“In Orlando, I handled a lot of stuff the wrong way,” Dwight Howard said once. From jaw-dropping dunks to dominant defensive performances, Howard was the heart and soul of the franchise for eight seasons. Leading the Orlando Magic to the 2009 NBA Finals, he cemented himself as one of the best centers of his era.
However, despite these accomplishments, his exit from Orlando was anything but smooth. Now, years later, after being inducted into the Magic Hall of Fame on March 24, Howard has reflected on his time with the team, admitting he never thought this honor would come, given how bitter his departure was.
Dwight Howard’s Realization After 21 Years
In the latest episode of his “Above The Rim with DH 12” podcast, Howard was asked by former teammate Keyon Dooling how it felt to receive this recognition. The former Orlando center’s response was striking.
“Man, I never thought that it would happen. I really thought that it got so bad we would never see each other, talk to each other again. Damn, that really hurt,” Howard said.
However, Howard didn’t stop there but continued to tell about the best moments that he had with the team.
“We had some of the best eight, nine years ever. All the stuff that happened with OIrlando itself, going to the finals, the playoffs, going to the plane and all the fans at the plane that was magical.
“The new arena get built that whole process playing in the finals against Kobe then just the whole atmosphere. Like it’s one of a kind to see how we turn, we transformed the whole city of Orlando. We did like that was that was just tough to see like everybody was a believer of our team,” added Howard during the podcast.
The NBA witnessed one of its biggest controversies when Howard left the Magic in 2012. Howard voiced dissatisfaction for months because Orlando failed to create a title-ready lineup to support his talent after their loss in the 2009 Finals.
His relationship with the Magic deteriorated after he confronted management along with head coach Stan Van Gundy during his time there. The moment that became a defining part of his departure from Orlando came in April 2012 when Van Gundy publicly revealed Howard had requested his dismissal.
Despite the dramatic ending, Howard’s achievements with the Magic remain undeniable. Drafted first overall in 2004, he quickly developed into a dominant force. He led the league in rebounding four times while being in the team and won three consecutive Defensive Player of the Year awards from 2009 to 2011.
His most memorable season came in 2008-09 when he led the Magic to the NBA Finals, defeating LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals before falling to Kobe Bryant’s Lakers.
Now as he reflects on his legacy, his Hall of Fame induction serves as a reminder of the greatness he brought to Orlando even if the ending left scars.
Howard Has Another Message for His Fans
A comprehensive list of 2025 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame class candidates was released a few months back which includes iconic basketball players from history.
The list of finalists includes NBA star Howard together with Carmelo Anthony as well as WNBA legends Sue Bird, Sylvia Fowles and Maya Moore. Ahead of the official announcement on April 5, Howard used his time to deliver a personal message to his fans.
Through his X handle, Howard expressed his gratitude for the potential Hall of Fame recognition.
“Whether I make the Hall of Fame or not getting inducted into the Orlando Magic HOF and celebrating with my partners was a blessing and I’m truly appreciative,” wrote Howard.
Howard has played 18 seasons in the NBA, suiting up for seven different teams. It remains to be seen if Howard is officially inducted, but his impact on basketball is undeniable.