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By John DentonOct. 22, 2014
ORLANDO -- So much turmoil, drama and change have come about in the past four seasons for Dwight Howard, but remarkably the playoff success that he enjoyed in the midpoint of his career while playing for the Orlando Magic has eluded him in recent years.
Back in 2010, Howard’s Orlando Magic squad swept the Charlotte Bobcats and the Atlanta Hawks in the first two rounds of the playoffs and seemed poised to get to their second consecutive NBA Finals. However, Orlando lost to Boston in the Eastern Conference Finals in 2010 and fell in the first round a season later to the Hawks.
Howard missed the playoffs in 2012 because of back surgery and he later forced a trade out of Orlando. His Los Angeles Lakers lost in the first round to San Antonio in 2013 and his Houston Rockets were stunned in last season’s first round by the Portland Trail Blazers. Incredibly, Howard hasn’t played past the first round of the playoffs in more than four years.
``It does (seem long ago). Just bringing back those memories of us being in the playoffs and having the Amway Center rocking, it was a lot of fun,’’ Howard said while seemingly scrolling through the memories in his head. ``It does seem like a while ago (thinking back to 2010).’’
Howard, far removed from the 18-year-old who started his NBA career in Orlando and is now 29 years of age, did not play against the Magic on Wednesday night. He was held out for rest after playing 28 minutes a night earlier in Miami.
Howard walked into the Amway Center on Wednesday holding hands with his daughter and wearing a turtle-like backpack. He admitted that even though his ending with the Magic was bitter that he still holds a special place in his heart for Orlando. And he’s shocked that no player on the current team played with him on the squads that reached the NBA Finals in 2009 and the East Finals in 2010.
``I grew up here in Orlando. We had a lot of great memories. No matter how it ended, I enjoyed my time here,’’ Howard said. ``Looking at the team now, there’s nobody left. (Jameer Nelson was) `The Last of the Mohicans.’
``But I’m happy with my time here and I see the progress with this team and where they’re trying to go,’’ Howard continued. ``They got a young guy in (Victor) Oladipo, Aaron (Gordon) looks like he’s going to be a pretty good player for this team and they’ve got a good little squad. Tobias is healthy this year, so I think they’re going to have a pretty good team and I’m happy for them.’’
OLADIPO HOPEFUL FOR RETURN: Oladipo, who has been out the past three weeks with a sprained MCL in his right knee, has been steadily increasing his workload of late and has hopes of being able to soon practice without restrictions. One restriction that could be around for awhile, however, is the brace that Oladipo is being forced to wear while his knee heals fully.
``It’s my first time (wearing a brace). It is what it is, but it’s temporary. I’ve got to get used to it. I’m doing that right now,’’ Oladipo said. ``It’s going to benefit me in the long run. I’d rather (wear the brace) than nothing else. If that’s what I need to do, if that’s what I need to do in order to be effective, then I’m going to do it.’’
Oladipo went through the layup line with his teammates on Monday in an open practice for fans and put on a showcase with several thunderous dunks. He admitted that the knee is feeling better with each passing day and he is still holding out hope of playing in Tuesday’s regular-season opener in New Orleans – without setting a firm timetable on his return.
``It’s day by day and I’m slowly but surely getting there,’’ he said. ``I’m taking my time, doing what I can and enjoying it actually. It’s always fun to get back on the court. I’ve learned a lot while I was away. I just have to apply what I’ve learned the first time that I get back out there.
``Hopefully I can be there for the opener,’’ Oladipo added. ``I just take it day by day and see how I respond to treatment. The guys are doing a great job getting me stronger and with treatments. So credit our training staff and medical staff as well because they are doing a great job.’’
ETC: The Magic will play their final preseason game on Friday when they host the Dallas Mavericks. Nelson, one of only two players to wear a Magic uniform for 10 seasons, will make his return to Orlando with the Mavericks. Nelson sought his release over the summer so that he could play for a team in the title hunt. In the first five preseason games, Nelson has averaged 9.4 points and 4.6 assists for the Mavericks. Doron Lamb, who spent the past two seasons with the Magic, also now plays for the Mavericks. Lamb has made all three of his 3-point shots in three games with the Mavs. … After opening the season in New Orleans on Tuesday, the Magic’s home-opener at the Amway Center will be next Thursday against the Washington Wizards. Tickets still remain to the opener and can be purchased at OrlandoMagic.com.