After 18 seasons in the NBA, Dwight Howard’s 2020 championship with the Los Angeles Lakers is the defining moment of his Hall of Fame career. The veteran center, who will be officially inducted this Saturday, recently reflected on how that title run represented the perfect culmination of nearly two decades of elite basketball.
How Did the 2020 Championship Cap Off Dwight Howard’s Career?
Speaking to Brandon ‘ScoopB’ Robinson on “Scoop B,” Dwight Howard reflected on his title win with the Lakers. “I think it was just the cherry on top, you know?” the three-time Defensive Player of the Year said.
“I think what I did in Orlando was very special for 8 years, and then after that, continue to play at a very high level — 18 years in the league is a very long time to be consistent on BOTH ends of the floor is amazing.”
Howard’s championship run came during the unique bubble setting in Orlando, where he played a crucial role coming off the bench for the LeBron James and Anthony Davis-led Lakers. The eight-time All-Star was in the perfect supporting role, contributing to the franchise’s first title since 2010.
Howard’s journey to that championship wasn’t straightforward. After spending eight dominant seasons with the Orlando Magic, he became a journeyman throughout the league. His stops included the Lakers, Houston Rockets, Philadelphia 76ers, Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, and Washington Wizards before finally achieving championship glory in Los Angeles.
Why Was Dwight Howard Upset About Leaving the Lakers After Winning?
Despite the championship success, Howard’s departure from the Lakers following their title win left him with regrets. In the same interview, the soon-to-be Hall of Famer expressed frustration with not being retained for a title defense.
“I was highly upset that I didn’t get a chance to compete for a title defense because I believed that we had a special team and we had a window where we could’ve won and been to the NBA Finals multiple years,” Howard explained.
Los Angeles Lakers won a Championship in 2020 & Dwight Howard did not return to the purple & gold the following year.
Why?
I asked the Hall of Famer & here’s his response:
“I was highly upset that I didn’t get a chance to compete for a title defense because I believed that… https://t.co/eiYzfRPdWa pic.twitter.com/ZxIH3YjD5Q
— 👑 Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson (@ScoopB) September 2, 2025
Instead of returning to Los Angeles, Howard signed with the Philadelphia 76ers for the 2020-21 season, where he served as Joel Embiid’s backup center. This move represented a significant shift from his championship role with the Lakers.
Howard eventually returned to the Lakers for the 2021-22 campaign, but the magic of the championship run never materialized again. His role was diminished, and the team’s success was limited compared to its bubble triumph.
The Lakers have struggled to recapture that championship magic since Howard’s departure. Their most recent deep playoff run came during the 2022-23 season when they reached the Western Conference Finals, but they haven’t been back to the NBA Finals since that 2020 championship. For Howard, that title remains the crowning achievement of a career that will soon be immortalized in Springfield.
