"I want to play in Orlando," Jameer Nelson says. "I love the fans and I love the city."
Isn't it amazing how many Magic players you hear utter these identical words … "Love Orlando. Love the Magic. Love the DeVos family. Want to spend the rest of my career here."
You hear it from respected players. You hear it from mature players. You hear it from players like Jameer, J.J. Redick and Ryan Anderson.
Just not the one player who really matters – Dwight Howard, who presumably is still rehabbing his back at the Beverly Hills Polo Club.
Dwight has so distanced himself from the Magic and the City of Orlando that he might as well be in Liechtenstein. He left nearly two months ago for a routine back procedure and the Magic apparently haven't seen him since. Earlier this week, he even postponed his upcoming youth basketball camp out at UCF.
The ongoing excuse, of course, is that Howard is still in L.A. rehabbing his back. Excuse my cynicism, but it's hard to believe Dwight is physically unable to attend a youth basketball camp, stroll around the gym, offer some words of encouragement, take pictures and sign some autographs for the kids.
In contrast, there is Jameer, who, like Dwight, has a decision to make with a year remaining on his contract. Except Magic fans aren't waiting in quiet desperation as he drags his out.
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