Philippines, 10 Mar 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Dwight Howard's season of discontent ends


PhilBoxing.com




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:

  • Meinke-Vargas IBF Featherweight Female World Championship Set for 12 rounds?
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 10 Mar 2026
  • Ruiz and Veloz Earn Dominant Wins on Opening Day of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
    , Tue, 10 Mar 2026
  • Top Rank Signs Undefeated Lightweight Prospect Sammy Contreras
    , Tue, 10 Mar 2026
  • 153 swimmers safely complete Davao-Samal-Davao Cross Channel
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Mar 2026
  • Leading World Cruiserweight Contender Ryan ‘The Bruiser’ Rozicki returns from 15-month layoff with another overpowering KO
    , Mon, 09 Mar 2026
  • Roca, Bernardino share top honors in Tea Block rapid chess tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 08 Mar 2026
  • Fastpitch Softball on March 20-22 in Calinan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 08 Mar 2026
  • Opetaia vs Glanton: Dana White Crowns First Boxing Champion. Is Fight Worthy?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sun, 08 Mar 2026
  • In Thrilling Showdown, Pagara Falls Short Against Polkinghorn by Points.
    , Sun, 08 Mar 2026
  • Unofficial Unification Tournament Brewing For Welterweights
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • Fight Results from Montreal: Steven Butler Obliterates Ramadan Hiseni; Wins by Lenar Perez, Jhon Orobio and Steve Claggett
    By Eric Armit, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • Former Champ Junior Makabu visits WBC offices in Mexico City
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • WEIGHTS FROM SYDNEY, NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA
    , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • Weights from Atlantic City
    , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • PFL Releases Francis Ngannou
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • Polkinghorn, Pagara at the Scales in Perth, Australia
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • Young Briton Rising Star: Callum Dan's Quest for Boxing Glory
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • Chua rules Pattaya Open; pockets $22,500
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • All Star Boxing live on ESPN DEPORTES Weights from Nicaragua
    , Fri, 06 Mar 2026
  • Ryan Rozicki’s Return: Presser Quotes from Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada
    , Fri, 06 Mar 2026
  • Undefeated Heavyweight Gustavo “The Cuban Assassin” Trujillo Returns to Headline “Havoc at the Hilton 3” March 7 in Florida
    , Fri, 06 Mar 2026
  • AQ Prime Chess bet Marius Zabanal Constante of Pasig City rules Elementary Division of NCR Palarong Pambansa Standard chess elims
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 06 Mar 2026
  • World-Ranked Light Heavyweight Najee Lopez Battles Mexican Strongman Manuel Gallegos
    , Fri, 06 Mar 2026
  • USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team Travels to Thailand for 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
    , Fri, 06 Mar 2026
  • Eddie Hearn Signs UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall for New Matchroom Talent Agency
    , Fri, 06 Mar 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.