The competition for biggest clown in the NBA is one of the most spirited in all of sports. There are many contenders for this throne. Generally we’re looking for a player who is talented but seems to make everyone around him worse while burning everything he touches to the ground. Carmelo Anthony is one of the first names that comes to mind. But he’s not enough of a sideshow to take down this crown. When it comes to biggest disaster in the NBA, no one can hold a candle to Dwight Howard.

No one in the NBA gets less out of their talent than Howard. In an era where there are very few dominant big men, Howard should be on his way to multiple championships and the Hall of Fame. Nothing sums up the problem that is Dwight Howard more than the suit he wore into the Staples Center for their game against the Celtics the other night:

See that? That’s the problem right there. That’s the reason the Lakers went from back to back championship seasons in 2009-2010, to out of the playoffs. You got that? The Lakers became significantly worse by adding the best center in the NBA to their roster. This picture sums up what Dwight is all about. He’s a sideshow. He doesn’t really like the game of basketball. He likes to have fun and laugh but could really care less about winning. You don’t build your franchise around someone who puts more time into their outfits than they do into building relationships with their teammates and coaches.

Remember last year in Orlando? Howard told management he wouldn’t re-sign with the Magic unless they fired coach Stan Van Gundy. Then he denied saying it and interrupted a Van Gundy press conference by hugging and joking with him. Then he said he wanted to be traded. Then he said he wanted to stay with the Magic. Then he said he wanted to be traded again. All of this while the Magic were contending for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. That’s exactly what a winner does right?

Dwight got everything he wanted in Orlando. First he got Stan Van Gundy fired. Then he got General Manager Otis Smith fired. All of this was done to basically kiss his hiney and convince him to sign a long term deal. Not good enough for Dwight though. He kept up his soap opera, demanding that the new GM (and Worcester native) Rob Hennigan trade him. The Magic ended up getting a pretty good deal with promising young players and a whole bunch of draft picks.

And the Lakers? The Lakers got a giant headache. Make that a giant, but well-dressed, fresh-to-def headache. Dude can’t get along with Steve Nash. This play right here perfectly illustrates the major problem with Howard on the court:

Nash drives to the hoop, and Howard had the perfect opportunity to lay a pick on Nash’s defender so he can lay it in for an easy 2 points. Instead Howard just goes under the hoop and throws his hands in the air, as if to say, “throw me the damn ball dawg!!!” This is what Dwight Howard is all about. Get him the ball so he can score, raise his scoring average and get a better contract. He could care less about winning and he certainly doesn’t seem to enjoy playing basketball for a living. Then instead of talking and learning from a future Hall of Famer, who has made a career out of getting people the ball and making them better players (Amare Stoudemire, Shawn Marion, Raja Bell), he berated Nash on the floor and told him to pass him the damn ball. If you can’t get along with Steve Nash you are a hopeless individual.

Kobe Bryant on the other hand isn’t as easy to get along with. I can’t believe I’m saying this but I like Kobe in this feud. Kobe basically publically called Howard out for being a big naniburger by taking so long to come back from his shoulder injury. This led to indirect tweet-beef and backhanded comments through various reporters. In the All-Star locker room it has been widely reported that Howard put on Kobe’s uniform and imitated him in front of the other Western Conference All-Stars. Kobe then came in and gave daps to everyone except for Howard. OOOOHHHHH SNAPPP!!!!

This is all such nonsense and brought to you by the sideshow that is Dwight Howard. I would NEVER want a clown like this on the Celtics, but not everyone agrees with me on this one. Would you want Howard on your team, even if you had to give up very little to get him? Share your comments below. As always shares on Facebook and Twitter are graciously appreciated as we attempt to spread the good word.

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