Dwight Howard is savoring every moment of his basketball career overseas, away from the constant disappointments he's enduring in hopes of landing a comeback in the NBA. As much as he wanted to return to the Association, he had no choice but to walk away and give himself the respect he deserved.
In a recent episode of his Above the Rim podcast, the future Hall of Famer admitted that he felt disgruntled with the little to no interest he obtained around the league despite the work he has put in, convincing him to take his talents abroad instead.
“At that point, I was fed up. I was fed up with all the cap and the lies,” he said . “I was like, man, I’d rather just go somewhere and hoop because it’s just too many lies. And then as much work as I'm putting in to play year after year and sacrificing my family time? Like bro, I'm trying to maintain a body and I'm doing this for 18 to 19 years straight. Getting up at the same time, training. I can’t even do stuff with my kids because I’m making sure I’m in the gym, making sure I’m straight. And I’m doing this to sacrifice for the team for them to tell me I ain’t going to play or this that.”
Depressed about no NBA play
After years of being one of the most dominant forces and eventually adapting a role-playing position, Dwight saw the end of the road of his NBA run in the aftermath of the 2021-22 season for the Los Angeles Lakers. In his third stint with the franchise, he averaged 6.2 points and 5.9 boards in 16.2 minutes of play across 60 games.
At age 36, D12 showed that he still has some gas left in his tank to contribute and even be a veteran locker room voice. But to his disappointment, no teams knocked on the door for his service again, taking a massive toll on his mental side.
“It drives you crazy on trying to think about it. I'm just be like, let me put my energy into something else because you'll sit up there all day and you'll be depressed,” he confessed . “Plenty of times, sitting at the crib, I'm watching film with myself like, ‘Yo, I can still f**king hoop’. This sh** is crazy.”
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Blessing in disguise
In the end, Howard couldn't be more gratified that he found peace by stepping out of his comfort zone and playing the game in different countries. Playing the game in front of fans of various nationalities even made him redeem his fame, stardom, and passion for the sport.
Following the 2021-22 NBA season, Dwight ventured to Asia and signed with the Taoyuan Leopards of the Taiwanese T1 League. He went on to clinch the league's Most Valuable Import, First Team selection, Defensive First Team nod, and even the All-Star Game MVP Award. Following a one-year stint with the Leopards, he captivated Filipino supporters by joining the nation's Strong Group, helping them to win a silver medal in the 2024 Dubai International Basketball Championship.
Howard inked the deal with the Taiwan Mustangs of The Asian Tournament last May. And until an opportunity back to the NBA presents itself, he'll continue to make the most out of his play on the foreign courts.
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