Dwight Stuff

The Dwight Howard saga continues.

For nearly two years, the star Center of the Orlando Magic has been jerking the proverbial chain of team management.  He privately makes thinly veiled threats and hefty demands from ownership, but lacks the cojones to stand by these comments when facing public criticism.  Dwight Howard pushed ownership to fire its coach and GM in order to appease the sullen giant, then appeared to be disappointed about the decision once the cameras began to roll. 

Realistically, nobody blames Dwight for covetting a larger market.  Orlando is the second smallest NBA city, making Howard a very big fish in a extremely small pond.  While the Magic did enjoy some success earlier in his career, they have failed to add key pieces around their franchise center to make them formidable contenders in future seasons. So, while I think that it is acceptable for Howard to seek alternative employment, I think his actions have made a mockery of his team, his fans, and mostly himself.


Lebron James faced wide-spread criticism when he left Cleveland for South Beach, and he did that as a free-agent.  Lebron didn't force his team to trade him, he did not whine to ownership about firing their coach... he simply chose not to re-sign with his original team.  However, the buzz that he caused by making himself a spectacle was the reason for the public vitriol.  Dwight Howard is making the same mistake.  All he needed to do was privately approach the GM and make the following statement "I do not intend to re-sign with the magic when my contract expires, so it may be in your best interest to trade me before you lose me with no compensation." Then... shut up! Don't whine.  Let it play out, and you will likely get your way. 

Be a man, Man!


-Kevin Aherne

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