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Dwight Howard: The rise and fall of an all-star

By Harry Wahl

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 04: Dwight Howard #12 of the Charlotte Hornets reacts after a play against the Orlando Magic during their game at Spectrum Center on December 4, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 04: Dwight Howard #12 of the Charlotte Hornets reacts after a play against the Orlando Magic during their game at Spectrum Center on December 4, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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ORLANDO, FL – MARCH 30: Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic drives against Ian Mahinmi #28 of the Dallas Mavericks during the game at Amway Center on March 30, 2012 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL – MARCH 30: Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic drives against Ian Mahinmi #28 of the Dallas Mavericks during the game at Amway Center on March 30, 2012 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /

The Early Years

It’s hard to understand the real size of NBA players through watching them on TV. But even with that caveat, when I first saw Dwight Howard on television during the 2009 NBA Finals, I knew that he was significantly larger than everyone else on the court. I also had a hunch that he could literally carry the rest of his Orlando Magic teammates on his broad shoulders if he needed to. Howard’s real rise however started well before his Finals debut.

One year after “The Chosen One” aka LeBron James was the first pick, Dwight Howard was selected by the Orlando Magic first overall in the 2004 NBA Draft. He immediately started every game for the Magic and averaged a double-double for the season. Not bad for a 19 year old. Over the next two years Dwight would increase his on-the-court numbers en route to his first NBA All-Star appearance in 2007.

Then, from 2008 to 2011, Howard put together arguably the best four year stretch of his career. Four First Team All-NBA selections, three Defensive Player of the Year Awards, career highs in the both points, rebounds, and blocks, two Eastern Conference Finals appearances and one NBA Finals appearance.

During this time, Howard also beat LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers head-to-head in the postseason and finished in the top five in MVP voting all four years.

But then, everything started to slowly unravel.

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