Hoops Habit
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The NBA’s 10 Most Criminally Underrated Stars

By Gerald Bourguet

January 11, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) dribbles the basketball against Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh (1) during the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Heat 111-103. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 11, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) dribbles the basketball against Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh (1) during the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Heat 111-103. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 10, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) celebrates after making a basket during the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Dwight Howard

2015-16 Statistics: 14.2 PPG, 12.0 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.6 BPG, 1.0 SPG, .615/—/.531 shooting, 19.7 PER

On the one hand, there’s plenty of room for criticism in Dwight Howard‘s game these days. He’s still a horrendous free throw shooter, his maturity is constantly called into question and he’s injured far too often, having missed seven games already this season.

But the Houston Rockets are 17-15 in games in which D-12 plays, as opposed to 3-4 in games he’s missed. Howard is still an underwhelming back-to-the-basket scorer, but he’s posting the best rebounding numbers since his days with the Orlando Magic and he’s converting a career high 61.5 percent of his shot attempts.

It’s also worth mentioning that a fully healthy Dwight Howard is still one of the best two-way centers in the league. For those searching for proof, consider that D-12 is averaging 21.2 points, 14.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game on 68.7 percent shooting over his last six contests.

The Rockets still have a lot of ground to cover in the Western Conference playoff picture to get to where they envisioned themselves at the start of the season, but Howard’s resurgence is a big reason Houston has now won four straight games.

With the Rockets needing his rebounding to close out stops, his interior presence to force misses and his all-around defensive skill set to get this team’s lazy D back on track, Howard’s negative reputation shouldn’t distract people from the impact he still has whenever he takes the court.

Next: No. 6