Is Dwight Howard in danger of 'LeBroning' his brand?
OPINION - If arguably the best player in the world saw a drastic decline in his popularity all over an hour-long TV special, what's in store for Dwight Howard's future?...
Move over, LeBron James, there’s a new NBA villain on the rise.
With Thursday’s NBA trade deadline finally upon us, Dwight Howard’s season-long indecisiveness about his future with the Orlando Magic finally reached the tipping point, with the league’s best center possibly committing brand suicide in the process.
It’s no secret that Howard isn’t happy in Orlando, and has been threatening to opt out of his contract and become a free agent at the end of the season if the Magic didn’t trade him to one of his pre-approved teams. Those demands now seem mild in comparison to the whirlwind of emotions Howard put fans through on Wednesday.
In the span of 12 hours, Howard went from wanting to opt out of his contract, to reportedly telling his teammates he was returning next season, to once again wanting to explore free agency, before eventually telling Jarrod Rudolph of RealGM that he will waive his early termination option and play for the Magic in 2012-13.
Is your head spinning yet?
“I have gotten some bad advice. I apologize for this circus I have caused to the fans of our city,” Howard told RealGM late Wednesday night, “They didn’t deserve none of this. I’m sorry from the bottom of my heart. I will do whatever I can to make this right and do what I was put in Orlando to do.”
Bad advice is an understatement. You knew Howard had lost control of the situation when his mother spoke to Craig Sager of TNT during NBA All-Star weekend and said that she wanted him to stay in Orlando.
Do you think Michael Jordan’s mother was talking to Ahmad Rashad back in the day about where she wanted her son to play?
At 26 years old, it’s time for Howard to start acting his age and taking responsibility for his actions, before he does irrevocable damage to his popularity.
Basketball fans would normally be willing to let such selfish behavior like demanding trades to specific teams or stringing along fans in the city you play for slide.
But they have been down this road much too often the past two seasons. Does Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul or LeBron James ring a bell? In different ways, all three players broke the hearts of their respective fan bases to chase that elusive NBA title.
Dwight Howard’s dream destination? The 15-29 New Jersey Nets — a franchise with their own potential star/free agent possibly headed out the door in point guard Deron Williams.
Doesn’t exactly have the mystique of New York City, a budding superstar on the rise in Blake Griffin, or the duo of Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
Howard had three prime examples to learn from in dealing with free agency, led by James, who, to this day, still catches flack for “The Decision.”
After all this back-and-forth indecisiveness from Howard, the bitter Cleveland Cavaliers fans and LeBron haters can no longer give James grief about how he handled his free agency move to the Miami Heat. James was smart enough to realize that he should keep his mouth shut during the regular season and focus on winning a NBA championship.
If arguably the best player in the world saw a drastic decline in his popularity all over an hour-long TV special, what’s in store for Howard’s future?
His goofy, good-natured personality will only protect him for so long. Somewhere in South Beach, James is laughing at how things are playing out three hours north in Orlando.
Lost in all of this is the Magic’s 28-16 record on the season — good for third place in the Eastern Conference standings. Head coach Stan Van Gundy should be a frontrunner for NBA Coach of the Year Award for getting the most out of a team that likely resents Howard for publicly turning his back on his teammates.
Howard’s relationship with the city of Orlando reminds me of that one ex we all have in our past that strung you along, got your hopes up, only to throw out the clichéd, “It’s not you, it’s me” line — breaking your heart and crushing your spirit in the process.
In order to avoid the eventual heartbreak, general manger Otis Smith needs to pull the trigger on the best trade offer that’s on the table at 2:59 pm ET Thursday — regardless if Howard is indeed returning for the 2012-13 season.
There’s no guarantee Howard signs a contract extension past next season and we could be back at square one this time next season.
“The Indecision” has gone on long enough.
Follow Marcus Vanderberg on Facebook and on Twitter @marcowill
