Dwight Howard, Rajon Rondo, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis all have great storylines about winning the 2020 NBA Championship. However, none are more wholesome than Howard’s.
NBA and Laker fans specifically remember Howard’s first stint with the Lakers in 2013. The team of Howard, Kobe Bryant, and Steve Nash. The season was an utter disaster. Nash broke his leg in the second game of the season. Howard was dealing with shoulder issues all season and couldn’t mesh with Kobe. Then two games before the playoffs after Kobe carried that team to a playoff berth, he famously tore his Achilles, and his career was effectively over.
Dwight Howard was Done
Howard left the following year and had a stretch of bouncing from team to team, thinking he was still the best center in the league. However, that wasn’t the case. Then in 2019, when Howard was pretty much unwanted by teams, the Lakers took him back on the condition that all of his on and off-court antics would stop. They stopped alright Howard accepted his role and performed so well he was starting games in the playoffs. Imagine trying to explain to someone ten years ago that James, Howard, and Rondo would celebrate a championship with the Lakers.
Dwight Finally Woke Up
The former three-time defensive player of the year hoped to try again with LA after his departure. And that has now come full circle.
After winning the NBA Finals Howard among other Lakers, took to Instagram Live to celebrate.
Dwight’s story of redemption is one of the best things you’ll see. From failing in Orlando with the Magic, becoming a head case on teams, and not accepting his role. Then to have this weird COVID scenario where ultimately Howard wins the Finals in Orlando with the Lakers. Howard’s story and legacy are that of a Hall of Famer, and finally capturing the NBA Championship was the icing on the cake for him.
No matter what happens with Howard now, he can always say he finally got the one piece that was missing from his resume. Watching him perform so well in the playoffs and contributing to the team was great to see. Howard will one day find himself in Springfield, Massachusetts, honored as one of the games great big men.
