Dwight Howard: Superman

On August 10th, 2012, Dwight Howard was traded from the Orlando Magic to the Los Angeles. Dwight Howard was a great center for the Magic and had led them to the 2009 NBA Finals. But after his trade to the Lakers, his career spiraled out of career, which was really unfortunate.

Dwight Howard went to Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy. He was selected with the 1st overall pick in the 2004 draft by the Orlando Magic. The Magic went 36-46 in Howard’s rookie season and missed the playoffs. In 2005-06, the Magic again went 36-46 and missed the playoffs. They made the playoffs the next season, but were swept by the Pistons in the 1st round. The following season in 2007-08, they beat the Raptors in the 1st round, but again lost to the Detroit Pistons in 5 games. Up to this point, Howard had Rashard Lewis, Trevor Ariza, JJ Reddick, and Jameer Nelson, some shooting around Howard. In 2008-09, the Magic went 59-23. They beat went through the Eastern Conference in tough battles with 6 or 7 games. They lost to Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers in 5 games in the Finals, which was to be expected. The next season, they lost in the Eastern Conference Finals to the Boston Celtics in 6 games. In 2010-11, Howard’s last season with the Magic, they went 52-30, and they lost in the 1st round to the Atlanta Hawks in 6 games. The Magic decided that this their peak with Dwight Howard, so they shipped him to the Lakers where he played for 1 disastrous year. He then went to the Houston Rockets for 3 seasons, which were also unsuccessful. He switched from Atlanta, Charlotte and the Wizards for the next 3 seasons. During this past offseason, he was traded to the Grizzlies from the Wizards, and was waived shortly after. This is how fast it can happen. One moment you’re a good player and then the next you’re out of the NBA. In his best season, 2010-11, he averaged 22.9 points, 14.1 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks. Not bad numbers. He led the league in blocks and rebounds multiple times when he was in Orlando. Overall, Howard was a 8x All Star, 5x All-NBA 1st Team, All NBA 2nd team (2014), 2x All NBA 3rd Team, 3x Defensive Player of the Year, 4x All Defensive 1st Team, All Defensive 2nd Team (2008), All Rookie First Team (2005), NBA Slam Dunk Contest Winner (2008), 5x Rebounding Leader, 2x Blocks Leader.

Howard had a great career, but after one trade, it all went south. It’s unfortunate when player like Howard, Carmelo Anthony and other just lose what made them good and they can’t even get a spot on any team.

I hope you enjoyed this edition of This Day In History, please leave a comment on which player I should do next and on which day.