Ruined Legacy

[thelead]

Dwight Howard was not named a top 75 player and I was just pondering what Dwight's legacy would have been if he never forced his way out of Orlando and didn't throw Stan under the bus. Yes, he was injured right after/during that episode but I find the situation a bit sad considering what he accomplished here. It's his own damn fault and I didn't bat an eye when it was announced that he was one of the bigger snubs but it made me think about how much Dwight lost by forcing his way out of town. No one cares that he didn't make it. Not magic fans, not lakers fans, not anyone but a few media guys that mentioned it as a snub. A 3 time DPoY winner and a multiple all-star and all-nba player has nowhere to call home. Kinda sad.

[nicnac215]

100% he fu*ked up. If he stayed in Orlando he would have been treated like a star to end his career. Probably would have made 2-4 more all star teams just off fans and recognition. The real Dwight Howard stood up and the support bounced.

[LDNMagic90]

Perfect example of 'The Grass isn't greener'. It's a shame really because Dwight was amazing in Orlando, now he's almost an afterthought. I do think when its all said and done he should be one of the first names considered if we were to retire a jersey.

[Knightro]

Dwight not being on the NBA75 is absolute travesty btw. He 100% deserved to be on that list.

To your original point, I'm not sure much would have changed because the back surgery really impacted him defensively and the NBA shifted so dramatically from a style of play perspective as he approached 30, it made him become increasingly less effective over time.

He would have still been beloved by Magic fans had he signed another contract with Orlando rather than forcing his way out and he likely wouldn't have spent the last half of his career as a vagabond, but his days of dominance were gone for a variety of reasons.

[Xatticus]

Those lists are popularity contests. Nobody likes Dwight Howard right now. That's all this is. I doubt he cares about his legacy at this point anyway.

I remember being elated when he worked out that short-term deal to stick around. I also recall being completely over him after he waffled again after that.

"‘Course I’m respectable. I’m old. Politicians, ugly buildings, and whores all get respectable if they last long enough.”

At some point, this will all come back around for Howard. He is just going to have to wait it out.

I just have no affinity for him whatsoever, but I'm not one for idolatry regardless. You are what you are. A bunch of accolades and ceremonies doesn't alter anything. I don't watch All Star games. I don't watch awards shows. I don't watch HOF speeches. I watch basketball because I like basketball. I can do without the rest.

[J the Drafter]

Dwight not being on the NBA75 is absolute travesty btw. He 100% deserved to be on that list.

To your original point, I'm not sure much would have changed because the back surgery really impacted him defensively and the NBA shifted so dramatically from a style of play perspective as he approached 30, it made him become increasingly less effective over time.

He would have still been beloved by Magic fans had he signed another contract with Orlando rather than forcing his way out and he likely wouldn't have spent the last half of his career as a vagabond, but his days of dominance were gone for a variety of reasons.

The Lakers exacerbated the issue by having him come back to their lineup months ahead of his rehab schedule, imo. I don’t know that the Magic would have handled it much better, given how bad our medical staff were prior to WeltHam’s second year, but the early lineup insertion was ridiculous.

[Kent]

I've been a Magic fan since I was old enough to like a team, and I still support Dwight. I'm not saying you're not a true Magic fan if you don't support Dwight, I'm just saying not all fans are down on him.

Naturally, I felt he was in the wrong for how he handled the situation but the FO didn't do much better. I recognize he ultimately wanted a change of scenery like any human might. He's allowed that and I'm sure he'd tell you he would handle the situation differently knowing what he does now.

It is what it is. Otis made some head-scratching personnel moves prior to that and in combination of his compromised health, we would have taken a backseat to contention — during the Heatles years, mind you.

Howard deserves to be among that list of 75 no matter how his decline started on his way out. He's a hall of famer regardless.

And one final note: I refuse to let his exit take away all the joys I experienced while he was here. They were my favorite years, for sure. And I look back on them with fondness and appreciation.

[dsg2003mach1]

Dwight has been perpetual man-child but even with his screw ups, not to be in the top 75 is crazy

[MagicMadness]

It's certainly more to do with Dwight's reputation, popularity, and journeyman status than it does with his stats and awards.

If he'd spent the past 18 seasons with the Magic - different story; he probably makes the list. Just ask Reggie Miller.

Right or wrong, that's the way it is. Kobe didn't like him, he couldn't get the job done in Houston, and he's been coasting along ever since. He's an afterthought, and has been for years. I'd probably put him in ahead of Anthony Davis, but someone had to be snubbed and it doesn't surprise me that it was Dwight.

[Skin]

I really don't think he is Top 75 worthy... and I'm just talking about players who played for the Magic.

[ORLMagicGirl15]

His legacy isn’t really ruined, his popularity might be. Him not being placed on the Top 75 is low for the NBA. It’s the same as when they didn’t give him his 4th DPOY during Dwightmare (pretty positive it was due to the negative press). I’m also salty that he didn’t win or at least tie for the MVP in the ‘09-10 season.

[Max Power]

I kinda get why Dwight’s not on the top 75 list, I mean his fall from grace was pretty steep. At that same point, Dwight was an 18 and 12 even in Charlotte. He just wasn’t that megastar after his back went out of commission.

And in that same breath, the Dwight Howard we had was as good as any defensive player in league history for 8 years. He was a formidable offensive contributor despite his lack of offensive signature moves also. I think him being left out has everything to with the decline of his reputation and ugly Orlando exit. Shacking up with porn stars probably didn’t help. There’s absolutely nothing that should keep him off this list on the court. He should have been on it.

[MasterGMer]

If Dwight didn't leave Orlando, his career can be a lot different. Just a bad decision. He could be on a team with one or two NBA Championships in Orlando. He could easily be in Top 75

[MagicStarwipe]

Greatest Magic player ever. The most obvious snub for the 75 year team and should have been on it. That's all I have to say on it.

[DiplomaticMagic]

Not only Dwight should be on that list, but so should have T-Mac.

[ReadyOrlando]

Not only Dwight should be on that list, but so should have T-Mac.

T-Mac was flat out disrespect. Dwight I could see it any way.

[pepe1991]

In Orlando he was big fish in small pond, in LA ( Wilt, Shaq, Kareem and their legacy) & Houston ( Hakeem, Ming,Moses Malone...) he was just another star Center who failed to deliver deep playoff runs & rings.

Luck& health are also a factor, when he joined Lakers he already had bad backs. I remember pretty damn well him looking like turtle. He had no flexibility and i think even he said that he couldn't get up on his feet if he was laying on his back. He needed to either rotate and do pushup or somebody else had to pick him up.

But on coin flip of same argument, during his prime in Orlando nba played it's last days of offense around bigs who are not creative, not great post players, can't pass well and can't shoot. In today's league he would never average +20 ppg and he would play Capela/ Gobert role.
Imo, even if he stayed with Orlando, that back injury would still cut short his prime and he would still have steep, speedy decline and fall from grace.
By the 2012-13 half of the league started to bombing 3s, teams like Houston had sucess while playing nba nobodies like Omer Ashik as center, Miami was winning titles without center and baby Warriors won 47 games with Festus Azili averaging 2.7 points a game as starting center.

[ORLMagicGirl15]

I really don't think he is Top 75 worthy... and I'm just talking about players who played for the Magic.

He was the best Magic player, not sure how he would not even be on a Magic Top75.

[three3d]

Not only Dwight should be on that list, but so should have T-Mac.

IRONIC when you think about it honestly. I always heard the T-Mac trade to Houston was because McGrady wanted them to draft
Emaka Okafor and not Dwight Howard. He was pissed they went with the high school kid instead of Okafor who was coming off leading his team to a National Championship and being named The NCAA Tournaments Most Outstanding Player. Can you imagine what that team would have been like had we kept T-Mac and Dwight ? Maybe this would be a fun topic lol talking about how close we had been and lost out.

[Xatticus]

Not only Dwight should be on that list, but so should have T-Mac.

IRONIC when you think about it honestly. I always heard the T-Mac trade to Houston was because McGrady wanted them to draft
Emaka Okafor and not Dwight Howard. He was pissed they went with the high school kid instead of Okafor who was coming off leading his team to a National Championship and being named The NCAA Tournaments Most Outstanding Player. Can you imagine what that team would have been like had we kept T-Mac and Dwight ? Maybe this would be a fun topic lol talking about how close we had been and lost out.

Nah. He wanted out. Period.