In an appearance on his podcast, former NBA big man Dwight Howard looked back on some of his biggest career mistakes. In a candid moment of reflection, he even admitted to feeling regret over leaving the Lakers back in 2013.
“Man, when I look back on it, I made a really emotional decision,” Howard remarked. I’ve heard that it wasn’t excellent because it was really emotional. They reported that Kobe [Bryant] expressed his desire for me to remain, but I’m not sure. I wish I could go back in time and tell myself to carefully consider all the options before making this decision. I don’t think I gave my choice a lot of thought at the time. My feelings took control of me.
Eight-time All-Star Dwight Howard will always be remembered as an NBA superstar, and in 2020, he did manage to win a championship with the Lakers. However, one of the biggest what-ifs in the annals of contemporary basketball is Howard’s career. If he had made a few other choices, or maybe just one, his time in the NBA would have turned out considerably better.
After being drafted first overall in 2004, Howard broke out in stardom right away, averaging 17.6 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game on 60% shooting by his third year in the league. After 8 years with the Magic, and just a single Finals trip to show for it, Howard forced his way out in the summer of 2012, when he was traded to the Lakers in a blockbuster four-team deal involving Arron Afflalo, Al Harrington, Nikola Vucevic, Maurice Harkless, Josh McRoberts, Christian Eyenga and multiple future draft picks.
