Jan. 4 vs. Atlanta Hawks
Whether fans like it or not at this point, the Orlando Magic are always going to be tied to Dwight Howard.
Howard has moved on to his third team in five seasons since leaving Orlando as he will play for the Atlanta Hawks this year. His struggles to find his rhythm and regain his stellar play from his Orlando days in Houston flamed out almost completely as the Rockets nearly missed the Playoffs last year.
Howard is still a good player and a player who demands attention and gameplanning, even if he is no longer the player he was in his dominant tenure in Orlando.
For the first time though since Howard left, Orlando has a center who can at least match or simulate the rim protection he left behind when he was traded away. As good as Nikola Vucevic was on the offensive end, even putting in some big games against Howard, the Magic never had anyone who could impact the game defensively like him.
The Hawks will be one of those teams the Magic will be fighting for Playoff positioning. Every one of those games will be important for the team. The emotions of Howard’s return has waned, but now he is a division rival. These games will matter much more signficantly.
Next: Encore?