Why Howard Will Stay in Orlando....

There has been talk of "dream lists" and possible destinations for C Dwight Howard going on since the "Decision" by LeBron.  Since the lockout ended, Howard has been mentioned in trade rumors and analysts have given arguments on why certain teams need to make the move to
get Howard.  Howard has said that he wants to win and not sure if the Magic front office really feels the same way.  Howard is a 5-time All-Star and 3-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year.  The only thing missing is a ring.  Its not like Howard hasn't been the the Finals with Orlando.  They lost to the Lakers in 2009 so I'm wondering why the Magic can't get players to want to play with Howard.  Neither Howard, nor the Magic seem to know what they want but the Magic look worse overall.  Didn't the Magic learn anything from 1996?

The Magic were defending Eastern Conference Champions in 1995 and lost to the Chicago Bulls in the 1996 ECF.  That off-season, the Magic let Shaquille O'Neal got to the Lakers via free agency.  They got nothing in return for Shaq leaving.  All Shaq did was win 4 titles over the next 10 years.  All the Magic did was either miss the playoffs or were first round exits.  The Magic drafted Dwight Howard in 2004 and things started to look up again for Orlando.  Another dominate big man who was averaging a double double.  The Magic won their first playoff series in 2008 but lost to the Pistons in the next round.  The next year, Howard led the Magic to the NBA Finals but lost to the Lakers in 5 games.  With all of this, why can't the Magic get someone to come play with Howard?  One would think that losing Shaq would have made the front office know without a doubt that losing Howard is not an option but here we are.  Howard is in the last year of his contract and the trade deadline a month away.

The Magic are playing quite well in this strike-shortened season.  They are 11-4 and Howard has been a beast.  He has recorded five 20 point 20 rebound games this season.  Howard is averaging 20 pts and 16 boards a game and is playing like he wants to win.  The Magic are a "player" away from being another team to stand in the way of the Bulls and the Heat playing for a championship.  Instead of entertaining offers for Howard, why not ask Howard what will it take to keep him in Orlando and be serious about it.  Yes, in business it makes sense to cut payroll and start over, to some degree but the fans are there and so is the money.  All the Magic have to do is make Howard happy.  He wants to stay but he also wants to win.  Now is not the time to live in the shadow of 1996.

All of these rumors and possible trade partners are dumb.  Bynum and Gasol will not give you what Howard does so trading with the Lakers doesn't help you.  Furthermore, the Lakers don't get better either.  Kobe can't afford to lose anymore of his advantage with height and length down low.  Howard in a Lakers uniform may look good but the Lakers have more holes to plug before they can worry about getting a true dominate big man.  I could care less for Shaq's comments about Andrew Bynum.  Bynum is very good but he is no Dwight Howard.  The same goes for the Nets.  Pairing Howard with Deron Williams sounds good but who else they got?  Kris Humphries has played well but did anyone know him before he "married" Kim K almost as fast as he divorced her?  NO!  I would be interested in seeing it but the Nets have no one else.  No bench and no depth = no championships.  Recently, the Clippers were mentioned.  As I stop laughing, Blake and Dwight on the same team will not work plus the Clippers would actually have to pay Blake, Dwight and CP3 max contracts.  Where is that money going to come from?  Sterling has never paid players so why would he do it now?  Unless the Magic are stupid, Howard will stay in Orlando.  As long as injuries don't hit this team, the Magic will be one of the top 3 teams in the east and possibly top 5 in the NBA this season.  Yeah, I said it!

D!