Dwight Howard Calls Orlando Magic Loss "A Really Frustrating Night"

Dwight Howard was a preseason favorite for Most Valuable Player in the league. Tuesday night, in Detroit, Howard looked like the most vulnerable player on the court.

Dwight lasted all of 17 minutes before fouling out of the game against the Pistons. He walked off the court with the most unimpressive line he is likely to put up all year.

Eight points, five rebounds, no assists, no steals, and six fouls; not the night you like to see from your franchise player. Howard was able to block three shots in the contest.

Even worse was the news that Howard injured his shoulder in the game. The injury is not going to cause him to miss any time, only discomfort.

Howard had this to say:

"As for my shoulder, it’s really sore right now and it really hurts when guys are hanging on me and pulling on my arms. The trainers have done all of the tests and they say everything is fine, but it’s still hurting me a little."

He also added, "We’re not going to be perfect every night, and I guess understanding that helps me deal with some of the frustration I’ve been dealing with."

Orlando went on to lose to Detroit 85-80, their first loss of the season. The result may have been due more to poor officiating than poor play by the Magic. Referees called anything close on Howard while allowing the Pistons to play a more physical game.

In relief of Dwight Howard, Marcin Gortat played 23 minutes and put up only four points but grabbed seven boards and blocked a shot. Gortat also fouled out of the game.

In better news, the Orlando Magic handed the Phoenix Suns their first loss of the season on Wednesday night. Howard scored 25 points in 23 minutes, beating the Suns 122-100.

Let's hope that Dwight Howard's shoulder doesn't give him trouble as the season moves on and that Tuesday night's line was just an anomaly.