Dwight Howard thriving as a rebounding machine for Sixers
Despite being 35 years old and in his 17th NBA season, Howard is still one of the best rebounders in the game.
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NEW ORLEANS — Dwight Howard can still keep up with the young fellas.
In his 17th NBA season, the 76ers’ backup center is tied with Atlanta Hawk Clint Capela for rebounds per 36 minutes at 17.1. The impressive thing is at 35 years old, Howard is nine years older than Capela and has seven over the next three players (Memphis’ Jonas Valančiūnas, Portland’s Enes Kanter, and Utah’s Rudy Gobert) on the list.
“The biggest thing is just making my minutes count,” said Howard, who is averaging6.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 17.1 minutes per game heading into Friday’s road game against the New Orleans Pelicans. “And also just showing my teammates, it doesn’t matter how many minutes I play.
“When I’m on the floor, those minutes are valuable to me and also to the team. So I try to put all my effort and energy into what exactly this team needs me to do.”
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So far, that’s been crashing the boards and playing quality defense while subbing in for four-time All-Star center Joel Embiid.
The NBA game has changed since Howard was selected by the Orlando Magic first overall in the 2004 NBA draft. Now, the three-point shot is king and spacing the floor is a must.
While no longer a starter, Howard isn’t showing any signs of slowing down as one of the league’s best backup big men.
“I just want to continue to rebound at a high level for my teammates and do whatever I can to get more options for us,” he said, “and rebounds and stuff like that has been really good.”
The Sixers signed Howard as a free agent in November to a cap-friendly guaranteed veteran-minimum, one-year deal of $2.56 million.
His role is much different than when he was in the prime of his career.
Howard is an eight-time All-NBA selection, a five-time All-Defense pick, a three-time defensive player of the year, a five-time rebounding champion, and two-time block shot leader. The future Hall of Famer has averaged 16.3 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks in 1,164 games, with 1,050 starts.
Howard was asked if what’s more gratifying, doing what he’s able to do at the age or the instant success he had coming into the league.
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As the top pick, he was expected to dominant. And he’s still doing the job 17 years later.
“Man, one is just continuing to still be able to play this game,” Howard said. “Philippians 413 says ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’ So I take the scripture and just put that in my everyday life.
“The biggest thing is just winning. That’s the most gratifying thing.”
During his younger playing days, Howard was focused on scoring and being the man. Over time, he realized none of that mattered.
“The only thing that matters is winning,” said Howard, who won an NBA title last season with the Los Angeles Lakers. “Like I said earlier, it about time. When you are on the floor, maximize your minutes. That’s something I talk to my teammates about a lot.”