Dwight Howard, a dominant figure in NBA history, made his mark with the Orlando Magic and later with teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, where he won the 2020 NBA Finals.
Known for his exceptional rebounding and defense, Howard was pivotal in Team USA’s 2008 Olympic gold and the Magic’s NBA Finals run.
Despite controversies, his on-court impact is undeniable. Recently playing for the Taoyuan Leopards in the T1 League, Howard continues to demonstrate his basketball prowess. From his early days at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy to becoming a T1 All-Star, Howard’s career is a testament to his enduring talent and influence in the game.
Early Life of Dwight Howard
Dwight Howard born in Atlanta, Georgia, set the stage for his illustrious basketball career.
Born to Dwight Howard Sr., a Georgia State Trooper and athletic director at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy, and Sheryl Howard, a former Morris Brown College basketball player, Howard was immersed in a sports-rich environment from a young age.
Raised with a strong Christian faith, he began playing basketball at nine, initially as a guard. His transition to power forward during his high school years at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy came after a notable growth spurt.
At this academy, known for its elite basketball program, Howard’s talent rapidly developed. He averaged an astounding 25.0 points, 18.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 8.1 blocks per game in his senior year, making him one of the most highly touted high school recruits in the nation.
This early display of athleticism and skill foreshadowed his future success, including being the first overall pick by the Orlando Magic in the 2004 NBA draft and his later achievements with teams like the Los Angeles Lakers and the Taoyuan Leopards in the T1 League.
Dwight Howard – Drafted And Career Beginnings
Dwight Howard, drafted first overall by the Orlando Magic in 2004, skipped college to play in the NBA directly from high school.
Dwight Howard weigh at draft night? It was a formidable 265 pounds, and his physical presence was a significant advantage from the outset.
Howard’s rookie season showcased why he was a top pick, as he averaged a double-double and set an NBA record as the youngest to achieve this feat. Despite playing all 82 games and establishing multiple records, he finished third in Rookie of the Year voting.
After bulking up in the summer, Howard’s second season saw him enhance his play, becoming an elite defender and rebounder.
His third season earned him his first NBA All-Star Game selection and led the Magic to the playoffs, though they were swept in the first round by the Detroit Pistons.
In the 2007-08 season, Howard averaged 20.7 points and a league-leading 14.2 rebounds, guiding the Magic to their first division title since the Shaq era. However, their playoff run ended in the second round against the Pistons.
Dwight Howard play was so dominant he won consecutive Defensive Player of the Year awards and led the league in rebounds. Despite his efforts, the Magic couldn’t advance past the Eastern Conference Finals.
In 2012, amidst trade requests and a back injury, Howard’s impactful tenure with the Magic concluded, marking the end of a significant chapter in his career.
Leaving the Orlando Magic
During his tenure with the Orlando Magic, Dwight Howard set numerous franchise records, yet he yearned to be part of a championship-contending team.
Despite his desire to be traded to the Brooklyn Nets, the Magic initially resisted. They did, however, part ways with coach Stan Van Gundy. Howard, adamant about leaving if not traded, was eventually sent to the Los Angeles Lakers in a significant four-team deal.
Joining the Lakers, Howard was expected to bolster their defense, teaming up with stars like Steve Nash, Pau Gasol, and Kobe Bryant.
However, his time in Los Angeles was marked by challenges. Conflicts with Bryant, Nash’s frequent injuries, and questions about Howard’s work ethic and conditioning from Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni overshadowed his tenure.
Howard’s season with the Lakers, one of his least impressive since his rookie year, ended disappointingly as they failed to advance past the first round of the playoffs, exacerbated by Bryant’s injury and Howard’s ejection in a crucial game.
Dwight Howard and the Houston Rockets
Dwight Howard, originally drafted by the Orlando Magic and known for his imposing presence, declined a max contract offer from the Los Angeles Lakers and instead chose to join the Houston Rockets.
Despite his formidable weight and athleticism, recurring injuries hampered Howard’s performance.
However, his time in Houston wasn’t without its highlights. He had notable appearances, including an exceptional 10/10 field goals game that echoed Yao Ming’s precision.
Nevertheless, his tenure with the Rockets was marked by injuries and off-court controversies, which prevented him from meeting the high expectations set during his early NBA years.
During this period, Howard appeared in crucial moments for the Rockets, showcasing his ability to secure offensive rebounds and make a significant impact. The Rockets even reached the Western Conference Finals, although injuries and challenges marred Howard’s overall time in Houston.
This phase represented a pivotal moment in his illustrious career, as it marked his last significant role on a contending team before his subsequent moves in the NBA.
Dwight Howard – The Journeyman
Dwight Howard, once a dominant force in the NBA, faced challenges as he moved through different teams. Struggles to harmonize with fellow NBA All-Stars raised questions about his value to general managers. His declining performance and perceived negative locker room presence made it hard to attract interest from contenders.
Howard signed a three-year deal with the Atlanta Hawks, his hometown team.
However, their lack of championship ambitions became evident when they traded him to the Charlotte Hornets after one season. Reports even suggested that his Hawks teammates celebrated upon hearing the news.
In Charlotte, Howard, known for his struggles with free throws and propensity for technical fouls, became the team’s regular starting center and aimed to recapture his past glory. He had a remarkable 30-point, 30-rebound game and recorded a franchise-record 53 double-doubles in that season.
Nevertheless, he was traded for the third consecutive season, this time to the Brooklyn Nets. Subsequently, he was waived and later signed with the Washington Wizards.
His Wizards tenure was marred by injuries, with Howard missing significant portions of the regular season due to injuries to his glute, hamstring, and back. He made only nine appearances for the franchise before being traded and subsequently waived by the Memphis Grizzlies.
Throughout his career, Howard’s performance at the free-throw line and his propensity for technical fouls were also notable aspects of his game, particularly in his first season in the league.
Dwight Howard and his Comeback to the Los Angeles Lakers
Dwight Howard, once a controversial figure during his initial tenure with the Lakers, returned to Los Angeles with a newfound maturity in 2019. Having faced multiple trades, he was humbled and committed to giving the Lakers his best.
Although he had evolved from the dominant star of his earlier Lakers days, Howard still played a crucial role as a rim protector. During the playoffs, he contributed with 7.5 points and 7.3 rebounds while shooting an impressive 72.9% from the floor.
This performance played a significant part in the Lakers capturing their 17th NBA championship and earning Howard his first NBA ring.
Leaving and Coming Back to the Lakers Once Again
Dwight Howard’s journey took another turn as he left Los Angeles once more. Despite initially indicating he would return to the Lakers, Howard surprised fans by signing with the Philadelphia 76ers, leaving Lakers supporters with mixed feelings.
His stint with the Sixers proved to be short-lived and challenging. Despite averaging approximately 17 minutes per game, Howard accumulated 16 technical fouls during the season. Soon after, he signed another deal to rejoin the Lakers for the third time in his career, marking another chapter in his ever-evolving NBA journey.
Dwight Howard and His Taiwan Adventure
Dwight Howard ventured to Taiwan, joining the Taoyuan Leopards in 2022, a move that defied the T1 League’s usual salary cap for foreign players. He was set to earn over $1 million, with the league believing his presence would boost competition and fan interest.
In his debut on November 19, 2022, Howard’s performance was outstanding, contributing 38 points, 25 rebounds, 9 assists, and 4 blocks, leading the Leopards to a thrilling victory over New Taipei CTBC DEA. However, the following day, he suffered a knee injury, which he attributed to playing over 90 minutes within 26 hours.
Despite the injuries, Howard excelled in the T1 League, earning the titles of T1 League All-Star and All-Star Game Most Famous Player in February 2023.
He also participated in the Three-Point Contest and was named All-Star Game MVP after scoring 37 points.
Howard led the league in rebounds for the 2022–23 season and was named to the T1 League All-Defensive First Team. His accolades continued with his selection to the All-T1 League first team and the award for the Most Valuable Import of the T1 League for the 2022–23 season, solidifying his impact on Taiwanese basketball.
Dwight Howard – Accolades & Awards
Howard is a lock to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame once he retires. Thus far, his resume looks like this:
- Olympic Gold medal
- NBA Champion
- 5-time All-NBA First Team
- All-NBA Second Team
- 2-time All-NBA Third Team
- 8-time All-Star
- 3-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year
- 4-time NBA All-Defensive First Team
- NBA All-Defensive Second Team
- NBA All-Rookie First Team
- 5-time NBA Rebounding Champion
- 2-time NBA Blocks Champion
- NBA Slam Dunk Contest Champion
- Mr. Georgia Basketball
- First-team Parade All-American
- McDonald’s All-American Game MVP
- Naismith Prep Player Of The Year
On top of that, he’s also the youngest NBA player to:
- Grab 20 rebounds in one game
- Average a double-double
- Record a 20-point/2o-rebound game
- Grab 1,000; 2,000; 3,000; 4,000, 5,000, 6,000; 7,000; 8,000, and 9,000 rebounds
- Lead the league in rebounds
- Lead the league in blocks
- Win Defensive Player of the Year
Dwight Howard has left the NBA to join the Taiwanese T1 League where he already racked up a nice bunch of accolades:
- T1 League Most Valuable Import (2023)
- All-T1 League First Team (2023)
- T1 League All-Defensive First Team (2023)
- T1 League rebounds leader (2023)
- T1 League All-Star (2023)
- T1 League All-Star Game Most Famous Player (2023)
- T1 League All-Star Game MVP (2023)
Frequently Asked Questions:
How many 3s did Dwight Howard make?
Throughout his 18-year NBA career, Dwight Howard has attempted 103 three-pointers, knocking down 22 of those (21.4% shooting). His best season as a three-point shooter came with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2021-22, when he made 8 of 15 attempts (53.3%).
Where did Dwight Howard go to high school?
Howard, a center, spent his high school basketball career at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy. He then decided to enter the 2004 NBA draft instead of going to college and was selected first overall by the Orlando Magic.
What is Dwight Howard’s vertical?
Dwight Howard’s vertical is even more impressive than Shaquille O’Neal’s. He has an incredible 39.5” vertical leap, which is unprecedented for a guy who’s 6’10” and weighs 265 pounds. That’s the kind of athleticism that made him one of the most dominant two-way forces in the league during his prime.
What’s Dwight Howard’s Net Worth?
According to the specialized site Wealthy Gorilla, Dwight Howard’s net worth is $140 Million. However, Spotract points out that he’s earned $245,142,483 throughout his 18 years in the NBA in salary alone.
Who is the best Orlando Magic player of all time?
While Dwight Howard didn’t leave the team on the best terms, he should still be considered one of the greatest — if not the greatest —players in Orlando Magic history. He led them to the NBA Finals in his fifth season in the league and became the most dominant defender in the league during his prime.
Does Dwight Howard have a ring?
Yes, Dwight Howard has an NBA championship ring. He won it as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2019-2020 NBA season. It was the first championship of Howard’s career.
When did Dwight Howard win a championship?
Dwight Howard won his first NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2019-2020 NBA season. The Lakers defeated the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals, clinching the title on October 11, 2020.
