NBA Rumors: Dwight Howard Might Not Return for the Playoffs

Just when you thought there had been enough already, yet another explosive Dwight Howard rumor has appeared.

According to David Pingalore of WKMG Local 6 in Orlando, Howard no longer has any desire to play for head coach Stan Van Gundy. Howard is apparently very annoyed with Van Gundy for confirming that he had asked the Orlando Magic brass to fire Van Gundy, and now Howard has a perfect excuse to sit out the postseason due to his back injury.

Pingalore's sources say Howard is "likely" to sit out the postseason.

As you'll no doubt recall, it was Pingalore's report that caused the bizarre mess that ensued earlier this month. Pingalore reported that Howard had demanded that Van Gundy be fired; Van Gundy confirmed it; and then Howard showed up a few moments later and denied it.

Yeah, it was weird.

Because Pingalore's sources were apparently right on the mark the last time he reported something controversial about the Magic, this latest report deserves the benefit of the doubt. Given their awkward relationship, it certainly wouldn't be a shock if Howard decided he didn't want to play again this season, or ever again for Van Gundy. This is a chance for him to force the Magic's hand.

It's currently unknown exactly when or if Howard will be able to return in time for the postseason anyway. The Orlando Sentinel reported earlier this week that the center's herniated disk was going to be reevaluated after 10 days of rest, and the Sentinel reported today that whether Howard returns for the playoffs or not depends on how he responds to treatment.

So Howard's injury status is the same as all things that concern Howard: it's messy.

One thing that's for sure is that the Magic, who have already locked up a spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs, will have absolutely no shot of advancing in the postseason if Howard doesn't set foot on the court.

The Magic barely have enough talent around Howard to win when he is playing. Without him, they're no more talented than some of the worst teams in the NBA. They live and die by Howard.

Howard not participating in the playoffs would be an all-too-perfect cap on a season that saw all sorts of highs and lows for both himself and the Magic. Things looked to have finally calmed down when Howard agreed to commit to the Magic for at least one more season at the trade deadline, but that turned out to be a mere tease.

It likely won't be very long before Howard or somebody from the organization debunks the notion that Howard would sit out the postseason just so he could protest Van Gundy. He could very well sit out the postseason, but the official explanation will be that he was too hurt to play.

Nobody would have to dwell on the situation for long. If Howard doesn't play, the Magic will be out of the postseason in the blink of an eye.