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NBA's Biggest Villain: LeBron James or Dwight Howard? Stuck
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 02:51 PM.

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
Comments
# 1 cmebfresh @ Sep 11
Dwight definite
 
# 2 wallofhate @ Sep 11
Dwight Howard by far. LeBron got criticism for the "decision" but Atleast he made one. Dwight Howard or as I reference him Dwight coward waffles and ran away from any decision that put him in a bad liight which intern put him in a bad light anyway compound that with the coach and gm firing and the eerie comparison to Sham and you got some good ol I hate you stew
 
# 3 BCDX97 @ Sep 11
They are both likable guys who have made themselves unlikeable. LeBron, much has been written of how he turned off the fans with "The Decision." Howard, he was a very fun guy with the Superman stuff who ruined it by pouting out of Orlando. I see no reason why I can't just dislike them both equally.
 
# 4 Caveman24 @ Sep 11
I go LeBron IMO the tv show teaming with Wade and Bosh and just the way he left in general was horrible and his i don't care attitude the following season the not 1 not 2 not 3 not 4 you get it him predicting what 7-8 rings and after he lost vs the Mavericks he told everyone go back to there boring lonely life(don't quote me please) people loved to see LeBron fail because of his actions and the fact that guys wanted to put him up there with Mj,Kobe and etc but they never walked out on there team(Kobe almost did back in 08) so I go with LeBron I think alot of people are more happy for Dwight than anything
 
# 5 joefrommo117 @ Sep 11
Dwight easily IMO. Dwight has done little to improve his game and has spent much of his career whining about his coaches and the organization. Before The Decision, it was definitely Kobe. Kobe's kind of getting to that Jordan-esque late career stage where everyone know how ruthless he is, but they like him anyway because he's so good.
 
# 6 Gramps91 @ Sep 11
I thinks its LeBron. Howard is about the biggest crybaby I've ever seen, but LBJ and the decision thing will never be completely healed. Not that I'm a CAVS fan but it was just wrong. Yes, I know he apologized, I just really don't like him. With the exception of this year he always celebrated way to early. I applaud him this year for actually waiting until they actually had the clear win before celebrating. However, to me most of his career its seemed like he puts himself on a pedastool with Jordan, in which Jordan is clearly the better player. As far as Howard goes, I like the guy he just wines to much.
 
# 7 jersez @ Sep 11
I don't think either one of them is a villain, I'm a Lebron fan but I just don't understand how people that weren't cavs fans, weren't Ohio natives hate him? The reason why I don't have a problem with either one, is because they left to win a championship, they didn't leave for more Money. For the most part the decision are based off of wining. IDk about Dwight, he may want more than a championship and become Hollywood idk.Imo I think both of their gm's made terrible decisions, not trading jj hickson for amare, signing rashard lewis to that big contract, letting go of rafer alston, bringing shaq and larry hughes in as number 2's. Honestly they should have left, because they were not going to win any championships with the decisions their gm's were making. I hate how these legends try to slander them. Charles Barkley played on 3 teams(tried to form a big 3 in Houston) and has the nerve to talk about Lebron, same goes for Reggie Miller who said "Now you're reaching out to Hall of Famers to see what it takes? Enough is enough. Go out and actually do it on your own. What do you need more help for?" because Lebron reached out to magic for advice, it's like the legends without a ring are some what bitter. Reggie and Charles are two players that thought they could do it by themselves, even Michael had to realize he needs help from his teammates. This is just my opinion and I don't think athletes can be considered a villain.
 
# 8 beast10 @ Sep 11
LeBron James hatred is fading away now, he wanted a ring and that's it and the Cavs weren't really doing anything to help the team besides relying on LeBron .
Now DWIGHT is a crybaby who just wanted to follow the trend and play with a superstar .
 
# 9 mastershake88 @ Sep 11
funny...when franchises get rid of players it's a business, When a player is smart to get what is needed for himself..he's a bad guy. hmm...
 
# 10 Culture Rot @ Sep 11
Theres nothing fun about hate. Both are very hatable but I personally have to give Lebron the nod, but its personal taste
 
# 11 thelakeshow @ Sep 11
I agree with jersez and mastershake88. All the reasons the author of the blog gave for Lebron and Dwight to be considered villians are subjective. Unless they have gone out and committed a crime and harmed someone else, why are they considered villians? Lebron didn't want to play in Cleveland anymore. What's wrong with that. The whole decision thing raised millions of dollars for the Boys and Girls Club. I don't know about ya'll, but going almost eveyday after school the Boys and Girls Club, helped me in more ways then I can mention. Without the Boys and Girls Club, I might of resorted to a life of crime like alot of people I grew up with. It kept me out of the streets as a young kid and helped me develop my love of athletics and sports. So if LeBron comes out looking like a bad guy and helps raise money for the Boys and Girls Club, and keeps even 1 or 2 people from out of the streets, then I'm all for it and I'll praise LeBron for it. With Dwight, Stan Van Gundy said it himself, things would have turned out differently if Dwight didn't get injured. SVG doesn't blame Dwight for telling management that he wants SVG fired. The Magic asked Dwight about should they keep the GM and coach, and gave him his opinion. SVG was hoping that it would turn the team around. The rumor had been going on for awhile and everyone knew about it. Pretty much everyone denied it, until the day when SVG decided to tell the truth. SVG said after he told the media about Dwight wanting him fired, Dwight played harder then anyone he had ever seen, even though he could barely walk, because of his bad back. That tells me alot about a player and a person. Dwight could of said, "SVG made me look like an ***, so I'm never going to play for him again." But Dwight did the opposite. Even though Dwight was pissed at SVG, he played 40+ minutes, in a regular season game, against the Sixers, and could barely run up and down the court. So I have to give him for props for playing his absolute hardest for a coach he can't stand.

Also the Magic got alot more for Dwight, then the Cavs got for LeBron. The author could of actually presented some facts their, instead of conjecture to formulate his opinion on why he believes Dwight is a biggiest villian in the NBA.
 
# 12 Qadre100 @ Sep 11
I think that both are not wrong for leaving their teams.
 
# 13 chronoxiong @ Sep 11
Dwight Howard no doubt. The way he played "The Indecision" was just wrong. He got a Coach fired for it and they are now left with a team full of scrap players. Dwight also made it worst by joining the Lakers. A team I despise.
 
# 14 liodeesxalf @ Sep 11
hmmm personally I don't have a problem with Lebron choosing to go to miami, in and of itself. Its just the way he handled his "decision" was kinda self-centered, egotistical, and obnoxious. He could have handled the situation a lot better and softened the blow by not leading Cleveland on. It also didnt help when he tried to justify himself and continued talking, contradicting a lot of stuff he said in the past.

As for Dwight, i dont really care if he wanted to leave, but he just should have made up his mind, instead of dragging it out for so long and leading Orlando on by saying he was committed to the team when he clearly was not. His actions also cost a man his job, which could have been avoided.

I personally can't decide who i think is a bigger villian, but I dislike Lebron more cause he comes off as more arrogant (not one, not two...)..show a little humility sometime. I will admit though that he is the best all-around basketball player in the world.
 
# 15 I Djm @ Sep 11
dwight then lebron they both copped out and became ring chasers just like shaq did. i can see why both left dwight left because what the magic were doing was not going to work anymore you can win a championship relying heavliy on threes while you a growing dominant center in the making and what kind of coach brings someone in that hasn't played in months on the biggest stage just because you like him who does that?

lebron on the other hand he got tired of carrying them but true champions stay the course and give til they can't anymore. besides they probably would have traded him at some point.
 

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