When the NBA announced the top 75 players of all time for the league’s 75th anniversary in October 2021, there were some notable names missing from the list. Among them were Adrian Dantley, Klay Thompson, Tony Parker, Draymond Green, Kyrie Irving, Chris Bosh, Pau Gasol, Alex English, Tracy McGrady, and Vince Carter. However, many people believe that the biggest snub was Dwight Howard.
Stan Van Gundy, Howard’s former coach, is among those who think it is “absolutely ridiculous” that Howard did not make the top 75. Van Gundy believes that during Howard’s time in Orlando, there were only two players who could be considered on his level: LeBron James and Kobe Bryant. Van Gundy praised Howard’s abilities on both ends of the court, highlighting his three consecutive Defensive Player of the Year awards and consistent scoring. He argues that Howard’s omission from the list is unjust when comparing his career to players like Anthony Davis.
Van Gundy acknowledges that personal opinions may differ on who the better player is, whether it’s Michael Jordan or LeBron James, but he believes that when considering careers up to that point, there is no case to be made that Davis had a better career than Howard. Van Gundy insists that Howard’s absence from the top 75 is unfathomable and suggests that it may have been influenced by personal bias.
While Van Gundy and Howard have not always had the best relationship, Van Gundy’s criticism of the NBA’s decision holds weight. Howard’s omission may be partly due to his controversial personality, but it’s important to remember how dominant he was in the first nine years of his career, particularly during his time with the Orlando Magic. Comparing the first nine years of Howard’s career to Davis’, it becomes clear that Howard’s achievements outweigh Davis’ in multiple categories, including All-Star appearances, All-NBA selections, championships, and playoff appearances.
Although Davis played a significant role in the Lakers’ championship win in 2020, Howard was also an important factor in that team’s success. While Davis may be the better offensive player, Howard’s impact on the court cannot be overlooked. Advanced stats also favor Howard in various aspects, such as average win shares. Howard’s dominance as a big man during the post-2000s era, similar to Shaquille O’Neal, further supports Van Gundy’s argument that Howard deserved a spot on the top-75 team.
In conclusion, the exclusion of Dwight Howard from the NBA’s top-75 players of all time is widely considered to be unjustified. Despite his controversial reputation, Howard’s outstanding performances and contributions to the game make him deserving of recognition alongside the greatest players in NBA history.
