Dwight Howard didn’t make the NBA’s top 75 Anniversary Team and one of his ex-coaches was surprised by the snub. Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford, who was an assistant coach on the Orlando Magic when Howard was on the team, talked to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype about Howard.
“Yeah. He was a three-time Defensive Player of the Year,” Clifford said about Howard. “He was an eight-time All-Star. I’m not sure how many times he was in the First, Second or Third Team All-NBA. He obviously anchored our team when we won the East and lost to the Lakers in the Finals. Until he hurt his back, where he did have significant back surgery, he was a dominant inside presence in the league. You could say the dominating inside player.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Dwight Howard, Steve Clifford Updates
“He was also very bright on the court. He was a great screener when he was younger, which set up our pick-and-roll game, and he was great with coverages. He played in a way where his intelligence on the court allowed him to take full advantage of his gifted athleticism.”
Howard has career NBA averages of 15.7 points, 11.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks with the Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Washington Wizards and Philadelphia 76ers.
Howard last played in the NBA for the Lakers in 2021-22. He averaged 6.2 points and 5.9 rebounds while shooting 61.2% from the field. No team offered Howard an NBA contract for the 2022-23 season, so he took his talents to Taiwan.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Dwight Howard, Steve Clifford Updates
Howard worked out for the Golden State Warriors this offseason, but the Dubs opted not to sign the future Hall of Famer. Howard, who turns 38 in December, may have played his last game in the NBA.
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