Overachiever: Dwight Howard, Charlotte Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets aren’t having their greatest season but don’t tell that to veteran center Dwight Howard. Howard became the second player in the last 36 years to post a 30-point, 30-rebound game.
He recorded 32 points and 30 rebounds (11 offensive, 19 defensive) in a 111-105 comeback victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night. The last player to post a 30-point, 30-rebound game was Kevin Love as a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves on Nov. 12, 2010.
Howard and the Hornets are playing out a lost season, but he’s still averaging 16.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 1.3 assists per game on his third team in the past three seasons. Charlotte looks to be a player away from the promised land known as the NBA Playoffs as they’re still 10 games under .500.
The playoffs may not be in the cards this year but Howard has shown he can still play at a high level. If the front office can surround him and Kemba Walker with some solid pieces in the offseason, they could see the playoffs again soon. It also hasn’t helped Nicolas Batum has battled injuries throughout the season. He’s appeared in 56 of 72 games for the Hornets this year.