In a recent interview, Dwight Howard doubled down on his prior assertion that his prime playing days surpass even Nikola Jokic's current dominance. Howard, who recently played in Taiwan's professional basketball league, elaborated on his comments to Complex, emphasizing the stark contrast in their playing styles, particularly highlighting his prolific scoring without relying on three-pointers.
While acknowledging Jokic's talent and success, Howard maintained his stance. "I love Jokic. I don't want this to be perceived as hate or even a direct comparison," Howard explained, "But I'm picking myself. I know my dominance and capabilities. My speed and skillset allowed me to outmaneuver opponents on both offense and defense."
He reiterated his respect for the reigning Finals MVP, adding, "I love Jokic, he's among the best centers ever. But I'm not diminishing my own accomplishments. I'm Dwight Howard, and I know my impact on this league."
Jokic's recent season was undeniably impressive, nearly averaging a triple-double and leading the Nuggets to their first franchise championship. His Finals MVP performance showcased his all-around excellence, averaging 30.2 points, 14 rebounds, and 7.2 assists.
Howard, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year and the driving force behind the Orlando Magic's 2009 Finals appearance, confidently places himself among the top 10 centers of all time, mentioning legends like Shaq, Hakeem Olajuwon, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Moses Malone, and Bill Russell.
Although Howard hasn't played in the NBA since the 2021-22 season with the Lakers, he believes he still has value as a backup center. "I believe there's an elite group of centers playing now, and while I'm not at my peak, I could contribute to 15 to 20 teams. Even teams with strong starting centers could benefit from my experience and skills as a backup," Howard stated.
Over his 18-year NBA career, Howard averaged 15.7 points and 11.8 rebounds per game.
