NBA 2004 Redraft: Picking between high school and college champions

#1 Pick: Dwight Howard (Originally: Dwight Howard)

It has been easy over recent years to make jokes at Dwight Howard’s expense. Since his Orlando run came to an ugly end, people made more snide remarks than praising his actual basketball talent. But let’s be honest, Dwight Howard is a Hall of Famer and is the no-brainer number one selection.

Let’s start with the accolades. Howard is an eight-time All-Star and made eight All-NBA teams (five Firsts, one Second and two Thirds). He won three consecutive Defensive Player of the Year awards from 2009 to 2011 and finished second in MVP voting in 2011. Finishing in the top five of the MVP race 2008 to 2011, Howard was one of the best players in the league.

Dwight Howard has also won a famous Slam Dunk Contest, led the league in rebound five times and blocks twice. It may have ended ugly but landing a top-five player in the league is what this is all about. For a time, Orlando did just that.

Before injuries sidetracked his career, he was the definition of dependable. Over his first seven seasons (all but his last in Orlando) Dwight played in all but seven games. For a big man who took the beating he did, that is unfathomable. Combine that with a stat line of 18.4 points, 13.0 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, 1.5 assists and 1.0 steals per game while being the best defender in the league and the discussion is over.

With the second pick in the 2004 NBA Redraft, Charlotte Bobcats select…