Dwight Howard, one of the most dominant big names in NBA history, has been officially inducted into the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame. This honor is a long postponed recognition for the cornerstone of the three defensive player of the year and the Magic final final, solidifying his legacy as the best player in franchise history.
Celebration night
On Monday night, Howard was celebrated at a special pre-game ceremony at Kia Center before Magic faced off against the Los Angeles Lakers. The emotional event looked back at his time in Orlando, where his NBA journey began when Howard was first drafted overall in 2004.
“Orlando is home,” Howard told the crowd. “No matter where life takes me, this city always has a special place in my heart.”
A sold-out crowd of over 19,000 fans gave Howard a standing ovation. This is in stark contrast to the mixed reactions we once received after the controversial departure in 2012. But this evening, it was all about celebration, gratitude and recognition of the undeniable impact on the franchise.
Howard’s unparalleled magical legacy
Howard played eight seasons with the Magic (2004-2012) and became the team’s greatest leader ever in points, rebounds and blocks. He is Orlando’s six-time All-Star, five consecutive All-NBA first team appearances, and remains the only player in NBA history to win three straight defensive player of the year awards (2009-2011). His domination led the magic to the 2009 NBA Finals and the 2010 Eastern Conference Finals, marking one of the most successful periods in franchise history.
His statistics speak for itself:
- Regular season (magic tenure): 18.4 points, 13.0 rebounds, 2.2 blocks per game.
- play off: 19.9 points, 14.4 rebounds, 2.8 blocks per game.
Beyond the numbers, Howard’s impact has been extended to the community. He has been awarded the Rich and Helen DeVos Community Enrichment Awards six times and recognized his efforts from the court to give back to Orlando.
Looking back at the past and looking to the future
Despite the rocky exit that once clouded his relationship with magic, Howard was not embarrassed to deal with the past. He admitted that he regrets leaving Orlando and likened it to lost love.
“There are moments when you ask yourself, ‘Why did I leave?’,” Howard shared. “But life is about learning and I’ve grown a lot out of all the experiences.”
His career took him to several different teams – including a brief return to the Lakers, he won the NBA Championship in 2020, but his best year was unmistakably in Orlando. The magical organization known for welcoming former stars has revealed that Howard is always a part of their history.
Magic CEO Alex Martins emphasized the importance of celebrating Howard’s accomplishments during his time with the team.
“Looking back, it’s clear that Dwight gave this franchise everything he had,” Martins said. “Tonight is to celebrate that legacy.”
Hall of Fame career beyond Orlando
Howard’s lead to the Magic Hall of Fame is probably a preview of even greater honors. As a finalist in the 2025 Nice Miss Basketball Hall of Fame, he may soon receive the best recognition of basketball.
But for now, that moment belongs to Orlando and its great players.
Welcome Home, Dwight. You’ve won it.
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