spoiler, it has nothing to do with his track record
Dwight Howard was one of the forgotten greats of the NBA 75th anniversary selection. These lists are always very subjective, but it is difficult to formulate a reasonable argument as to why the pivot of the Lakers was not retained. Simple question of reputation? Dwight thinks so.
Still working with the Lakers, Dwight Howard can boast of having a very nice CV: eight times All-Star, eight times All-NBA, four times member of the NBA All-Defensive First Team and three times Defender of the Year, the interior, including Orlando and Los Angeles, also pocketed the ultimate certification by winning the coveted champion ring in 2020. During his best years at Magic, Superman averaged over 20 points, 14 rebounds and almost 3 blocks. He was the lifeblood of the Orlando franchise, leading the team to over 50 wins (including two 59-hit campaigns) on four consecutive seasons and an NBA Finals appearance in 2009. Dwight Howard wasn’t just the big man the most dominant at the time, it was also a constant feature of the discussion of the MVP, finishing four times in the top five votes between 2007 and 2011. However, it remains one of the big forgotten of the Top 75 all-time. How to explain it? Taylor Rooks of Bleacher Report asked the main party about his feelings about the list.
“I knew I wasn’t going to be on the list,” Dwight said. Why ? “For political reasons. I knew they weren’t going to include me, ”added the pivot, probably referring to the bad reputation that followed him for years and which obviously still works against him if his words are to be believed.
Obviously, Howard feels he should have his place in the Top 75, but he doesn’t want to take his head with it.
“I should clearly be on this list, but that’s fine with me, I’m not mad. I was for about 30 seconds. But I said to myself: You know what? Life is Beautiful ! I’m alive, I’m still playing basketball in my 18th season. Who cares about a list made by people who have never bounced a basketball before? Who cares ? «
In fact, Howard’s claim that the list was made by « people who have never bounced a basketball before » is not necessarily correct, as active and retired players were on the panel. with journalists, coaches and leaders. As for « politics », he is probably right because he clearly has the track record to be on this famous list. But he also said goodbye to a beautiful story with Orlando bluntly, there were disputes with Kobe Bryant To The bone Angeles, James Harden didn’t like him at the Rockets either, and there was a time when he was seen as a bad teammate with a nefarious influence in the locker room he’s been to. And during the 2010s, he chained the stops, he who played only one season at thees Hawks, the Hornets and the Wizards (where he only played nine games due to back surgery). The icing on the cake, the Dwight is used to responding to every situation with a bit of fun close to Garfieldian recklessness. All that is also part of his career and it surely played out in the end. Regardless, whether we like Dwight or not, he’s a real snub and ljournalist of Fox sports Nick Wright portrayed it pretty well when he referred to this list as « a lunch table where you find the kids who are cool at the expense of the brightest. »
For years, Dwight Howard’s reputation has apparently led to his contribution being underestimated. The winner of Slam Dunk Contest 2008 had a strong record for several seasons, and while the second half of his career hasn’t been quite the same, that doesn’t erase his accomplishments.
Dwight Howard on being left off NBA 75: « I knew I wasn’t going to be on it. » 👀
Watch his live interview with @TaylorRooks now in the B / R app: https://t.co/eXFH69wHZY pic.twitter.com/f2SklEyuDU
– Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 10, 2021
