Over eight seasons with the Orlando Magic, Dwight Howard amassed over 13,000 points, 9,000 rebounds, and 1,300 blocks, etching his name atop the franchise’s record books. Yet, despite these monumental achievements, Howard’s recent confession unveils a lingering remorse that statistics alone cannot quantify.

His tumultuous exit became known as the ‘Dwightmare. ‘ It was a full-blown disaster. When Howard requested a trade in 2012, everything fell apart. Fans felt betrayed, shattering his bond with the team. The conflict with coach Stan Van Gundy exacerbated the situation, and rumors about Howard’s injuries further complicated matters. Upon his return to Orlando in a different jersey, the crowd booed him every time he touched the ball. The situation deteriorated to the point where Howard believed he would never reconcile with the city that once adored him.

On Above the Rim with DH12, Howard admitted he never expected this honor. “I never thought it would happen,” he said, recalling how bad things had gotten. He feared the severe fallout would permanently sever ties with his former teammates. “We had some of the best eight, nine years ever,” Howard reflected. He vividly recalled the playoff battles, the Finals run, and the unwavering support of Magic fans. “Everybody was a believer in our team,” he said. But just as things reached their peak, everything fell apart. “Then, when all the BS happened.”

But despite all the past problems, Orlando recently inducted Howard into their Hall of Fame. After everything that happened, the city still found room for him in its legacy. After all the drama, is there a greater honor than the team that made him a star recognizing him? The city, too, seemed to acknowledge his past greatness. Despite everything, Orlando cannot erase Howard’s contributions.

Will Dwight Howard be inducted into the 2025 Basketball Hall of Fame?

With the 2025 Basketball Hall of Fame announcement coming up, you’d think Dwight Howard would be anxiously waiting. But is he? Not really. At 39, after a career packed with milestones, he’s more focused on the journey than the destination.

“Whether I make the Hall of Fame or not, getting inducted into the Orlando Magic HOF and celebrating with my partners was a blessing, and I’m truly appreciative,” he shared recently. That’s the thing about Howard, he’s always been about more than just the accolades.

Remember his time in Orlando? He wasn’t just a star; he was the guy. He’s the Magic’s all-time leader in points, rebounds, and blocks. That’s no small feat. He still desires one thing from the team: to see his jersey in the rafters. Recently, after his Orlando Hof induction ceremony, fans bombarded the internet with their demands to retire his jersey. But it’s unknown if this will come true for now, at least.

But his greatness didn’t just stop with the Magics. He also won a championship with the Lakers in 2020, added an Olympic gold in 2008, and made his mark across multiple teams. So, does he need the Hall of Fame to validate his career? Probably not.

As April 5 approaches, one thing is clear: Howard has already cemented his legacy. Whether the Hall of Fame calls his name or not, he has made his mark on the game