The City Of Orlando Lives In Fear Of Being Abandoned By "Superman"

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By Frank Pingue

(Reuters) - Dwight Howard is the face of the Orlando Magic franchise but the towering center and scoring leader's uncertain future in Florida following a trade request is taking its toll on team morale.

The Magic, one season on from a first-round loss in the National Basketball Association (NBA) playoffs, are battling the Miami Heat for the Southeast division crown but Howard's future and how it may impact his team mates remains high on the agenda. CONTINUE....

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Dwight Howard's Future In Orlando Sure To Grab All-Star Attention

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ORLANDO -- It's his town, his arena and his breathing space; we're all just borrowing it right now with his permission. And Dwight Howard is OK with that.

But it's also his All-Star weekend, and the very thought of The Man in Orlando being The Man of the moment is absolutely haunting the part of Howard that wants Friday through Sunday to vanish without having to discuss what comes next.

Because, as much as Howard enjoys being the life of the party -- he's child-like, playful at times and laughs almost on cue -- he'd love if the lamp shade pulled over his head could muffle all the fuss surely coming his way.

Dwight, you staying?

Dwight, you going?

Dwight, you there? Hell-looo?

"I'm not talking about it." STORY....

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Paul Pierce, Dirk Nowitzki Headline Reserves For 2012 All-Star Game

By Official NBA

NEW YORK -- Perennial All-Stars Paul Pierce (Boston Celtics) and Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas Mavericks) have been chosen as All-Stars for the 10th and 11th time, respectively, and headline the list of 14 players that have been selected by the coaches as reserves for the 2012 NBA All-Star Game, the NBA announced Thursday.

The 2012 NBA All-Star Game, which will air live at 7 p.m. ET on TNT and ESPN Radio in the U.S., and reach fans in more than 200 countries and territories in more than 40 languages, will be played at Amway Center in Orlando on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012. MORE....

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Miami Heat Top Dallas Mavericks As NBA Season Opens

LeBron James had 37 points as Miami beat Dallas in one of five season-opening games on Christmas. The Knicks edged Boston by two points. Chicago topped the Lakers by one point. The Thunder beat the Magic, and Chris Paul led the Clippers to a win.

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