Dwight Howard's debut season with the Charlotte Hornets has been everything owner Michael Jordan had expected and more, leading the league in rebounds like he did for five different seasons during the prime of his career.

After a 15-point, 19-rebound effort against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday, the much-maligned big man became the first player since Sir Charles Barkley to pull down at least 15 rebounds through his first four games to start the season, according to Justin Kubatko of StatMuse.

Howard led the NBA in rebounding from 2007-10 with the Orlando Magic, leading the league once again in 2012 and the next year as well, this time as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers.

It didn't take long for Howard to equal Hassan Whiteside's opening day season-high 22 rebounds, doing so against the lengthy Milwaukee Bucks on Monday.

The 13-year pro might not be the offensive juggernaut he once was with the Magic and former coach Stan Van Gundy, but he can still more than hold his own on the glass, ensnaring four offensive boards per game thus far this season.

Howard has averaged double-digit rebounds through every year of his career and as long as he keeps healthy, the Hornets will be happy with his production at the defensive end while the backcourt generates the majority of scoring for the team.

Backup Frank Kaminsky will also be in charge of providing a scoring spurt from the bench, now making the most of his extended frontcourt minutes with the absence of Cody Zeller.