Dwight Howard Won’t Play in ‘World All-Star Classic’

If any more big-name players drop out of this thing, they’re gonna have to change the barnstorming tour’s name. Dwight Howard becomes the latest to pull out. Per the Orlando Sentinel: “Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard has withdrawn from the upcoming NBA World Tour, scheduled to begin Sunday in Puerto Rico. Howard’s business manager, Kevin Samples, told the Sentinel on Friday that ‘Dwight has also pulled out of the tour at this point.’ Whether Howard’s decision means the lockout is nearing an end isn’t known, but Miami Heat forward LeBron James, New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul and New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony will also not be participating. The six-game world tour (Nov. 1-9) starts in Puerto Rico, then is scheduled to move to London and Macau before finishing in Australia.”