The Philadelphia 76ers‘ big man Joel Embiid is the best center in the NBA today, however, one of his former backups in Dwight Howard was once the best center in the league. Howard’s clearly not at that point in his career anymore, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t a polarizing player anymore.
Howard just finished his 18th season and is a free agent after playing for the Los Angeles Lakers for his third stint with the franchise. There’s a chance that last season was Howard’s last year, although I’ve written that he’d still be a good option as a third-string center.
With that in mind, if Howard doesn’t sign this offseason, the following quote from him is especially interesting.
Dwight Howard believes he is a Hall of Famer: "It’s not up to me. But I think one day I’ll get the recognition that I deserve. Until then I’m going to continue to get better, continue to smile and continue to enjoy life.”
— 👑 Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson (@ScoopB) July 27, 2022
- Via Scoop B Radio pic.twitter.com/NNGRqHT7GU
Is former Philadelphia 76ers’ backup Howard a Hall of Famer?
This shouldn’t be much of a question as Howard has the resume to get into the Basketball Hall of Fame. For his career, Howard’s averaged 15.7 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks. During his prime with the Orlando Magic, he averaged 18.4 points, 13.0 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks.
Howard has made eight consecutive All-Star games, eight All-NBA selections, and five All-Defensive team selections. He won three Defensive Player of the Year awards and an NBA championship with the Lakers in 2020. He was a five-time rebounding champion and two-time block champion.
Let’s not forgot he led an Orlando Magic team who had no business making a deep playoff run to the NBA finals in 2009. Back injuries stole the potential of Howard’s prime and as a result, he began to bounce from team to team for a few seasons before becoming a full-time backup.
As a member of the Sixers, Howard did a good job as a backup for Embiid in that one-year stint. It can be argued that he was a top-five backup in Embiid’s career.
Howard might have been snubbed as a top-75 player of all time, but the Philadelphia 76ers’ former backup center deserves to be in the Hall of Fame once his career is over.