Dwight Howard Forgets Injury-Ridden NBA Struggles as DWTS Run Takes a Heavy Toll on Ex-Lakers Star

A herniated disk, torn MCL, or back soreness leading to surgery, Dwight Howard’s NBA run has been plagued with injuries and adversities. It is suggestive of the toughness the league demands. But if you ask D12, it is Dancing With The Stars that he finds to be a greater challenge.

In a conversation on LATRYGUY, Howard was asked if a week with DWTS is tougher than a week in the NBA. “It is,” he replied, further explaining, “So we have to learn a new dance, a new style every week. And we gotta have it down, packed by the time Saturday comes. So let’s say if we perform Tuesday, Wednesday, we start back over with a new dance, a new style.”

DWTS format requires a participant to perform a new dance style every week, stretching for as long as 11 in total. Dwight Howard, starting with Salsa on week 1, explored Foxtrot, Cha Cha, Paso Double, Rumba, Tango, and a couple more before ending his run with Argentine Tango and Instant Paso Double in Week 8. This required constant practice, film watching, and embracing the role completely. For at least 8 hours a day, D12 remained hooked.

“I have to, like, watch a movie that’s dedicated to the film so I can become that character. So every week, I am becoming a new charecter,” Howard added. When you compare it on these terms, Dwight Howard’s answer might make sense.

The 3x DPOY is comparing the challenges on a weekly basis. Learning and perfecting a new form every week can clearly be a more challenging pursuit than working for a week on a skill that you have honed for years. Yep, just like D12’s answer, the explanation applies to week-to-week challenges. In a longer run, however, even Howard has stated the issues he faced in the NBA. Especially during the 2014 season playoffs, when he was with the Houston Rockets.

“I was basically playing with a torn MCL and meniscus… I tried to cover it up saying it was a sore knee. But I was in pain the rest of the series,” the 3xDPOY said in an interview. He stated the intent was to sacrifice mind, body and spirit for his teammates and the city. Clearly, the NBA had it’s own set of challenges for Dwight, but there’s some aspect of DWTS that he finds tougher than what he experienced in the league.

What was the hardest part for Dwight Howard at DWTS?

Howard’s journey on Dancing with the Stars wasn’t just about flashy footwork. It was about stepping outside his comfort zone. Imagine being an NBA All-Star, used to slam dunks and quick moves on the court, suddenly navigating the precise rhythms of ballroom dancing. Sounds tricky, right? For Dwight, the toughest part was syncing his instincts with the choreography.

“When I hear a song, I already got that rhythm in my head,” he shared on Gil’s Arena. “But then that’s not the same rhythm. That’s not the same steps.” This disconnect came to light during week five’s Dedication Night, where he performed a Rumba to Shoot for the Stars. Dedicated to his five kids, the performance was heartfelt, but the judges weren’t as moved.

D12 and his partner, Daniella Karagach, scored the lowest of the night with 29/40. Imagine the frustration of pouring your heart out, only to struggle with fast-paced steps set to a slow song? “The song is slow… but the steps is fast as hell,” Dwight explained.

And if that wasn’t enough, Dwight admitted to improvising during week three—a risky move. Right at the end of a routine, he spun away instead of sticking to the planned sequence. The judges didn’t notice, but it shows just how challenging it was to balance creativity with structure. Despite all these hurdles, however, it was quite impressive to see Dwight Howard had a long run in the show until he was eliminated in the second week of November.