When a guy has been around as long as Philadelphia 76es veteran Dwight Howard has, he is bound to move up on some all-time lists in the history of the game.
After passing Hakeem Olajuwon and then Wes Unseld for 12th place on the all-time rebounds list, Howard moved up another list in Tuesday’s thrilling win over the Miami Heat. He passed Ben Wallace for 13th place on the all-time blocks list in NBA history with a block late in the fourth quarter.
“It means the world,” said Howard. “A lot of the times, we go through life, and go through the things that happen in our career, and we stop and really just take the opportunity to just enjoy certain things. I know for myself, when I saw that on the board, being 13th all-time in rebounds, looking at the long list of guys that are on there, the night before Wes Unseld, Hakeem, it’s like ‘Wow, that’s amazing’.”
The milestones keep coming for Dwight Howard. His last block gives him 2,138 for his career passing Ben Wallace for 13th most in NBA history. #Sixers pic.twitter.com/NgcxzOe9FN
— Ky Carlin (@Ky_Carlin) January 13, 2021
“It’s a big moment,” Howard added. “I looked up at the scoreboard and I was almost in tears just thinking about the blessing it is to be able to play this game and play it for a long time. Also, accomplishing something big.”
The Sixers needed all of Howard’s efforts off the bench. With Joel Embiid having to carry such a big scoring load, the veteran big man had 10 points, eight rebounds, and the milestone block off the bench to allow Embiid to rest.
In his 17th season in the league, he still continues to be a productive NBA player.
“I’m very thankful and grateful that I can still play this game in year 17,” he added. “Just being on the same list of those people, me rebounding like that is something that will always be there. It’s a big blessing, I’m humble, and I’m going to continue to work. I’m not gonna stop and I’m just very thankful.”
The Sixers will slug it out with the Heat again on Thursday at the Wells Fargo Center.
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