Hoops Habit
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5 Players With The Most To Prove In 2016-17

By Carter Johnson

Nov 5, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) dribble the ball around Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the second half at the United Center. The Bulls won 104-98. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) dribble the ball around Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the second half at the United Center. The Bulls won 104-98. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 4, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) looks on in the game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) looks on in the game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /

Dwight Howard

It’s been a rough few years for Dwight Howard.

Following a terrific 2008-09 season where he led the Orlando Magic to their second ever NBA Finals appearance, it’s been all downhill for the former undisputed best center in the world.

He’s now gone through two less-than-stellar stints with the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets and injuries have robbed him of his trademark strength and explosiveness, making him a shell of his former, dominant self.

Now years removed from superstardom, Howard has returned home to Atlanta in hopes that he can revive his career and prove himself as a player who can still be a force in this league.

Just from this press conference, you can tell that Howard has been genuinely humbled by his fall from the top and happy about the opportunity to revive his career in front of the people who love him the most.

With that in mind, one can only expect that D-12 (now D-8) will have added motivation to play his best.

Even in a down season where he was completely phased out of the Rockets’ offense, Howard still averaged a double-double with 13.7 points and 11.8 rebounds a game and posted a career-high field goal percentage at .620.

Most figure that even in the motion offense that Spurs disciple Mike Budenholzer runs, Howard will be a featured player alongside floor spreaders in All-Stars Paul Millsap and Kyle Korver.

Add in a perfect pick-and-roll point guard like Dennis Schroder and the center should be back in a system like the one he thrived in in his Orlando days.

If Howard can stay healthy and transfer his love for his hometown into motivation to play harder than he did with Houston, he could show fans and critics that there’s some Superman still left in him.

Next: Can The Rose Blossom In The Garden?