Along with Tony Parker and Pau Gasol, he is one of the “forgotten” greats on the list of the 76* greatest players in the history of the league. This oversight, Dwight Howard had it very badly.
“ I was very upset, I even wondered if I wanted to play basketball again. I wondered why I was doing this. It was a total disrespect », starts by delivering the pivot to Shannon Sharpe.
The latter had just recalled the prize list of the future member of the Hall of Fame: a championship title with the Lakers in 2020, eight All-Star selections, as many All-NBA nominations, five titles of best rebounder, three titles of best defender of the year…
” I feel like I’ve been a great ambassador for the NBA and for the game globally. “, completes the interested party, before adding: “ People who say I didn’t take things seriously… How could I not take things seriously and win defender of the year three times? I had to take defense seriously enough to win it three times in a row. »
Victim of his reputation
The number one of the 2004 Draft also considers that after the 2009, 2010 and 2011 DPOY trophies, the pivot, still a Magic player at the time, should have won a fourth in a row. ” I didn’t get it because I asked for my transfer and the media kept going around in circles with my desire to leave Orlando. And whoever won it was in the third (sic) five defensive (note: the second actually) that year, me in the first. So it makes no sense “, continues Dwight Howard without quoting Tyson Chandler, the 2012 winner.
The center, who says he’s been in contact with the Nets recently, believes he wouldn’t have had such a long career – 18 seasons – if he hadn’t taken things seriously. ” Do I like having a good time? Yes, I’m doing something I’ve dreamed of since I was three, so of course I’m going to smile and have fun. »
He comes to imply that his attitude on the court and what has been written about him may have had a detrimental effect on integrating this famous list.
” A lot has been said about my personality, how I behave with teams and my teammates. It’s crazy for me that people think I’m a bad teammate and a cancer in the locker room, a bad guy, the devil… My CV and my physique show that I take things seriously. »
