Dwight Howard considering a move abroad, possibly China – NBA Update
The NBA lockout continues to impact the game of basketball and the star players in different ways. While for some of the older players, the lockout could rush a retirement, many of the younger ones are contemplating going overseas
to ply their trade.
A mega star added to that list is the Orlando Magic centre, Dwight Howard. Howard publicly expressed his interest in a move abroad during a recent interview.
There have been strong rumours that China is Howard’s most likely destination, although he is believed to have plenty of offers from elsewhere as well. Dwight did not specify if he was already on the negotiating table with a foreign
team, but confessed to the possibility of a deal taking place,
“There's a huge possibility about me going to China or me going overseas to play basketball." He said.
Howard said what many NBA players have been saying; that they saw no point in just sitting around till the lockout ends.
"I don't want to just sit over here and forget about basketball and waste, you know, opportunities for me to get better."
Deron Williams of the New Jersey Nets is one star name that has already agreed terms with Turkish club Besiktas. He suggested earlier that Howard’s status as a star would sky rocket if the centre moved to China. Howard certainly
seems aware of that fact and it’s why he has repeatedly referred to China as a destination while many other NBA players continue to be linked with Europe.
However, money and fame come second for the Orlando big man. He is adamant that the reasons for a move are solely based on the opportunity to play competitive basketball and improve himself as a player and person,
"If I decide to go overseas, the main thing is for me to continue to get better, not to do the things that I normally do, but do better at the things I'm not good at," Howard said. "So I can use that talent to go overseas, working
on my skills and staying in great shape."
Dwight Howard has a rising profile around the globe and especially in China, where Kobe Bryant and LeBron James are the biggest marketing names so far. With Yao Ming’s retirement however, there is plenty of market room for Howard
to move into and his mix of explosive game play and a humble demeanour is something that has endeared him already to the Chinese fans.
Howard’s NBA future has also been heavily speculated upon, with the player being a free agent in 2012 and likely to leave the Orlando Magic for pastures anew. However he refused to divulge any information on the subject in his
interview.
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