By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher
Orlando Magic GM Otis Smith is in a bad situation. He is in a really tough position with Dwight Howard.
Current rumors have suggested that Howard has rescinded his trade request. However, Smith is clearly tired of answering questions about Howard.
It is only January and things can get worse before the trade deadline. The deadline is one month away.
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And the end of the season is only a few short months away. Howard has the opportunity to leave the Magic at the end of the season.
He has been linked to the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, and New Jersey Nets in trade rumors. Those can also be his preferred destinations in free agency.
Smith has also said that he has been receiving threats from the fans. Not only has it been verbal, but it has been physical, too.
“You can’t take one of these jobs, mine or Stan’s (Stan Van Gundy), and have thin skin,” said Smith. “You have to have pretty thick skin. It’s not us; it’s the people around us that’s affected the most. We signed up for it. No one put a gun to our head and told us to take it. It’s our families that are affected the most.”
Years ago, the Magic lost Shaquille O’Neal in 1996 to the Lakers. And it took the franchise years to recover.
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Some have suggested that the team has never been able to overcome his loss, even with Howard in town.
Howard had five points in last night’s game in a win over the Sacramento Kings. This season, he made nine starts.
He is averaging 18.6 points and 14.6 rebounds in 37 minutes per game.
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