I guess Dwight Howard really does hate Orlando.
In his not so triumphant return to the “City Beautiful,” Howard was greeted with a chorus of boos and signs that read “Dwight: Most Valuable Punk.”
Howard led his Laker squad to a 106-97 victory by scoring 39 points and going to the free throw line 39 times, which was enough trips to tie an NBA record. He also nabbed 16 rebounds when he wasn’t being fouled or hit.
After the game’s final whistle blew, Howard embraced his old teammate Jameer Nelson before making his way to the visiting team’s locker room. Before Howard walked through the large wooden double door entrance, his pathway was lined with fans looking to nab a picture of the smiling center.
Howard obliged by showing fans his gleaming veneers even as he was being berated with boos and unpleasantries. Still, the big man seemed happy to return to the place he still calls home, even if it is just for the off-season.
“I looked forward to coming back here and playing. It was a fun game,” Howard said. “It was a hostile environment, but it was something that was good for me.”
The aggressive crowd lacked mercy for the man who recently said that his old Magic teammates aren’t worthy to wear an NBA jersey. So, while Howard has been served with a huge slice of humble pie by the media recently, because he can’t keep his mouth closed, playing the role of villian in Orlando may help him grow as a player.
“This is something that I needed, and it’s something the city needed, too. We can all move on. I had eight great years here. People will feel the way they feel. I understand that,” said Howard.
For the Magic, they were able to stick with the Lakers until the final quarter. They seemed to feed off of the energetic Amway crowd, but it couldn’t sustain them in the end.
Though the loss does little to move the needle for a team that has over 40 of them this season, there was still enough to give fans hope for the future. Forward Tobias Harris continues to show and prove. He scored 17 points in 40 minutes and Jameer Nelson and Arron Affalo combined for 38 points.
Outside of Howard’s performance, the Lakers win was actually big news for them. They currently hold the final playoff spot in the West and this win helps them gain ground on the Rockets for the seventh slot, and holds the Utah Jazz off, who are just a half game out of the last spot.
In addition to Howard’s effectiveness, the Lakers got solid efforts from forward Metta World Peace, guard Steve Nash and reserve forward Antawn Jamison.
Kobe Bryant, the man who usually has the attention focused on him, only scored 11 points, going 4-14 from the field.
But Bryant’s impact on the game didn’t matter in the end because this night belonged to Howard. He embraced the moment and seemed to enjoy his time back on the floor of the Amway Center.
Magic fans can now move beyond Howard’s departure and the Lakers can keep their attention on the playoffs.
Well, that is until Howard decides to give another exclusive interview and sticks his size 16’s in his mouth…again.
-JH
