Howard's future dominates the present

ORLANDO, Fla.

It was March 1, 2011, which meant, according to the calendar logic of 21st century sports, the subject inevitably was 2012.

And it left Stan Van Gundy bothered and bewildered.

When asked after yesterday's morning shootaround whether he was concerned that the looming free agency of Dwight Howard next year might be a distraction, the Magic coach said this:

"I'm concerned about playing the Knicks tonight. Why would I be concerned about next season? I've got enough to be concerned about. I don't get that. We've got a game tonight!''

It was a quaint complaint from an era before 24/7 sports media fueled an endless cycle of discussion and debate, most of it spun forward - sometimes years into the future.

But there is no denying the reality, which made the distraction question legitimate. Ask the 2009-10 Cavaliers of LeBron James or the 2010-11 Nuggets of Carmelo Anthony.

So it was that as the Magic and Knicks prepared to play at the Amway Center, fans and journalists could not help themselves wondering where Howard might head next year, via trade or free agency.

How about the Knicks, where he would complete the best frontcourt since Parish, McHale and Bird?

When a metropolitan-area reporter playfully asked him about that before the game, he shook his head, smiled as he walked away and said, "New York is a beautiful city to visit, but it's too cold for me.''

Wednesday night, everyone gets to do it all over again when another member of the free-agency class of 2012, the Hornets' Chris Paul, visits the Garden.

Howard showed in the first quarter what the fuss is about, scoring 17 points. He rested for a chunk of the second, during which the Knicks outscored Orlando 37-15.

The Magic would rally for a 116-110 victory, led by guard Jameer Nelson; Howard had 30 points, 16 rebounds and five blocked shots.

Perhaps Van Gundy is in denial, because he could well lose Howard to a more glamorous, star-studded franchise. But he said he was speaking as a fan when he lamented the current culture.

"The games that are happening right now don't draw as much interest as where guys might be going as free agents, where they might be going in trades, who's going to draft who,'' he said.

"I consider myself a sports fan, and I could give a crap about any of that stuff. If a trade happens or a draft happens, fine. But all this speculation over it . . . Who cares? I just don't get it.''

Seven hours after Van Gundy had his say, it was Howard's turn. First, he had to bat away the most recent speculation about his next stop: the Nets. So, Superman, are they more attractive with Deron Williams?

"Orlando is the most attractive place for me right now,'' Howard said.

We all are big boys and girls, so let's not be naïve. Howard, Paul and Williams are thinking about their futures just as fans are, and eventually they will do what is best for themselves.

Still, Howard seemed sincere when I relayed what Van Gundy had said and he agreed, lamenting that Magic fans come to games in the present wondering what will become of him in the future.

"Everywhere I go now I hear, 'Hope you re-sign, hope you re-sign!' '' he said. "I'm like, dude, it's not time for me to re-sign. I can't sign a contract today, so why are you asking me to re-sign right now?

"It does get annoying because I don't think people really know. They go off what they hear on TV. The truth is there's nothing I can do for two years but play basketball. I just want their support.''

In the fourth quarter, he got it. Fans chanted, "M-V-P, M-V-P.''

It was a tribute for 2011, and a wish for 2012.

The Dolan family owns controlling interests in the Knicks, MSG and Cablevision. Cablevision owns Newsday.