Stephen A. Smith is confident about advocating and taking a stand for basketball star Dwight Howard. The 8-time NBA All-Star was last seen in NBA action with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2022. During the NBA’s list of 75 of its all-time great players last season, Howard was one of the most significant omissions. In the latest episode of Stephen A. Smith’s show, the ESPN analyst brought up the same.

Smith emphasized how Howard truly deserves a spot in the big leagues. He also discussed the player’s absence from the iconic 75th anniversary list. Let’s dig into Smith’s opinion on the matter.

Stephen A. Smith knows that Dwight Howard is “talented enough”

Following the Lakers’ decision not to extend Dwight Howard‘s contract, the big man took his skills to the T1 league in Taiwan, joining the Taoyuan Leopards. While there were murmurs earlier this year about a potential comeback with the Golden State Warriors, those talks failed to materialize. 

Many, including Stephen A. Smith, suggest that Howard’s off-court controversies might be contributing to the challenges he is facing in securing a spot with an NBA team. Despite these speculations, in a recent episode, DH12 found support from Smith. In a strong stance, Smith addressed the issue and dismissed criticisms aimed at the player.

Speaking on the controversies surrounding the Orlando Magic legend, Stephen A. Smith said, “I don’t know the specifics. I’m only going by the reports but no matter what his situation is I’m not judging him that’s his personal business.”

Smith instead chose to focus on Dwight’s on-court potential. “I know that he’s talented enough as a big man to be in the NBA and I don’t think that can be refuted by anybody. I don’t give a s**t what anybody says, I’ve seen too many teams that got big men that can’t play for him to be out of the league,” elaborated the 56-year-old.

Over his 18-season NBA tenure, Howard clinched an NBA championship in 2020, was an eight-time NBA All-Star, garnered five All-NBA First Team selections, secured the NBA Defensive Player of the Year thrice, led in NBA rebounds five times, and topped the NBA blocks chart twice. 

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All of these accolades and Howard’s impressive conditioning suggest that there might be some truth to Smith’s comments. But the analyst spoke out on the topic shortly after Dwight’s recent update on X.

Dwight Howard is determined to make a return in the NBA

While Howard explores opportunities abroad, he remains actively committed to making an NBA comeback. Having participated in the Taiwanese league and reportedly contemplated a move to the EuroLeague, his focus still remains on securing another opportunity in the NBA.

Expressing his eagerness for a return, Dwight Howard shared on Twitter, “I turned 38 today and I thought about it lol… I’m not retiring before I have the chance to say I played in an in-season tournament game  lol.”

Notably, his former team, the Lakers, recently secured the first in-season tournament trophy. Do you think we’ll get to see Howard play in the NBA again? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.

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