Links of the Day (October 19, 2010)

• With so much talk surrounding the Heat, Celtics, and the defending champion Lakers, Zach Lowe reminds us not to forget the Magic. They're doing their best not to let us by eviscerating opponents in the preseason: New Orleans by 54, Chicago by 38, Atlanta by 29. They're big enough to bang with LA, deep enough to match up with Boston, and both those things give them a good chance to wear out Miami. Of course, they had that talent and size and depth last season, and the season before that. For me, it's always been psychological with Orlando; Dwight Howard's still maturing, and guys like Vince Carter and Rashard Lewis don't seem to embrace the moment. We're a long way from finding out if anything's changed, but it will be an interesting thing to look for come playoff time.
• Doc Rivers doesn't have cancer. Neither do I, but I didn't have a biopsy on lesions found in my throat.
• More Celtics news: The team signed Milwaukee draftee-turned-waivee (!) Keith "Tiny" Gallon to a non-guaranteed contract. Gallon is almost certainly headed to the Developmental League, where the team will be able to keep an eye on him with the Maine Red Claws. The ironically-nicknamed Gallon (he's pushing 300 pounds) was part of a dysfunctional Oklahoma team last year in his sole college season, but he's compared by many to Glen Davis because he's skilled and not quite tall enough to be as wide as he is.
• This clip isn't likely to turn into an NBA Read to Achieve ad.
• I know very little about advanced statistics, but over at Pick and Scroll, you can now calculate them yourself.
• The NBA has banned shoes it says enhance vertical leap. The manufacturer -- who, to be fair, isn't exactly eager to dispute that claim -- is certainly taking advantage of the publicity. For any public relations students that may be reading, here is the company's press release. At least they'll save money on endorsement contracts.
• This Blake Griffin jam is why I'm excited to be living in Los Angeles this season, but why must the Clippers suffer the indignity of playing a home game, even in preseason, with the Lakers floor at Staples? Because the Lakers hosted a preseason game immediately after, that's why.