Superman Immortalized: Dwight Howard Inducted Into Orlando Magic Hall of Fame
Dwight Howard had an exceptional career long before joining the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2019-20 season, but that was the year he finally secured his first and only NBA championship. The dominant big man, known for his defensive prowess and rebounding ability, had already built a Hall of Fame-worthy résumé before winning a title.
Howard first played for the Lakers in the 2012-13 season alongside Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash. Despite high expectations, the team struggled with injuries and chemistry issues, ultimately getting swept in the first round by the San Antonio Spurs. Howard still delivered solid numbers, averaging 17.1 points on 57.8% shooting, along with 12.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game.
Seven years later, he returned to Los Angeles in a much different role. Serving as a backup center for the 2020 Lakers, Howard embraced his responsibilities and contributed efficiently, averaging 7.5 points on 72.9% shooting and 7.3 rebounds in 18.9 minutes per game. His efforts helped the team capture the NBA title in the Orlando bubble.
With an 18-season career that included multiple stops, Howard’s legacy was already cemented. On Monday, he added another accolade—not as an inductee into the Basketball Hall of Fame (yet), but into the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame.
Drafted first overall by Orlando in 2004, Howard spent eight seasons with the franchise, becoming a three-time Defensive Player of the Year and earning five All-Defensive First Team selections. He led the Magic to the 2009 NBA Finals, though they fell to the Lakers in five games, and returned to the Eastern Conference Finals the following year, losing to the Boston Celtics in six.
Howard’s career officially concluded after his third stint with the Lakers in the 2021-22 season. In response to his Orlando Hall of Fame induction, the NBA honored him by sharing highlights of his dominant defensive plays, a fitting tribute to one of the greatest defensive centers of his generation.
