Dwight Howard raised some eyebrows in late May when he said he would take his prime over Denver Nuggets center. Nicholas Jokic.
Howard, who last played in the Taiwan Professional Basketball Leaguehe elaborated on his comments in a recent interview with Complex, saying he would take his prime on the current version of Jokic.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic celebrates during a rally and parade to mark the team’s first NBA basketball championship on Thursday, June 15, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) (AP)
Howard pointed out the differences between their two styles, saying he was putting up big scoring numbers without the help of a three-point game.
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«So people look at that and say, ‘Well, Jokic, he scores and does all these things.’ And no offense, I think he’s great,» Howard told Complex. «I love Jokic. I don’t want people to think I’m trying to hate, even compare, but I’m going to take myself. I know how dominant he was and I know what I could do with my abilities.” And on the defensive end and on the offensive end I was quick enough to get past everyone.
«And I love Jokic, and I’m happy for him,» he continued. «I think he is one of the best centre-backs he has ever played. basketball game, but I will not dirty my own name. I’m Dwight Howard. I know what I’ve done in this league.»
Jokic is coming off a season in which he nearly averaged a triple-double and led the Nuggets to the first championship in franchise history.
Center Dwight Howard, #12 of the Taoyuan Leopards, reacts on court during the T1 League match between TaiwanBeer HeroBears and Taoyuan Leopards at Taipei University Tianmu Gymnasium on February 19, 2023 in Taipei, Taiwan. (Gene Wang/Getty Images)
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Jokic was selected as the MVP of the NBA Finals 2023 while averaging 30.2 points, 14 rebounds and 7.2 assists in five games.
Howard was pretty dominant in his own day, being named NBA Defensive Player of the Year three times and leading the orlando magic to the NBA Finals in 2009.
Howard listed himself as one of the top 10 centers of all time, providing the names of some all-time greats that were on his list.
«All-time centers, I’m in the top 10. Top 10 all-time. I know what everyone is going to say with Shaq [O’Neal]Hakim [Olajuwon]Wilting [Chamberlain]kareem [Abdul-Jabbar]and then you have Moses Malone,» Howard said before adding Bill Russell to the roster.
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Dwight Howard, #39 of the Los Angeles Lakers, looks on during the game against the Orlando Magic on January 21, 2022 at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. (Gary Bassing/NBAE via Getty Images)
Howard hasn’t played in the NBA since the 2021-22 season, when he appeared in 60 games for the NBA. los angeles lakers.
Despite being out of the league, Howard still believes he could contribute to a team as a backup center.
«Well, personally, in my opinion, I think you have an upper echelon of centers that are playing now and obviously I’m not at my best, so people would consider me at this stage of play as an upper echelon.» Howard told Complex. . «But I know there are at least 15 or 20 teams he could play for. And I know there are teams that have great starting centers, but I know he could be a great backup center.»
In 18 NBA seasons, Howard averaged 15.7 points and 11.8 rebounds per game.