Dwight Howard: Magic Must Not Give in to Superman's Nonsense

Is Dwight Howard an NBA player or a WWE wrestler?

His drastic personality change from hero to villain has taken yet another turn. Local 6 Sports Director David Pingalore is reporting that Howard personally called owner Rich DeVos last week to tell the 86-year-old that he could no longer stand to play for current Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy.

Howard is now refuting the report, according to Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated: 

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Source close to the situation says it's not accurate. It speaks volumes that people are ready to believe it, though. Dwight's PR is a nightmare these days.

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A nightmare indeed. I don't know who to believe, but it's very hard to side with Howard these days. 

Some are questioning the severity of Howard’s herniated disc, which has caused him to miss the last six games. While it’s never fair to question the toughness of quite possibly the strongest player in the league, there is no doubt that Howard looks like a little child that should be thrown in timeout.

He feels like he did the Magic a favor by staying in Orlando. He acts like the embarrassing charade he pulled off at the trade deadline can be swept under the rug.

It can’t. It was inexcusable and it has overshadowed the entire Magic season. Now he is demanding that one of the smartest and most experienced coaches in the game be fired right before the postseason begins?

Van Gundy has been the head coach in Orlando since 2007, compiling a winning record over that span of well over .600. He also led the Magic to the NBA Finals in 2009. It’s not like he’s Vinny Del Negro.

Van Gundy gets the most out of his team and doesn’t back down to superstars. If anything, he is revered by other head coaches. Howard wants to be the authoritative figure in the locker room and Van Gundy isn’t having it.

Therefore, Howard’s best way to override his coach is to cry to the owner.

Instead of sitting down with Van Gundy after their incredibly awkward exchange on April 6, he decided to go above him and try to can him before the most important time of the season.

Has a coach ever been fired this close to the playoffs? It would be unprecedented, and it would further divide the locker room. I’d guess the majority of the team would rather have Van Gundy around than their All-Star center, who has all but said the rest of his team stinks.

With the way Howard has wrecked this season, there is no doubt the Magic are going to get steamrolled in the first round of the playoffs, with or without their head coach.

However, Orlando must not give in to the demands of Howard. It sets a horrible precedent and essentially sends the message that whatever Dwight wants, Dwight gets.

Van Gundy is a great coach and doesn’t deserve this. Howard needs a wake-up call and keeping Van Gundy around would at least let Howard know the Orlando Magic don’t revolve around him.

The rest of the owners in the NBA would certainly appreciate it. 

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