ORLANDO, Fla. — No more fluctuating and vacillating.
No more hemming and hawing.
No more wavering and waffling.
No more Internet reports that state “sources close to Dwight Howard” say this or say that.
I’ve got a much better idea: How about Dwight Howard, himself, coming out of seclusion and telling Orlando Magic fans the real deal right from his own mouth?
The Magic need to put a clock on Dwight and alert their aloof superstar that he has until the NBA Draft in late June to make his decision. Otherwise, he will be traded to New York or LA or - gasp! - Charlotte. Anywhere the Magic can get the best deal possible.
This Dwight drama has gone on far too long. Everyone is sick of it - the fans, the media, the organization, probably even Dwight. That’s why Magic Chief Executive Officer Alex Martins needs to tear a page from the Tom Petty songbook andtell Howard and his agent Dan Fegan ... “I need to know! I need to know! If you think you’re going to leave then you better say so!”
Martins made it clear Monday, after announcing that Coach Stan Van Gundy and General Manager Otis Smith both had been fired, that the time has come for “Dwight to decide where his future lies.” On Tuesday, Martins took it a step farther and said the Magic are not interested in enduring another year of uncertainly like they just experienced.
“We’re not going to go through the type of season we went through this season,” Martins said. “Our fans don’t deserve that. Our ownership doesn’t deserve that. We want to have the future solidified ... by the beginning of next season.”
Obviously, the Magic hope the firing of Van Gundy will help persuade Dwight to sign a long-term extension with the franchise, but, at best, this strategy is a desperation heave from full court as the last few seconds tick off the clock. Anybody who thinks Dwight wants to stay inOrlando at this point hasn’t been paying attention.
I believe even Martins and the Magic know deep down that Dwight wants out. It’s becoming more and more clear that he has separated himself from the franchise, which has to make Martins very, very nervous. He remembers what happened during the lockout when team officials could not have contact with Dwight, who had many outside influences in his ear telling him to leave the Magic for a bigger market. Dwight ultimately came back from the lockout and requested a trade.
The same probably is true now. If you’re scoring at home, Dwight left Orlando 34 days ago to have outpatient back surgery in Los Angeles. When will he be back? Nobody knows. Not even Martins.
“Obviously, I’d much rather him be here [in Orlando] around us so we would have the opportunity to talk about moving forward together,” Martins admits. “But we’ve stayed in communication with him and his representatives and do thebest we can to influence him from afar. ... Would we rather have him here? Absolutely. But we’re going to deal with the situation as best that we can.”
Be honest: Does this sound like a man who is confident that his franchise player is going to sign an extension in Orlando?
Which is why Martins and the soon-to-be-named new general manager must get an answer from Dwight by the draft. The Magic must begin the process of planning for the future - with Dwight or without him.
This is best thing for everybody involved - the Magic organization, Magic fans and Dwight, himself. If he wants to stay, then call a meganews conference before the draft, make the big announcement, sign the extension and become a civic hero once again. If he wants to leave, make it as quick and painless as possible, say goodbye and leave.
This fiasco has been going on for far too long.
Sports, Pages 26 on 05/23/2012