“It really hurt me” — Dwight Howard once had serious complaints with Tracy McGrady. These words from D12 came after T-Mac, as per Howard, had said he didn’t want to play with anyone from high school. For those unaware, Howard had declared for the 2004 NBA draft after his high school basketball stint. But it seems T-Mac has been unaffected by D12’s accusations against him. Having claimed that Howard is more deserving of being in the NBA’s 75 list over Anthony Davis back in 2021, T-Mac has once again extended his praise for the 3x DPOY.

Taking to his official IG account, T-Mac shared a video, giving Howard his flowers for his time in the Orlando Magic. “Maybe some of the younger guys or younger fans don’t really understand how dominant and how great this guy was… I think he played like 8 years for the Magic. For those 8 years… Dwight Howard was a problem. Seven foot, had all the athleticism. Defensively, wasn’t anybody better,” McGrady said.

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The 7x All Star further pointed out that D12 joking around might have portrayed him as a player who was not serious. But his numbers, as highlighted by T-Mac, with Magic tell a different story. Yes, Howard did not have as strong a start as a rookie in Orlando, averaging just 12 points per game. But as soon as he transitioned into a center from his role of power forward for the team, his stats witnessed a different level of growth. Just in his second season as the center for the team, he was averaging more than 20 points, 2.1 blocks, and 14.2 rebounds per game.

During his 8 season with team, not only had he accumulated an impressive stat-line but also earned multiple accolades. This included 6 All-Star appearances, his 3 consecutive Defensive Player of the Year titles, 4x rebounding leader and 2x blocks leader. So there is not an ounce of doubt that Howard in Magic was a different beast.

Dwight Howard’s desire to end his NBA career with Orlando Magic

Howard is dreaming of coming full circle. In one of the episodes of The OGs podcast, he shared his sentimental desire to finish his NBA journey where it all began—with the Orlando Magic. “If I could go back with a team, I gotta go back with the Magic. It’s only right,” he said.

For anyone who watched him in Orlando from 2004 to 2012, Howard wasn’t just an All-Star—he was a force of nature, as highlighted by Tracy McGrady. But his ending with the team wasn’t exactly picture-perfect. In 2012, tensions with coach Stan Van Gundy led to his trade to the LA Lakers, where things were rocky, especially with Kobe Bryant.

Seeking a fresh start, Howard tried his hand with the Houston Rockets, teaming up with James Harden. Yet the partnership didn’t quite click, and his reputation took a hit. So it makes sense why the 8x All-Star would want to head back to the team where he earned the max respect. If Tracy McGrady can ignore the aforementioned accusations, chances are so could the Magic. But the question comes down to how ready is Howard for a return to the big league.