Dwight Howard Trade Rumors: D12 Needs to Man-Up and Make a Decision

It's time for Howard to stop worrying about being hated. Make the decision to request a trade or not. It is evident, one of your potential suitors will not wait much longer while you flip-flop..

The Nets will move on at the end of the week if a deal isn't reached for the dominant and perennial All-Star per nj.com. They are reporting, while Howard is the Nets' first option, they have a "plan a, b, c and d."

In other words, he may lose out on the opportunity he covets with his indecision. It is clear to me, his desired destination isn't simply about basketball. If it were, he'd be eyeing Los Angeles (either team) or Chicago. These teams have more to offer than New Jersey/Brooklyn and Howard makes them equal, if not better than Miami on paper. So missing out on the bright lights of Brooklyn or LA will actually be of a major consequence for Howard, as this seems to be a factor for him.

With his decision not to list the Bulls as a possible destination, he is clearly favoring off-the-court opportunities over a possible dynasty with Derrick Rose. The two would surely make for a team that would be NBA championship favorites for the next number of years.

That said, Howard seems to be afraid of the fallout. He doesn't want to endure the LeBron-like hatred. Little does he know, not nearly as many people care about him as they do about James.

Sure, Howard is the most dominant player available and the one guy who has the power to shift the odds away from the Heat with his potential landing with a contender, but he isn't as polarizing as James.

So, while he will hear his share of boos and such when his new team returns to Orlando, it won't be anything close to what happened with James last year.

That said, showing up to press conferences in Orlando Magic apparel and proclaiming your undying love for the city only further paints the big man into a corner. Now, if you don't stay home, you are going to be viewed as a liar and a phony.

Fans will say: "He got up there in Magic gear, head to toe, and still left us."

No more statements, no more votes of confidence for the city, Dwight, lay it down. I would respect this approach more were it a business ploy, but I don't think it is. I think it is a man that needs to approach this decision with the same decisiveness he attacks would be invaders into his lane.

It's time to man-up Dwight, in the words of Black Sheep, "you can get with this, or you can get with that."