Charlotte Hornets: 2017-18 player grades for Dwight Howard

Final grade

Howard is still a good-to-very good NBA center. He still has enough athleticism to punish lesser players on both ends of the floor. However, he has clearly lost a step. Howard has the skill-set to be an effective center in today’s NBA, but he still hasn’t embraced that style. He still sees himself as a traditional back-to-the-basket center.

This stubborn determination to avoid change played big roles in his departures in Houston and Atlanta. Nobody wants a center that constantly wants the ball in the post but can’t do much once he gets it.

He used to get by on his otherworldly athleticism. As he gets, older, he must adapt. There’s no reason why he and Kemba Walker couldn’t be one of the best guard/center duos in the East (they only had a +2.5 net rating when they shared the floor).

In the relative obscurity of Charlotte, Howard had a nice season. If he abandons the post game, he and the Hornets will be better off for it. His game is better-suited catching lobs, rolling to the basket and being a garbage man on the offensive glass.  Hopefully, he figures that out before he’s truly past his prime.

Next: Full two-round 2018 NBA Mock Draft

Grade: B