Dwight Howard pens emotional publish after Magic HOF induction

Monday was a special occasion for the Orlando Magic and their former star heart, Dwight Howard. Greater than a decade after his departure, the Magic honored Howard by inducting him into their Corridor of Fame earlier than their matchup in opposition to the Los Angeles Lakers, one other staff he performed for. The emotional eight-time All-Star, broadly considered the best participant in franchise historical past, additionally shared his ideas on X (previously Twitter).

“These tears right now had been tears of JOY. Tears for that 10 yr previous that mentioned he was going to be the #1 choose within the NBA draft! Tears for the 18 yr previous child that was handed the keys to a franchise and a metropolis. Tears for the ups & downs on this lengthy journey I had within the NBA. Every little thing comes full circle and I need to thank the Magic once more for inducting me into the Orlando Magic HOF,” mentioned the most recent member of the Magic Corridor of Fame.

Dwight Howard’s time with the Magic

Howard turned the thirteenth participant to be enshrined within the Orlando Magic Corridor of Fame. Drafted first total in 2004, he spent eight seasons with the staff from 2004 to 2012. Over 621 regular-season appearances—beginning all however one—he averaged 18.4 factors, 13.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 2.16 blocks, and 1.01 steals per recreation. Logging 36.2 minutes per night time, he maintained a formidable 57.7% capturing effectivity (4,034-6,988) from the sphere.

The previous Magic famous person additionally performed a key function in Orlando’s postseason success, beginning all 57 of his playoff appearances with the staff. He posted averages of 19.9 factors, 14.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and a pair of.77 blocks throughout 39.4 minutes per recreation, capturing an environment friendly 60.0% (393-655) from the sphere. His dominance within the paint helped propel the Magic to the 2009 NBA Finals and a return to the Jap Convention Finals in 2010.

Howard stays the Orlando Magic’s all-time chief in a number of classes, together with factors (11,435), rebounds (8,072), blocks (1,344), free throws made (3,366), free throw makes an attempt (5,727), and minutes performed (22,471).

Whereas Shaquille O’Neal left Orlando and went on to win a number of championships with Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles, Howard’s profession took a distinct route, as he moved from staff to staff within the years that adopted. Sarcastically, he did safe a championship in Orlando—however not with the Magic. As a substitute, he performed a supporting function for the Lakers throughout the NBA’s COVID-induced Disney bubble, capturing his lone title.

Howard’s profession after the Magic 

For probably the most half, although, Howard turned a journeyman, drifting from franchise to franchise. On the peak of his profession, he pushed the Magic into buying and selling him as a part of a large four-team deal in August 2012. The transfer despatched Howard to the Lakers, however his time in Los Angeles shortly unraveled. Clashes with Kobe Bryant outlined his lone season there, main him to depart in free company and signal a profitable contract with the Houston Rockets the next yr.

His time in Houston ended with out a lot fanfare, and he quickly transitioned into a task participant, taking alternatives wherever they got here. Over his remaining 10 NBA seasons, he performed for six totally different groups throughout eight stints earlier than in the end ending his profession abroad.

Dwight Howard expressed his deep connection to the Magic throughout his induction speech. “That is my residence,” he mentioned. “It should at all times, eternally be my residence. You guys will at all times be my household, I will love you guys eternally. Thanks once more for this second. Thanks for permitting me to be part of Orlando Magic historical past.