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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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CHARLOTTE, NC – OCTOBER 29: Dwight Howard #12 of the Charlotte Hornets shoots a free throw against the Orlando Magic during their game at Spectrum Center on October 29, 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 – OCTOBER 29: Dwight Howard #12 of the Charlotte Hornets shoots a free throw against the Orlando Magic during their game at Spectrum Center on October 29, 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) /

A changing NBA landscape

While Dwight Howard’s numbers and PER are not what they were during his Orlando hay-day, to tell this story without the backdrop of today’s NBA. When he entered the NBA the league average for 3-pointers made in a game was 5.6, today it has almost doubled to 10.5.

That change in the fabric of the game has come at no higher cost than to back-to-the-basket centers like Howard. Traditional centers are a lot like Blockbuster stores. When was the last time you saw one of either?

This is not to say that Howard is totally blameless in this scenario, but can you imagine excelling your entire career at a particular skill set that gets you drafted first overall only to have that skill virtual obsolete within 10 years?

NBA: Ranking every team's starting backcourt heading into 2018-19. light. Related Story

Howard will play this upcoming season with John Wall and the Washington Wizards, a great opportunity to shine with a superb passer. While the days of receiving MVP votes might behind him, there still is plenty of runway for Dwight to be an impactful player on a competitive team.

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