Free Republic

Mayor-elect Eric Adams is entirely right to slam the “professional” rioters and anarchists who pour into the city’s streets after events like the Kyle Rittenhouse verdict. Unfortunately, though, many of them are anything but outsiders. He was commenting on the crews who in the name of “justice” caused chaos across the city. They vandalized vehicles in Queens, even marking a car with handicapped plates with “F—k you” graffiti in black spray paint. They jumped on cars, stole American flags and vandalized innocent strangers’ homes. Roughly 300 other protesters gathered outside Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, where the Nets played the Orlando Magic...

'Kneeling or wearing a Black Lives Matter T-shirt didn't go hand in hand with supporting black lives,' Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac said. 'Everyone is made in the image of God.'⁣ “Kneeling or wearing a Black Lives Matter T-shirt didn’t go hand in hand with supporting black lives,” Isaac said. “I believe that my life has been supported through the Gospel, everyone is made in the image of God.”⁣Isaac is a faithful Christian who has preached publicly on several occasions. After the game, the first question reporters asked was whether he believes black lives do matter? “Absolutely,” he responded, going...

Jonathan Isaac exited Sunday's game between Orlando and Sacramento after suffering an apparent left leg injury. The third-year forward fell to the ground in the fourth quarter after planting his feet on a drive to the basket. He remained there clutching his knee, and a wheelchair was eventually brought out to help him off the floor. Isaac, whom the Magic drafted sixth overall in 2017, was enjoying a career year with averages of 12.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.4 blocks and 1.5 steals per game. It has also been an injury-tested season for Isaac, who only just returned from a hyperextended...

Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac became the first NBA player not to kneel during the national anthem since the league resumed on Thursday. Later on Friday San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich and assistant coach Becky Hammon also stood. On Thursday all players from the four teams in action all knelt during the pre-match anthem. Isaac, who chose not to wear a Black Lives Matter t-shirt, said: "Absolutely I believe Black Lives Matter." He added: "A lot went into my decision ... kneeling or wearing a Black Lives Matter T-shirt doesn't go hand in hand in supporting Black lives."...

Rich DeVos, a self-made billionaire who co-founded Amway and purchased the Orlando Magic in 1991, died Thursday in Ada, Mich., due to complications from an infection. DeVos was 92 years old. DeVos, who underwent a heart transplant in 1997 at the age of 71, attended some Magic home games during the 2017-18 season. DeVos took over as the Magic’s owner when he purchased the franchise for $85 million from Orlando real estate developer William duPont III after duPont experienced financial difficulties. Forbes recently estimated the Magic’s value at $1.225 billion, 19th out of 30 NBA teams. Forbes also approximated DeVos’...

In July 2013 MediaTakeOut.com broke the story that basketball star J.J. Redick had initiated an “abortion contract” with then girlfriend Vanessa Lopez to abort their baby. The contract stated the couple would attempt to ”maintain a social and/or dating relationship” for one year after the abortion, and if Redick reneged he would pay Lopez $25,000. Redick and Lopez signed the abortion contract the morning of her abortion, September 13, 2007. Lopez was never to see Redick again, but she never attempted to collect the $25,000. Paparazzi discovered the abortion contract in court documents. Neither Redick nor Lopez had anything to...

The owners of the Orlando Magic are coming under fire for a 2009 donation they made on behalf of one of their executive's marriage beliefs.The Douglas and Maria DeVos foundation, which is financially supported by Amway president Doug DeVos, donated $500,000 to NOM, the National Organization for Marriage.The organization is among those leading the charge against same-sex marriage initiatives in several states.Now, gay rights activists are calling for a ban of the Michigan-based Amway and all of its affiliates, including the Orlando Magic, which is also owned by the DeVos family.Here's the official statement from Amway on the issue,...

The political scandal that has engulfed Central Florida's toll-road agency, most powerful attorneys, biggest developers, best-known political activist, the Orlando Magic and a host of others started in an unlikely way: with a trespassing dog. When David Strong of Winter Park discovered that a neighbor's dog had done his business on Strong's lawn one too many times, he scooped up the evidence and, in a fit of anger, smeared it on the dog-owner's shirt and neck. Strong was charged with misdemeanor battery, took an anger-management class and performed community service, then forgot all about it. At least until he entered...

Dwight Howard's strong religious beliefs will not be an obstacle if members of the Orlando Magic believe he's the best player for the organization. But Pat Williams, the Magic's senior executive vice president who represented the team at the draft lottery Wednesday in Secaucus, N.J., also said Howard's strong religious beliefs will not be the deciding factor in the Magic's evaluation of Howard. Howard The 18-year-old power forward from Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy has the potential to be this year's No. 1 overall pick. He's also expressed his desire to put a cross on the NBA logo, as well as...

ORLANDO, Fla. - A man who attacked the Orlando Magic (news)'s mascot was charged Saturday with battery, disorderly intoxication and resisting an officer without violence. William Jeffrey Hawkins, 39, put Stuff the Magic Dragon in a chokehold in the waning moments of the Magic's 102-98 win over the Denver Nuggets on Friday night. Police were alerted, and it took three stun gun shots to get the 6-foot-2, 240-pound Hawkins under control to the point where he could be removed from his seat and dragged to the concourse, Orlando police Lt. John O'Grady said. Orange County Jail records show Hawkins was...

<p>SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Doc Rivers was fired as coach of the Orlando Magic late Monday night after the team got off to the worst start in its 15-year history.</p> <p>Rivers told The Associated Press early Tuesday that Magic general manager John Gabriel told him of the decision in a meeting at the team hotel after Orlando lost to Utah 90-88 on Monday night.</p>