Dwight Howard: Twitter Explodes with News Superman Will Stay in Orlando
Plenty of teams would love to get their hands on the NBA's best center in Dwight Howard.
Some, such as the New Jersey Nets, Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks, were on his "preferred" list of destinations.
But what if I were to tell you that, after all the back and forth, Howard is going to stay with the Orlando Magic through the 2012-2013 season?
That's right, sources revealed to WFTV Orlando on Wednesday that Howard told the Magic during a meeting in San Antonio that he would be opting into the final year of his contract as long as the Magic don't trade him. That means he won't be a free agent after the season and will remain with the Magic through next season.
Naturally, this is the kind of thing that incites Twitter buzz.
Here's a look at what people are saying about the shocking news.
Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports shed some more light on the San Antonio meeting:
"Dwight Howard called a meeting of teammates in San Antonio today, told them he was "all in" for rest of season, source tells Y! Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) March 14, 2012"
Gregg Doyel of CBSSports.com said the one word all of us were thinking:
"WHAT RT @KBergCBS: Magic officials have been told Dwight Howard informed teammates he won't opt out of contract in July, league source says
— Gregg Doyel (@greggdoyelcbs) March 14, 2012"
"The Dwight Howard soap opera continues.Now he says he wants to stay.Somewhere LeBron is snickering.
— Jodi Bacon (@jodibaconbits) March 14, 2012"
Brian K. Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel brought up a good point:
"Dwight Howard's proclamation just delays free agency a year...but if he doesn't go now with NY in play..when? Where?
— Brian K. Schmitz (@MagicInsider) March 14, 2012"
And some people, like Holly Baird of Los Angeles, simply aren't happy with Howard's decision:
"I'm blaming Dwight Howard for every and anything negative that happens today #NBA
— Holly Baird(@Thehollybaird) March 14, 2012"
And more insults:
"Cinderella just said that Dwight Howard is stuck in Fantasyland.
— NU Hoop Fan (@NUHF) March 14, 2012"
As Ken Berger of CBSSports.com points out, Howard and his agent still have to sign the ETO waiver for Howard to stay in Orlando through the 2012-2013 season.
This could potentially present a situation like "The Decision," as TheNoLookPass.com tweets:
"The Dwight Howard option signing will be televised... and then he'll rip the paperwork on national TV. It'd be the best heel turn ever.
— Rey-Rey (@TheNoLookPass) March 14, 2012"
And, of course, as news rolls in, there's THIS from Wojnarowski:
"Three Magic players tell Y! Sports (2 to @SpearsNBAYahoo) and one to me that Dwight Howard did not tell them he was opting in for next year.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) March 14, 2012"
And to add to the confusion, Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated tweeted:
"Magic continuing to explore Dwight Howard deals, league sources tell SI. No indication anything DH has said today changing that.
— Chris Mannix (@ChrisMannixSI) March 14, 2012"
Bleacher Report's own sports writer/comedian Gabe Zaldivar sums up the situation best:
"Afraid to write on Dwight Howard for fear it will become obsolete in ten minutes
— Gabe Zaldivar(@gabezal) March 14, 2012"
Stay tuned for more Twitter reaction.
And if you want to talk to me on Twitter, go right ahead.
