NBA

Why Dwight Howard Will Supplant LeBron James As The Most Hated Player In The NBA

We’re still a few days away from the 2012 NBA Draft, but things are already heating up around the league. As was expected, Dwight Howard is at the center of some tantalizing rumors. The Houston Rockets, who already had the number 14 and 16 picks in the upcoming draft, traded Chase Budinger to the Minnesota Timberwolves to acquire the number 18 pick, giving Houston three selections in the first round.

Might that equal Dwight Howard?

It’s uncertain, but wherever Dwight ends up, we are sure of this: The disdain the average NBA fan will hold for him will soon pass that of LeBron James.

Here’s why.

The concept of the LeBron hater is getting ridiculously played out. In fact, writing about it being played out is even painful to a certain degree. But despite the Decision, the, “not four, not five, not six” speech, and despite it all, LeBron won his ring. LeBron put in a body of work this postseason that will be talked about among the all-time great playoff performances. LeBron has done enough to make his critics go away. But the NBA brass will always need a player to criticize. And Dwight Howard will fill that void.

Dwight Howard’s flip-flop desire to play in and jolt Orlando has made many a fan cringe. It’s gotten to the point where everyone just wants something to happen. It’s like watching an ugly NASCAR crash—you can’t turn away. Except this crash has gone on for far too long, which is rare. But it’s time for Dwight to go. And wherever he lands, he can expect a good deal of disdain to follow him.

Dwight is the game’s best big-man. A true post presence, undoubtedly the best paint defender in basketball, and an offensive talent that seems to only be improving, the 26-year old center has a lot of good basketball ahead of him. A few years ago, not only was Dwight Howard a rising star in the league, he was a rising personality. His dunk contest performances made us chuckle, and then made us drop our jaws. His ability to put the Magic on his broad shoulders was admirable.

But then something changed.

Then Dwight went the way of the NBA diva. He demanded to be traded, called out his coach, called out the franchise’s management, and then suffered a season-ending back injury. While it’s not talked about that much, that injury only made this situation much worse. If Dwight was asking out of Orlando while putting up 20-20 games, it would have been different. But instead, Dwight was nursing a back injury that saw Orlando get bounced by Indiana in the first round of the playoffs. Well, Indiana had Miami 2-1 in the second round. Do you think Dwight Howard would have put up decent numbers against a Bosh-less Heat front court?

Like there was for LeBron James, there is no shortage of interest in Dwight Howard. While Houston has made an aggressive push as late, the Nets, Mavericks, Lakers, Clippers, and Knicks have all at some point been linked to Howard rumors. But as Dwight has turned fickle, the time it has taken to decide his future has only fueled the fire for more criticism. The on-again-off-again act is very unattractive to fans. And Dwight’s endearing, baby-face image has soured to a more stern, unlikeable character.

He’s lost his cape.

He’s lost his Clark Kentian image.

And he’s lost the respect of the NBA fan.

Wherever Dwight Howard lands, he’ll become the antagonist. It will be Dwight Howard versus 29 other NBA cities and their fans. If Dwight is to take a page out of LeBron’s book, he’ll put success as the top of his list, and put himself in a position to win. Howard reportedly would be unwilling to sign an extension with Houston, and would leave the team after next season if acquired. So maybe Howard is making success his number one criteria for a landing spot. But as Howard has tormented the Orlando Magic and NBA community with his indecisiveness, his likeable persona has been lost.

In that same respect, people won’t use LeBron’s decision to understand Dwight’s. People won’t contextualize it by pointing out what LeBron did put himself in the best position to win. If Dwight Howard wants to be surrounded by a stronger supporting cast, it will only hurt his image in the eyes of the questioners. But in all likelihood, it will take another star player to entice Dwight Howard.

When the 2012 NBA season tips off, Dwight Howard will likely win a jump ball for some lucky franchise. But, before he ever takes the court with whatever team is fortunate enough to land him, Howard should expect to incur the wrath of NBA fan-haters, and be the league’s most criticized and hated player.

Follow Evan Sporer