Orlando Magic guard Arron Afflalo is excited about the opportunity to play for his new team after he was traded from the Denver Nuggets to Orlando as part of the four team, 12-player mega-trade that sent Dwight Howard to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Afflalo spoke to John Denton of NBA.com Thursday afternoon, and said how Orlando's rebuilding efforts almost mirrored his time in college with the UCLA Bruins.
"It does feel much the same. It’s like things are working in a cycle for me. (At UCLA), I took pride in trying to restore the history that that school had. It’s similar to this situation with the Magic going from the Shaq era to Dwight and now another change in the eras. Good times quickly followed before and will again.’’
And while Afflalo would have liked to have played with the departed Howard, he isn't going to worry about anyone that isn't on the roster.
"You move forward and work hard and deal with the situation. You can’t worry about it and harp on it. You have to make the best of it. You have to get out on the court and deal with it. Once a player is gone, he’s gone. Time will pass and things will get better.’’
Afflalo does enjoy that he is counted on being one of the main building blocks and leaders in the Magic's rebuilding plans.
"It’s refreshing. It’s the opportunity that a lot of people don’t get when it comes to growing in this league. Your career is short, and to have this opportunity to continue to grow is great."
For more on the Orlando Magic's 2012 offseason, visit SB Nation's Magic blog Orlando Pinstriped Post.