Dwight Howard moved by show of support from Orlando Magic fans – NBA Update
Orlando Magic super star Dwight Howard received vocal backing from fans on Saturday when the team took to the Amway Center for training. Around 9,000 fans showed up to cheer on Dwight and show him their full support, a gesture
the centre later admitted, moved him.
Howard has played for the Magic throughout his NBA career but requested to be traded shortly after the NBA lockout ended. His decision to leave was expected since Orlando’s dismal showing in last season’s playoffs.
Saturday was the star’s first appearance since news broke of his transfer request and he admitted to not knowing how the fans would react.
"We didn't know what to expect because of what we heard and what's been posted (negatively) on my (Twitter) timeline," Howard said, according to ESPN. "They see it and they thought it was going to be a different scenario. But it
was great for me and my teammates. We're looking forward to starting off the season on a good note."
Fans turned up wearing T-shirts with messages of support for Howard. Others brought placards emblazoned with appeals for Howard to stay. When the centre was introduced the crowd gave him a standing ovation.
Howard admitted that such a show of support made him emotional and thanked fans for the gesture. He didn’t want to talk about the future but reiterated that he loved the city and the franchise and had done pretty much everything
in his power to get them on track.
"It was emotional," he said. "It was great to see their reaction. And like I've told you guys from day one, I love this city. ... When I came here, everybody called our team the Orlando Tragic. I wanted to change it. Nobody says
tragic anymore."
Howard has been a shining light in Orlando ever since the day he was drafted. In the last few years he has changed the face of the franchise and hauled the Magic into an NBA Finals. However recently the team has regressed and it
doesn’t make sense for a player of Dwight’s capabilities to waste away his peak years for a team that doesn’t look like being relevant in the larger scheme of things in the NBA.
He has hence asked for a transfer and many teams have lined up for his signature. Reports suggest that Orlando might not be keen on doing business this season but that will only delay the inevitable. Howard will be a free agent
once the current NBA season ends.
He will then be able to go anywhere in the league and various franchises, including the Dallas Mavericks and the New Jersey Nets, have already started making plans to win him over when the time comes.
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