Magic GM Rob Hennigan must trade Dwight Howard for the sake of the fans
Written by Adrian Gregory Glover // July 26, 2012 // NBA // 1 Comment
We all want the Dwight Howard related insanity to be over. We’re sick of reading about it and writing about it.
Sports Illustrated is citing multiple sources that are reporting that the new GM of the Orlando Magic Rob Hennigan has once again failed in his quest to talk Howard into remaining on board as a happy camper.
The first time Hennigan got on bended knee was during a conference call with the center and he was rebuffed.
Yesterday he fueled up and flew to Los Angeles where Howard is rehabbing his back and once again he failed to change his mind.
The Magic have no choice but to trade him at this point or face a season that will scar them in both the short and the long-term.
Their fans deserve better than mediocre effort from a superstar that has no interest in making them happy.
On the surface, Howard’s pride and professionalism will get him his numbers. He does have a brand to manage after all.
Beyond that, he won’t dare risk his free agency payday to play with animalistic intent coming off a back injury.
The NBA’s fans are more sophisticated than many give them credit for and trust me when I tell you those that have yet to turn on Howard will.
When that happens, Hennigan will have no other choice to move him or face the wrath of declining ticket and merchandise sales.
Nothing looks worse on primetime TV that empty seats.
Disgruntled customers are hard to get back and we have all seen that Howard has no problem making a scene.
The most minor of disputes will be amplified and blown-up into major meltdowns. Dwight Howard can politely ask an usher where the bathroom is and if it’s caught on camera, it will be flipped around into a big thing.
How can he not know where the bathroom is? This obviously shows that he never cared to begin with. Now he’s flaunting his disregard for the Magic in everyone’s face. This was a statement from Howard that the Magic’s urinals are not good enough for him.
It’s almost at this point and when it gets there, Hennigan will have to take whatever he can get for him even if that’s an undisclosed pick for the 2200 NBA draft that will be held on the moon.
The Magic can still dispose of this matter with a small measure of dignity and get on with creating a new star that is happy to be there.
If they keep forcing the issue, Hennigan will never been seen as the guy that came in and restored order. He’ll be viewed as the guy that just created more chaos.
