For nearly two decades, Dwight Howard has lived in the spotlight — and often, under the microscope. From being drafted No. 1 straight out of high school in 2004 to becoming the face of the Orlando Magic, to winning a championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020, Howard’s career has been nothing short of eventful. A three-time Defensive Player of the Year and eight-time NBA All-Star, his accolades put him in elite company. But for Dwight, it’s never just been about stats — it’s about the story behind them.
Howard’s name often sparks passionate conversations in basketball circles: Is he a surefire Hall of Famer? Should he have been on the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team? Why didn’t the Lakers bring him back after the bubble title run? Those are just a few of the questions that linger around a player whose dominance in the paint reshaped how we view the modern center. And now, with the Hall of Famer being added to his legacy, the reflection is real and raw.
In this exclusive on Episode 1 of Scoop B Selects, Dwight Howard opened up in ways few have heard. We talked about legacy, motivation, and growth — both on and off the hardwood. He addressed the peace made with Shaquille O’Neal after years of tension and cleared the air on whether it was real or for the cameras. He broke down his decision to stretch his game beyond the post and develop an outside shot as the league evolved, even when critics didn’t always embrace it.
We also looked back at some of the most pivotal moments in his career. From fulfilling a childhood dream by playing for his hometown Atlanta Hawks to the pain and confusion behind the Lakers’ decision not to re-sign him after their 2020 title, Howard didn’t dodge anything. His honesty was as bold as his game — and just as impactful.
This is more than just a basketball Q&A. It’s a conversation with a man who has done it all — and still has more to say. Here’s our full discussion with the one and only Dwight Howard.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Does it feel surreal or strange hearing people refer to you as a Hall of Famer now?
Dwight Howard: Uh no. I’m just thankful that I’ve put myself in a position to be a Hall of Famer, you know? My work ethic, my discipline, my sacrifice, consistency and my faith has got me to the Hall of Fame and it’s an amazing honor to hear everywhere I go that people call me a Hall of Famer.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: “You’ve clearly got the numbers for the Hall of Fame — do you feel like winning that 2020 championship was the final piece that sealed it?
Dwight Howard: I think it was just the cherry on top, you know? I think what I did in Orlando was very special for 8 years and then after that continue to play at a very high level — 18 years in the league is a very long time to be consistent on BOTH ends of the floor is amazing.
On some of the guys that he grew up looking up to at his position…
Howard: Well see, I grew up playing point guard so I watched a lot of Magic Johnson tapes. I wanted to be Magic Johnson when I grew up and then I got to the 9th grade, 10th grade, 11th grade… It started to be Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan and thought that their intensity and that power forwards handle the ball and shoot; I loved it and so I wanted to pattern my game after them.
Dwight Howard: Who were some of the players you looked up to growing up — especially as your game and position evolved?
Dwight Howard: Well not just the big man, but it’s just the way the game is going. When I came into the league they didn’t want bigs to shoot. And when I was exiting the league there were more bigs shooting than none shooting so, it’s just the times are changing and the game is always going to change and evolve and grow. I’m just happy that I’ve been able to adapt long enough to play as long as I played.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: You and Shaq recently made peace after years of tension — how real was that moment, especially with some saying it was just for the cameras?
Dwight Howard: I don’t think none of it was for cameras. I’m not in the business of trying to do anything for show. The beef? I mean, I guess it was real as far as him disliking what I was doing and me disliking him hating on me or whatever you want to call it but, you gotta let bygones be bygones. My time in the NBA is over with, you know? We got the same jacket. We’re in the Hall of Fame so, we just have to respect each other, you know? Shaq came before me and a lot of the bigs so we always pay homage to the ones that came before us and would never disrespect him and what he meant to the game and what he’s done for the game. Away from basketball off the court, you know man to man is different from on the court and all in all I respect him and I’m glad we had an opportunity to talk.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: After winning the 2020 championship, what happened with the Lakers not re-signing you — and how did that affect you?”
Dwight Howard: I was told that there was a contract and then I was so happy that I heard I was coming back, I tweeted about it and my agent called me back and said, “Hey. The Lakers took the contract off the table. You gotta take that tweet down.” I was like, ‘Damn! Why would they do that?’ and it really kind of messed with me because I’m like, I came in with the right attitude towards winning, not worried about points, rebounds… just worried about us winning another championship… and so many people made a big emphasis on me worrying about points and all that stuff which I think all players want to get out in the game and score and be effective. So, but I was highly upset that I didn’t get a chance to compete for a title defense because I believed that we had a special team and we had a window where we could’ve won and been to the NBA Finals multiple years.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Was playing for your hometown Atlanta Hawks in 2017 a dream come true for you?
Dwight Howard: My dream come true was to beeeee in the NBA. So, playing for the Hawks is just that I get a chance to play in my career to play for the team that I grew up on; this is an awesome honor. I wish I could’ve stayed there longer but, just to say I got a chance to play for my city and really rep my city is a great feeling.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Do you see yourself going into the Hall of Fame primarily as an Orlando Magic, a Los Angeles Laker, or just as Dwight Howard — DH12?
Dwight Howard: [laughs] I think I’m going into the Hall of Fame as DH12. The basketball player, the philanthropist, the dominant big… that’s DH12 going into the Hall of Fame!
Dwight Howard’s career has often been framed by extremes; the early dominance, the mid-career turbulence, and the veteran resurgence that culminated in a long-awaited NBA title. But when the dust settles, and basketball debates fade into legacy talk, his numbers and impact on the game will be impossible to ignore. The stat sheet may show blocks, rebounds, and dunks, but this conversation revealed the man behind the highlight reel.
His Hall of Fame credentials are undeniable: more rebounds than almost anyone of his generation, three Defensive Player of the Year awards in a row, and years of anchoring elite defenses. But it’s the emotional weight of being overlooked, doubted, and misunderstood that makes his story so compelling. He knows what the critics have said. And now, he’s taking ownership of the narrative.
From his deep admiration for the big men who came before him to his willingness to evolve his own game, Howard has always had his eyes on growth. That growth has included navigating personal challenges, public scrutiny, and even repairing relationships like the one with Shaq; proof that maturity and longevity go hand-in-hand in the NBA.
Whether Dwight ultimately enters the Hall of Fame as an Orlando Magic legend or as a key piece in the Lakers’ storied history, his legacy is layered. It spans dominance, perseverance, reinvention and a player who never stopped believing in himself, even when the game changed around him.
And if this conversation is any indication, Dwight Howard isn’t just looking back, he’s setting the record straight while still looking forward. The game may eventually move on, but his story will stand tall… just like the man himself.