It’s that moment when you think you’ve hit the peak of your career, only for something new to come along and raise the bar even higher. Well, that’s exactly what’s happening for one former NBA legend who’s got a fresh accolade headed his way. Three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and eight-time All-Star Dwight Howard has seen highs and lows during his career. From guiding the Orlando Magic to the NBA Finals in 2009 to facing trade rumors and criticism throughout the 2011–12 campaign, he has seen it all. Despite the difficulties, he ended a career that continues to create headlines by winning an NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020, capping off a career that continues to make waves. But now, he has something to console himself.
On March 24, 2025, Howard was inducted into the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame, a huge milestone that left him deeply grateful. Reflecting on his time with the team, he acknowledged the pain of leaving in 2012, but also recognized that those tough moments helped shape who he is today. Fast forward to April 5, 2025, and he received even bigger news—he’s been elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame! He couldn’t contain his joy, sharing that receiving the call felt “unreal.” In an emotional interview, Howard admitted to crying out of happiness, saying, “I was so grateful and thankful, and just kind of like at ease: Man, I don’t have to worry no more. I don’t have to think about this one thing anymore. Basketball is solidified.” It was a moment of pure relief and pride.
It’s easy to forget just how dominant he was during those years. Back in his Orlando Magic days, Dwight Howard was an absolute beast—and not just because of the Superman dunks. From 2009 to 2011, he owned the paint and led the league in rebounds with ridiculous numbers like 13.8 rebounds per game and topped the charts with 2.9 blocks per game. That stretch wasn’t just peak Howard—it was a moment when he genuinely shifted how big men impacted the game.
Howard himself recognizes that time often shapes how we remember a player’s career. “A lot of times, you don’t understand people’s presence until it’s not there anymore,” he shared. “And unfortunately, when you play this game for so long, factors like the media can water things down.”But Howard believes that when the “presence” fades away, that’s when people look back and truly appreciate what was lost. “That’s when they say, ‘Oh, my God, I remember.’” Reflecting on the criticisms, he added, “I think it is a little bit disrespected. But now, with the Hall of Fame in my corner, it doesn’t matter what anyone says or thinks. I made it to the pinnacle.” It’s clear, this achievement is his ultimate response to all the doubts.
Apr 5, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard (39) against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Though Howard is now on a path to success with his Hall of Fame induction and all his career achievements, his comment about feeling ‘disrespected’ hits differently when you remember his exclusion from the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team. The snub, which left fans and analysts baffled, still lingers, adding a layer of frustration to his otherwise triumphant journey.
Dwight Howard’s NBA 75 snub again has everyone talking
Dwight Howard’s exclusion from the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team sparked a major uproar in the basketball world, with fans and analysts alike calling it a glaring oversight. The debate quickly gained momentum, with NBA stars and analysts chiming in, all echoing the same frustration. Dwyane Wade was left shocked by the decision, while Stan Van Gundy didn’t mince words, calling it “ridiculous.”
Kenyon Martin didn’t hold back either, calling out media figures like Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith for having the power to shape athletes’ legacies. “As athletes, we have a problem with Skip, the Stephen A’s… they’ve never laced up and don’t know what it took for these guys to become who they are,” Martin said, capturing the frustration many felt. Gilbert Arenas and Rashad McCants agreed, pointing out how these analysts often have no right to judge a player’s body of work. In fact, Gilbert’s been vocal about this for years, admitting, “100% of athletes are still wondering how you make a 75 list without Dwight Howard.”
The anger wasn’t just limited to fans; even Kendrick Perkins weighed in, calling Howard’s exclusion “disrespectful.” Perkins even suggested replacing Bill Walton with Howard, who, statistically, was far superior. On First Take, Smith loudly argued against Perkins’ point, but the issue didn’t die down. Even Shaquille O’Neal, Dwight’s fiercest rival, admitted that Howard should’ve been on the list.
Dwight, never one to shy away from speaking his mind, opened up about the snub during a podcast on Above the Rim. “You know the way they did it, I was not happy about that… I ain’t gon lie, it kinda pissed me off, man. I ain’t gon front,” he shared, his raw emotion clear. As he sees it, the league started boxing him in. “The team[s] didn’t expect me to do that [lead the offensive charge] because that’s not what they wanted… Teams I was on only wanted me to be the rebounder, the vet and stuff like that. And so from a fan, they can’t understand it,” Howard said. “There’s no way you can name 75 that’s better. And I know that… without a doubt.” For him, what mattered the most was that the fans were being disregarded.
The snub is still a hot topic, and while it’s clear that Dwight’s place in NBA history is undeniable, with him now being inducted into the HOF conversation about this omission shows just how deeply it’s resonated with fans, players, and analysts alike.
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