That image was tarnished at the beginning of the season when Howard requested a trade. After misleading rumors for months, Howard agreed to stay with the Magic until his his contract runs out at the end of the 2012-2013 season.
Magic fans were only able to breath for a few days.
Unless you gave up watching the NBA for lent, you heard the accusations about Howard asking Magic management to fire head coach Stan Van Gundy. Now, Van Gundy is on the hot seat and Howard has turned into a diva.
The disparity between Howard and Van Gundy has sent Orlando into a tailspin.
I would hate to be a Magic fan. Orlando has lost five straight. Hedo Turkoglu is out for three weeks. Van Gundy is likely on his way out. I would be surprised if Howard resigns with the Magic after next season.
The Dwight Howard drama has been an embarrassment for the entire NBA, not just Orlando. From LeBron James' disastrous "decision" to Carmelo Anthony's "Melo-drama" in Denver, superstars are basking in the spotlight and humiliating their current teams by talking trades in the middle of the season.
I lost respect for Howard over this saga, and I bet most of Orlando shares my sentiment. For the past six years, Howard has quietly dominated in the paint. Now he has put himself before the team, and his play has deteriorated.
The trend of superstars playing puppet-master over the rest of the league needs to stop. I am not a fan of the "super teams" like the Miami Heat because it takes away the art of building a team through development and smart off-season moves. Most detrimentally, it negates the importance of a general manager and coach. Just get a couple stars who are buddies, and put them on the same team. Win. Repeat.
Howard is just another in the long list of spoiled NBA stars.
Superman has turned into Orlando's greatest super-villain.
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