D12 All-Star Game Recap!

When you’re a basketball town waiting on a basketball season that may never happen, times are tough. When you’re a basketball town hosting an All-Star Game that may never happen, times are trying. When you’re a basketball town watching your best player sit out the remainder of his contract through it all, it’s even worse.

Such is the case of Orlando, Florida. The home of the Magic. The home of Dwight Howard. For now.

Photo Credit: George Kedenburg / MacbethPhoto.com.

Much like the rest of the country, Orlando has waited patiently for the NBA to get its things together. Orange County, however, may be watching a little more intently than other places; Orlando is the host of this year’s All-Star game, but as talks continue to drag on and on, that’s looking more and more unrealistic. In addition, the face of the franchise, Dwight Howard, has been the talk of the town for the past year as he enters the last season of his contract, one where he may never even step on the court.

That’s been the story of this city for the past several months, one that may or may not ring well in the ears of Central Florida folk.  However, that wasn’t the case on Sunday. On Sunday, there was basketball. On Sunday, there was an All-Star Game.

And on Sunday, there was Dwight Howard.

Photo Credit: George Kedenburg / MacbethPhoto.com.

Amidst ongoing lockout talks and the headaches they’ve brought to basketball fans everywhere, Dwight Howard played host to around 8,000 fans at the UCF Arena this past Sunday for his D12 All-Star Game. The game, consisting of Magic stars past and present, was conducted as a charity event for Howard’s D12 Foundation. It was played for Howard’s charity, for the city of Orlando and for Magic fans.

And nothing else.

“I’m not about free agency or whatever. There is no basketball right now. This is basketball, something like this. So let’s not dwell on all the other stuff.” Howard said when asked about his last year in Orlando.

The game was centered around an “old-school” vs. “new-school” approach, pitting former Magic players like Rashard Lewis, Marcin Gortat and Penny Hardaway against current teamers such as Jameer Nelson, Brandon Bass and of course, Dwight himself.

Dwight’s sense of humor, was also invited.

“He starred on Muppet Babies as Gonzo..” Howard said before introducing Gilbert Arenas to the packed out crowd.

That tone would be carried over through four, ten minute quarters of basketball that night, as there were no shortage of smiles on and off the court. Bounce pass slams, 360 jams and a few Hardaway three pointers were enough to rouse the crowd several times throughout the night. When it was all said and done, the old team took the contest 114-102.

At least for one night, basketball had come back to Central Florida.

“It felt like a game at the Amway.” Said Magic forward Brandon Bass.

Photo Credit: George Kedenburg / MacbethPhoto.com.

While the game was a great display of charity, community and sportsmanship, it was, more than anything, a proclamation of just how important Dwight Howard is to Orlando and its community. In less than three weeks Howard was able to take a passing thought bigger than most people in Orlando can even comprehend and pull a few strings to make sure it saw the light of day, complete with celebrity appearances by Lil’ Wayne and Floyd Mayweather. If there ever was a time Orlando needed to be reminded how important Dwight is, Sunday night was it.

“He’s everything to Orlando” said Magic legend Penny Hardaway. “Without him there’s no Magic. I mean, not only is he doing great things on the floor, but off the floor.”

The bottom line is, Orlando loves Dwight, and after watching Sunday night’s festivities, it’s clear Dwight has something for the city too. Dwight could have thrown together a team of just about anyone, made evident by the fact that Atlanta’s Josh Smith and Washington’s John Wall attended the game as assistant coaches. However, by restricting his selections to only former or current Magic players it was pretty clear of Howard’s intentions; this one was just for Orlando.

Of course, Sunday has come and gone. Labor talks continue to make headlines for all the wrong reasons, and speculations of Dwight leaving Orlando came back into the forefront as soon as players exited the UCF arena.

“I’m hearing a lot of rumors. I don’t know if I’m starting them but I’m hearing a lot of them.” Said current Los Angeles Laker Matt Barnes when asked about a move for Dwight to LA.

Orlando may be left wondering if Dwight will stay, or if it will be able to host the All-Star game, or if they’ll even be able to see any games at all this year. But after Sunday night, one thing is very clear: Wherever Dwight Howard ends up, he’ll always have love for the City Beautiful.

Stephen DeAugustino is an Orlando blogger that loves him some writing, digital media, sports and entertainment.
He also loves Steven Seagal movies, being silly in public and staying hydrated.
Follow him on Twitter: @DeAugieDogie