Dwight Howard wasn’t kidding about playing into his 40s. Howard, 32, declared during his introductory press conference with the Wizards that he had “another good eight years.” As Candace Buckner of the Washington Post details, Howard has changed his training regimen over the past two summers to extend his career.
Howard has slimmed down to 265 pounds with 3.3 percent body fat, according to his trainer Ed Downs. Howard weighed 285 pounds with 12.5 percent body fat when he played for the Hawks during the 2016/17 season.
Howard realized he needed to be more agile in the current NBA climate.
“When I came into this league, I was playing against the Shaqs, the Alonzo Mournings, the Jermaine O’Neals and it was more so a physical — I’m going to see who’s the strongest guy in the paint,” Howard told Buckner. “It’s like an arm wrestling match for the big guys. And nowadays, it’s not the same game. So it’s either evolve, adapt or get left behind.”
Howard, who has battled back problems during his career, proved more durable during his season with the Hornets, appearing in all 81 games in which he was eligible, Buckner notes. The only game he missed was due to a league suspension for exceeded the league’s limit for technicals.
Howard has also worked diligently on his ballhanding and shooting in order to become more versatile. Another one of Howard’s handlers, Justin Zormelo, wants his client to evolve into “his own version” of Anthony Davis or Kevin Durant.
Buckner later clarified Zormelo’s statement, assuring that Howard doesn’t think he’s at Durant’s level but simply wants to expand his game by incorporating elements from other players (Twitter links).
Already a future HOFer. Once he adds the 3-pt shot to his game this year, sky’s the limit. I think he’d do well to step back like Nick Van Exel and shoot a longer range FT as well.
I agree, I like that Dwight is trying to expand his game and attempt to keep up with the times, players like Roy Hilbert or Al Jefferson didn’t really expand their games and they got left beyond
And it’s funny because Hibbert shot threes at G-town
No he didn’t
Not so sure about the longer free throw but Dwight will seriously need refinement on his mechanics
Let’s add a 10 footer First.
Gotta become a pure shooter ala Manute Bol
3.3% body fat @ 265lbs; damn!
Right, talk about muscle mass…
Yeah that got me too. 3% is crazy.
Howard, 32, declared during his introductory press conference with the Wizards that he had “another good eight years.”
That would be six more than he had in the last eight years…
That was my thought as well. Usually guys on a journeyman tour like Howard don’t last another 8 years.
Just goes to show why Brian Scalabrine was the GOAT
For once I can’t wait to see how his new shooting looks like, I like DH12, hopefully he will have a good year & Washington can do well, could be quite a pair with Wall.
11 positive comments so far… most people didn’t even know this guy was in the league anymore.
You’d have to be a really casual fan not to know
When the league gets rid of super teams I’ll be a really casual fan once again.
All Dwight does is talk in the offseason with every new team he is traded to! He’s never lived up to his talk in all of his other stops, and this is more of the same. If he plays another 8 years it will be on at least 6 different teams, including a Chinese stint!
People forget when Dwight came into the league, he had the mid-range and even out to the corner 3 jumper. He stopped taking those shots. A lot of the dwight problems are narrative based, but I’m not trying to get into that now. I like the fit for him with Washington, as they needed athleticism at the 5, and someone that can play above the rim. Maybe he’ll get fed in the playoffs for once, as he has improved that part of his game, but he hasnt got the ball in his last 3 years. He isnt the all time great defender he once was, but he can still play on that end, and especially getting himself in better shape, I think he can build off what he did last year