Magic's Howard in no free-agency rush
Not everyone in New York was unhappy to see the snow Wednesday. Dwight Howard was thrilled to look out his hotel room's window and see the white stuff coming down.
"It was pretty cool,'' the Magic center said. "We don't see that much in Orlando.''
Cold-weather cities, take note: You may be in the running for Howard in 2012 when he is free to opt out of his contract and become a free agent.
The way Howard is playing, it's hard to imagine a team that wouldn't want him. Knicks fans certainly wouldn't mind seeing him alongside Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony.
Howard is by far the best big man in the league this season. After scoring 33 points and grabbing 11 rebounds Wednesday night in the Magic's 111-99 win over the Knicks, Howard is averaging 23.3 points, 14.2 rebounds and 2.44 blocks. He's been so dominant that if Derek Rose wasn't having an incredible season in Chicago, Howard would be the leading candidate to win the league's MVP.
"To me, with his rebounding, his scoring and his defense, I don't think there's anyone out there who impacts the game as much as Dwight,'' Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy said. "I think Derrick Rose has been great. I will have no problem at all if he wins the MVP. You can make a good case for him.
"I think it's a hard choice to make, but I still don't think anyone impacts as many possessions in the game as Dwight does.''
Patrick Ewing, the former Knicks great who works with Howard as a Magic assistant coach, also gave him a big nod. "Without him, where would we be?'' Ewing said.
Howard was diplomatic when asked about the MVP race.
"Fans don't lie. Derrick Rose has been playing great basketball,'' Howard said. "He's led his team to the best record in the East. I'm not a guy that likes to talk about myself. But I think I do a lot for my team in order for us to have a chance to win every night.''
As much as Howard doesn't seem to mind the weather in New York, he was not very interested in answering questions about perhaps playing here one day.
Speaking of free agency, Howard said: "It hasn't approached yet. I'm not focused on that. I have another season left before I can decide what I want to do, so there's on need for me to be talking about it right now.
"It's not fun for me, it's not fun for my teammates. It's not fun for our fans in Orlando who have to hear about what my decision's going to be in two years. I think our focus should be on trying to win a championship instead of where I'm going to be.''
