| |
|
Dwight Howard's season of discontent ends
By Homer D. Sayson
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 20 Apr 2012
IT was a season of discontent for center Dwight Howard, one marred by free agency woes, back pains that sidelined him for eight games, and one very public discord with his head coach -- Stan Van Gundy.
Well, that season ended for good Thursday night when a press release announced that the Orlando Magic behemoth will go through the knife on Friday to repair a herniated disk. He will miss the entire 2012 NBA playoffs as well as the 2012 Summer Olympics.
With a chance to bolt for free agency after this season, the 6-foot-11, 265-pound Howard chose to stay with the Magic for at least one more year, vowing that he would lead a spirited push for Orlando to snatch the Larry O'Brien trophy.
For much of the season, Howard seemed like a man on a mission, averaging 20.6 points and 10.8 rebounds per game in 54 outings. But his dominance inside the playing field was often overshadowed by controversies outside the lines.
He was ripped and mocked for flip-flopping about staying or leaving Orlando. And he didn't make any friends either when reports leaked that he had allegedly asked team management to fire his head coach -- Stan Van Gundy.
And now this.
Without Howard, the Orlando Magic has virtually no chance of winning the East, what with powerhouses Chicago and Miami lording over the conference.
"It hurts," Howard told Chris Broussard of ESPN The Magazine. "That's the first thing -- it hurts (emotionally). And with people saying and thinking I'm quitting on my team. This is a real issue. I tried to play through it and it just made my back worse."
One of the highest paid athletes in the world, Howard's salary with the Magic this year is a staggering $18,091,770. He last played on April 7, when he scored 20 points and grabbed 22 rebounds as the Magic tripped the Sixers -- 88-82 -- in Philadelphia. (Homer D. Sayson)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
December 14: Terence Crawford-Mean Machine Welterweight Championship
By , Tue, 15 Oct 2019Jeter Promotions signs Undefeated Lightweight Brandon Chambers
By , Tue, 15 Oct 2019Split-T Management Fighters Post 4 Victories in Warren, Michigan
By , Tue, 15 Oct 2019King's Promotions Sign Undefeated Featherweight Carlos Vidal and Re-Signs Undefeated Heavyweight Michael Polite Coffie
By , Tue, 15 Oct 2019West Point Boxing Fall Classic Winchester's Cadet Luca LoConte Botis Returns home Nov. 10
By , Tue, 15 Oct 2019KAZAKIS: LOSING PARTYPOKER MOSCONI CUP WAS WORST FEELING OF MY CAREER BUT IT MADE ME BETTER
By , Tue, 15 Oct 2019Why Pacquiao-Mayweather 2 Could Happen Soon
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 14 Oct 2019PROGRAIS ON WBSS: “I LOVE IT, THERE IS SO MUCH ON THE LINE”
By , Mon, 14 Oct 2019RUIZ VS JOSHUA 2 TICKETS ON-SALE TODAY!
By , Mon, 14 Oct 2019Trivial pursuit and Spectation @ Dubs’ Golden Homecoming (Photos)
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Mon, 14 Oct 2019WINNER OF PROGRAIS-TAYLOR BECOMES THIRD MEMBER OF EXCLUSIVE ALI TROPHY CLUB
By , Sun, 13 Oct 2019A LEGACY OF FAITH, HOUSE OF GOD
By Aquiles Z. Zonio, Sun, 13 Oct 2019JULIO CESAR MARTINEZ SIGNS PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM BOXING USA
By , Sun, 13 Oct 2019Rafol TKOs Lantry to win the vacant WBF Asia Pacific light title
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 12 Oct 2019PETALCORIN, APOLINARIO, CARCOSIA HEADLINE “BRAWL AT THE MALL”
By , Sat, 12 Oct 2019Montano to defend ABF belt vs. Suganob tonight
By Jerome S. Galunan Jr., Sat, 12 Oct 2019PETALCORIN FIGHT MOVED TO GENSAN ON OCT 20
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 12 Oct 2019Split-T Management's Undefeated Prospects Charles Conwell and Otha Jones III to appear in Chicago on Saturday
By , Sat, 12 Oct 2019AMATEUR STANDOUT HOPEY PRICE SIGNS WITH MATCHROOM
By , Sat, 12 Oct 2019ANDREW 'EL CHANGO' CANCIO TO FACE RENE 'GEMELO' ALVARADO IN REMATCH FOR THE WBA SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT WORLD TITLE
By , Sat, 12 Oct 2019TONIGHT Four Split-T Management's Fighters in Action in Warren, Michigan
By , Sat, 12 Oct 2019King's Promotions Card Shaping Up for Friday, October 25th at The 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
By , Sat, 12 Oct 2019TAYLOR Q&A – “I’VE BEEN VISUALISING LIFTING THE ALI TROPHY”
By , Fri, 11 Oct 2019Undefeated prospect Richard "Popeye The Sailor Man" Rivera Expanding fan-base to Florida
By , Fri, 11 Oct 2019 |
|
|
|
|
|
