Sometimes you have to hunt for news in a story, particularly one that starts with the conventional wisdom that the Nets are just a sorry franchise, etc., etc.. You know the rest. You've learned not to take it personally. And so there it was in the 15th paragraph, the news. Otis Smith, Magic GM, had spoken before Wednesday's game.

"I don't think anything has changed," Smith said. "Nothing has changed on his end, nothing has changed on my end at this point." That would seem to mean, and writer Sam Gardner seems to concedes it as well, that Dwight Howard is still intent on leaving and the Nets remain his first choice.

"There are things on every roster that you like, and there's a lot that you don't like," Smith said of the Nets. "You just have to do the best you can to get a deal if that's your choice [emphasis added]. We haven't gotten to the point to where we're dealing, so I guess at this point I'm up against the (March) 15 deadline to figure out if we're going to hold on to him or move him."

• Howard must realize New Jersey isn't for him - Sam Gardner - FOX Sports
• Alex Martins on keeping Dwight Howard in Orlando (Video) - Orlando Sentinel
  
• MAGIC: Denton's Notebook: February 22, 2012 - John Denton - Orlando Magic