Dwight Howard had an illustrious career before going to the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2019-20 season, but that's when he won his first and only NBA championship.
The eight-time All-Star also played for the Lakers in 2012-13 alongside Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash, but the team got swept by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round. He averaged 17.1 points on 57.8 percent shooting with 12.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocks that season.
Howard was a backup on the 2020 team, averaging 7.5 points on 72.9 percent shooting with 7.3 rebounds in 18.9 minutes. After that, the only accomplishment he had left to achieve was being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
That's what happened on Monday, but not for the Basketball Hall of Fame. Instead, the 39-year-old got inducted into the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame.
Reacting to this news, the NBA posted Howard's defensive highlights and accolades to honor him after the announcement.
DWIGHT HOWARD: DEFENSIVE ANCHOR
3x #KiaDPOY
5x All-Defensive Team (4x First Team)
Here's some of Dwight's BEST BLOCKS during his Magic tenure pic.twitter.com/NmsjSfv4fG
— NBA (@NBA) March 24, 2025
Howard was drafted No. 1 overall by the Magic in 2004 and played for them until 2012 when they traded him to the Lakers. The big man won three Defensive Player of the Year awards and five All-Defensive First Team selections during his Orlando tenure.
Howard led the Magic to the NBA Finals in 2009, but they lost to the Lakers in five games. He also took them to the Eastern Conference Finals the following season, but they lost to the Boston Celtics in six.
Howard played for 18 seasons, ending his career with his third Los Angeles stint in 2021-22.
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This story was originally published March 24, 2025 at 7:05 PM.