Orlando Pinstriped Post - Magic vs. Lakers: Dwight Howard returns to OrlandoAn Orlando Magic blog with news, rumors, analysis, and commentaryhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/21281/orlando-fave.jpg2013-03-13T06:17:00-04:00http://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/rss/stream/38570752013-03-13T06:17:00-04:002013-03-13T06:17:00-04:00Notebook: Dwight Howard drama ends
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<img alt="Jameer Nelson and Dwight Howard" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/iPp1Qeak1psa4baYe37azefag2Q=/0x407:2639x2166/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/9625929/20130312_mjm_sd9_189.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jameer Nelson and Dwight Howard | USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Magic were never completely out of Tuesday's loss to Howard and the Lakers, but they were never in command either.</p> <p><a href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Orlando Magic</a> point guard <span>Jameer Nelson</span> said Sunday night that Tuesday's matchup with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a>, which marked the return of <span>Dwight Howard</span> to Orlando, would be "just another game." Magic fans can unanimously disagree with Nelson on his statement.</p>
<p>It wasn't just another game. Why else would more than 200 media members show up to a supposedly meaningless regular season game?</p>
<p>Tuesday was a drama, a frenzy, and a circus. But whatever you want to call it, there will always be tension brewing between Howard and his former teammates. Howard and the Lakers earned a 106-97 victory behind Howard's 39 points, 16 rebounds, and three blocks.</p>
<h4>The return of Howard</h4>
<p>In Howard's post-game interview, he continuously preached to Orlando fans about moving forward.</p>
<p>"This is fun," Howard said. "I came back home. This is the first time I have been back here since April. I was looking forward to being back here. Thank God it is over with. Like I said, I think this is something that I needed was to come back here and I think the city needed. It is closure. Now we can all move on."</p>
<p>"I had eight great years here and people are going to feel the way they feel and I totally understand that." He said. "All that stuff doesn't phase me. I will always have love for the city. My house will always still be here in Lake Mary. That is not going anywhere. I play basketball in L.A. and we are going to try for this championship."</p>
<p>He even went on to say that the City Beautiful will forever remain in his heart.</p>
<div>"Whatever happens, if they boo me or whatever or have those signs up, my love for this city will never change." Howard said. "All the boos and stuff, I expected that. Like I said, nothing is ever going to stop the way I feel for this city."</div>
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<div>Nelson and Howard had a brief conversation on the court after the game as well. When asked what Howard told him, Nelson said it was personal.</div>
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<div>"Everybody is going to say certain things and try to start situations," Howard said. "Jameer is my brother. We came in [the league] together [in 2004]. I have no bad feelings toward him."</div>
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<div>There was a point during the game when power forward <span>Glen Davis</span>, who is sidelined with a broken left foot, and Howard exchanged heated words.</div>
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<div>Howard defended himself and said he had no ill will toward anyone.</div>
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<div>"I was just having fun and getting myself going," Howard said.</div>
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<div>Just before tipoff, Davis <a target="new" href="https://twitter.com/iambigbaby11/status/311513411672481792">asked</a> his Twitter followers, "What would you do if you seen Dwight Howard walking the street ?"</div>
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<h4>Intentionally fouling Howard backfires</h4>
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<div>Magic coach <span>Jacque Vaughn</span> elected to have his team intentionally foul Howard, a sub-50-percent free-throw shooter, at various spots throughout the game. Though Howard opened the game by missing seven of his first eight free throws, he finished 25-of-39. The strategy was the same one that <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Golden State Warriors</a> head coach Mark Jackson used against Howard on January 13th, 2012, when Howard went 21-of-39 from the line in a Magic win.</div>
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<p>"I think early on it was a strategy that worked for us," Vaughn said. "I don't know what he started off early. I think he only made two early. We needed to use it throughout the course of the game. If we would've made six more threes, I probably wouldn't have done it, but strategy-wise, I needed to give our guys rest. I played a few guys a lot of minutes and to see if he could make them and used the percentages and he stepped up and made them."</p>
<h4>Afflalo discusses the Amway atmosphere</h4>
<p>There were a few other things that stuck out on Tuesday: the atmosphere was somewhat divided. In fact, there were a lot of Lakers fans at the game. The number of boos Howard received was greater than the cheers Magic fans had for their team. But the noise died down as Orlando's deficit grew Overall, the crowd was still pretty animated.</p>
<p>Magic guard <span>Arron Afflalo</span>, on the other hand, thought the vibe at the Amway Center was "pretty cool" at the beginning of the game, but then said the crowd would have been more tuned in had the game been more competitive.</p>
<p>"[There was] a lot of anticipation," Afflalo said. "As the game wore on it seemed like another game. Maybe if it was a little more competitive in the fourth quarter we probably would have seen the crowd a little more engaged. But the game wasn't really that close for the crowd to be as engaged as you would expect in this environment."</p>
<h4>Watch Afflalo's locker-room interview</h4>
<h4><iframe frameborder="0" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Nbd_BzKSruA" height="315" width="560"></iframe></h4>
<p>For now, the headache is over. Take an Excedrin or two along with a dose of patience, because the Magic will one day come back to relevancy and be more capable of challenging the league's marquee teams.</p>
https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/2013/3/13/4096942/la-lakers-orlando-magic-2013-dwight-howard-return-amway-centerAjeeta Khanna2013-03-12T21:42:47-04:002013-03-12T21:42:47-04:00Magic vs. Lakers: Howard dominates as L.A. rolls
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<img alt="Tobias Harris and Dwight Howard" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kqZd-vZo5kb6CierReuE4TXr6Zg=/0x1492:2602x3227/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/9612485/20130312_pjc_sd9_058.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Tobias Harris and Dwight Howard | USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Lakers center was key in defeating his former club Tuesday in his first game in Orlando since the Magic traded him.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/">Orlando Magic</a> stayed competitive with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a> into the second half of Tuesday's game, wherein <span>Dwight Howard</span> returned to Amway Center for the first time since the Magic traded him, but they fell apart in the second half and ultimately lost by a 106-97 final; the game was not as close as that score might make it appear. Howard finished with 39 points, 16 rebounds, and three blocks--all game highs--and punished the Magic for intentionally fouling him by burying 24 of his final 31 free-throw attempts. The win puts Howard in league with <span>Anfernee Hardaway</span> and <span>Tracy McGrady</span> as hated former Orlando superstars who <a href="http://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/dwight-howard-la-lakers-orlando-magic-2013/2013/3/12/4082174/dwight-howard-la-lakers-return-orlando-magic-march-2013">beat the Magic</a> in their first games back after leaving the team.</p>
<p><span>Tobias Harris</span> had 17 points and a career-high 15 rebounds for the Magic and helped buoy Orlando's offense early with his ability to create for himself off the dribble. <span>Jameer Nelson</span> led Orlando with 21 points but shot just 1-of-8 from three-point range. </p>
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<h2>Dwight's Return</h2>
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<span>Orlando Pinstriped Post offers comprehensive coverage of Dwight Howard's first game in Orlando as a Laker.</span>
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<p>Howard opened the game by winning the tipoff, and Bryant opened the scoring with a three-pointer from the top of the key against minimal defensive pressure. On L.A.'s next possession, Bryant hoisted another three, this one from the right wing. It missed the mark, but Howard tipped it in for his first points and to loud boos from the Amway Center crowd. Howard encouraged the booing, clapping his hands and smiling as he retreated on defense. </p>
<p>Those same fans roared on the Lakers' next trip when Howard short-rimmed a jump hook against <span>Nikola Vučević</span>, on which play the Orlando center received credit for a block. </p>
<p>Howard made his presence felt defensively at the 8:35 mark when he rejected a floater by Harris, the 20-year-old forward who took Howard's no. 12 with the Magic. If that play, or the Amway Center atmosphere in general, phased Harris, the Tennessee product didn't show it. He finished the first period with eight points and seven rebounds, both of which figures led all players. </p>
<p>Harris' relentlessness on the glass recalled Howard's during his Magic tenure. Harris' ability to push the pace by bringing the ball up on his own rebounds helps Orlando leverage its transition, and his attack on one such play in the first quarter produced an open dunk attempt for Maurice Harkless. Harkless missed the slam, but earned two free-throw attempts, making one. The conversion gave Orlando a 23-22 lead, with which it would end the quarter. <span>Beno Udrih</span> had a chance to extend the lead to four points with a running three-point attempt from the right wing, but the shot rattled around and out at the horn. Udrih had to expend a lot of energy just to get the shot up, eluding Bryant and <span>Jodie Meeks</span> with a series of moves as he dribbled up the floor off a steal by <span>E'Twaun Moore</span>.</p>
<p>The Lakers took control at the start of the second quarter, scoring nine of its first 10 points to take a 31-24 lead. The Magic ran their offense through backup center <span>Al Harrington</span>, who struggled to get good shots up. <span>Arron Afflalo</span> beat Jodie Meeks off the dribble about two minutes into the second quarter, but Howard erased Afflalo's floater attempt for his second rejection of the night. </p>
<p>Howard couldn't keep the lane closed forever, though, as Jameer Nelson showed when he blew past <span>Steve Blake</span> and finished at the rim with Howard a step late in rotating over. Orlando tried to create shots at the basket by attacking it and sending cutters in from the weakside simultaneously. This approach clogged the lane, but also forced the Lakers to help and recover, and it kept Howard moving. Orlando didn't convert the first two times it ran this action.</p>
<p>The Lakers met little resistance from Orlando's defense and maanged to get good shots on nearly every possession. On one trip late in the second quarter, <span>Steve Nash</span> ran a high pick-and-roll with Howard. Nash drove to his left around the Howard screen and drove to the left box before dropping a pass off for Howard to slam. The play developed at half speed, almost as though it was a drill. </p>
<p>Magic coach <span>Jacque Vaughn</span> then elected to foul Howard, who entered the game shooting 47.8 percent from the free-throw line, away from the ball on almost every trip. Howard shot 1-of-8 from the foul line to open the game, but made eight of his next 11 to finish the half with 19 points and 10 rebounds.</p>
<p>L.A. took a four-point lead into halftime behind strong play from Howard and <span>Metta World Peace</span> (13 points on 5-of-8 shooting). Bryant went scoreless after sinking the first shot of the game, missing all six of his field goals and failing to earn any free-throw attempts.</p>
<p>Afflalo kick-started a Magic's run to start the third period, scoring six points in the opening four minutes, 45 seconds. His layup in delayed transition gave Orlando a 57-56 lead, its first since the opening minutes of the second quarter. A Harris rejection of Howard keyed the fast break which led to Afflalo's go-ahead bucket.</p>
<p>Former Magic players helped L.A. respond after that basket, with <span>Earl Clark</span> hitting a pair of three-pointers and Howard going 3-of-4 from the foul line to key a 9-2 Lakers run, and the only Orlando points in that stretch came as a result of Clark goaltending a layup attempt by Harris.</p>
<p>Back-to-back baskets by Bryant gave L.A. a 71-59 lead, its largest of the night. The first was an uncontested jumper from just inside the three-point arc, while the second was a three over Magic center Al Harrington, who had picked Bryant up n a switch. Following a Nelson layup, Bryant and Howard ran another pick-and-roll and the veteran two-guard again drew Harrington on a switch. He fired the ball inside to Howard dor an easy dunk to boost the lead back to 12 and to prompt Vaughn to call another timeout. Orlando appeared to be out of answers on both sides of the ball.</p>
<p>A jumper by <span>Antawn Jamison</span> at the 10:44 mark of the fourth gave the Lakers a 14-point edge, their largest of the night to that point. Jamison followed that basket with a layup after he snuck in behind <span>Andrew Nicholson</span>, putting L.A. up by 16 points. The Lakers put together this stretch with Howard, Bryant, and Nash all on the bench. Lakers coach <span>Mike D'Antoni</span> wouldn't re-insert them until the 7:12 mark after Udrih drained a triple off the catch to cut L.A.'s lead to 12. </p>
<p>Vaughn experimented with a tiny lineup for much of the fourth quarter, playing Udrih, Nelson, Moore, and Afflalo with Nikola Vučević--an utter non-factor in Tuesday's game--in order to facilitate defensive switches and to space the floor. The fact that Harkless fouled out as a result of Vaughn's strategy of intentionally fouling Howard also may have influenced Vaughn's lineup by limiting his choices.</p>
<p>Orlando hovered within striking distance of the Lakers in the fourth quarter, but was unable to mount a serious challenge. A corner three-pointer by Meeks with 2:54 to play gave the visitors a 102-88 lead and effectively ended the game.</p>
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https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/2012-13-recaps/2013/3/12/4096442/orlando-magic-la-lakers-2013-final-score-dwight-howard-return-amway-centerEvan Dunlap2013-03-12T17:00:05-04:002013-03-12T17:00:05-04:00Magic vs. Lakers GameThread
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<img alt="Earl Clark" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/RjRO0jmVOp28Ie3MJSrIwNEjzQo=/0x1147:2560x2854/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/9549603/162227251.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Earl Clark | Stephen Dunn</figcaption>
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<p>Dwight Howard returns to Orlando on Tuesday.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Orlando Magic</a> play the <a href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Lakers</a> on Tuesday in arguably the Magic's biggest game of the season as L.A. center Dwight Howard plays at Amway Center for the first time since Orlando traded him in August. Tipoff is set for 7 PM on Fox Sports Florida in the Orlando market.</p>
<p>Register all your pre- and in-game comments in this GameThread. </p>
<table class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" cellspacing="5" border="1" align="center" cellpadding="5"><tbody> <tr><th align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver">2012/2013 NBA Season</th></tr> <tr> <td width="240"><center><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v73/incurock31/3QC/Logos/lal.gif" alt="Los Angeles Lakers main logo"></center></td> <th align="center" width="20">@</th> <td width="240"><center><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v73/incurock31/3QC/Logos/orl_new.jpg" alt="Orlando Magic main logo"></center></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="240"><center>33-31 (11-20 road)<br>Won 3</center></td> <th align="center" width="20"></th> <td width="240"><center>18-46 (10-24 home)<br>Won 1</center></td> </tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver"><strong>March 12th, 2013</strong></td></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><strong>Amway Center</strong></td></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><strong>7:00 PM</strong></td></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><strong>Fox Sports Florida / 96.5 FM</strong></td></tr> <tr><th align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver"><strong>Possible Starters</strong></th></tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span>Steve Nash</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">PG</th> <td width="240"><span>Jameer Nelson</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240" bgcolor="gold"><span>Kobe Bryant</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">SG</th> <td width="240"><span>Arron Afflalo</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span>Metta World Peace</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">SF</th> <td width="240"><span>Maurice Harkless</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span>Earl Clark</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">PF</th> <td width="240"><span>Tobias Harris</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240" bgcolor="gold"><span>Dwight Howard</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">C</th> <td width="240"><span>Nikola Vučević</span></td> </tr> <tr><th align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver"><strong>2012/13 Advanced Stats</strong></th></tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240">94.6 (4th)</td> <th align="center" width="20">Pace</th> <td width="240">91.7 (T-15th)</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240">107.9 (8th)</td> <th align="center" width="20">ORtg</th> <td width="240">102.3 (T-24th)</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240">106.7 (19th)</td> <th align="center" width="20">DRtg</th> <td width="240">109. (26th)</td> </tr> <tr><th align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver"><strong>Season Series</strong></th></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3">Dec. 2: <span>Magic 113, Lakers 103</span> </td></tr> <tr><th height="20" bgcolor="silver" colspan="3"></th></tr> </tbody></table>
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https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/2013/3/12/4093202/magic-vs-lakers-game-time-tv-schedule-and-moreEvan Dunlap2013-03-12T12:00:12-04:002013-03-12T12:00:12-04:00Dwight, Magic trade was best for both parties
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<img alt="Dwight Howard" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qH2uR4GUG-_GNIs5kh7NwD-xk4w=/540x66:3740x2199/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/9546537/162399946.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Dwight Howard | Jeff Gross</figcaption>
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<p>As Howard returns to Amway Center on Tuesday, it's important to remember that both he and the Magic got what they wanted out of the trade.</p> <p>In the NBA, rare is the trade wherein a team gives up a superstar player and comes away better off in the long term. But that's exactly what happened with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/">Orlando Magic</a> in August when they shipped <span>Dwight Howard</span>, at his request, to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a> as part of a four-team, 12-player trade. Howard's return to Orlando on Tuesday serves as a great opportunity to discuss the trade, from which both he and the Magic benefitted.</p>
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<h2>Dwight's Return</h2>
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<span>Orlando Pinstriped Post offers comprehensive coverage of Dwight Howard's first game in Orlando as a Laker.</span>
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<p>Given the so-called Dwightmare which clouded the months before the trade, it's easy to lose sight of how well it's worked for Orlando. Howard and the Magic looked foolish as Howard issued a trade request, rescinded it, and then impulsively waived his right to free agency at roughly the same time Orlando had reportedly agreed to trade him to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.netsdaily.com/">New Jersey Nets</a>. The team called a press conference to announce Howard's decision, which he made against the advice of his agent.</p>
<p>But then Howard had a change of heart and ultimately decided to ask for another trade, a decision which, some folks have suggested, he made based on the team's attitude toward him after he suffered a season-ending back injury.</p>
<p>The best player Orlando received when it finally dealt Howard was <span>Arron Afflalo</span>, a solid but unspectacular veteran swingman signed to a long-term deal. <span>Maurice Harkless</span> and <span>Nikola Vučević</span> were the two young prospects who came the Magic's way, and neither figured to be an immediate contributor. Further, the Magic didn't unload the long-term salaries of <span>Glen Davis</span> or <span>Hedo Türkoğlu</span> in the deal. Analysts and fans ridiculed the Magic and rookie general manager Rob Hennigan for their huge blunder.</p>
<p>But the Magic are doing just fine after the trade, when one considers their goals. They succeeded in bottoming out, owning the league's second-worst record, but they've also gotten great production from Vučević and Harkless, both of whom figure to be long-term starters for Orlando. Hennigan and his front-office staff look brilliant for identifying their talent.</p>
<p>Howard may not look like a winner in the trade just yet, but in the long term, moving on from Orlando was in his best interests. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year wanted to join a franchise with a championship pedigree and the ability to compete for a title right away, and he accomplished both goals; that L.A. has underachieved in 2012/13 was unforeseen.</p>
<p>Further, Howard seems to have grown, as a man, from his Orlando days. In an <a href="http://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/dwight-howard-la-lakers-orlando-magic-2013/2013/3/11/4088496/dwight-howard-return-orlando-magic-apology-fans-usa-today-interview">interview</a> with USA Today, Howard explained that he understands how poorly he handled the Magic situation. Maybe Howard wasn't thinking of personal growth as a goal when he first landed in L.A., but the deal had that effect on him. I believe he is a better man after learning from his mistakes with Orlando.</p>
<p>On a professional level, Howard has also set himself up to be the face of the Lakers' future. While some folks have speculated that L.A. might let him sign elsewhere as a free agent, or could look to sign-and-trade him, the truth is that the Lakers don't really have those options: they're deep in the league's luxury tax with an aging core of <span>Kobe Bryant</span>, <span>Steve Nash</span>, <span>Pau Gasol</span>, and <span>Metta World Peace</span>. Young combo forward <span>Earl Clark</span> has likely priced himself out of L.A.'s range when he hits free agency, leaving Howard as the Lakers' only great player younger than 32. If the Lakers are to remain competitive as Bryant advances in age--and the future Hall-of-Famer has said he'll retire rather than age gracelessly--then they'll have to build around Howard for the future. </p>
<p>The trade to L.A., in other words, afforded Howard the opportunity to become a cornerstone player, long-term, for one of sports' most storied franchises in one of the world's most vibrant cities. From that standpoint, it's hard to imagine him landing in a better situation than the one in Los Angeles. A trade to the Nets, which team he may have preferred initially and who moved to Brooklyn for 2012/13, would have given him a similarly sized stage, but that franchise lacks the Lakers' gravitas; most franchises do.</p>
<p>It's tough to say whether the Lakers themselves benefitted from August's trade at all, but Howard and the Magic pretty clearly came away better off. There's certainly bitterness between Orlando's fans and Howard, and between Howard and Orlando management, for the way the situation played out. But it's important to note that the situation could have turned out much worse than it did. </p>
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https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/2013/3/12/4093040/dwight-howard-orlando-magic-return-trade-reaction-march-2013Evan Dunlap2013-03-12T03:55:15-04:002013-03-12T03:55:15-04:00Watch: Arron Afflalo previews Kobe Bryant matchup
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<img alt="Kobe Bryant and Arron Afflalo" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ll0ur7ljHWfwqNGR85p3SUuZBw0=/0x1140:2581x2861/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/9546147/20121202_gav_sv5_505.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kobe Bryant and Arron Afflalo | US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The Magic guard posted a YouTube video to discuss Bryant, his opponent on Tuesday night when Orlando hosts the Lakers.</p> <p>Tuesday night, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/">Orlando Magic</a> guard <span>Arron Afflalo</span> will be tasked with defending <span>Kobe Bryant</span> of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a> as the teams meet in Orlando, a game more notable for being <span>Dwight Howard's</span> <a href="http://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/dwight-howard-la-lakers-orlando-magic-2013">first game at Amway Center</a> since leaving the Magic in August. In a 3-minute, 45-second <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XT-nrWDar9w" target="blank">video</a> on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/arronafflalo4/videos?view=0" target="blank">his YouTube channel</a>, Afflalo discussed his respect for Bryant, as well as the challenges that Bryant provides.</p>
<p>When it comes to defending Bryant, "the idea is to make him take tough shots," Afflalo said. He cracks a smile as he continues, "Unfortunately, Kobe's in a situation in L.A. where he needs to take a lot of shots.</p>
<p>"It's gonna be hard to keep him down unless he's just off."</p>
<p>Afflalo knows firsthand what a challenge guarding Bryant can be. The pair have faced off <a href="http://bkref.com/tiny/twYHK" target="blank">20 times head-to-head</a> since Afflalo broke into the league in 2006/07, including seven playoff games in 2011/12 as the Lakers defeated Afflalo's <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Nuggets</a> in the Western Conference Quarterfinals. Bryant averaged 29.1 points per game in that series, guarded mostly by Afflalo, while shooting 44.8 percent from the floor and 35.7 percent from three-point range. Bryant <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tv1QtNFl_M8" target="blank">hit a three-pointer over Afflalo</a> to ice that series in Game Seven, putting L.A. up by eight points with less than one minute to play. Meanwhile, Bryant limited Afflalo to single-digit scoring in three of those seven games.</p>
<p>Afflalo got his revenge in this first meeting against Bryant and the Lakers in 2012/13, scoring a career-high 30 points as the Magic prevailed, 113-103. Bryant went off for 34 of his own, however. </p>
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https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/videos/2013/3/12/4093014/arron-afflalo-youtube-kobe-bryant-dwight-howard-orlando-magic-la-lakersEvan Dunlap2013-03-12T00:59:53-04:002013-03-12T00:59:53-04:00Beating Dwight, going oh-for OK for Magic fans
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<img alt="The Orlando Magic" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/k3bAqIR2DstuDoi81ORDCjT5UpA=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/9506221/20130310_ajw_sv7_429.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>The Orlando Magic | USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The results of an informal survey on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OrlandoPinstripedPost" target="new">Orlando Pinstriped Post's Facebook page</a> indicate that Magic fans don't mind the team going winless the rest of the season as long as it beats the Lakers in Dwight Howard's return on Tuesday.</p> <p>You may have heard that Tuesday marks <span>Dwight Howard's</span> first game at Amway Center since the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/">Orlando Magic</a> traded him to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a> in August. The game is significant for both teams: L.A., which got off to a rough start this season, is battling for playoff position, while the Magic are hoping to build some momentum after winning twice in the last week.</p>
<div class="sidebar">
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<h2>Dwight Returns</h2>
<img src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/9234257/20130220_mje_se2_882.0_standard_352.0.jpg"></a>
<span>Orlando Pinstriped Post offers comprehensive coverage of Dwight Howard's first game in Orlando as a Laker.</span>
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<p>Magic fans, however, are treating Tuesday's showdown with Howard as though it's their team's <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/super-bowl">Super Bowl</a>. An informal, unscientific <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OrlandoPinstripedPost/posts/10151559368495856" target="blank">survey</a> of some Magic fan on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OrlandoPinstripedPost" target="new">Orlando Pinstriped Post Facebook page</a> page indicated that most fans would be perfectly fine with Orlando losing every game for the rest of the season as long as the Magic beat Howard and the Lakers on Tuesday.</p>
<p>For some fans, the answer is obvious. "Yes, without question," wrote one. "5000%," wrote another. Some people dissented, and only one fan mentioned the negative effect that losing the balance of the schedule would have on Orlando's locker room. "We can't lose all of our confidence!" he wrote.</p>
<p>All told, 31 of the 35 commenters on that post who gave definitive answers said they were OK with the idea of Orlando losing out, but beating L.A.</p>
<p>The most popular response, judging by the number of likes it received, was the following: "only if the Lakers miss the playoffs by one game."</p>
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https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/dwight-howard-la-lakers-orlando-magic-2013/2013/3/12/4090282/dwight-howard-orlando-magic-return-fan-reaction-march-2013-la-lakersEvan Dunlap2013-03-11T17:27:49-04:002013-03-11T17:27:49-04:00Watch: OPP hangs out with Lakers Nation
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<img alt="Dwight Howard" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Ze_jceVdCqcfO66hIHmoqmOVX9U=/0x965:3107x3036/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/9518579/20130310_gav_sv5_050.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Dwight Howard | USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Evan Dunlap joined Serena Winters of The Lakers Nation to discuss Dwight Howard's return to Orlando to face the Magic.</p> <p>In anticipation of <span>Dwight Howard's</span> return to Amway Center, with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a> in tow, on Tuesday to face the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/">Orlando Magic</a>, Orlando Pinstriped Post managing editor Evan Dunlap joined Serena Winters of <a href="http://www.lakersnation.com/" target="blank">The Lakers Nation</a> to preview the game.</p>
<div class="sidebar"> <a href="http://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/dwight-howard-la-lakers-orlando-magic-2013"> <h2>Dwight Returns</h2> <img src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/9234257/20130220_mje_se2_882.0_standard_352.0.jpg"></a> <span>Orlando Pinstriped Post offers comprehensive coverage of Dwight Howard's first game in Orlando as a Laker.</span> </div>
<p>In the Google Hangout, embedded above and available at <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-g48UxDEU0&feature=youtu.be" target="blank">this link</a>, Dunlap and Winters preview Tuesday's game, discuss Magic fans' reaction to Howard's leaving Orlando via trade in August, and touch on the development of former Orlando forward <span>Earl Clark</span> under Lakers coach <span>Mike D`Antoni</span>.</p>
<p>Keep up with the Lakers at <a href="http://www.lakersnation.com/">The Lakers Nation</a>, which also has a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/lakersnationdotcom?feature=watch">YouTube channel</a>.</p>
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https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/dwight-howard-la-lakers-orlando-magic-2013/2013/3/11/4091014/orlando-magic-dwight-howard-la-lakers-nation-game-preview-videoEvan Dunlap2013-03-11T12:30:26-04:002013-03-11T12:30:26-04:00Stan: Magic fans should receive Howard "very well"
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<img alt="Stan Van Gundy and Dwight Howard" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/D2SnmUXNKP0yy6ceetyVPvxf3-U=/0x13:673x462/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/9498285/20130311standwight_elsagetty.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Stan Van Gundy and Dwight Howard | Elsa - Getty Images Sport</figcaption>
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<p>The former Magic coach said Monday that Magic fans should give Dwight Howard a loud ovation Tuesday when he plays in Orlando for the first time since the Magic traded him.</p> <p><span>Dwight Howard</span> plays at Amway Center on Tuesday for the first time since the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/">Orlando Magic</a> traded him to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a>. Though Magic fans will certainly boo Howard throughout Tuesday's game, former Magic coach <span>Stan Van Gundy</span> said in <a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/blogs/open-mike/os-van-gundy-dwight-howard-magic-retire-jersey--20130311,0,5910153.post" target="blank">a radio interview</a> with Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel on Monday that booing wouldn't be the right thing to do.</p>
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<a href="http://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/dwight-howard-la-lakers-orlando-magic-2013">
<h2>Dwight Returns</h2>
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<span>Orlando Pinstriped Post offers comprehensive coverage of Dwight Howard's first game in Orlando as a Laker.</span>
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<p>"I think he should be greeted very well," Van Gundy said. "He had eight very good years here. ... While he was here, he did a great job for the organization and took it to unprecedented heights. I would think the fans should reward that and give him a very nice ovation."</p>
<p>Van Gundy also said that he thinks the Magic organization should consider retiring the uniform numbers of Howard and <span>Shaquille O`Neal</span>, another Hall-of-Fame center who left Orlando acrimoniously.</p>
<p>"They are the two best players in the history of the organization," Van Gundy said. "If you're not going to retire their numbers, then whose numbers are you going to retire?"</p>
<p>Van Gundy coached Howard from 2007/08 through 2011/12. Orlando dismissed Van Gundy in May after the team's second consecutive first-round playoff exit. Van Gundy and Howard memorably starred in one of the most unintentionally hilarious videos in recent NBA vintage, when Howard crashed Van Gundy's media scrum without knowing that Van Gundy had just told the press that he learned from management that Howard had asked the team to fire him.</p>
<p>Despite that incident, Van Gundy and Howard maintain a close relationship. "Me and Stan have a pretty good relationship," Howard <a href="http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/9032518/dwight-howard-los-angeles-lakers-says-support-former-coach-stan-van-gundy" target="blank">said</a>, according to ESPN Los Angeles. "We respect each other and we continue to talk to this day. We've kept the business side out of everything that we discuss and he understands how I feel."</p>
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https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/dwight-howard-la-lakers-orlando-magic-2013/2013/3/11/4089684/dwight-howard-orlando-magic-return-stan-van-gundy-la-lakersEvan Dunlap