The big NBA news of the week was certainly Dwight Howard's decision to waive his early termination option and opt-in for next season with the Orlando Magic. Immediately, everyone began comparing his opt-out year decision with LeBron James and his decision to leave Cleveland. Howard said in his press conference that his decision was about loyalty, and that he didn't feel he could leave the city with goals unfulfilled.
Brian Windhorst caught up with James and Dwyane Wade, to ask them about Howard's decision and Wade's tweet mocking D12's invocation of "loyalty." Quotes after the jump:
Via Brian Windhorst:
"I fulfilled my contract in Cleveland. I was an unrestricted free agent and I could have done whatever I wanted to do. I was free, that's what the collective bargaining is all about. That's why the rules is put in like that. ... I think the best thing about (Howard) is he's happy. The organization is happy that he's staying and they can move on with their season. But none of their situations -- not Chris Paul, not Carmelo Anthony, not Dwight Howard -- none of their situations is like mine."
Dwyane Wade also seemed to back down from his tweet, and said it was directed specifically at Howard in a mocking way:
"Think what you want to think," he said. "Loyalty means damned if you do, damned if you don't -- new definition of loyalty in the world. There's going to be good things said about you, there's going to be bad things said about you, no matter what you do."
For more news, analysis, and discussion on the Cavaliers, check out Fear The Sword, SB Nation's Cavs blog.