Howard: Magic Need Players Who ‘Give Everything’

by Ryne Nelson

Dwight Howard questioned his teammates’ desire after last night’s season-ending loss in Boston. From Chris Mannix of SI.com:

“Next year we have got to have guys that are willing to give everything they have got to get wins,” Howard said. “[Boston] played like they wanted to win the championship the whole series. That’s why they are in the position that they are in now.”

Help, of course, can come from the outside. The Magic will be well over the salary cap but can use their mid-level exception to try and lure a veteran power forward into the fold. But ownership might not be quite so eager to push the payroll close to $100 million, not with Redick eyeing a big raise and Williams (or another backup point) needed to relieve Nelson.

Considering Orlando’s sky-high payroll, the Magic’s disheartened leader might be better off focusing his energy on improving aspects of his game, as both a leader and player. But that, of course, is just this writer’s suggestion.