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Dwight Howard DOMINATES in debut with Taiwanese team Taoyuan Leopards as the 36-year-old scores 38 points and 25 rebounds to help his team stage a massive comeback
Dwight Howard got his All-Star ability back and all he had to do was fly to Taiwan.
The No. 1 overall pick of the 2004 NBA Draft made his debut Saturday with his new team, the Taoyuan Leopards, and turned in an utterly ridiculous performance as he led his team to a comeback victory.
Howard scored 38 points and grabbed 25 rebounds as he rolled back the years against the helpless opponent, even moving the ball forward several times and making two 3-pointers.
Dwight Howard scored four blocks in the game as his time yielded a win
Howard was thrilled as his team tied the score with seconds left in regulation
He also recorded four blocks in the game as his team dramatically cleared a 21-point halftime deficit in front of a home crowd.
The NBA veteran, now 36 years old, had turned into a defensive and rebound specialist the last time we saw him on The Association, as he averaged 7.5 points per game or less in three seasons with the Lakers and Sixers .
But the T1 League was no match for Howard Saturday as he channeled the dominance of his eight All-Star seasons and reached heights he hadn’t reached in years.
It was the first time Howard had recorded at least 35 points and 25 rebounds since 2016 with the Rockets – the only time in his NBA career.
Taking rebounds out of the equation, you still have to go back four years to 2018 to find the last time Howard posted at least 30 points in a game, as he had 32 with the Hornets back then.
Howard recognized after the win how important he was to the Leopards.
“It’s my first game in a long time where I get the chance to shoot the ball, touch it and things like that,” he said. Focus Taiwan.
Howard announced his signing with the Leopards earlier this month
“I really appreciate my coach and the rest of my teammates for trusting me.”
While Howard’s performance was a heartwarming look at his former NBA prowess, it probably wouldn’t have come true had he gotten his wish last season.
Despite serving as a useful Los Angeles rotation player, Howard surprisingly received no contract offers during the summer, forcing him to open up his options if he wanted to continue playing.
While his days of NBA stardom are over, perhaps his latest exploits in Taiwan will convince someone that he’s at least worthy of a roster spot.