Sometimes this game is like my wife. I love her, but on occasion I can't stand her (and her, me). I guess I just need to be patient until something good happens. I am not ready for a divorce.

What led you to believe that I have some right to dictate labor policy? Yes, I have a stake in the matter because I have purchased tickets, but I do know they can do whatever they want in the dispute. Being disgusted by the way the league and players are acting is not a crime. The only thing I have power over is my wallet, and, notwithstanding the current tax battle, the right to spend whatever funds I have left on what I want. Trust me, I am no Warren Buffet. If I feel like I am being jerked around by the NBA, it is my right to be upset, and the NBA's right to ignore me. You have a right to ignore me as well. As to your silly argument, if I don't like the way Home Depot pays salaries, I can buy the same power drill at Lowes, or Ace, or a flea market. What I do may not affect what Home Depot does, but if they continued to disregard customer complaints they just might lose market share. The NBA and players should be concerned about the same thing.

Talked to JJ tonight at a Duke sponsored charity event. Chris Duhon was the host. It was at a bowling alley out near International Drive. Arenas was there, too. All three of them were good sports with the people there. They signed lots of autographs and posed for a lot of pictures. JJ is my wife's favorite player, so it was really exciting for her. I told JJ that I hoped that we would be seeing him play soon. He said that he hoped so, too. Arenas looked really fit. So does Duhon. JJ's wife is stunning. The grand prize in the raffle was a VIP ticket to a Magic game as Chris Duhon's guest. I hope they collect it soon. .

Finally a legitimate question! Oopsie Scoopsie is an ice cream parlor right across from the Amway Center. They worked hard to get the place done, and have been friendly to this board. They spent their own money to build the place. I guess there is a contingent here that says they should not have built their business because there was a potential for a lockout. My comment relates to the proposal that the Magic made to make a Sports / Entertainment venue at the spot where Oopsie Scoopsie built their store, with a full assurance that they would have a prime spot across from the main entrance to the Center. Yes, the proposal supposedly provides some options for the affected businesses, but the owners must have dismay over the issue. And I have serious doubts that their new place will have the same visability. This is another case where the team is making a "good business decision" to expand the footprint downtown by building a major new facility. I am actually very much in favor of the expansion, yet I still feel a sense of sympathy for the businesses that may be effected. They don't have much power in the decision, and probably went all-in to get the location they got. Their increased chance of failure is simply a by-product of the Lockout. Now, back to the subject at hand. Before everyone tells me again that I don't understand that the Magic and players are working within a business, let me say something. There are a lot of different "businesses" out there, and I selected the Magic because at the time it was to my benefit. The players and management have a business relationship. And the team and I have a business relationship. The vendors for the games are businesses, and they have investments in the process. The sports writers are in a business, which is pretty slow right now. Yet, somehow you believe that everyone should be ready to strap in every time there is a rumor. Despite the rhetoric, I haven't seen a single thing that has led me to believe that it is likely that the season will start soon, or at all. Even the rumors are half-hearted and full of caveats. I do believe that the whole situation will be settled some day. Some compomise will be made, and the players and league will kiss and make up. I agree that they have the right to set up any kind of relationship they want, and they fully will expect all the fans to flock back to the game to cheer the guys on. The likelyhood is that this lockout will end with change in the distribution of the revenues between the players and the owners. Most likely it will also end up with higher prices for the fans and sponsors. In these economic times a lot of folks are not interested in spending more of their hard earned money on tickets and chicken fingers. And don't be surprised if there is a long period where the fan base is slow to return. The players and league alike may be killing the goose that laid their golden egg. All of us hope this thing ends soon so we can avoid the loss of a season. I am becoming more convinced that my contrary view is more realism than pessimism.

Finally, someone who understands how I feel. Everyone else straps in every time there is a rumor, expecting that somehow the two parties are going to kiss and make up for some altruistic reason. And all of that is made worse now that the Magic have said that they want to tear down Oopsie Scoopsie. Oh, the Humanity.

You might be right. I was a Mets fan from their inception until baseball imploded. And I have been a Magic fan since their inception. But in general I believe my fanhood needs to be earned, and I don't particularly don't like being jerked around. Yet, I recall sitting in the Arena for years watching the hapless magic after Shaq left, and continuing through the whole Grant Hill debacle. And I already have season tickets for next year. So you may be right, I obviously don't like professional sports.

Thanks, but that doesn't help much. Sounds like they are just talking about whether they will be talking. So the official word is that there is no official word. These rumors are just part of the reason that i have the angst I have. They want to keep me believing their drivel while Ron Artest is being advertised for Dancing with the Stars, and players are making other plans. This whole drama is what upsets me. If they can just "suddenly" kiss and make up it is almost worst. Owners and players acting like 2 year olds and expecting fans to just roll with the punches. I really wish I could be an optomist, but won't be fooled by an official press release of unfounded and disputed rumors.

Jackass has 7 letters. DOM has 3 letters. Coincidence? I think not!

I suspect he may be trying to get picked up overseas, so he won't get picked up here.

Maybe we should have drafted Okofur. Then we wouldn't have even cared if he left. Stupid hockey guy.

Bueller................Bueller..............Bueller

I have seen so many great games. The LA win in season one. The amazing Turk pass to Howard for a slam over Duncan come to mind. The steal. My favorite ending was the game in 1999 when Darrell Armstrong stole the ball on a Philly inbounds pass and drove from mid-court to make a game winning layup with the clock expiring. It was so amazing because it was Darrell, not a star, but a hard working Joe in the mold of Pete Rose (Less the gambling stuff.)

Just listen to this clear and concise explanation of the position of the NBA as relates to the Lockout. Simply replace the word "missle" with the word "CBA". Explanation

Ok, but is it "Heed O" or "He Do". The TNT guys want to know.

Itway allway ependsday onway ethay ewnay ACBAY agreementway.

I believe this explains what you said in a more clear and efficient manner: A sphere 5.5 metres in diameter is filled with 1m diameter hemi-spheres. a:(1) What is the theoretical maximum amount of hemi-spheres that can be crammed into the big sphere given that the following condition is met: Each hemi-sphere's flat side (which I'll now refer to as its 'disc') has a central point (indicated by the white point shown in the hemisphere diagram to the right). The point must not 'see' another hemisphere's disc. By definition, when I say 'see', the simplest thing to imagine is a straight ultra-thin 'laser light' coming from the disc. This 'light' must not reach another disc. However, if there's another hemi-sphere that's 'blocking' the 'line of sight', then this is accepted. (2) By cramming them as efficiently as possible, a relatively small volume will be left. How large is this volume? b: Same question, except the torch now has a 52.72077938642 (that's 90/(1+(0.5^0.5))) 'degree of sight'. This 'cone' of light extends from the exact centre of the disc and is once again not allowed to 'see' any part of another disc. What is the maximum amount of hemisphere's that can be crammed into the mega-sphere now? c: Same question again, except the whole disc acts as a tubular beacon of light. This thick ray must not 'see' another hemisphere's disc. What is the maximum amount of hemisphere's that can be crammed into the mega-sphere now? After considering this, I am sure that Dwight will bring Deron Williams here. But you do have to take into account the result of the CBA negotiations. .

I will wear that compliment with honor. And will stop now because this thread is snowballing out of control.

In the first place, I happen to like the Hollywood version. Reality of what happened 1900 years ago is better fancied than debated. It is the same as what happened 40 years ago in Nam. I still will grant your point,but Isn't it also true , that in many cases the living or dying of the fighters was decided by the fans, or through the mercy (sometimes paid for) of the head politico at the games (Stern?), who got to make the ultimate decision. Only the most valuable and popular gladiators were spared. In that case the Gladiator Arena and Professional sports are similar.

After suffering through the Buckeye fiasco this last year, and watching a championship voided, I now have difficulty watching college football without thinking it is tainted. All of the big schools are suspect. Yes, even Florida. Coaches have to walk such a fine line when recruiting that they inevitably mess up. Boosters cross the line by making sure that the prospects visit is good, including a happy ending. Local vendors tempt the kids to use their products, despite knowing that they are putting the students in jeopardy. The auto dealers, barber shops, and other temptations out there are overwhelming to 18 and 19 year old phenoms, who already think they are better than others and have a right to special favors. They have received them since they were in junior high. But the temptors don't get punished. Just the kids. It has gotten to the point where the only true sport happens in your own back yard on a makeshift hoop, or with a tree being the goal line. Amateur doesn't include major colleges any more. And a lot of pros have become pompous asses who only care about their own pleasure or money. The whole system of pro sport has become a game of profit instead of sport. The hardest fought moments happen behind closed doors in contract negotiations. I am beginning to understand why the Roman Arena was so popular. Winners were easy to identify because the loser was laying in a heap on the bloody ground. The second place guy didn't get to renegotiate with another sponsor. He just went to meet his maker. We didn't have to listen to him whine about the refs or complain about cheating. Cheating was allowed. The crowd came for the show, and the people running the show did the very best they could to keep the show interesting. Gladiators didn't get long term contracts. I love the Magic, and have always enjoyed the fact that the team tried to get high quality guys. My favorite teams were the "heart and hustle" guys. Their effort was obvious, they showed true joy when they won, and they didn't whine when they lost. Hey, I don't expect the pro players to share ice cream with their opponents after a game, but I do wish that they had a lot more respect for the game itself, and the fans who pay to see it. I am deeply disappointed that all of this is happening in the world of sport.

As a long time lower-bowl season ticket holder (since 1990) I kind of like the idea of the season being shorter. Saves me money. I just received notice from the Magic that I would get my money back from any games lost to the lockout, plus interest. Probably be better than a CD. I stayed around last time there was a lockout because they were wise enough to creat a mini season that permitted a Playoff Series and Championship. If it works like that this year I will probably stay around. If not, I will just box all my Magic stuff with the old New York Mets stuff that I stored that year baseball canceled the World Series. I haven't intentionally watched a full baseball game since that year. Maybe then I will start watching small school high school football. The season tickets are a whole lot cheaper, and I don't imagine they will quit playing over money any time soon.

Given the lockout, shouldn't this topic be changed to Trades that can't happen.

Correcting the last thread. The real vote would be 347 to 13. Lebron and the current member of the Clippers would vote against the deal.

This new old thread is the epicest of the epic. I can't even say in before the lockout. Lets bet on a season start date. How about February 2nd, 2013. The league will finally settle by deciding LeBron should be sent to the Clippers. The Players association votes 359 to 1 to approve the deal. Everyone becomes happy and sings Kumbya.

It wouldn't surprise me if the "refusal" at the game was a set up and the participants were interns. Kind of like all of the pie in the face things are fake. And the guy in the opponents jersey is actually in on the gag.