Dwight Howard More Deserving of Backlash LeBron Received

Two years ago, LeBron James was torn apart by the media and public for the way he decided to leave Cleveland.

Was it justified? Probably.

But in an era of sports where branding has become the new "thing," we can agree that only a thin line separates the allowance of an athlete to fully profit off their own success from the scrutiny of acting "bigger than the game."

What separates the two? Professionalism.

So, consider then, that LeBron James has endured years of criticism (and will probably still continue to) for making one big mistake, which he apologized for by the way, while Dwight Howard has held the Orlando Magic hostage going on one year now without so much as a smack on the wrist.

Seriously?

Somewhere in the world, Casey Anthony and OJ Simpson are watching this saga play out in complete shock and disgust, while Kim Kardashian is having four-hour conversations with the psychic hotline about whether Dwight Howard is ONE OF THE BEST SOULMATES OF ALL-TIME!

See, the saddest thing about this canard is that we are still talking about where Dwight Howard will end up instead of why he has gotten a free pass thus far.

Because we always knew this was never about Stan Van Gundy.

And, since he wants to go to one of the worst teams in the NBA, we also knew it's not about the window of opportunity he has to win a title.

Finally, despite the pointlessness of his recent denial about getting blackmailed, we knew he couldn't be this naive.

At the end of the day, this was always about getting attention, a concept that has rung true about every peak and valley of Howard's career.

Which is ironic in and of itself because all we are really left to debate about the man is if his title of Superman is more befitting of his actions off the court or on it?

I vote off.

And let me back that claim up with this: What would the climate be around the NBA if LeBron was responsible for this mess instead of Dwight?

Would people be picketing games outside arenas?

Would the NBA have to install a glass plating around the court to keep fans from rioting?

Would Skip Bayless' head explode?

Perhaps all of the above.

All I know is that this story stinks in a way it's not being given proper credit for, and I'm wondering why.

Is it because we all subconsciously gave up on Dwight's character a long time ago and are simply enjoying a trainwreck?

Is it because Dwight is covering his footsteps better than LeBron did during The Decision after attaching the Boys and Girls club to it?

Is it because we'd rather deal with someone whose histrionic than narcissistic?

Once again, the answer may be all of the above.

But from this point on, let's agree on one of two things.

Either we should all accept our hypocrisy in how the Dwight Howard saga has played out in comparison to The Decision or finally react with the kind of fury it deserves.

Because, like it or not, in a season which saw LeBron James exorcise every demon left in his closet, this story has arguably become his biggest exoneration of all.