2025 could be Dwight Howard‘s big year. Recently, he was inducted into the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame, as he was honored by the organization that drafted him. This year, he’s also one of the finalists to be inducted into the James Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. On Thursday’s episode of FanDuel TV’s “Run It Back,” former Dallas Mavericks player Chandler Parsons talked about why Howard is deserving of being a Hall of Fame.
Early in his career, Howard was a dominant force inside the paint. Offensively, he was unstoppable because of his raw strength and athleticism. On the defensive end, the big man was a freak of nature with how he swatted away shots that even other star players couldn’t dare to challenge him.
When Howard was brought up by Parsons’ co-host, Michelle Beadle, the question about the former big man was more about whether he deserved to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Being his teammate with the Houston Rockets, Parsons spoke highly of why the three-time Defensive Player of the Year winner should be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
“Yes,” Parsons said when asked if Howard should be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. “Dwight Howard was the best center and one of the best players in the NBA for 10 straight years. He dominated, he made those runs… He’s a champion, but he’s a champion on LA, not even Orlando where he was unbelievable.
“He was everything. Defensive Player of the Year multiple times, one of the best defending big men of all time. I think we forget quickly how good, how dominant this dude was. He’s first ballot for sure.”
The @OrlandoMagic just inducted Dwight Howard into their Hall of Fame, which makes us beg the question, will Dwight be inducted into this year’s HOF class on the first ballot? 👀
What do you think?@MichelleDBeadle | @ChandlerParsons pic.twitter.com/M2eaRP2qYG
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) March 27, 2025
Howard’s dominance was more evident during his time with the Magic. In his eight years in Orlando, the center averaged 18.4 points, 13 rebounds and 2.2 blocks.
Dwight Howard advises Paolo Banchero not to leave Orlando
Dwight Howard’s departure from Orlando wasn’t well-received by the Magic fans at first. It was painful for them to see their franchise star leave the organization and join the Los Angeles Lakers, a team they faced in the 2009 Finals with Howard as their leader.
However, it’s been years and most fans have moved on from the breakup. During his induction into the franchise’s Hall of Fame, Howard offered an advise for the team’s newest star player, Paolo Banchero.
“I know I disappointed a lot of you guys and in some ways I disappointed myself. But that’s a whole part of life. Every day we learn, we grow.”
“Thank you guys for supporting me all my beautiful years here. Paolo don’t leave them, man. Don’t leave them,” Dwight Howard said.
“Shoutout to all my Magic fans,” #Magic Hall of Famer Dwight Howard said. “…Paolo, don’t leave them, man.”
Added Howard on the current squad when I asked: “I just hope they don’t take these moments for granted … It’s very difficult to make it to this level…”
Full remarks: pic.twitter.com/6ZhJlbUUGY
— Jason Beede (@therealBeede) March 24, 2025
Banchero is in his third season in the league and the Magic. He’s emerged as a star for the organization and has not shown signs that he wants to leave.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen on Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
