With the NBA season resuming toward the end of July, the league is still pretty unstable and the players, divided. The most recent addition to the group of players opposing the NBA restart is Dwight Howard [https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/dwight-howard/]. In an interview on CNN, the star center expressed his concerns and said: “I agree with Kyrie. Basketball, or entertainment period, isn’t needed at this moment, and will only be a distraction. Sure it might not distract us, the players, but we have resources at hand the majority of our community don’t have. And the smallest distraction for them can start a trickle-down effect that may never stop. Especially the way the climate is now. I would love nothing more than to win my very first NBA Championship. But the unity of My People would be an even bigger Championship, that’s just [too] beautiful to pass up. What better time than now for us to be focusing on our families. …. No Basketball till we get things resolved.” DWIGHT HOWARD ON THE WRONG SIDE? The 3x DPOY [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Defensive_Player_of_the_Year_Award] was having an impressive season after a very long time and the Lakers [https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/los-angeles-lakers/] were title favorites after missing the playoffs for the last 6 seasons. For Dwight to take this stand is even more courageous, since he will be risking his momentum that he has worked so hard to retrieve. Other players like Kyrie Irving [https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/kyrie-irving/] and Damian Lillard [https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/damian-lillard/] are also against the resumption of the NBA. Differs From LeBron James [https://www.essentiallysports.com/nba-news-basketball-isnt-needed-at-this-moment-los-angeles-lakers-star-differs-from-lebron-james/] Before the league was shut down Dwight was playing as the backup center for the Lakers and was averaging 7.5 points while playing 19.2 minutes per game. The Lakers Center is actively involved in the anti-racist movement and believes that the resumption of the NBA will only distract the people from the important issue of systemic racism in America. Only time will tell whether Dwight sticks to his stance and sits out games when play resumes. 

As confusion surrounds the status of the NBA play resumption, Los Angeles Lakers
Center Dwight Howard speaks against restarting the NBA to fight racism.

https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/9780e3ca8a1bd411f26c457a12bff5a8?s=96&d=mm&r=g

Deepanshu Varshney

blockquote

script

“Basketball isn’t Needed at This Moment”: Los Angeles Lakers Star Differs From LeBron James

“Can Start a Trickle-Down Effect That May Never Stop”: Dwight Howard Reveals Why
He’s With Kyrie Irving Against NBA Restart

Caitlin Clark No More a Lucky Charm As Boyfriend Connor McCaffery’s Butler Left
Heartbroken by UConn

Isiah Thomas Announces Debut Into $3.5 Trillion Dollar Industry After Massive
Success With Champagne Brand

Tensions Could Be Brewing in Warriors After Brandin Podziemski’s Blunt Reply to
Steve Kerr’s Crucial Steph Curry Message

Savannah James In Awe With Millions More as 10-Year-Old Zhuri Takes LeBron’s
Legacy Across Sports

“May He Rest in Peace”: Magic Johnson Mourns MLB World’s Devastating Loss Over
Rickey Henderson’s Death

<h2>Everything to Know About the Los Angeles Lakers</h2>
<h2>History</h2>
The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the most popular sports teams in the world. The Lakers are also a very successful team, and it started right from the beginning. The franchise began in 1947 as the Minneapolis Lakers in the National Basketball League and won the title in 1948. The team then joined the rival Basketball Association of America, which would later become the NBA in 1948. The Lakers continued their successful run in the BAA as well. But the team struggled financially in the mid-50s and relocated to Los Angeles in 1960 as the Los Angeles Lakers.

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-381910 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/20200918202141/lal_primary-logo-scaled-1.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1189" />

Read More: <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/nba-news-why-did-kobe-bryant-have-such-a-disturbing-relationship-with-his-parents/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Why did Kobe Bryant have such a disturbing relationship with his parents?</a>
<h2>Who is the owner of the Los Angeles Lakers?</h2>
Dr. Jerry Buss purchased the Los Angeles Lakers along with the Forum and NHL's Los Angeles Kings for $67 million in 1979 from then-owner Jack Kent Cooke. The Lakers thrived under the leadership of Buss as he revolutionized virtually the entire league.

When Dr. Buss passed away in 2013, the ownership was transferred to his six children through a family trust. The Buss Family Trusts is the majority owner of the Lakers now with Jeanie Buss acting as the controlling owner. She became the first female controlling owner to win the title when the Lakers clinched the championship in 2020.

Read More: <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/nba-throwback-relive-the-final-battle-between-kobe-bryant-and-lebron-james/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-wpel-link="internal">NBA Throwback: Relive the Final Battle Between Kobe Bryant and LeBron James</a>
<div class="thb-post-title-bottom">
<h2>Who are the team sponsors?</h2>
The Los Angeles Lakers are sponsored by several major brands. Notably, the Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers signed a stadium-naming rights deal with the cryptocurrency platform Crypto.com. According to reports, it was a 20-year $700 million contract. So, the Staples Center was officially renamed Crypto.com Arena.

While the official kit sponsor of the Lakers is Nike, the team signed a deal with bibigo as the official jersey patch partner in 2021. Some of the other notable sponsors of the team are American Express, Beyond Meat, BioSteel, Budweiser, Comerica, Delta and Pepsi.
Read More: <a style="font-size: 16px" href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/nba-la-lakers-where-does-lebron-james-live-all-that-we-know-about-his-massive-and-luxurious-villa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Where Does LeBron James Live? All That We Know About His Luxurious Villa</a>

</div>

[caption id="attachment_1647883" align="aligncenter" width="1920"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1647883" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2023-04-03T021203Z_617747669_MT1USATODAY20381083_RTRMADP_3_NBA-LOS-ANGELES-LAKERS-AT-HOUSTON-ROCKETS.jpg" alt="LeBron James and Anthony Davis" width="1920" height="1280" /> Apr 2, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forwards Anthony Davis (3) and LeBron James (6) signal to teammates against the Houston Rockets during the third quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]
<h2>Los Angeles Lakers roster</h2>
<table style="height: 742px" width="441">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>LeBron James</td>
<td>Small Forward</td>
<td>38</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Anthony Davis</td>
<td>Center</td>
<td>30</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Austin Reaves</td>
<td>Shooting Guard</td>
<td>25</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>D’Angelo Russell</td>
<td>Point Guard</td>
<td>27</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dennis Schroder</td>
<td>Point Guard</td>
<td>29</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Rui Hachimura</td>
<td>Power Forward</td>
<td>25</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Lonnie Walker IV</td>
<td>Guard</td>
<td>24</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mo Bamba</td>
<td>Center</td>
<td>25</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jarred Vanderbilt</td>
<td>Power Forward</td>
<td>24</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Malik Beasley</td>
<td>Shooting Guard</td>
<td>26</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tristan Thompson</td>
<td>Center</td>
<td>32</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Troy Brown Jr.</td>
<td>Small Forward</td>
<td>23</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Read More: <a style="font-size: 16px" href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/nba-news-hilarious-when-shaquille-oneal-challenged-michael-phelps-to-a-swimming-contest/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">When Shaquille O'Neal challenged Michael Phelps to a swimming contest</a>
<h2>Achievements and wins</h2>
The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the two most successful teams in the league with 17 championships each. The Lakers' winning culture started right after the team was founded in 1947 as they won the NBL title in 1948. The Minneapolis Lakers continued winning titles after moving to the BAA as well. Then the BAA merged with NBL to form the NBA in 1949. So, the Lakers' 1948 title win is not considered by the NBA as an official championship. However, the 1949 championship is recognized since the team joined the BAA.

The dominance of the Lakers continued in the 50s as they won titles in 1950, 1952, 1953 and 1954, led by legendary center George Mikan. However, things went south after Mikan retired in 1954 as the team struggled on and off the court. Because of the financial troubles, the franchise was relocated to Los Angeles in 1960. However, the team still found it hard to get back to its winning ways. After a dry spell that lasted years, the team won the 1972 title with the help of NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain. It was followed by another eight years of disappointment.

In 1979, Dr. Jerry Buss became the majority owner of the Lakers with the intention to turn the team's luck around. 1979 also marked the entry of NBA legend Earvin 'Magic' Johnson when the team drafted him as the first pick. Thus began the era of Showtime Lakers. With the help of Magic, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and others, the Lakers lifted five championships in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987 and 1988. The team then lost the 1989 and 1991 NBA Finals.

The Lakers struggled again until Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant started working their magic. The duo led the Lakers to three straight championships from 2000 to 2002, a feat even the Showtime Lakers could not achieve. O'Neal, Bryant and the team dismantled their opponents on their way to all three titles, displaying utter dominance. After Shaq left the team in 2004, Kobe became the main man. He then led the team to two straight rings in 2009 and 2010. Recently, superstar LeBron James helped the team win their record 17th championship in 2020.
<h2>The Lakers' rivalry with the Boston Celtics</h2>
The Boston Celtics and the Lakers are the two most successful teams in the league with 17 championships each. The Lakers and Celtics also have one of the biggest and longest rivalries in sports history. The rivalry between the two started in 1959 when they first faced each other in the Finals. The two have battled in the Finals a record 12 times in which the Celtics mostly came out on top.

In 1959, the Celtics swept the Lakers for the title. The Celtics continued their dominance over the Lakers by winning a mindboggling eight straight Finals, winning in 1959, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969 and 1984 over the Lakers. This was a massive blow to the franchise and its loyal fans who felt that their opponents were simply unbeatable. However, the Lakers finally overcame this streak and won the championship against the Celtics in 1985 and then again in 1987.

After the 1987 Finals, the Lakers and the Celtics once again locked horns in 2008 where Boston came out victorious. The teams again clashed in the 2010 Finals with the Lakers clinching the title this time. While the Celtics have won 9, the Lakers have won 3 in their 12 Finals showdowns so far.
<h2>How many numbers have the Lakers retired?</h2>
The Lakers have always been fortunate to have some of the most storied players on their roster for a long time. Therefore, so far, the team has 14 names on their rafters. The jerseys of legends George Mikan (99), Elgin Baylor (22), Jerry West (44), Wilt Chamberlain (13), Gail Goodrich (25), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (33), Magic Johnson (32), James Worthy (42), Jamaal Wilkes (52), Shaquille O’Neal (34), Kobe Bryant (8, 24) and Pau Gasol (16) have been retired. Legendary broadcaster Chick Hearn's name is also up on the rafters.
<h2>Laker Girls: The owner's game-changing entertainment addition</h2>
Dr. Jerry Buss was a visionary who revolutionized the league with his entertainment and marketing ideas. The legendary team owner wanted the Lakers to be entertaining on and off the court to bring fans to the arena and to popularize the game in the country and around the world. One of Dr. Buss' important innovations was the Laker Girls.

The late owner ordered a formation of a dance squad with highly talented female dancers. While the idea received some backlash early on, it became widely accepted. While the Showtime Lakers entertained fans with their up-tempo style of play, the Laker Girls kept the crowd going with their dances during breaks.
<h2>Lakers on social media</h2>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Instagram</td>
<td><a href="https://www.instagram.com/lakers/">@lakers</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Twitter</td>
<td><a href="https://twitter.com/Lakers/">@Lakers</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Facebook</td>
<td><a href="https://www.facebook.com/losangeleslakers">@losangeleslakers</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Website</td>
<td><a href="http://www.nba.com/lakers">https://www.nba.com/lakers?tmd=1</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Founded </td>
<td>1947</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Owner</td>
<td>Buss Family Trusts</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>President</td>
<td>Jeanie Buss</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Conference</td>
<td>West</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>General Manager</td>
<td>Rob Pelinka</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Head Coach</td>
<td>Darvin Ham</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sponsors</td>
<td>Crypto.com, bibigo, Nike, etc </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Arena</td>
<td>Crypto.com Arena</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Championships</td>
<td>17</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Conference Titles</td>
<td>19</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Division Titles</td>
<td>33</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Team Value</td>
<td>$5.9 Billion</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Los Angeles Lakers

Everything to Know About the Los Angeles Lakers History The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the most popular sports teams in the world. The Lakers are also a very successful team, and it started right from the beginning. The franchise began in 1947 as the Minneapolis Lakers in the National Basketball League and won the title in 1948. The team then joined the rival Basketball Association of America, which would later become the NBA in 1948. The Lakers continued their successful run in the BAA as well. But the team struggled financially in the mid-50s and relocated to Los Angeles in 1960 as the Los Angeles Lakers. Read More: Why did Kobe Bryant have such a disturbing relationship with his parents? Who is the owner of the Los Angeles Lakers? Dr. Jerry Buss purchased the Los Angeles Lakers along with the Forum and NHL&#8217;s Los Angeles Kings for $67 million in 1979 from then-owner Jack Kent Cooke. The Lakers thrived under the leadership of Buss as he revolutionized virtually the entire league. When Dr. Buss passed away in 2013, the ownership was transferred to his six children through a family trust. The Buss Family Trusts is the majority owner of the Lakers now with Jeanie Buss acting as the controlling owner. She became the first female controlling owner to win the title when the Lakers clinched the championship in 2020. Read More: NBA Throwback: Relive the Final Battle Between Kobe Bryant and LeBron James Who are the team sponsors? The Los Angeles Lakers are sponsored by several major brands. Notably, the Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers signed a stadium-naming rights deal with the cryptocurrency platform Crypto.com. According to reports, it was a 20-year $700 million contract. So, the Staples Center was officially renamed Crypto.com Arena. While the official kit sponsor of the Lakers is Nike, the team signed a deal with bibigo as the official jersey patch partner in 2021. Some of the other notable sponsors of the team are American Express, Beyond Meat, BioSteel, Budweiser, Comerica, Delta and Pepsi. Read More: Where Does LeBron James Live? All That We Know About His Luxurious Villa Apr 2, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forwards Anthony Davis (3) and LeBron James (6) signal to teammates against the Houston Rockets during the third quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports Los Angeles Lakers roster  LeBron James Small Forward 38  Anthony Davis Center 30  Austin Reaves Shooting Guard 25  D’Angelo Russell Point Guard 27  Dennis Schroder Point Guard 29  Rui Hachimura Power Forward 25  Lonnie Walker IV Guard 24  Mo Bamba Center 25  Jarred Vanderbilt Power Forward 24  Malik Beasley Shooting Guard 26  Tristan Thompson Center 32  Troy Brown Jr. Small Forward 23  Read More: When Shaquille O&#8217;Neal challenged Michael Phelps to a swimming contest Achievements and wins The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the two most successful teams in the league with 17 championships each. The Lakers&#8217; winning culture started right after the team was founded in 1947 as they won the NBL title in 1948. The Minneapolis Lakers continued winning titles after moving to the BAA as well. Then the BAA merged with NBL to form the NBA in 1949. So, the Lakers&#8217; 1948 title win is not considered by the NBA as an official championship. However, the 1949 championship is recognized since the team joined the BAA. The dominance of the Lakers continued in the 50s as they won titles in 1950, 1952, 1953 and 1954, led by legendary center George Mikan. However, things went south after Mikan retired in 1954 as the team struggled on and off the court. Because of the financial troubles, the franchise was relocated to Los Angeles in 1960. However, the team still found it hard to get back to its winning ways. After a dry spell that lasted years, the team won the 1972 title with the help of NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain. It was followed by another eight years of disappointment. In 1979, Dr. Jerry Buss became the majority owner of the Lakers with the intention to turn the team&#8217;s luck around. 1979 also marked the entry of NBA legend Earvin &#8216;Magic&#8217; Johnson when the team drafted him as the first pick. Thus began the era of Showtime Lakers. With the help of Magic, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and others, the Lakers lifted five championships in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987 and 1988. The team then lost the 1989 and 1991 NBA Finals. The Lakers struggled again until Shaquille O&#8217;Neal and Kobe Bryant started working their magic. The duo led the Lakers to three straight championships from 2000 to 2002, a feat even the Showtime Lakers could not achieve. O&#8217;Neal, Bryant and the team dismantled their opponents on their way to all three titles, displaying utter dominance. After Shaq left the team in 2004, Kobe became the main man. He then led the team to two straight rings in 2009 and 2010. Recently, superstar LeBron James helped the team win their record 17th championship in 2020. The Lakers&#8217; rivalry with the Boston Celtics The Boston Celtics and the Lakers are the two most successful teams in the league with 17 championships each. The Lakers and Celtics also have one of the biggest and longest rivalries in sports history. The rivalry between the two started in 1959 when they first faced each other in the Finals. The two have battled in the Finals a record 12 times in which the Celtics mostly came out on top. In 1959, the Celtics swept the Lakers for the title. The Celtics continued their dominance over the Lakers by winning a mindboggling eight straight Finals, winning in 1959, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969 and 1984 over the Lakers. This was a massive blow to the franchise and its loyal fans who felt that their opponents were simply unbeatable. However, the Lakers finally overcame this streak and won the championship against the Celtics in 1985 and then again in 1987. After the 1987 Finals, the Lakers and the Celtics once again locked horns in 2008 where Boston came out victorious. The teams again clashed in the 2010 Finals with the Lakers clinching the title this time. While the Celtics have won 9, the Lakers have won 3 in their 12 Finals showdowns so far. How many numbers have the Lakers retired? The Lakers have always been fortunate to have some of the most storied players on their roster for a long time. Therefore, so far, the team has 14 names on their rafters. The jerseys of legends George Mikan (99), Elgin Baylor (22), Jerry West (44), Wilt Chamberlain (13), Gail Goodrich (25), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (33), Magic Johnson (32), James Worthy (42), Jamaal Wilkes (52), Shaquille O’Neal (34), Kobe Bryant (8, 24) and Pau Gasol (16) have been retired. Legendary broadcaster Chick Hearn&#8217;s name is also up on the rafters. Laker Girls: The owner&#8217;s game-changing entertainment addition Dr. Jerry Buss was a visionary who revolutionized the league with his entertainment and marketing ideas. The legendary team owner wanted the Lakers to be entertaining on and off the court to bring fans to the arena and to popularize the game in the country and around the world. One of Dr. Buss&#8217; important innovations was the Laker Girls. The late owner ordered a formation of a dance squad with highly talented female dancers. While the idea received some backlash early on, it became widely accepted. While the Showtime Lakers entertained fans with their up-tempo style of play, the Laker Girls kept the crowd going with their dances during breaks. Lakers on social media  Instagram @lakers  Twitter @Lakers  Facebook @losangeleslakers  Website https://www.nba.com/lakers?tmd=1    Founded  1947  Owner Buss Family Trusts  President Jeanie Buss  Conference West  General Manager Rob Pelinka  Head Coach Darvin Ham  Sponsors Crypto.com, bibigo, Nike, etc   Arena Crypto.com Arena  Championships 17  Conference Titles 19  Division Titles 33  Team Value $5.9 Billion

Los Angeles Lakers Archives

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<h2 style="text-align: center;">Dwight Howard: Net worth, Salary, and Endorsements</h2>
Dwight Howard is a <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/nba/los-angeles-lakers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Los Angeles Lakers</a> player who went as the #1 overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft. Howard is regarded as one of the Top centers at the moment and he won his maiden NBA championship in 2020 with the Lakers. 

Howard was born in 1985 in Atlanta, Georgia. He attended high-school at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy and excelled as a basketball player. Howard mostly played as a small forward and he enjoyed a breakthrough season in his senior year. 

[caption id="attachment_411628" align="aligncenter" width="1920"]<img class="size-full wp-image-411628" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/20201015205912/2020-10-12T042707Z_2065757007_NOCID_RTRMADP_3_NBA-FINALS-LOS-ANGELES-LAKERS-AT-MIAMI-HEAT.jpg" alt="Dwight Howard Celebrates With The 2020 NBA Title" width="1920" height="1279" /> Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]

Dwight Howard is one of the most decorated high-school players to date. He averaged 25.0 points, 18.0 rebounds, 8.1 blocks in his senior year and earned several accolades. He was named Naismith Prep Player of the Year, Gatorade National Player of the Year, and won the Morgan Wootten High School Player of the Year Award. 

Howard also starred in the 2004 McDonald’s All-American game and took home the MVP honors along with J.R. Smith. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/nba-news-lebron-james-and-dwight-howard-top-the-elite-list-of-high-school-players-to-win-three-major-individual-honors-chris-webber-michael-porter-jr-los-angeles-lakers-denver-nuggets-basketball/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">LeBron James and Dwight Howard Top the Elite List of High-School Players to Win Three Major Individual Honors</a>

<h2 style="text-align: center;">Dwight Howard NBA career </h2>
Dwight Howard earned a massive reputation as a high-schooler and he decided to forego college and join the <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/nba/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">NBA</a>. It was a similar move to that of Kevin Garnett in 1995 and it made sense because Howard idolized Garnett.

The <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/nba/orlando-magic/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Orlando Magic</a> had the #1 pick in the 2004 draft, and they weren’t willing to give up a player of Howard’s quality even though he had no college experience. The 6’10” center wasted no time in settling into the league and immediately showcased his talent on the big stage.

Howard started all 82 games for the Magic in his rookie season which went down as an NBA record. He showed tremendous room for improvement and by the 2008 season, Howard was one of the best players in the NBA by far. He won three successive DPOY awards from 2009-2011.

[caption id="attachment_407310" align="aligncenter" width="1920"]<img class="size-full wp-image-407310" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/20201011203504/2020-10-10T013322Z_1346946769_NOCID_RTRMADP_3_NBA-FINALS-MIAMI-HEAT-AT-LOS-ANGELES-LAKERS-1.jpg" alt="Jimmy Butler Goes Up For A Layup" width="1920" height="1280" /> Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]

Howard led the Magic to their second finals series in franchise history against the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009. He was simply sensational throughout the series and averaged 15.4 points and 15.2 rebounds in five games, even though it came at a losing cause. 

A <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/nba-news-former-teammate-shuts-down-dwight-howard-critics-over-his-controversial-exit-from-orlando-magic-jameer-nelson-basketball/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">few misunderstandings</a> led to Howard’s exit from the team after which he struggled to replicate his form. Short stints with five different teams including the Lakers hurt his career as he lost his footing as the best center in the league. 

Howard came back to Los Angeles in 2019 and re-signed with the Lakers for a second time. This stint proved to be monumental as Howard earned his first chip in 2020. He anchored the Lakers’ defense and put up a strong performance in the <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/nba/orlando-bubble/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">NBA bubble</a> to guide the team to the championship. 
<h2 style="text-align: center;">Major Achievements </h2>
<ul>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;">NBA champion (2020)</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;">8× NBA All-Star (2007–2014)</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;">5× All-NBA First Team (2008–2012)</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;">All-NBA Second Team (2014)</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;">2× All-NBA Third Team (2007, 2013)</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;">3× NBA Defensive Player of the Year (2009–2011)</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;">4× NBA All-Defensive First Team (2009–2012)</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;">NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2008)</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;">NBA All-Rookie First Team (2005)</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;">5× NBA rebounding leader (2008–2010, 2012, 2013)</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;">2× NBA blocks leader (2009, 2010)</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;">NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion (2008)</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;">Naismith Prep Player of the Year (2004)</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;">McDonald's All-American Game Co-MVP (2004)</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;">First-team Parade All-American (2004)</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;">Mr. Georgia Basketball (2004)</li>
</ul>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">Dwight Howard NBA Stats </h2>
Dwight Howard peaked during his final years with the Magic as he put up tremendous numbers. He displayed massive leadership during his time in Orlando and will undoubtedly become a Hall of Famer in the future.

[caption id="attachment_411627" align="aligncenter" width="1920"]<img class="size-full wp-image-411627" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/20201015205852/2020-10-12T022112Z_1954481329_NOCID_RTRMADP_3_NBA-FINALS-LOS-ANGELES-LAKERS-AT-MIAMI-HEAT.jpg" alt="Dwight Howard Celebrates Winning The Championship With LeBron James" width="1920" height="1280" /> Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]

Howard posted career-high point <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/howardw01.html">averages</a> during the 2010-11 NBA season. He put up 22.9 points per game and recorded 14.1 rebounds. Here are his career statistics as recorded at the end of the 2019/20 regular-season. 
<table style="height: 131px;" width="536">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">G</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">GS</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">MP</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">FG%</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">FT%</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">TRB</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">AST</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">STL</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">BLK</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">PTS</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">1113</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">1045</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">33.5</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">.586</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">.565</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">12.3</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">1.4</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">0.9</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">1.9</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">16.7</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">Dwight Howard Current Contract</h2>
Dwight Howard signed a one-year deal with the Lakers worth $2,564,753. He is represented by his <a href="https://hoopshype.com/player/dwight-howard/salary/">agent</a> Charles Briscoe of Briscoe Sports Group, who made him the 11th most paid Laker during the 2019/20 season. 

As things stand, Howard is currently an unrestricted free-agent eying to sign a lucrative contract with any team who wants to avail his service. 
<h2 style="text-align: center;">Dwight Howard Net Worth and Endorsements </h2>
Dwight Howard has made a lot of money through his contracts and endorsement deals. He was once the top-paid player in the league but doesn’t enjoy the status anymore. However, he is still worth a lot and <a href="https://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-athletes/nba/dwight-howard-net-worth/#:~:text=Dwight%20Howard%20Net%20Worth%20and,net%20worth%20of%20%24140%20million.">Celebrity Net Worth</a> estimates Howard’s value at $140 million. 

Furthermore, Howard has endorsed several brands in his career which includes the likes of Adidas and McDonalds. He signed a <a href="https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/confirmed_peak_sport_sign_nba_star_dwight_howard#:~:text=Confirmed%3A%20Peak%20Sport%20signs%20NBA,NBA%20player%20to%20sponsorship%20roster.&amp;text=National%20Basketball%20Association%20(NBA)%20star,with%20Chinese%20sportswear%20manufacturer%20Peak.">multi-year deal</a> in 2015 with Chinese brand ‘Peak Sport’ and the overall value was around $31.5 million. 
<h2 style="text-align: center;">Dwight Howard Sneaker Contract</h2>
During his Magic days, Howard had signed a lucrative sneaker deal with Adidas, but the deal has now expired. Moreover, his contract with Chinese brand ‘Peak’ has also come to an end, and Howard was wearing Adidas Kobe editions for most of the 2020 season. 

It was reported that Howard <a href="https://fadeawayworld.net/2020/10/01/dwight-howard-passed-on-6-figure-sneaker-deal-offers-back-in-february-because-he-wanted-to-continue-wearing-kobes/#:~:text=NBA%202K21-,Dwight%20Howard%20Passed%20On%206%2DFigure%20Sneaker%20Deal%20Offers%20Back,Wanted%20To%20Continue%20Wearing%20Kobes&amp;text=Dwight%20Howard%20may%20have%20lost,came%20out%20as%20a%20winner.">passed on</a> humungous sneaker deals to rep Kobe sneakers in honor of the fallen legend. Howard donned the ‘Nike Kobe V Proto’ and the ‘Nike Kobe AD Exodus’ during the 2019/20 season.
<table style="height: 510px;" width="528">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
Age
</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">26</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">Marital Status</td>
<td>
Engaged (Te’a Cooper)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Children
</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">Five</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">NBA Championship Rings</td>
<td>
1 ( 2020)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Nationality
</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">American</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">Height</td>
<td>
6′ 10″ (2.08 m)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Weight
</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">186 lbs (84 kg)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">Wingspan</td>
<td>
7’5” (2.13m)
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2 style="text-align: center;"> How to contact Dwight Howard </h2>
Dwight Howard Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/dwighthoward/">dwighthoward</a>
Dwight Howard Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/dwighthoward?lang=en">@DwightHoward</a>

Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard: Net worth, Salary, and Endorsements Dwight Howard is a Los Angeles Lakers player who went as the #1 overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft. Howard is regarded as one of the Top centers at the moment and he won his maiden NBA championship in 2020 with the Lakers.  Howard was born in 1985 in Atlanta, Georgia. He attended high-school at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy and excelled as a basketball player. Howard mostly played as a small forward and he enjoyed a breakthrough season in his senior year.  Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports Dwight Howard is one of the most decorated high-school players to date. He averaged 25.0 points, 18.0 rebounds, 8.1 blocks in his senior year and earned several accolades. He was named Naismith Prep Player of the Year, Gatorade National Player of the Year, and won the Morgan Wootten High School Player of the Year Award.  Howard also starred in the 2004 McDonald’s All-American game and took home the MVP honors along with J.R. Smith.  Also Read: LeBron James and Dwight Howard Top the Elite List of High-School Players to Win Three Major Individual Honors Dwight Howard NBA career  Dwight Howard earned a massive reputation as a high-schooler and he decided to forego college and join the NBA. It was a similar move to that of Kevin Garnett in 1995 and it made sense because Howard idolized Garnett. The Orlando Magic had the #1 pick in the 2004 draft, and they weren’t willing to give up a player of Howard’s quality even though he had no college experience. The 6’10” center wasted no time in settling into the league and immediately showcased his talent on the big stage. Howard started all 82 games for the Magic in his rookie season which went down as an NBA record. He showed tremendous room for improvement and by the 2008 season, Howard was one of the best players in the NBA by far. He won three successive DPOY awards from 2009-2011. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports Howard led the Magic to their second finals series in franchise history against the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009. He was simply sensational throughout the series and averaged 15.4 points and 15.2 rebounds in five games, even though it came at a losing cause.  A few misunderstandings led to Howard’s exit from the team after which he struggled to replicate his form. Short stints with five different teams including the Lakers hurt his career as he lost his footing as the best center in the league.  Howard came back to Los Angeles in 2019 and re-signed with the Lakers for a second time. This stint proved to be monumental as Howard earned his first chip in 2020. He anchored the Lakers’ defense and put up a strong performance in the NBA bubble to guide the team to the championship.  Major Achievements  NBA champion (2020) 8× NBA All-Star (2007–2014) 5× All-NBA First Team (2008–2012) All-NBA Second Team (2014) 2× All-NBA Third Team (2007, 2013) 3× NBA Defensive Player of the Year (2009–2011) 4× NBA All-Defensive First Team (2009–2012) NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2008) NBA All-Rookie First Team (2005) 5× NBA rebounding leader (2008–2010, 2012, 2013) 2× NBA blocks leader (2009, 2010) NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion (2008) Naismith Prep Player of the Year (2004) McDonald&#8217;s All-American Game Co-MVP (2004) First-team Parade All-American (2004) Mr. Georgia Basketball (2004) Dwight Howard NBA Stats  Dwight Howard peaked during his final years with the Magic as he put up tremendous numbers. He displayed massive leadership during his time in Orlando and will undoubtedly become a Hall of Famer in the future. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports Howard posted career-high point averages during the 2010-11 NBA season. He put up 22.9 points per game and recorded 14.1 rebounds. Here are his career statistics as recorded at the end of the 2019/20 regular-season.   G GS MP FG% FT% TRB AST STL BLK PTS  1113 1045 33.5 .586 .565 12.3 1.4 0.9 1.9 16.7  Dwight Howard Current Contract Dwight Howard signed a one-year deal with the Lakers worth $2,564,753. He is represented by his agent Charles Briscoe of Briscoe Sports Group, who made him the 11th most paid Laker during the 2019/20 season.  As things stand, Howard is currently an unrestricted free-agent eying to sign a lucrative contract with any team who wants to avail his service.  Dwight Howard Net Worth and Endorsements  Dwight Howard has made a lot of money through his contracts and endorsement deals. He was once the top-paid player in the league but doesn’t enjoy the status anymore. However, he is still worth a lot and Celebrity Net Worth estimates Howard’s value at $140 million.  Furthermore, Howard has endorsed several brands in his career which includes the likes of Adidas and McDonalds. He signed a multi-year deal in 2015 with Chinese brand ‘Peak Sport’ and the overall value was around $31.5 million.  Dwight Howard Sneaker Contract During his Magic days, Howard had signed a lucrative sneaker deal with Adidas, but the deal has now expired. Moreover, his contract with Chinese brand ‘Peak’ has also come to an end, and Howard was wearing Adidas Kobe editions for most of the 2020 season.  It was reported that Howard passed on humungous sneaker deals to rep Kobe sneakers in honor of the fallen legend. Howard donned the ‘Nike Kobe V Proto’ and the ‘Nike Kobe AD Exodus’ during the 2019/20 season.   Age 26  Marital Status Engaged (Te’a Cooper)   Children Five  NBA Championship Rings 1 ( 2020)   Nationality American  Height 6′ 10″ (2.08 m)   Weight 186 lbs (84 kg)  Wingspan 7’5” (2.13m)    How to contact Dwight Howard  Dwight Howard Instagram: dwighthoward Dwight Howard Twitter: @DwightHoward

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