New Philadelphia 76ers center Dwight Howard was a key contributor for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2019-20 and earned his first NBA championship ring in the process.
Now, Howard is in Philly and new Sixers head coach, Doc Rivers, believes Howard was more than just a useful role player on the Lakers' latest title-winning squad.
In fact, Rivers doesn't think L.A. would be celebrating the franchise's 17th championship without Howard's contributions.
“Then, last year was a resurrection for Dwight Howard,” Rivers said about Howard's second stint with the Lakers, via Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer. “Like, he couldn’t get signed. And then he goes to the Lakers and wins a ring. And that Denver series [in the Western Conference finals], they don’t get to the [NBA] Finals without Dwight Howard.
“That’s changed Dwight, too,” he added.
Howard averaged 7.5 points and 7.3 rebounds in 18.9 minutes per game for the Lakers while playing on a one-year, non-guaranteed minimum contract. In the postseason, the new Sixers big man played a particularly important role against Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals.
More importantly, the veteran center rebuilt his reputation, proving he could embrace a smaller role on a contender without derailing the locker room. Prior to 2019-20, Howard has played for six different franchises over the past six seasons.
He signed a one-year, $2.6 million deal with the Sixers.
The 35-year-old scored four points (2-2 FG) and grabbed 10 rebounds in 13 minutes off the bench in his first game with the Sixers—a 113-107 Philly win over the Washington Wizards.
After the game, he displayed some of the leadership qualities Rivers is referring to, encouraging Sixers All-Star Ben Simmons to join him for shooting practice.
#Sixers Ben Simmons and Dwight Howard got up shots after tonight’s game. pic.twitter.com/QcDnOuSyYt
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) December 24, 2020
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