A more wise, mature, grounded Dwight Howard hopes to see Magic, current stars prosper and stay together
Hours before the Magic tipped off and defeated the Lakers on Monday night at Kia Center, Dwight Howard was asked to compare this fan base with other cities where he played, including Los Angeles, following his induction into the franchise’s Hall of Fame.
He was surprisingly candid — and introspective — with his answer.
“This place is special to me and me alone because I grew up here,” said Howard, who the Magic drafted No. 1 overall in 2004. “This fan base here will always have a different meaning for me than any other fan base.
“Shout out to all my Magic fans. I know I disappointed a lot of you guys and in some ways I disappointed myself. But that’s a whole part of life.”
Before his departure from the franchise, Howard’s relationship with the team and the city deteriorated before he requested a trade.
It’s a time that overshadowed what he’d accomplished. Howard is still the Magic’s all-time leader in points (11,435), rebounds (8,072), blocks (1,344), free throws made (3,366), free throws attempted (5,727) and minutes (22,471).
He led Orlando to the 2009 NBA Finals and the conference finals a year later.
But as most things do with the passage of time, Howard’s perspective on leaving has changed. He hopes history doesn’t repeat itself with the team’s latest No. 1 pick, Paolo Banchero.
“We live, we learn and we grow,” Howard said. “Thank you guys for supporting me all my beautiful years here. Paolo don’t leave them. Don’t leave them.”
Dwight Howard is not just a Magic Hall-of-Famer; he’s the franchise GOAT | Commentary
Banchero posted 30 points in Monday’s win over Los Angeles. He and Franz Wagner combined for 62 in the victory that secured the season series sweep against the Lakers, something Orlando hasn’t accomplished since 2018-19.
The Magic couldn’t celebrate too long, however, before they flew to Charlotte overnight for a Tuesday matchup with the Hornets.
Howard, who played for all three franchises as well as the Hawks, Rockets, Wizards and Sixers, offered advice Banchero, Wagner and others as they navigate a playoff push with less than 10 regular-season games remaining after Tuesday.
“I just hope that they don’t take these moments for granted,” he said. “I know the year that we went to the Finals, we thought we were going to be so good that we [could] go every year after that. But unfortunately we didn’t make it back.
“It’s very difficult to make it to this level so I just don’t want them to take [anything] for granted. They have the best facilities, they have great coaches, they have a city that’s behind them. Now, it’s just about them, how much are they willing to sacrifice for the opportunity to win a championship. If they do, if Orlando gets a championship, oh my God, it’d be the best feeling and well deserved.”
Jason Beede can be reached at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com
Up next …
Magic vs. Mavericks
When: 7, Thursday, Kia Center
TV: FanDuel Sports Network Florida/NBA TV
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