Tag: Dwight Howard

76 greatest NBA players ever: Where Rockets rank in HoopsHype’s updated list

For the NBA’s 76th season in 2022-23, @HoopsHype has a fresh update of the top 76 players of all-time. Here’s where former Rockets came in, starting with Hakeem Olajuwon.

Edition one of the HoopsHype 75 went well enough that many people liked it better than the official NBA one, so our sister publication is doing another round. The catch is that they’re adding another player to make it a 76-deep list, since this is the league’s 76th season.

The main difference between this list and the official NBA75 one is that HoopsHype is giving modern-era players their flowers, to a larger extent. Egregious omissions from the official list, such as Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol, easily made it onto this ranking.

As was the case last year, HoopsHype held a team vote with the opinions of eight staff members, removed the highest and lowest rank for each, and awarded points from 76-1 for the rest.

Scroll on to see where former Houston Rockets were ranked, along with voting details, player accolades, and analysis from HoopsHype. You should check out the full HoopsHype list for all 76 updates.

Woj: Dwight Howard, LaMarcus Aldridge names to watch for Robert Williams III injury depth signings

Aldridge was evidently a player of interest for Boston, per Wojnarowski

The Boston Celtics might have a stopgap already in mind based on what ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting in the wake of the news that Boston big man Robert Williams III will miss at least the first few weeks of the 2022-23 season with a clean-up operation on the knee he hurt at the end of the season prior.

Per Woj, Dwight Howard and LaMarcus Aldridge could be options for the Celtics, with Boston having shown “a little interest in” this offseason as a potential depth signing.

Aldridge and Celtics head coach Ime Udoka have a connection going back all the way to their time with the San Antonio Spurs, so such a signing could make sense for the Celtics if they are not confident in the players they have coming into training camp.

Given, at least for now, that Timelord’s operation is considered a minor one with an expectation that the Texas A&M product is out only a few weeks of the regular season, Boston may elect to simply sign camp invitees and wait out the results.

But expect such a signing or perhaps even a trade if there are any lingering doubts about Williams’ health given the Celtics’ aspirations of contention.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

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Five proposed free agent injury replacements for Boston Celtics veteran forward Danilo Gallinari

The injury, sustained in FIBA World Cup qualifier play, will likely keep Gallinari out of action through at least the end of the 2022-23 regular season, and perhaps beyond it..

The Boston Celtics find themselves looking for a way to fill at least some of the minutes that will be vacated by veteran forward Danilo Gallinari after news broke of the Italian swingman’s ACL injury. That injury, sustained in FIBA World Cup qualifier play, will likely keep Gallinari out of action through at least the end of the 2022-23 regular season, and perhaps beyond it.

Early reporting has suggested that the team is in no hurry to replace Gallo with Boston reportedly planning to get a good look at the prospects they already have on the roster, but a strict adherence to such a plan might well see any potential free agents of note find homes elsewhere.

The Boston Globe’s Gary Washburn recently highlighted five potential signees the Celtics could consider bringing on in the wake of Gallinari’s injury; let’s dive into the prospective replacements.

Every player in Philadelphia 76ers history who has worn No. 39

Here is a list of every player in Philadelphia 76ers history who has ever worn the No. 39 uniform.

It’s summertime in the NBA, so it’s time to learn some history. The Philadelphia 76ers are one of the older franchises in the NBA. Their history dates to the 1949-50 season.

With that longevity, the team has had hundreds of players come through the City of Brotherly Love. Sixers Wire looks at the No. 39, which has been worn by only two of those players in the history of the franchise.

This running series will go through all of the uniform numbers worn in franchise history. The previous edition of this series was a list compiling the 11 players who have worn the No. 40.

Here is the list of those two players who have worn No. 39 in Sixers history:

NBA star Dwight Howard is serious about becoming a WWE superstar

NBA star Dwight Howard confirmed on The Bump that he’s serious about pursuing a WWE career.

When veteran NBA big man Dwight Howard appeared at the WWE’s tryouts during SummerSlam weekend, he raised a lot of eyebrows. At 6-foot-10 and easily recognizable from a basketball career that dates back to being picked first overall in the 2004 NBA Draft, he sort of can’t help it.

But his appearance in Nashville wasn’t just a lark. As Howard explained during a segment on WWE’s YouTube show, “The Bump,” becoming a pro wrestler is something he’s always dreamed of doing and would like to legitimately pursue.

“That would be amazing, but I want to take it step by step,” Howard said when asked if he could see himself being a WWE champion someday. “I want to be able to go and get in the ring and actually train as a wrestler, not a basketball player. … Before I do anything seriously, I really want to train first and understand how to do everything.”

Howard certainly has the size and athleticism to succeed, and he’s at the proper stage in his athletic career. At 36, his prime NBA days are behind him, though he’s still an effective rotational player.

While the list of WWE superstars who migrated to sports entertainment from traditional sports and found success is a lengthy one, the bigger question would be whether Howard has the chops to cut promos and do everything required of talent outside the ring. He got a chance to try his hand at that in Nashville as well.

On “The Bump,” Howard was asked to give a brief self-assessment of his promo and thought he did pretty well for his first time.

“I thought I did pretty good,” he said. ” I thought there was some areas I could have worked on, but overall I thought my approach … I thought I got into character as soon as I stepped on the stage, I never broke character. I came up with some funny jokes to engage the crowd, and I tried to make my opponent feel like I was going to really rip his head off once he got in the ring.”

Howard may also have a leg up on other hopefuls just starting out as the Nashville tryouts were reportedly not great overall in terms of injuries and the general inexperience of those in attendance. Still, even if WWE looks at bringing more independent wrestlers into its development program, it might be wise to save a spot for Howard, because he appears to have the right combination of physique, name recognition and humility to make a real go of it if given the chance.

Dwight Howard wants to join the WWE if he isn’t in the NBA in 2022-23

Dwight Howard, who spent this past season with the Lakers, is already planning his next career after basketball.

Dwight Howard has been a key member of the Los Angeles Lakers’ bench in two of the last three seasons, but there is a chance his NBA career is about to end.

About a month into free agency, he remains unsigned.

To be sure, he isn’t the same player he was even a couple of years ago when he helped the Lakers win the world championship, but he can still box out, rebound, get putbacks and play some defense in the paint.

It looks like Howard has a contingency plan if no one signs him by the end of the summer.

Via Lakers Daily:

“He (Howard) could be back with the Lakers, but if that doesn’t pan out, it seems that he has his sights set on joining the WWE.”

Whenever Howard’s basketball career comes to an end, he can leave with the peace of mind of a man who salvaged what was once a tarnished reputation by accepting a lesser role with L.A. and getting his championship ring.

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Dwight Howard is reportedly interested in signing with the Nets

Dwight Howard, a key reserve for the Lakers for two of the last three seasons, may want to head to the New York City metropolitan area.

This past season, as well as during the 2019-20 campaign, center Dwight Howard has been a key part of the Los Angeles Lakers’ bench.

He may not be the player he was a couple of years ago when the Lakers won the NBA championship. But he still proved effective boxing out, grabbing rebounds, getting second-chance points and even playing some defense.

About a month into free agency, Howard is still a free agent, and it seems L.A. doesn’t have much interest in keeping him around.

The team has signed Damian Jones and Thomas Bryant, two much-younger and more skilled centers, and it just gave G League prospect Jay Huff an Exhibit 10 contract.

According to Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson, Howard may want to join the Brooklyn Nets.

Of course, the Nets are dealing with the nebulous futures of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, both of whom reportedly want out.

Regardless of whether those two stars stick around, Brooklyn is thin at center, and Howard could possibly give it some beef at the 5 in limited minutes.

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However, he may not fit in with head coach Steve Nash’s vision of offensive basketball. Nash, a disciple of Mike D’Antoni’s “seven seconds or less” system that revolutionized the league, seems to prefer having five players who can hit from the outside on the floor at all times.

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Dwight Howard says he should make the Hall of Fame

Lakers center Dwight Howard said recently that he feels he deserves to receive basketball’s highest career honor.

After 18 seasons in the NBA, Dwight Howard seems to be nearing the end of his career.

He is coming off his third stint with the Los Angeles Lakers, but about a month into free agency, he remains unsigned.

In his heyday, Howard was a monster defensively and on the boards, and he wasn’t a bad scoring threat either.

He won three consecutive Defensive Player of the Year awards and led the league in rebounds per game five times and blocks per game twice.

As he is forced to ponder the next phase of his life, it seems Howard thinks he belongs in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Via Lakers Daily:

“It’s easy to forget, but Howard once made it to eight straight All-Star Games. He also helped lead the Orlando Magic to an NBA Finals appearance in 2009.

“For all those accomplishments and more, Howard believes he should be inducted into the Hall of Fame when his time comes.

“He said as much during a recent radio appearance.”

In addition to his most obvious accomplishments, Howard has been named to five All-Defensive and eight All-NBA teams.

The cherry on the top was playing a key role in the Lakers winning the 2020 NBA championship after swallowing his ego and accepting a diminished role off the bench.

After he retires, Howard absolutely deserves to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, and it would be very surprising if he doesn’t get in.

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Report: Dwight Howard and Nets have mutual interest

Veteran big man Dwight Howard reportedly has interest in joining the Brooklyn Nets.

While the Brooklyn Nets have already capitalized during their hectic offseason, they look to add another veteran role player to their roster.

According to a basketball scooper Brandon “ScoopB” Robinson, veteran Dwight Howard has mutual interest with Brooklyn. Robinson said the following on Spotify Live, “I reached out to Dwight (Howard) directly and I’ll tell you that there is mutual interest between him and the Brooklyn Nets.”

With the Nets front office dealing with Kyrie Irving’s contract extensions and Kevin Durant requesting a trade, the team seemed to be doomed this offseason. However, the team was able to salvage the offseason.

Brooklyn was able to retain quite a few of their players, extending Nic Claxton and Patty Mills. The organization also ironed out a contract with Irving that he deemed acceptable.

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Overall the Nets seem to be rounding the turn from the awful beginning of the offseason, where both Brooklyn stars reportedly requested a trade.

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Dwight Howard wants Lakers’ Big 3 to run it back

Lakers center Dwight Howard thinks that Russell Westbrook would mesh better with LeBron James and Anthony Davis if all three return.

Everyone and their mother know that the Los Angeles Lakers are ready to move on from Russell Westbrook and that they will look to trade him as soon as possible.

It seems like there is not a single soul in the organization who wants Westbrook to remain on the roster for next season.

But Dwight Howard sounds like he may be the lone Laker who wants to keep him in the fold.

The veteran center said that he feels Westbrook, LeBron James and Anthony Davis would be better in Year 2 together because of the struggles they went through this season.

Via Lakers Nation:

“Obviously, it can. I think it can, but it takes time and we live in a microwave society where we want results right away,” Howard said. “Things take time to mesh. You’re looking at three guys in Russ, AD and LeBron who need to have the basketball in their hands to be effective. That’s how Russ has been his whole career. He’s been the guy with the ball. He’s been making decisions and stuff like that. So is LeBron and you’ve got AD who’s the one up-and-coming star who needs the ball in his hands as well.

“It’s very tough coming in first year you play at home. It’s probably very difficult, so I can understand being uncomfortable all season long because you’re trying to make it work so bad. It goes back to what I was saying about the wall. You’re trying to do so much to get through, but it’s just like it’s not working right now. Sometimes you’ve got to sit back down and regroup and figure out how it can work and what you have to sacrifice, put away in order to be successful.”

Westbrook appears to still have plenty left in his tank as a useful individual player, but some rival executives seem to disagree, and that could complicate L.A.’s efforts to jettison him.

Still, if the Lakers ever consummate a trade involving him, there seems to be a decent chance they’ll get some real value back.

Howard himself also said that he wants to stay with the Purple and Gold next season. If that happens, he could probably still give the team some solid rebounding and physicality, albeit likely in fewer minutes than in the team’s championship season in 2020.

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