The Los Angeles Lakers, after all, always seemed to be that team that lingered around the corner while the Dwight Howard saga was busy suffocating the life of NBA fans around the world.
Meanwhile, the Orlando Magic had every incentive to trade Howard, as the PR disaster he and Orlando management created with his up-in-the-air status was slowly destroying everything within it's way—from Stan Van Gundy to Otis Smith to the Magic's future.
So, we should all theoretically be happy that a season-long hostage situation finally culminated last night in a way that many will today write off as another storybook Hollywood ending.
Only, when's the last time that we all looked favorably at a scenario which saw history repeat itself?
Somewhere in London, commissioner David Stern first got word of this trade and welcomed it with a smile. One that many would assume suggested his satisfaction to a deal that will likely transcend the popularity of his league the same way it did two years ago when the Miami Heat's big three came together.
But anyone that's familiar with Stern's body of work knows that it wasn't a smile of satisfaction, but redemption.
Remember last year when the NBA was mired in a lockout because small market teams could never compete with the allure of big market teams- well, Stern did what he could to even the playing field.
And still, as we all get lost in excitement at the new landscape of the league, another city that never stood as big as it's star is left to reel in it's own pity.
As a Miami Heat fan and longtime Laker supporter, you'd think I'd be the last person to sing this tune.
In fact, I should be following ESPN's bandwagon to give this ...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
