Author: Monojit Mandal
Dwight Howard’s NBA career seemed to have come to an end after a stint playing basketball in Taiwan. In an exclusive interview with the Sacramento Observer, Howard surprised fans by expressing his intention to return and join the Sacramento Kings.
The Sacramento Kings made headlines last season, ending a 16-year playoff drought and showing surprising determination when they faced the mighty Golden State Warriors in a dramatic seven-game series during the first round of the Western Conference playoffs. The Kings, under coach Mike Brown, play a fast-paced style that relies on various scoring alternatives to keep opposing defenses on their toes. The Kings are ready to continue their growth and become a Western Conference powerhouse, led by a bright young core and dynamic big man Domantas Sabonis.
Despite Howard’s desire, it’s unclear whether the Kings are looking for a player of his caliber. While any club could benefit from a power rebounder like Howard, his age and limited efficiency beyond the restricted area may not be compatible with the Kings’ fast-paced style of play, making it unlikely that he will be sought after in free agency.
To his credit, Howard had an exceptional season in Taiwan, averaging an astonishing 23.2 points, 16.2 rebounds and 5 assists per game in 20 appearances. Former NBA point guard Jason Williams recently declared on the All The Smoke podcast that the league will probably never see another player like Dwight Howard. During his best years with the Orlando Magic, Howard was a frightening force, dominating opponents with his power and explosive quickness. In his first eight years in the NBA, he averaged 18.4 points and 13 rebounds per game, while shooting an incredible 57.7% from the floor in 620 regular season games.
Howard’s public efforts to attract other NBA players to join him in Taiwan have been fascinating, although most of these efforts have been ironic comedy. In a recent Instagram post, Howard made an offer to LeBron James, suggesting that the superstar forward consider a trade if the Los Angeles Lakers failed to win a title this year, which they did not.
Regardless of whether Howard returns to the NBA or not, his active presence on social media has provided fans with an enchanting experience, giving an added layer of excitement to basketball fans who have embraced his captivating style and fascinating relationships, ensuring that Dwight Howard’s story will continue to appeal to audiences long after he leaves the NBA.
For those who don’t know Dwight Howard, he’s a professional basketball player who had a spectacular 19-year career in the NBA. He rose to prominence as the Orlando Magic’s first-round pick in the 2004 NBA draft, quickly establishing himself as one of the league’s most imposing centers. Howard was named to eight All-Star teams and was voted Defensive Player of the Year five times. In 2009, he led the Orlando Magic to the NBA Finals, where they were beaten by the Los Angeles Lakers.
Since leaving the Magic in 2012, Howard has played for the Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Washington Wizards, Philadelphia 76ers and returned to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he won his first NBA championship in 2020.