Former slam dunk champ Dwight Howard, aka Superman, entered the 2022 NBA season on the free agent record. Throughout coaching camps and three weeks into the season, no person has come knocking at Howard’s door till now. And you’ll by no means guess what crew is giving Howard an opportunity to proceed his profession — most likely since you’ve by no means heard of them.
The three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year’s basketball journey has taken him to Taiwan to play for the Taoyuan Leopards of Taiwan’s T1 League, Howard introduced on Monday by way of Instagram.
“Taiwan, I’ve got some amazing news for you guys. Superman is in the building,” Howard exclaimed, barely capable of comprise his pleasure.
“I have always loved the energy I felt visiting Taiwan as you can see, I still have posters hanging up on my walls from my first 2 times visiting! I’m ready to enjoy life by playing the sport I love in front of a bunch of people that Love me & for my people in Taiwan, have your posters ready to welcome yours truly,” mentioned the 2020 NBA champion.
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Professional sports activities are humorous in how they often work as a result of they are often similar to highschool. If you’re not with the “in” crowd, you’re merely solid off and considered as an outsider. For a big a part of his profession, that’s been, Howard. Look at his accolades and choose for your self:
- Eight-time All-NBA
- Eight-time All-Star
- Five-time Rebound champion
- Three-time Defensive POY
- NBA Champion (2020)
- Slam Dunk Champion (2008)
- 2004-05 All-Rookie Team
But when it got here time to announce the NBA’s Seventy fifth-anniversary crew final 12 months, Howard was nowhere to be discovered. If Anthony Davis made that record, Howard ought to’ve been a lock. Davis was an amazing participant at one level, however his record of accomplishments can’t contact what Howard’s achieved within the Association. In truth, Howard and Davis obtained right into a scuffle on the Lakers’ sideline final season proper across the time of the Seventy fifth-anniversary crew’s unveiling.
Howard talks about taking part in the game he loves in entrance of folks that love him. It’s by no means felt just like the NBA actually beloved him for no matter cause. He obtained roped right into a nonsensical feud with NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal over a nickname neither owns rights to. Shaq was an amazing participant however doesn’t personal the moniker and, fairly frankly, must recover from himself. O’Neal likes to brag about incomes a number of school levels. Well, how about utilizing a few of that mind to test your self and RELAX?
With this newest revelation, it’s superb to see simply how little the NBA thinks of Howard. Instead of a crew signing Howard to come back off the bench to play quarter-hour an evening, he’s pressured to go play abroad. Howard says he loves the individuals of Taiwan and their power, but when given the chance, he most likely would’ve jumped at taking part in for the veteran’s minimal within the NBA this 12 months.
If Deandre Jordan nonetheless picks up a paycheck within the NBA, Howard needs to be in line to do the identical. Jordan is taking part in 13 minutes a sport in Denver, averaging six rebounds and half a blocked shot per sport. Howard did the identical factor for the Lakers final season in 16 minutes whereas averaging extra factors than Jordan.
In no part of Deandre Jordan’s profession has he ever been a greater basketball participant than Dwight Howard. Not whereas within the NBA. But like anything in life, once you buddy as much as the best individuals, you will get the good thing about the doubt over outsiders. When Kevin Durant obtained to Brooklyn, he needed to have Jordan, and we noticed how that labored out. Far previous his prime, DJ continues to get calls whereas Howard is out of the league.
Sure, Howard wasn’t at all times the simplest to get together with — ask Stan Van Gundy. And his perspective rubbed some the flawed means — Kobe Bryant wasn’t a fan both — however for him to be shunned on this means is despicable. Howard even handled rumors about his sexuality which he put to relaxation a couple of years in the past. Whether these rumors performed an element in his therapy across the league through the years is unsure, however the truth stays that Howard was some of the excellent huge males of his period.
With Howard now committing to play in Taiwan, that takes him off the NBA radar for some time. But if he performs nicely sufficient within the T1 league, that would open the door for Howard to return and end his NBA profession on his phrases.