"And with the first pick in the 2004 NBA draft, the Orlando Magic select Dwight Howard out of SW Atlanta Christian Academy." Those are the words of David Stern. Many people questioned the pick of a high schooler instead of a proven college player in Okarfor. Why do you go with a person who hasnt proven himself on the college level? Why did you pick Howard hes so young hes going to take a while to develope? Before Okafor? You have to be kidding me! Those are the words of many people that have anything to do with the NBA. From analstys to regular fans like us. We all thought the Magic had no idea what they were doing.....We were wrong.In Howards rookie season, Howard and the Magic were struggling. Howard was still trying to get used to the NBA style of play. He was playing along side of the newly-aquired Steve Francise. While going 19-32 at the all-star break, the Magic were ready to make a playoff push under Francise, Howard and Hill. Howard really steped up during this playoffs push, having his carrer high 29 against the clippers and also carrer high in number of field goals made. Later on in the season he had a carrer high in block in 7 against the Bulls. By that time they were eliminated from the playoff race, but it was a good season for Howard. He stepped up his game when he was needed to, and that really impressed the haters. Even though Okafor won the rookie of the year, Howard was happy. He managed to get on the NBA all-rookie first team. He said he was happy with his first season and how the team did. He said hopefully next year we will do better.He didnt get his wish. The magic werent doing much better then they were last year. Hill was hurt for most of the year, and the magic and Francise were having problems all year. So a week before the trade deadline, the Magic decided to build around Howard and they traded Francise away to the Knicks for Penny Hardaway. They later wavied Penny becuase he was hurt anyway. With this move it gave them alot of free cap space to get players around Howard. This move also ment the team was now on Howards shoulders, and he answered. He ranks second in rebounds per game in the league with 12.5. He has the most rebounds total in the whole league. He ranks 5th in field goal percentagle. 2nd in rebounds per 48 mintues. He is now leading the Magic on another late playoff run, with the Magic winning the last 8 games and only a game out of the playoffs. Howard had the biggest game of his carrer to keep his team in playoff contention, when they played the 76ers. He scored 28 (1 point shy of his carrer high) and grabbed 26 rebounds (a carrer high). He also gave the Magic victorys over the Spurs, Pistons and Heat to keep them alive. Only time will tell how much better Howard will get, but from what we see now, hes going to be one hell of a player.
Ive said it before and Ill say it again, Howard is a beast and he will be a force in this league for years to come. Him and Bosh are the KG/Duncan combo of the future..I absolutely love Howard's game and am so envious of Orlando for having him..Excellent young player who has a terrific future ahead of him..
