Jonnyroobs™ Centralized

The Dwight Howard flip-flopping soap opera continues on. Last we heard, he had 'loyalty' to his team (The Orlando Magic) changing his mind the last minute of being traded. Fast forward a few months later, he's rehabbing from a back injury and staying in Los Angeles to recuperate. Since then, he hasn't returned to Orlando and is communicating less with the Magic organization (especially since the firings of Van Gundy, Otis Smith and Adonal Foyle within management). Dwight wants out and prefers to play for the Brooklyn Nets alongside friend Deron Williams. Enter Rob Hennigan, the new general manager who talked with Howard last Friday. He has no intentions of trading Dwight that easily. There has to be a good bargain achieved first in which the Magic can get a good set of players from another organization in exchange for their big center. Howard accused the Magic organization of blackmailing him into signing the opt-in clause. (Note: As of 7/2, Yahoo Sports reports that Howard denies using the term 'blackmailing')

From my personal standpoint, it's gotten really ugly. As a fan of the Magic or Howard for that matter, I don't like it. Dwight Howard, who was once revered and loved by a city and Magic fans alike - will undoubtedly become their worst enemy. This'll be probably as equal or is gonna be beyond as worst just like what LeBron James did to the city of Cleveland and the Cavs fans (when he announced to the world he'll be taking his talents to South Beach, not even acknowledging/thanking Cavs fans and Cleveland). Had it not been for the Magic's big loss against the Lakers in the 2009 NBA Finals, maybe things would not have happened this way. Unfortunately, it is happening right now beyond crazy. Dwight should've approached everything correctly right from the get-go being honest with everyone including those that looked up to him (myself included) who bought his #12 jersey and Adidas sneakers. I've lost trust and even perhaps my respect for Dwight for what he's done. He's misled the Magic organization, the fans, and the city of Orlando. He thinks he's Superman. Looks like he just never was as we've come to really find out. He socked that gimmick to us really good. But in reality, he's just a man-child who just can't seem to get a grasp on how the logistics of free agency really works in the real world. We loved him for being a humble, talented b-baller who was so infectiously happy on the court laughing pulling some pranks and being the man-child he is, but it seems that we're now so fed up with his 'man-childness' consisting of 'I want this' or 'I don't want this' sounding sobbingly or acting depressed, what have you, etc. He is spoiled. He is self-centered. He craves attention. But there's always a chance of redemption. Hopefully along the way, he can find it in himself to handle things appropriately (with all the time that's left) and to make an easy transition to another team via free agency without the heavy baggage of controversy that he created in the first place.

The 2011-2012 season was a season of mediocrity for Dwight Howard. The soap opera flourished, the chemistry/loyalty with his teammates questioned and his hunger on the court stifled with bad games right to the end with the back injury.

Now it leads me to this next question: So what will happen to the #12 Magic (Howard) jerseys I have now that's hanging in my closet?

Most likely, I will keep it rather than burn it in the bonfire with all the Magic fans that would so hate him right now. But I say it again: I'll keep it. Yeahhh, that's how much I still like the man...err..kinda...sorta (although he probably would less likely care anyways for his fans at this juncture). Maybe he'll get appreciation one day once he calls it quits and possibly get that love back to Orlando. I have done the same for Shaquille O'Neal tolerating what he did with the Magic in years' past, but later having that respect of his great stellar NBA career in which he joined 5 teams in total. And Shaq still loves the Magic, too, even residing in O-Town for all these years.

Wow this segment itself is gonna play a huge role in my transitioning to Orlando for next year. As Dwight Howard wants OUT of Orlando right, I want IN for a return to live there. Most likely, I may not even see him playing with the Magic ever again, this time rooting against him than for him. I can see it now into the future - all the Magic fans booing and hurling insults right at him. I can't blame 'em for being that way. They loved him religiously. They followed him vigorously. They campaigned heavily for him to stay. But all of this certainly wasn't enough for him to really love Orlando and hang in there. Dwight made it more of a sensitive issue that is seemingly uncomfortable and downright nauseous. It wasn't just about free agency. It was crazy drama that added fuel to the fire. I stand solid with the Magic and will remain supportive of their decision on what's best for their interest and betterment for the organization.

New GM Rob Hennigan said it best: "We are looking for players who love basketball and are committed to building something greater than themselves."

They will find just that :)

And I look forward to buying tickets to games in the Amway Center and rooting on my favorite team - The Orlando Magic - once the move to Orlando is complete.