Dwight Howard was a high school phenomenon who soared head and shoulders above all other players to become the number-one draft pick in 2004. Since joining the Orlando Magic, Howard has powered the team to its first NBA Finals in more than a decade. He's an absolute monster on the boards. And in 2009 won the coveted Defensive Player of the Year award-before he was even twenty-five years old! With plenty of seasons still ahead of him, there's no telling how high Dwight Howard will soar. If you want a close look at one of basketball's superstars, look no further! All the stats, quotes, and action are here, plus photos and career highlights. And because it comes from Matt Christopher, readers know they're getting the best sports writing on the shelf.
On the basketball court, Lakers center Dwight Howard is intimidating. A three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, and a five-time selection to the All-NBA First Team, Howard is widely considered the best center in the game today. Off the court he's a role model, having started his own foundation and aid fund, as well as giving his time to many charitable causes. Readers find out how Howard became a star on and off the court.
As the last seconds ticked down at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, the most bizarre, tumultuous and cursed season in the 23-year history of the Orlando Magic mercifully came to an end. Coach Stan Van Gundy, known to keep coaching until the final buzzer, walked to the opposing bench with 10 seconds left in the lopsided playoff elimination game to congratulate young Frank Vogel, coach of the Indiana Pacers. Even more conspicuous than this rare mid-game conciliatory gesture from Van Gundy was the absence of the team's most recognizable, talented superstar: Dwight Howard. Howard had always talked about winning a championship and bringing joy to Orlando. Despite this, the face of the franchise did not show his face throughout the playoffs, opting to undergo three weeks' worth of rehabilitation in the Los Angeles area following his season-ending back injury. This sour finale was an ignominious ending matched only by this ill-fated season's tumultuous beginning. Entering training camp after a prolonged off-season, Howard stunned the team and town by delivering a defiant trade request to Magic management. Even more devastating for Magic fans was that this request to be dealt to another team was vividly reminiscent of a similar event from a decade ago, when the Magic's last franchise star center, Shaquille O'Neal, abandoned Florida for the Los Angeles Lakers. Howard and the Magic for so long seemed like the perfect match, and had even grown up together in many ways. The 2004 NBA draft brought together a skinny, devoutly religious teenage sensation and a squeaky-clean, family-run ownership down on its luck. Howard blossomed into a global superstar, turning the Magic into contenders. The city of Orlando embraced its new happy-go-lucky hero and fell in love with its basketball team again. They were once inseparable, as close as a player and a franchise could possibly be in today’s NBA. What followed was one of the most bizarre reality shows to befall any professional sports team in memory, with Howard taking the Magic on a wild, emotional and confounding ride. There was presidential-like flip-flopping, a near trade, an 11th-hour reprieve, farcical front-office fumbling, YouTube moments, a drunk-dialing accusation, media shenanigans and one heart-attack scare, among other things. And the soap opera is far from over. Follow the Orlando Sentinel's unmatched coverage of this ongoing saga with Dwightmare: Dwight Howard, the Orlando Magic, and the Season of Dysfunction. From the very beginning of Howard's career through the ouster of coach Stan Van Gundy and general manager Otis Smith, this book is the only place where the entirety of this saga's sordid details have been collected, analyzed, and boiled down to their bare facts. Dwightmare is a must read for Orlando Magic and basketball fans everywhere.
Dwight Howard has already had an amazing career in the NBA, and he's not done yet. Since being drafted in 2004, Dwight has played in seven NBA All-Star Games, won awards for defense, and even won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. Dwight's played for the Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, and Houston Rockets, breaking records and winning games with all three teams. Find out how Dwight Howard became the amazing player he is today. Learn why he's one of the best players in the game!
Did you know that Dwight Howard won two National Player of the Year awards as a high school senior? Discover how an amazing high school basketball player went on to become an outstanding NBA star.
Dwight Howard: Dominant Force in the Paint' is a riveting and comprehensive exploration of the life and career of one of the most dynamic and influential figures in modern basketball. From his early days as a prodigious high school talent to his rise as an NBA superstar and beyond, this book offers an in-depth look at the journey of Dwight Howard, a player whose presence on the court redefined the center position. This biography explores into his upbringing in Atlanta, Georgia, where his natural athleticism and relentless work ethic set the stage for an extraordinary career. Readers will discover how his high school dominance led him to forgo college and enter the NBA draft, where he was selected first overall by the Orlando Magic in 2004. The book captures Howard's immediate impact in the league, chronicling his ascent to becoming a perennial All-Star, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, and the central figure of a resurgent Magic franchise. 'Dwight Howard: Dominant Force in the Paint'provides a detailed account of Howard's most memorable seasons, including leading the Magic to the NBA Finals in 2009. The book examines his unique blend of size, strength, and agility that made him a nightmare for opponents and a beloved figure for fans. Through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, it explores his signature moments, from jaw-dropping dunks and game-changing blocks to his infectious smile and playful personality that endeared him to many. The narrative does not shy away from the challenges and controversies that marked his career. It covers his high-profile departure from Orlando, his subsequent stints with the Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets, and other teams, and the media scrutiny and public perceptions that followed him. You will gain insights into his struggles with injuries, team dynamics, and the pressures of living up to enormous expectations. In addition to on-court achievements, 'Dwight Howard: Dominant Force in the Paint' highlights Howard's off-court endeavors, including his philanthropic efforts, personal growth, and the evolution of his role in the NBA as he transitioned from a dominant superstar to a valued veteran presence. The book includes interviews with coaches, teammates, and Howard himself, offering a multifaceted perspective on his contributions to the game and his lasting legacy. This biography is more than a recounting of stats and games; it is an exploration of his character, his resilience, and his impact on the sport. Whether you're a long-time basketball aficionado, a fan of Dwight Howard, or someone interested in the human stories behind professional sports, 'Dwight Howard: Dominant Force in the Paint' provides a captivating and thorough portrait of one of basketball's most formidable and fascinating figures. Engage with the rise, the peaks, and the resilience of Dwight Howard in this definitive account of his life and career, celebrating the accomplishments and examining the complexities of a true force in the paint.