I enjoy the NBA but I really enjoy the NBA playoffs. I love the level of play, the story lines, and the drama. But I am soooo tired of the Dwight Howard drama.
What happened to him? He used to seem really cool, and while I was never a die-hard Magic fan, I usually liked to see them do well. Howard is one of the few true centers in the league. For years, he has been a great shot blocker and an inside offensive threat to be dealt with by opposing teams. Early in his career he had two big weaknesses: he didn’t have a variety of offensive moves and he was proned to foul trouble. But fans could overlook those weaknesses because he appeared to give you everything he had and he seemed to have fun doing it.
What happened to that fun guy?
Years later, he still hasn’t developed any additional offensive moves and he has become a whiney pre-madonna. The entire season has been filled with his trade demands, thoughts on his future free agency, or thoughts about the team bringing in new players. How are his teammates supposed to react to that? One night after a lackluster effort by the Magic in the middle of the season, Howard went public with his rant against his teammates. Who would want to lay it all on the line with a guy who complains about wanting out of Orlando every day?
Disney was not the happiest place on earth this season.
The last straw for me as a fan was shortly after Howard said he’d sign his option year for next season. (The only reason he signed, according to some, is because the team called his bluff and was ready to trade him to LA. I guess he didn’t want to be in Kobe’s shadow). He told ownership he no longer wanted to play for Coach Stan Van Gundy. He wanted him fired. That was followed by a (at the time) suspicious back injury which actually seems to require surgery.
I think Van Gundy is a good coach, and at no time have I ever thought he was a bad guy to play for. If the Magic fire him next week, that will be two NBA teams that did him wrong. (For a history lesson check out: Miami Heat/Pat Riley).
Just once I’d like to see ownership/management stand up to an obnoxious superstar by supporting the coach and telling the immature player to shut up and play ball.
