In sports, there are the games on the field, but in professional sports, there are also games off the field. The best organizations are the best largely because of a culture that starts at the top and makes its way all the way to the end of the bench.

The Orlando Magic are currently in “halftime” of a game more compelling at times than the actual games being played nightly on the court. If this were a game – inside the locker room they would be discussing how to keep  Dwight Howard, a continually emerging star in the league, long-term. “That’s the big question,” Pat Williams, Orlando Magic vice president, told 110SportsPodcast.com in an extensive interview earlier this week.

“We took a lot of pressure off when he agreed to pick up his option for next year, so that got this year settled down,” Williams added. “We’ve got to figure out a long-term solution to the Dwight Howard issue and that makes for a very busy offseason. Hopefully, we have a good run in the playoffs which would be very important, and then we’ll see what the draft brings.

“I think Dwight’s watching very closely to what kind of a team he will have.” Orlando currently sits in third place in the East and is a team that may only be a piece away from being a contender for a title. Can the Magic though find the right ingredient to help the team? No one really knows. Not even inside the organization. Remember, we’re still in halftime. In the meantime, living in Florida with no state income taxes, great weather, Disney World and a new arena doesn’t sound too bad either.

“We don’t have an answer now, but long-term we got to get this done.”

– For the full interview with Pat Williams listen to Episode 148 on 110SportsPodcast.com.

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Email Matt: matt(at)110SportsPodcast(dot)com

110SportsPodcast.com features a weekly sports podcast and daily blogging. Episodes include interviews, entertainment, comedy, insight and analysis.

Today on the “110 Sports Podcast with Victor and Matt” they discuss the happenings from the last NBA trade deadline and speak with Orlando Magic VP Pat Williams. He talks about what the organization plans to do to keep Dwight Howard long-term, David Stern‘s leadership, if Jeremy Lin will change the way they scout talent and thoughts on Jim Buss taking over the Lakers for his Dad. Plus, hear all about his latest book called Leadership Excellence: The Seven Sides of Leadership for the 21st Century.

For the full interview with Pat Williams listen to Episode 148 on 110SportsPodcast.com. Finally, the guys discuss the headlines from the NFL over the last week.

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110SportsPodcast.com features a weekly sports podcast and daily blogging. Episodes include interviews, entertainment, comedy, insight and analysis.

Victor and Matt from 110sportspodcast.com discuss Orlando Magic star Dwight Howard. He was the main story from the NBA trade deadline a couple weeks ago. He ended up signing an extension that will keep him in Orlando for at least another season. But, long-term what will happen? We discuss – please watch!

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Email Victor: victor(at)110sportspodcast(dot)com, Matt: matt(at)110sportspodcast(dot)com

110SportsPodcast.com features a weekly sports podcast and daily blogging. Episodes include interviews, entertainment, comedy, insight and analysis.

• If you’re a fan of college basketball and the NBA the past couple days have been very interesting. Thursday was a busy day as it was the first full day of games for the NCAA Tournament as well as the trade deadline for the NBA. Temporarily, Dwight Howard looks to be staying put in Orlando, but the feeling is only for the near future. The question now with the Magic is do they have a run in them, knowing that Howard is not going to be traded? Likewise with Los Angeles as the Lakers decided not to trade either Pau Gasol or Andrew Bynum. Surprisingly, they dealt longtime Laker Derek Fisher, which surprised Laker nation as well as the rest of the league. Boston decided to keep the future of the organization in Rajon Rondo and keep the Big Three of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen in tact. Players are always concerned about getting traded, but now that they are somewhat safe, it allows them to just play basketball. Down the stretch, the Lakers could be the biggest threat to the Oklahoma City Thunder as Bynum and Gasol know they aren’t going anywhere. With the home stretch of the season upon us, it’s now or never for many teams looking for a championship.
• As for college basketball fans, the first weekend of the Big Dance is always one of the best weekends of the years. Watching games all day, knowing that every game and every possession matters makes the games more interesting. Most are interested in the outcomes of games because one upset could mess the rest of your bracket up. After last season’s Cinderella run to the Final Four, VCU pulled off another upset in the first round defeating Wichita State. Normally, the team that plays the best over the next three weeks eventually cuts down the nets. Talent and depth are key components, but don’t kid yourself, a team also needs a little luck to win a tournament like this and have its “One Shining Moment.” The weekend is full of games that will make you wanting more. They’ll be upsets and buzzer beaters, so sit back and enjoy!
• For a prediction on the Magic-Heat NBA game please head over to read the “Vic Predicts” post.
• Don’t forget to check out our latest podcast with former Ohio State basketball walk-on Mark Titus.

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Email Victor: victor(at)110SportsPodcast(dot)com

110SportsPodcast.com features a weekly sports podcast and daily blogging. Episodes include interviews, entertainment, comedy, insight and analysis.

• With the NBA All Star Game this weekend in Orlando we’ve reached the “midway” point of the NBA season. Through the first half, the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Miami Heat are tied for the league’s best record. The Heat enters the break the hottest team, winning eight-straight games, while the Thunder have managed a five-game win streak. The second half of the season should be interesting with many questions still left to be answered. For starters, all eyes will be on the New York Knicks and new sensation Jeremy Lin. Now with Carmelo Anthony back in the lineup, will the Knicks make a move up the playoff standings? Since Lin and Anthony have only played a few games together, only time will tell how they coexist. As it’s been all season, how will Miami fare on its quest to a championship? So far, the Heat seems to be a notch above the rest of the teams. In the east, the Chicago Bulls have the best shot to knock off Miami, but the health of last year’s MVP Derrick Rose will determine if the Bulls can knock off the Heat this year. Out west, the Los Angeles Lakers have struggled this season under first year head coach Mike Brown. With having to learn a new system and all the talks surrounding the possible trades of Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol, the Lakers have protected their home court, but have had difficulties on the road. If Bynum and Gasol both end up staying put can the Lakers be a threat in the west? Staying on the topic of trades, how will the Orlando Magic handle its situation with Dwight Howard? By all indication, Howard wants out of the Sunshine State. The Magic might be wise to trade Howard to ensure value in a trade. All these storylines and more will definitely make the second half of the NBA season interesting.
• For a prediction on the Missouri-Kansas college basketball game please head over to read the “Vic Predicts” post.
• Don’t forget to check out our latest podcast with NFL referee John Parry.

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Email Victor: victor(at)110SportsPodcast(dot)com

110SportsPodcast.com features a weekly sports podcast and daily blogging. Episodes include interviews, entertainment, comedy, insight and analysis.