Why Dwight Howard Is a First-Ballot Hall of Famer But Still Underrated
Dwight Howard: A Hall of Fame Career
Standing tall and muscular, Dwight Howard exudes the stature of a superhero, often resembling a 7-foot Superman, epitomized by his iconic cape during a dunk contest he won as a center.
Drafted first overall in 2004, Howard quickly made a name for himself as an elite defender and a top MVP contender by age 23, earning the league’s Defensive Player of the Year and reaching the NBA Finals in 2009, even defeating prime LeBron James.
For much of his career, Howard was compared to legendary centers like Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Shaquille O’Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Moses Malone, aspiring to achieve their greatness.
Howard’s career, however, was marred by controversies and injuries. His reputation for playfulness and occasional indiscipline was evident during trade drama in 2012, when he awkwardly embraced coach Stan Van Gundy during conflicting interviews.
His move to various teams—Lakers, Rockets, Hawks, Hornets, Wizards—saw a decline in performance and clashes with teammates like Kobe Bryant and James Harden, who criticized his leadership and basketball IQ.
Despite physical setbacks, including chronic back issues that led to missed games and surgery, Howard remained a formidable player. His playing style became less suited to the evolving game, which favored spacing and outside shooting.
In a surprising turn, Howard adapted to a complementary role with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020, helping them secure an NBA title and earning Sixth Man of the Year consideration, even starting in the finals against the Denver Nuggets.
Although he faced criticism and was somewhat regarded as immature, Howard’s peak performance was exceptional. He finished second in MVP voting and defeated one of the all-time greats in a playoff series—an achievement few can claim.
While he may not rank with the all-time giants like Russell or Kareem, Howard’s place among the notable big men—Patrick Ewing, David Robinson—is unquestionable. As he enters the Hall of Fame, he stands as a true legend of the game.