Superman lands in Tinseltown

After nearly a year of ongoing speculation, what's become known as the 'Dwightmare' is officially over. At least for now. Having been the centerpiece of trade rumors dating back to last season, Dwight Howard was finally granted his ticket out of Orlando thanks in large part to the never ending saga of distractions and a blockbuster four-team trade. Howard, the first overall pick of the 2004 NBA Draft who helped transform a struggling Orlando Magic franchise into a playoff staple before later becoming the team's all-time leading scorer, will now play for the team who deprived him of winning a title just four seasons ago -- the Los Angeles Lakers.

In what was already considered a successful off-season which saw the arrival of 2-time MVP point-guard Steve Nash, the addition of Dwight Howard makes this off-season one for the books in the minds of Laker fans and basketball fans alike. Howard, the Magic's all-time leading scorer is just the latest addition to an already formidable squad that also features Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol. Having built dynasty after dynasty around some of the most dominant big men in the history of the game from all-time greats such as George Mikan, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O'Neal, the Lakers look to add another chapter with the acquisition of Dwight Howard. Following in the tracks of another former Magic great -- Shaq, who also ditched Orlando for the bright lights of Hollywood under the nickname 'Superman', Dwight told the media he appreciated being put in the same class as those dominant big men who played before him, but made it very clear that he plans to make history of his own and wants to be great in his own right.

But is the acquisition of Howard & Nash enough for the Lakers to leapfrog the Oklahoma City Thunder as the perennial favorites in the Western Conference? I'd say so. But the picture is bigger than that. After a number of tries, Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak not only made the move he's been longing for, but the one that Howard's new teammate Kobe Bryant says will keep the team afloat for many years once he decides to hang it up. Kobe, who was unable to meet with Howard in person following the trade because he was overseas playing in the London Olympics where he looked to add another gold medal to his already impressive trophy case, spoke to the media about the future of both his career and the Lakers organization moving forward. "I'll probably play two or three more years. Then the team is his." Of course assuming Howard re-signs long-term with L.A. once he's eligible for free-agency following the 2012-2013 season. Having now found a long-term solution for when the day comes that the Kobe era comes to an end in Lakerland, fans of the purple & gold will no longer have to lose sleep wondering who will lead the franchise once the Black Mamba retires.

Just like Andrew Bynum who will be forgotten about despite helping the Lakers win back-to-back NBA titles in 2009 and 2010 since being drafted by L.A. at the young age of 17, what won't get talked about nearly enough regarding the deal is the fact that Kupchak was able to work his magic all while managing to keep Pau Gasol who at first glance was thought to be a for sure lock to be dealt in order to land Howard. Without Gasol the team is very good on paper, with him they're great. One thing Howard didn't mention during his press-conference, however, was winning a championship. But perhaps he'd rather be about it instead of talking about it. That's a mentality the 26-year old center will eventually adopt while playing alongside Kobe Bryant. 

Who came and who went? - In order to get a lot, you've got to give a lot. That saying applied here as the Lakers had to part with the second best center in the league in order to obtain the first best. While the Lakers sent Andrew Bynum to the Philadelphia 76ers who also received Jason Richardson from Orlando, Philly dealt Andre Iguodala to the Denver Nuggets. Highlighting the Magic's transformation next season will be Aaron Afflalo and Al Harrington who are joined by Nikola Vucevic, Moe Harkless, Josh McRoberts and Christian Eyenga. Making the transition from Orlando to Los Angeles with Howard were Magic teammates Chris Duhon and Earl Clark. Orlando will also look to rebuild via the draft as they received five draft picks in total; three first-round picks and two second-round picks. And though it may take longer than fans would like for the Magic to return as playoff contenders, trading Howard and preparing for the future makes a lot more sense for the organization opposed to hanging on to Howard for another year only to have him walk and sign elsewhere the following summer as a free-agent. But that's not to say the earlier trade proposals which surfaced regarding Howard to either the Houston Rockets or Booklyn Nets weren't better suited for Orlando.

The Beverly Hills hotel in which Howard has lived in for the past several months while rehabbing since undergoing back surgery is just a stones throw away from his new home of Staples Center. And though Howard is expected to miss the first few games or so while recovering, the team should be getting an early Christmas present when he returns. If worse comes to worse, they could see him in action as late as Christmas day when the Lakers play host to the New York Knicks.

So far this offseason has saw the Lakers upgrade in two positions the consensus favorite and defending champion Miami Heat lack most and are most vulnerable at -- center and point-guard. And in doing so the Lakers have once again stolen the spotlight in the NBA as the one team everyone will have their eyes on and will be wanting to see come the start of the season.


Follow me on Twitter: @FraserKnowsBest