Heeyyyyyy wooooorrrrrrlllddddd!!!

Well, we all know that we’ve got Boston in the next round of the playoffs. That should help us focus better in practice.

We know the Celtics really well and they know us too. We had a great seven-game series against them in the second round of the playoffs last season. Winning that seventh game up in Boston last spring really gave us a lot of confidence and played a big role in us getting to the Finals.

We’ve had some good time off again after sweeping the Hawks but we have to stay mentally sharp and not relax one bit. I know Stan is keeping us in good shape with a lot of running and scrimmaging in practice. The much running we did kept us sharp heading into the series against Atlanta.

We’ll have our work cut out against the Celtics. They’ve got a lot of good bigs, so I’ll have to be really patient in the post and trust my teammates when they bring the double team. Boston has great defense, but if we keep playing unselfish basketball, we’ll be OK.

Homecourt advantage is definately a bonus for us. Games 1 and 2 will be at Amway. We need our crowd to come out and be really loud. If we want to keep winning in the playoffs, we have to play with great energy and intensity.

On a different topic, I wanted to remind you guys that my new movie, “Just Wright’’ drops tonight in theaters everywhere and I’m hoping that everybody goes out to see it. You never know when I might just show up at one of the theaters in Orlando and buy everybody free popcorn during the movie. I’ve been thinking about doing that to see how people respond.

I got to see the movie the other night at the premier. I enjoyed working with Queen Latifah, Common and Paula Patton. Paula Patton is one of those ladies who when she walks in the gym it just goes quiet as she walks through and then once she goes out it gets noisy again. OMG!!!

Ya’ll will have to go and check out my scenes in the movie and see what you think. It took around four hours to shoot my main scene because they had to shoot it from four or five different angles. And they had to take all of these pictures of you to make sure that you look the same from day to day. If you had a booger in your nose one day, they are going to make sure you have it back in there the next day for filming. Seriously!!!

I’m happy with how the whole project turned out. I’m hoping it’s the start of working in movies for me. Maybe someday I can do a comedy playing someone other than myself. I really think I could pull it off. I got good feedback from the producers and directors.

Go check out my movie and please tell me what you think of it. The critics gave us good reviews because the story is a solid one and the acting is good too if I do say so myself.

But I’m keeping all of my focus now on basketball. We had a great practice on Friday and I’m convinced that we’ll be ready for Game 1 come Sunday afternoon. Our team is hungry and focused and we know that the Celtics will be a tough team in the playoffs.

So we’ll need all of our fans behind us and be loud on Sunday. I’m outta here, ya’ll be good.

Yuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuaaaaaaahhhhh!!!
DWIGHT

Heyyyyyyy worrrrrrrlllddddd!!!

The Opening of my first movie “Just Wright” was last night. Queen Latifah, Common, and the cast really did their thang! I want to thank everyone that came out for the private screening last night. Special thanks to Coach Stanley (Van Gundy), my teammates, the local media and especially the fans who watched me debut “Dwight Howard the actor”. This movie had everything you look for in a movie and after you check it out on Friday, May 14, 2010 (Opening Day), you’ll agree also. With your support, this can be the # 1 Movie out. Well I’m going to get out of here. Make sure you take your family, your friends, your haters and neighbors out on Opening Day to see “Just Wright”.

Peace Out.
Dwight

Heyyyyyyy worrrrrrrlllddddd!!!
Well, we took care of business in the A-T-L and now we get some much-needed rest. We won in a sweep, but that was still a very physical series going against Al Horford and Zaza every game.

We had a great flight home after closing out the series. We were messing with Vince Carter in the locker room about being in the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time. Because we have such a tight, tight group of guys, we feel like we can say anything to each other. It is that openness which enable us to be better.

I really like how we’re playing like a team on a mission. We’re not going out there and acting like we’ve got a 2-0 or 3-0 cushion in these series. We’re staying hungry and humble and keeping our foot on the throttle every game.

Back in the day, we used to relax in games and relax in series like this and we’d let teams come back on us. I think we’ve come a long way and are not doing that anymore. That’s a sign of maturity for us.

Now, we’re going to get two days off, but ya’ll know I’ll be back in the gym real soon getting my swolle on in the weight room. I also plan on working on my free throws. I’ve already talked to our guys about not losing focus or losing that edge just because we have a break.

I know that Stan will keep us ready. We did A LOT of running between the Charlotte and Atlanta series and we’ll probably do the same again this time. It’s a killer on us, but it’s no time to be resting ‘cause we need to stay sharp and keep that killer instinct up.
Here are some off the court updates: my big movie premier for "Just Wright" is going to be Tonight night at the Altamonte Springs Mall at 6:45 p.m. Not sure whom all is going to be there, but I know some of my teammates will be there to support and see me cheesing on the big screen. It should be a lot of fun. I’m hoping all the Magic fans will come and check it out!!!

One other thing, our e-bay memorabilia auction is cranked back up for this week. The search name is “DwightsStuff12." Most of the profits will go toward funding scholarships to my kids’ basketball camps this summer. Here are some items that we have available this week:
•   2 Jerseys (All Star) and one White
•   4 pair of shoes AST TS commander Howard’s, (2) TS Bounce Commander’s, and AST NBA Bounce’s
•   2 Commander T-shirts

I handed out my shoes to a couple of Magic fans after Monday’s game. I thought they were going to scrap when I threw my jersey into the crowd. It still blows my mind of how many people value my shoes and jersey. I am truly honored and humbled.
Well, I’m going to get out of here. Get some rest Magic fans because we’re going to really need you in the Eastern Conference Finals more than ever. Whether if it’s Cleveland or Boston, it’s going to be a dogfight. But believe me when I tell you this: The Magic will be ready!!! Don’t forget to check out the auction and get some tight gear.

Peace out.
DWIGHT

Heyyyyy wooorrrrrllllllddd!!!
Just got back from our practice today so I thought I’d drop you guys a few lines. My first playoff game back in my hometown of the A-T-L went really well. Our guys came out solid yesterday and we hit the Hawks before they could hit us. We’re playing for something big this season, and we’re trying not to have a game where we overlook any team or situation.
Another great thing about yesterday’s game was that my 90-year-old grandma was in attendance. It was only her second time seeing me play in person so I’m glad I did well and we got the W. To be honest, I think she was more excited about meeting Patrick Ewing than she was seeing me play. She loves her some Patrick!!!

Since today is Mother’s Day I wanted to give all the moms out there a special shout out. Thank you for having us and putting up with all of our junk when we were kids.
I want to tell you guys about my mom, Sheryl. She’s the best mom a kid could ever have. I wasn’t a bad kid or somebody that she always had to stay on but she was always big on making sure that I respected other people. She pushed me to do the best I could in everything and in life.

My mom did a great job in those 18 years that I was at home. She helped me become the person that I am today. No matter the situation on the court, back at home or in my personal life, my mom and her lessons are always in my heart. Her influence helps me make decisions, enjoy life and treat people the way I would want to be treated.
Occasionally, during games I’ll look over and catch her eye and she’ll give me that little wink because she knows what I’m going through out there. She’s pretty quiet now, but ya’ll didn’t know her back in the day when she would do all kinds of yelling and screaming at games.

After my first couple of years I told her that I had been playing basketball for a long time and learned how to tune her out during games. But out of all those voice you hear during a game you can always hear your mom and dad over everybody else. I would tell her to let me play basketball, don’t worry so much and enjoy the games. She’s gotten A LOT better at that.

I can’t wait to take my mom out to dinner later tonight in Atlanta. I’m really craving some Mrs. Winter’s chicken, but she’s probably going to want something fancier than that. I got her a gift, but I can’t spoil the secret in case she reads this. I know Vince Carter got his mom an I-Pad, but my mom doesn’t really do computers. She’s still got a CD player, ya’ll!!!
I love you mom!!! I hope all you moms out there had a great day.

We just need one more against the Hawks on Monday and we can move on to the next round. Getting that one win is all that matters to us now. Peace out and go Magic!!!
DWIGHT

Heyyyyyyy worrrrrrrrrldddddddddddd!!!

Well, we’re up 2-0 in the series, but now it gets tough going back to the A-T-L. We know these Hawks are going to give us their best shot. We have to be mentally ready for that wave they are going to hit us with. We’ve won on the road a lot these last two seasons and I’m confident that we can do it again.

They popped me pretty good several times the other night. They had my nose bleeding pretty good after Al hit me in the face early in the second half. I couldn’t help but to giggle when I was shooting the free throws with those cotton balls stuffed in my nose. That had to look craaaaaaaa-zzzzzzzzzzzy!!!

I think some people were surprised to see that I actually do bleed. It’s not like I’m made of metal like Wolverine or something. I am from the plan Krypton, but Superman bleeds and breaks bones just like other Earthlings. LOL

I’ve been able to stay on the floor and out of foul trouble in the first two games and that’s because we’re playing inside-out ball; we just have so many weapons. ‘Meer Meer had a big game, Vince was aggressive dunking like the 2000 Vince and ‘Shard was out there doing his thing raining in those threes.

We have to play better defense in Atlanta. I’m starting to realize that I can’t try to block every single shot, and some of them I just have to let go when they are driving right at me. It’s not my mentality to give up dunks and lay-ups and I just have to make it tougher on those dudes when they drive down the lane.

On a different subject, I was blown away the other day when I found out I was a consensus All-NBA pick. Just being All-NBA is cool, but consensus just makes it even better. Some of my guys told me that only guys like MJ, Magic, Bird, Karl Malone, Chuck Barkley … A.K.A. the Black Stan Van Gundy, have been consensus All-NBA. I’m so honored to be in the company of such great, great players. All the glory goes to God because He has blessed me with this ability to play basketball and I am so grateful.

Being back in the A-T-L is always fun, but tough too. I used to do too much
and see too many people, but I know now I cannot spread myself too thin. I want to see my fam, but my primary focus at the moment is on beating the Hawks.

Our sole mission right now is to bring that ‘chip back to Orlando and we’re not going to let any distractions stand in our way. We know we have the team to keep this thing rolling and do something special and we’re not going to let anything stop us.

We’ll I’m going to get out of here. Peace out and Go Magic!!!
DWIGHT