Howard Signs Opt-In to stay with the Magic one more year

[Mavs4Life]

So, Dwight causes all the trouble for nothing, and will stay with the Magic for atleast one more season.

[deihatein]

Does this eliminate Deron going to the Mavs if somehow given the chance? I have a feeling he will stay with the Nets but damn

[JoeJames]

Does this eliminate Deron going to the Mavs if somehow given the chance? I have a feeling he will stay with the Nets but damn

Maybe (for me thats excellent, 'cause the reason of not resign Tyson Chadler was because they looked for D-Will and Howard, now that this won't happen this and next year... Mavs should find another solution to be contenders and not just a good team)

[deihatein]

The only way the Mavs will be a contender is if we get another center that fills the role that Chandler did last year. That, or Dirk goes berserk in the playoffs again.

[Radioman]

Honestly don't know if this is good or bad.

Maybe the best for both sides would have been the Magic traded him in December when he demanded it.

I am afraid we will have the same thing next year to this time...

[JoeJames]

The only way the Mavs will be a contender is if we get another center that fills the role that Chandler did last year. That, or Dirk goes berserk in the playoffs again.

Dirk was on berserk mode almost all the times that Mavs reach the WCF and the 2006 Finals, but what really made the difference last year was the D-fense that Chadler gave to the team, without this D Dallas won't defend their title in the Finals.

[Andrew]

It has to be good news for the Magic in the short term. Perhaps the situation can be put behind them for now and if nothing else, they've bought themselves a little more time. Other teams and players will likely change their plans, so by the time Howard is a free agent the option of remaining with the Magic may be as appealing as any other.

[atlwarrior]

I bet now Howard wishes he didn't sign that opt-in.

[Andrew]

Van Gundy: Dwight Wants Me Fired

Woj's take: Stan Van Gundy liberates himself in exposing Dwight Howard’s power play for a new Magic coach

Seems like it's only a matter of time. It's a shame and they'd be losing a fine coach in SVG but as Woj notes, you pick the star over the coach. Finding a good replacement for Van Gundy is going to be a lot easier than replacing a player like Dwight Howard, after all. I don't entirely agree with this though.

Yet, Howard doesn’t have the courage of convictions, and that got exposed Thursday when he couldn’t simply stand there and say, ‘Yes, I’ve told management that I want someone else coaching the Magic.’ It would’ve been liberating for Van Gundy, the locker room, the franchise, but it wasn’t surprising Howard remained silent, because ownership has created a culture where they’ll constantly cover for him. If he was willing to stay five more years, well, these are flaws that you’d live with for the best center on the planet. That’s basketball. That’s business.

I see where he's coming from on that point of course, but I think if he had come out and said "Yes, I've told management that I want someone else coaching the Magic" or something similar, he'd be criticised for saying that instead. With the trade me/I want to stay circus up until the trade deadline and power play to force out Stan Van Gundy and presumably Otis Smith as well, I don't know that there's much Howard could say that would deflect all criticism.

[The X]

Gotta love SVG. The truth shall set you free.

You must be glad you're a Bulls' fan atm Andrew. With a superstar that seems quite humble & avoids the circus that some of the other superstars seem to bring on themselves.

[kevin02]

Orlando's down 20 against New York, so this will be 5 in a row. It can't be a fun time to be a Magic fan right now.

[Andrew]

You must be glad you're a Bulls' fan atm Andrew. With a superstar that seems quite humble & avoids the circus that some of the other superstars seem to bring on themselves.

Absolutely. Thunder fans have it pretty good with Durant, too.