Watching the NBA Finals is too painful for Dwight Howard.
That’s what I’m assuming anyway. What else are we supposed to believe?
The Los Angeles Lakers behemoth admitted to TMZ that he wasn’t going to watch nor did he have any desire to watch the finals.
“I’m not watching … I’m not playing so ain’t no need to be [watching],” he said.
Very astute observation, Dwight. No, you and the Lakers aren’t in it. The San Antonio Spurs, the team that swept you in the first round is, though. So are the Miami Heat, the powerhouse your Lakers were supposed to rival this past season. They’re in it too.
Which is why I’m guessing it’s too agonizing for Howard to watch. Seeing two other teams live out a dream that he was supposed to still be chasing can’t feel too good.
“I don’t want to see nobody win a championship,” he explained.
In more ways than one, that makes perfect sense. On some levels, it’s even a beat endearing.
Rugged defiance in this instance suits him. It can even be construed as loyalty to the Lakers, though it’s more likely this has more to do with himself than the team he’s played just one year with so far.
Believe that he’s serious as well. This isn’t one of his jokes. During the Game 6 overtime thriller, Howard was spotted out to dinner, not watching the game. That’s when he said all this. He actually isn’t watching the NBA Finals.
I’d imagine that could change for Game 7. Miami and San Antonio have set up a winner-take-all contest that most players who aren’t a member of either team are bound to be watching. This matchup has been that compelling. Even Howard has to be tempted to turn on the television and watch LeBron James and Tim Duncan play their hearts out to win the championship that has eluded Superman for nearly a decade.
If you ask me, I think he caves. I think he tunes in, even if only for second, to see how it all unfolds. I won’t hold it against him if he doesn’t, of course. Players have lives outside of basketball and aren’t required to spend every second of every day soaking the sport in, no matter how much money they make. Especially after their season is over.
To be even more fair, Howard has bigger things on his plate than the dinner he was eating during Game 6 and the notion that he should care about a game he isn’t playing—free agency.
Once Game 7 and all the hype that comes with it concludes, the focus will shift to free agency. Well, the NBA draft too, but mostly free agency, where Howard once again becomes the center of attention.
Will he re-sign with the Lakers? Spurn them with the Houston Rockets? Be traded to the Los Angeles Clippers for Blake Griffin and Eric Bledsoe? Sign with the Dallas Mavericks? Surprise everyone and join forces with Chris Paul on the Atlanta Hawks?
Think about the possibilities, because you sure no Dwight is.
For what it’s worth, teammate Kobe Bryant doesn’t believe he’s going anywhere. Paul too, for that matter.
Kobe on Chris Paul/Dwight Howard: “I think at the end of the day, everybody stays.”
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) June 19, 2013
In truth, Kobe’s sentiments could mean very little. He can’t just say “Yeah, Dwight is so going to leave.” That would be beyond weird. The Black Mamba is known for his honesty, but divulging such an opinion would be a bit pointed even for him.
Like the rest of us, Kobe doesn’t know for sure. He hopefully has a bit more insider information, but overall, he’s waiting on Dwight like us. In fact, Dwight’s waiting on Dwight. He can’t begin to move on until he makes yet another career-altering decision.
One that takes precedence over watching the NBA Finals.
Dan Favale is a firm believer in the three-pointer as well as the notion that defense doesn’t always win championships. His musings can be found at Bleacherreport.com in addition to TheHoopDoctors.com. Follow @danfavale on Twitter for his latest posts and all things NBA.
