NBA's Biggest Villain: LeBron James or Dwight Howard?Â
Many believe that time can heal all wounds. Basketball fans in Cleveland and Orlando may want to disagree.
Years have passed since LeBron James ditched the Cavs for South Beach while months have gone following Dwight Howard's dramatic off-and-on relationship turned trade from Orlando. In the heat of the moment it's not easy to break down and consider the factors involved while removing emotion from the equation.
Let's take a look at the factors surrounding the exits of James and Howard. After reading, share your thoughts on the aspects that make you feel strongly about either player and share your opinion on who truly is the NBA's biggest villain.
THE BREAKUP
This aspect is especially painful for Cleveland Cavaliers fans. LeBron, a native Ohioan, went straight from high school in Akron to the top pick of the Cavs. He was their son. But their son left them after giving them a taste of a near-championship. And the way he broke up with them, well that may have been the most painful part even though James never chose Cleveland.
Dwight, on the other hand, missed by one state on the prodigal son story. Had the Hawks drafted Howard the former Atlanta prep star would have been walking in familiar shoes to that of James. Instead, Orlando drafted the game's most intimidating post defender and rebounder with the top pick in 2004. But much like LeBron in Cleveland, Howard was selected by the Magic in the draft -- never having a say in the start of the relationship's beginning.
Villain Factor: LeBron James
I GAVE YOU EVERYTHING, EXCEPT A CHAMPIONSHIP
Both LeBron and Dwight are level in this category. Each took their respective team to the NBA Finals and each lost. While in Cleveland, James earned MVP honors to go with his one-man-wrecking-crew run through the East. Howard, while never an MVP recipient, still played lights out on the defensive side, earning NBA Defensive Player of the Year honors three years in a row (2009-11). In many ways the taste that each player gave their organization may have heightened the sense of betrayal when both James and Howard left their respective teams. Each vacated while the fans were hungry for more.
Villain Factor: (tie) James and Howard
REASON FOR LEAVING
The reason each player left ties directly into the previous factor. They couldn't win a championship where they were so they left for a place they believed it could happen. Every superstar player the league has known couldn't have won a title (at least in modern times) without a strong support cast. Michael Jordan may not have sought out Scottie Pippen, but you couldn't blame him if he would have.
James wanted to win a championship. He tried his best in Cleveland and got them closer than they would have without him. Likewise, Dwight Howard helped Orlando to the Finals and it's hard to think the Magic could have done it without him. Keep in mind, again, that neither player chose their respective organization -- they were drafted. James served his term and tested free agency. Howard, however, busted out and took personnel down with him.
Villain Factor: Dwight Howard
LEFT WITH SCRAPS
Another thing to consider is the state of the organization that each departing player left behind. In LeBron's case, this argument against him holds less water than it does with Howard. James played his full contract with the team and as an organization Cleveland was responsible for preparing as if any scenario could play out. It wasn't LeBron's responsibility to make sure the rest of the team was viable, and they weren't -- a big reason he left for Miami.
Dwight Howard, on the other hand, left amid a forced trade before finishing out his contract. In fairness to Dwight, Orlando did have the opportunity to receive compensation within the trade, but the forced nature of the deal took away from any real value that the Magic could draw from participating teams. While Cleveland's lack of a remaining roster was of their own fault, Howard's control over the situation diminished what Orlando could pull in exchange for the star center.
Villain Factor: Dwight Howard
COLLATERAL DAMAGE
Lebron's "The Decision" and "The Party" will be talked about for a long time in professional sports. Many people didn't care for the spotlight treatment that James gave himself (despite raising millions for charity as part of The Decision) and for Miami's celebratory coming-out extravaganza declaring championships before ever stepping on the floor together. These acts by James and Co. were more salt in the wound to Cleveland and the rest of the humble nation.
On the other hand, Dwight Howard did his dirty work indirectly and in the shadows, taking down a coach before leaving. By fracturing the franchise, Howard's actions seemed to have a more practically malignant after-effect -- even more than the emotional wound left by James upon the citizens of Cleveland.
Villain Factor: Dwight Howard
O.S. Sound Off: Who is the NBA's Biggest Villain? LeBron James or Dwight Howard?
Justin Mikels is a staff writer for Operation Sports. Follow him on Twitter: @long_snapper
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