In the world of NBA legends, the brightest stars aren’t always the ones sinking buzzer-beaters or soaring for thunderous dunks. Behind the scenes, a cadre of visionaries shape the league’s destiny with as much impact as any court hero. From Jerry West’s talent scouting to Pat Riley’s culture-defining leadership, these front-office geniuses have left indelible marks on basketball history. Now the former NBA player, Dwight Howard, has given a new perspective to this dynamic.

In the recent episode of the Above The Rim with DH 12 podcast, Howard, who is known for his candid takes and defensive prowess started praising the guest of the segment, Jeanie Buss, for her contribution toward women empowerment and at the same time drew a striking parallel between Buss and Michael Jordan that has set the basketball world abuzz.

“You got to lay it on the line that is so important and I hope you women out there…whatever you are passionate about that you gotta go a thousand percent into it. You can’t have no, nothing else matters, I promise you. Anything that you want, you can get, you can obtain. You have someone here who’s a prime example. Six championships! Six! She got the same amount as Michael Jordan and she had to put on no shorts or no shoes. She did them in heels. So you can do the same thing, I promise you,” said Howard on the podcast.

However, this unexpected comparison challenges the traditional narratives that surround the NBA’s greatness. Why? Jordan’s on-court antics are quite well-recorded in the books of the NBA. His gravity-defying dunks which became the face of his shoe brand ‘Air Jordan’ and his competitive spirit on the court especially during the late 80s while facing the ‘Bad Boy Pistons’ serve as a yardstick against which all other players are measured. Moreover, his six championship rings with the Chicago Bulls in the 90s and six NBA Finals MVP titles are just the cherry on top.

Meanwhile, on the other hand, Buss has carved out her legacy in a different arena. Previously, as a member of the front office and now as the controlling owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, she has navigated the franchise through turbulent waters and back to success. When she was a member of the front office, the Lakers won five championships from 2000 to 2010. Moreover, after she became the owner of the franchise in 2013, under her reign the franchise won the emotionally charged 2020 title in the NBA bubble which was a victory that honored the memory of Lakers legend, Kobe Bryant. The list doesn’t stop here. In 2023, under her stewardship, the Lakers also won the NBA Cup.

The conversation initiated by Howard’s remarks opens up new avenues for appreciating the comprehensive nature of success in the NBA. It challenges us to look beyond the hardwood and recognize the intricate ecosystem that supports and elevates the game we love. However, this wasn’t the only insight given by the former NBA champion during the podcast.

Dwight Howard wanted to own a WNBA team

Former NBA star, Dwight Howard had previously expressed a keen interest in owning a WNBA team. On the same podcast, Howard discussed his admiration for the women’s game and his belief in the potential for growth and expansion of the WNBA.

However, the 38-year-old also added the reason why he was actually looking to own a team. “When were in the bubble, I had started talking to a WNBA team, the Atlanta Dream, about purchasing the Atlanta Dream…I had so many ideas because I have uh, five kids and um, I’m no longer with, you know, the moms of my children and so I understand that, you know, it can be difficult as a single mom raising, you know, a child and so I wanted to spotlight how these women have to play basketball, train, raise a child, do business, do charity work and still, still travel around the world travel city to city,” said Howard.

Unfortunately, Howard’s dream of owning a WNBA team never happened. Why? The former center had given $7 million to a group to start with the process of owning the Atlanta Dreams team. But the group never responded to Howard regarding the acquisition of the franchise and it was speculated that they had wasted the money on other things. Fortunately, the group was arrested.

While Howard’s first attempt at owning a WNBA team was not successful, it can be said that the former champ’s involvement could potentially bring increased attention and resources to the league, helping to further elevate the league’s profile and popularity.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger