Orlando’s Fun Loving Superman Has Gone Serious

Published: 19^th Feb 12 6:34 am

by Sean Rollins
seanrollins

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Orlando’s Fun Loving Superman Has Gone Serious

Derick Hingle-US Presswire

Over the past seven years, Orlando Magic fans have been enjoying the joyous, jubilant antics of their star center, Dwight Howard. Howard was a child in a very large man’s body playing practical jokes, kidding with reporters, and never being seen without a smile on his face. In the past few years, some people have criticized Howard for not being serious enough to lead a contending NBA team but now that smile has faded.

Going into the 2011 postseason, the Magic were coming off two consecutive seasons in which they reached the Eastern Conference Finals and were only two years removed from the franchise’s second NBA Finals appearance. Howard and his teammates expected to do away with the Atlanta Hawks in that series and improve on the previous season’s disappointing elimination. Orlando lost that series 4-2 with virtually the entire team going cold at the same time.

After the 2012 season, Howard can opt out of his five-year contract and turn to free agency. Following the lengthy lockout that stole the first 18 games from the 2011-12 NBA season, Howard made clear his intention to use that clause by requesting a trade. That’s when the smile left the face of the league’s premier center.

The laughter and fun loving attitude when answering questions following games has been replaced by a deep low voice, almost mumbling through answers with a dismissive look. Howard used to enjoy being interviewed on the court after games and would mess with teammates when they were being interviewed. This year it seems like a chore for the three-time defending defensive player of the year. No longer does Howard play tricks on unsuspecting teammates but just walks by quietly.

Of course there are times when Howard’s new demeanor seems appropriate like when the Magic went on a skid at the end of January losing six out of eight games and setting new franchise lows for points scored. But since that skid, Orlando has won eight of their last ten and still Howard looks rather uninterested. Whether Howard is trying to appear more like captain serious or has his sights on playing with other teams, the carefree and jovial Superman seems to be gone and missed.

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