Dwight Howard was arguably the best center in the entire NBA during his prime years with the Orlando Magic. He was a perennial All-Star, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, and Slam Dunk champion. But it hasn’t been smooth sailing for Superman ever since he was traded away from Orlando in 2011.
After rough experiences with the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets both physically and socially, Howard told Sports Illustrated's Lee Jenkins that he considered retirement in 2015.
Howard said “[t]he joy was sucked out of it” after the 2014-15 season, when he was limited to just 41 games with the Rockets due to injuries. But Howard sought help from pastor Calvin Simmons, who was able to make Howard realize his past mistakes and convinced him to turn his situation around.
While not the dominant player he once was, Howard has remained fairly productive in the succeeding years. He averaged 13.5 points and 12.7 rebounds in 29.7 minutes per game for the Atlanta Hawks last season, and is set to begin his first year with the Charlotte Hornets after being traded this offseason.
A couple years removed from thinking about ending his career, Howard is in a good place and now hopes to eventually finish his playing days with the Hornets.
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