While the Magic will finish the season where I realistically expected to them, I would have to say I am disappointed with the progress throughout the year. After the Magic went 13-6 to start off the year, I think every fan was thinking playoffs. Towards the middle part of the year, we could almost smell first round home court advantage. This is where the team began to make the biggest mistake of the year.
The Magic failed to get Dwight Howard involved in the offense and integrated as the building block of the franchise. Somewhere during the middle part of the season, the coaching staff got greedy and made a run toward the playoffs and Howard's season suffered because of it. This year should have been a rebuilding year. Forget about wins and losses. Howard should have been put to the front of the priority list.
The Magic let too many players on the team take priority over Dwight Howard. We had complaints of playing time, roles and hurt feelings. By catering to these little things, Howard was left behind, to fend for himself. Get loose balls and offensive rebounds, that's how you'll grow and get involved in the offense. Meanwhile, we'll trade Cuttino Mobley to free up more time for Hedo Turkoglu. Which one of these players is going to be our franchise player? Turkoglu or Howard?
It's simple really. Get Howard the ball soon and often. That should have been the focus from about game 10 on. Two things would have been accomplished by pushing Howard into the focus of this team. One, it would be clear to everyone on the team who is going to be the leader of this team. Make no doubt about it, Howard is the franchise. Everyone else at this point are role players. Two, you give Howard an entire year to learn and get better.
I think it's clear in everyone's mind that Howard will hit the gym and weights hard this summer. He will come back next year bigger, stronger and more prepared. However, you can not replace on the floor expierence with any amount of practice. So now, we are faced with Howard possibly starting off his second year slower than what we might expect.
Oh, don't blow this out of proportion. I'm not saying Howard won't come in next year prepared for a great year. He will definitely be up to the task. However, by not taking the time to let Howard develop his game against NBA caliber talent every night, I think we will see a difference in Howard in the beginning of next year and the second half. Of course, this is all relative. Howard is already better than most players on the floor and to start the year off, he will be even better. I just don't think we've even begin to scratch the surface of what he can do.
Maybe these last two games of the year, the coaching staff will get the ball more to Howard. It is time for this team to realize who the man is. The fans already know. The management already know. The rest of the team and coaching staff need to figure it out.
