Johnboy1980

So was I, a loyal fan from Scotland. Good performance from the guys. Admittedly against a terrible Nets team but you can only beat what's put in front of you. I'm really impressed with the start Reddick has made to the season. Duhon also looked good last night. (shocker)

Well he's at least being honest and letting us get something in return for him instead of leaving for absolutely nothing next year. I'm not happy about it but it's something.

I genuinely didn't think I would see this day. I could imagine Howards head being turned a little by the "bigger" teams and it's clear to see that he's been frustrated by the roster decisions made the front office over the last few seasons but when all was said and done I truly believed he would stick with us for the duration of his career and possibly win a title in a few years just like Dirk and co. I'm really disappointed by the big guy but at the same time I respect his decision and realise he's absolutely within his right to ask for a trade in search for a title. He's correct that you only get one shot at this life and you should do everything you can to make the most of it but the respect I have for all those Mavs who defied the odds and won the first title of their long and legendary careers is immense and I expected Dwight to aim for the same kinda success. I must admit I agree with the comment made earlier about being frustrated by Dwights nature when doing interviews as well. All the avoiding answering anything and the "Uhms" and "Ya know"s plus i feel sometimes he's almost being rude and disrespectful. He likes to make out that he gets asked stupid questions and often repeats the question back to the reporter as if it makes no sense at all and sighs as if they are a waste of his time. C'mon big guy, I'm sure you do hear the same things day in and day out but it's part and parcel of your job and a small price to pay for your immense fame, adoration and lavish lifestyle. They're just trying to do their job and asking the questions all your fans are actually thinking. On the plus side I'm glad he's come out and finally made his decision known. He probably could have sold his soul to the Devil like Lebron did and had some globally televised spectacular event where he completely disrespected his old team, teammates and fans and he hasn't done that and we now know exactly what to expect. What does puzzle me is some of the teams he's being linked with. Are the Clippers and New Jersey seriously an upgrade over Orlando? Yeah I can understand the Lakers being a step that just about anyone would want to make but the others? Seriously? So I will say thanks Dwight for everything you've done for Orlando, you've been a spectacular player for us and were the single reason we were an elite team for a couple of seasons. Plus i hope you get the ring you so badly want and a player of your calibre deserves but I'll be honest and say I'm hugely disappointed in your decision and more than a little surprised.

Agreed. SVG is constantly complaining about the abuse Howard has to take every night and has been doin gso for some time now. It sucks but I don't see it changing.

I love our coach!! I wouldn't swap him for anybody. He is no nonesense, has a very dry sense of humour and is uber passionate. He is THE MAN. When I go to watch videos I, apart from the highlights of games, his interviews are really the only ones I'm bothered about seeing. The players generally say the same blah blah blah rubbish unless Dwights pissed or something but Stan's are always interesting and usually quite funny.

I should have put this to the vote.

I loved the Magics roster at the start of the season. I was hopefull that VC would regain his pre Orlando form and that the small additions of Q Rich and Duhon would beef up our defense, add to our 3 point threat and help with our pick n roll plays as I had heard that Duhon was excellent with pick n rolls. I was a little sad to see Barnes go but I could see the sense in it as he was inconsistent offensively and everyone expected Q Rich to be more reliable there. Overall though I felt we were well rounded, had a luxary of attacking options, great depth and good up and coming prospects in Bass and Anderson. We had also drafted a young center but didn't need to involve him straight away due to having the best C in the league and the best back up C in the league. Redick resigned as well so for me, even though we made no major moves, I was excited as I expected us to be more solid due to being in the 2nd year as a squad and everyone knowing the ropes more. The the trade happened and now I'm a little confused if I like this team or not. In my heart of hearts I don't think we've now got the squad for the championship but we do have some nice pieces. I feel like our squad is a little thrown together right now and we don't have the depth we did when Gortat and co were here. I look at Chicago just now and I like what they've done. They have the feeling of a club with a plan and that they've been put together very cleverly. I like their team work and think they have a lot of talent. This is what I used to think of us. We're still a dangerous team who could beat anyone but I still think we need adjusting to get the ring.

I totally see where you're coming from but I don't entirely agree. You're first point will not draw an argument from me, the guy's an idiot but my reasons for not wanting lebron at Orlando are exactly because of my interest in the team. In my opinion, and I understand that's all it is, the guy believes his own hype too much. Yes he's incredible and can do just about anything on the court but being humble is a great quality and he doesn't have it. Sure the franchise players in this league know they can use their star power to decide matters that really shouldn't be a players responsibility or decision. Hell there was even rumours that Dwight was involved in the massive trades we pulled off earlier this season and I'm sure Kobe has put the Lakers in the same situation at some point in the past along with other greats like Jordan and the likes. BUT I think Lebron just takes it to the next level. His much discussed treatment of Cleveland and the live tv event etc etc was out of order. The guy surely doesn't have any idea of decency to do something like that. That was the team and those were the fans that supported him since the start and yes he did a lot in return and he had every right to change teams but the way he did was bad taste in the extreme. And then there's the coach. Surely once Lebron is onboard the coaches power is instantly diminished and I'd imagine if there is something "The King" doesn't like then the coach has to take a backseat to avoid making James angry or upset and then creating a power struggle which can only have one winner. I'd hate to have Stan put into that situation and the thing is that Howard could put SVG into that position if he wanted to but (as far as we know) he doesn't and I feel that right there is the difference between the two men. Also, you ever seen the vids where Lebron pretty much walks right through Erik Spoelstra without even as much as a hint of an apology (there's more than one). That is a complete lack of respect and I don't like it. I don't think it'll happen but I hope he never gets a ring. Unless of course he grows up.

I can't remember the series that well to know about refs decisions so you may well be right but of course Wade needed help. You don't get a championship without it. Even though Shaq did the dirty on us I'd still take him in his prime over James. (not in the same team as Dwight though) :)

I'm with you on this. It's kinda my whole point. James has amazing talent, stats etc etc but his attitude and the sacrifices the team and other players have to make to have him on the team just isn't worth it for me. I like Wade and he didn't need Lebron to get a championship.

Yeah agreed but I'm not a GM, I'm a fan and I'm really not sure I'd want him. I'd definately prefer a Rose/Williams/CP3 compliment to D12.

Now I'm not sure that this'll make much sense and I'm sure everyone would disagree BUT If there was ever a possibility that Lebron could come to Orlando I'm not sure I'd be happy with it. I was a big fan of his when he was in Cleveland but since then I've started to have a major dislike for him mainly due to his HUUUUUUUUUUUUGE ego. The main thing for me is when you have James on your team I get the feeling the coach sort of becomes void. The King holds so much power in this league that no franchise would have the balls to back their coach over him if there was a fallout, he knows it and I don't like that. Every player should listen and respect their coach/manager and I do not get that feeling from him now. Plus look at how many plays the Heat run that are just isolation plays for him, sure I can see the reasoning behind it because a lot more times than not it works out but I get a lot more satisfaction when the TEAM wins with good passing plays etc etc. Surely the Heat coach is bored no? There's more I could write but this'll probably just turn into a rant if I do. Just interested in what you guys think......

Loved reading the Heat blog, man they are upset :) The way they moan they kinda sound like..........................eh............us! :D Who'd have thought that fans that seen their team resign Wade AND land Lebron and Bosh could still be upset? Plus man they REALLY hate Bosh. I love it. WELL DONE MAGIC. We need to sort out the terrible starts and Jekyll and Hyde style performances but kudos for having the steel and guts to come back and pull out the win.