Dwight Howard is trying to do and say the right things, but I don’t know what else do the Orlando Magic need to hear before they understand Dwight is gone as soon as he has the ability to leave.
He has been dropping hints for awhile. He is trying to help the Magic get something for him while they can.
He did an interview in ESQUIRE magazine and here is what he had to say.
SR: Do you think that the drive to represent, on an iconic level, will be a factor in your free agency? Do you see yourself in a much larger market?
DH: There’s more you can do in a bigger place. I’m stuck in a tough position because I feel like right now, where I’m at, I’ve done so much. And I just don’t know what else I can do. I can’t live for everybody else. I don’t know what decision I’m gonna make as of right now. It’s been crazy. Everybody wants me to come here, come play here, come to our team, do this. It’s a great feeling, though, to be wanted.
SR: You’re gone. I can feel it.
DH: The toughest part for me is the city – the people. They’ve got burgers named after me in Orlando, they’ve got a Web site saying, “Please stay.” I love the people in the city. I’ve literally sat on the bench with a towel on my head crying, because I feel the passion in the stands. I just think about what’s going to be best for what I want to accomplish in my life. And I don’t want that door to close on me, wherever that door is. I don’t want it to close.
What he is trying to say is he feels sorry about leaving, but that isn’t going to stop him from leaving. No matter how many cheeseburgers the city of Orlando makes in his honor, he will be taking his talents elsewhere.
As soon as the lockout is over the Magic need to sit down with Howard, ask him the four or five teams he is willing to be traded to and get the best deal they can.
Howard is a better player than Carmelo Anthony, so while they won’t get equal value they should be able to get some quality pieces in return.
First call should be to the Lakers to see if they can get Bynum or Gasol, with a few throw away players. I am sorry Magic fans, but the writing is on the wall and it has been their for the last year, don’t be in denial just accept it.
By the way don’t be shocked if Howard gets Stan Van Gundy fired and he still ends up leaving. Here is what he had to say about Ron Jeremy’s twin brother.
On Van Gundy:
Stan’s a great guy away from basketball. He’s passionate. He loves the game. I have no problem with him off the court. The only thing I had a real problem with was the way he coached. It was very tough with Stan, because he yelled a lot, and I don’t want to be that guy to yell at my teammates along with my coach. Because they’re going to turn it all off. I had to find different ways to motivate my team. Sometimes when you have so much negativity, it’s really hard to be positive. I had a lot of negativity growing up, so I understand how to block the negativity out.
Turn off the lights the party is over in Orlando.
For those who are interested in the Basketball Wives, Dwight also wants you to know he is trying to make it work out with his Baby Mama Royce Reed.
[nggallery id=467]
DH: It’s very important. Hopefully me and my son’s mom will come to a better agreement for my son. When I do see him, we have the best time in the world. He acts just like me. He tries to run like me. He looks back and smiles like me. Fatherhood is great and it will get better. He’s young. He’s gonna need his father in his life. People say you don’t need a father to be successful. I take offense to that. I had an argument with my mom about Father’s Day and why it’s not celebrated like Mother’s Day.
