Dwight Howard's supposed interest in recruiting Chauncey Billups (center) and Howard's roster concerns, could erode team chemistry (Gary W. Green, Orlando Sentinel file photo)
The Orlando Magic could pay a heavy price for the constant talk about Dwight Howard’s long-term future.
Howard’s stated concerns about the current roster could erode team chemistry.
The superstar’s concerns have been obvious for months now, but the events of recent days have brought Howard’s position on personnel matters into even sharper focus.
Let’s review some of Howard’s recent comments, which, to be fair to Howard, weren’t made out of the blue as some sort of angry pronouncement. He made these statements in response to reporters’ questions:
• “We’ve sat down and talked plenty of times this summer before the lockout and after the lockout. They know what I’ve asked for and what we need as a team, and nothing that we’ve talked about has changed or anything.” —Howard describing his conversations with team management, Dec. 10
• “The stuff that I’ve asked for, the stuff that I’ve felt our team needed to get better, none of it has happened.” —Howard, Dec. 11
• “There’s no place I would rather be but here in Orlando. And I just want to make sure that we have the right things here so we can win a championship. And I’m all about change. If you’re willing to change and you’re willing to do what it takes to win, then, you know, you’ve got me.” —Howard, Dec. 12
How will Howard’s current Magic teammates respond to those statements?
They could draw the conclusion that Howard doesn’t believe in their abilities as players. At the very least, it appears obvious that Howard doesn’t think the rest of the team is good enough to win a title.
Word leaked out Monday that Howard had an interest in recruiting point guard Chauncey Billups to the Magic if Billups went unclaimed on the special amnesty waiver wire.
Billups was claimed by the Los Angeles Clippers, and now, the Clippers won’t be able to trade him for the entire season.
Still, there could be consequences going forward even if the rumor was inaccurate. Point guard Jameer Nelson is a professional player and Howard’s friend and co-captain, but even veteran pros aren’t immune to perceived slights.
Indeed, it’s one thing not to get along with your teammates. Plenty of teams have won titles with players who didn’t like each other off the court. As for Howard, he appears to get along well, or at least well enough, with his current teammates.
But it’s another thing not to trust your teammates or for them not to trust you.
How are players on the current roster supposed to feel now?
On today’s Magic docket:
• The Magic are scheduled to practice today from noon to about 2 p.m.
• Today’s session will be the first practice for Glen Davis and Von Wafer since their trade from the Boston Celtics was announced formally Monday.
• The practice also will be Jason Richardson’s first practice with the team since he re-signed.
What I’m reading:
• Free agency’s frantic start sets tone for coaches, teams (David Aldridge, NBA.com)
• Celtics fill out roster (Gary Washburn, Boston Globe)
• Clips hesitant about package for Paul (Adrian Wojnarowski and Marc J. Spears, Yahoo! Sports)
Follow Josh Robbins on Twitter at @JoshuaBRobbins and e-mail him at jrobbins@orlandosentinel.com. Subscribe to our Orlando Magic newsletter at OrlandoSentinel.com/joinus.
