NBA: Ranking the top 20 players that impact the game in non-scoring roles

10. Dwight Howard, Los Angeles Lakers

Since leaving the Orlando Magic, Dwight Howard has been slowed by injuries and father time, leading people to believe he was done. This year Howard has shown he can still do the things that made him win defensive player of the year three years in a row from 2009-11.

In the era of small-ball, where a lot of teams are not going with a traditional center, Howard has been a good throwback. In 19.6 minutes per game, he is averaging 7.8 points, 7.6 rebounds and his 1.3 blocks per game make him 18th in the league. His per 36 minutes averages are 14.3 points, 13.9 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game. His rebounding and blocks per 36 are similar to his prime Dwight Howard numbers in Orlando, showing how great he’s been this season in limited minutes.

A lot of people will say Howard never became the offensive player they thought he would be, but he is 14th all-time in blocks, sixth all-time in defensive rebounding and fifth all-time in field goal percentage in NBA history. He might not be the player you thought he would be, but he has always been a solid center when healthy.