Dwight Howard (Part 2)

During the 2006–07 NBA season, Dwight Howard's prowess on the court continued to shine as he displayed remarkable consistency and leadership for the Orlando Magic. Playing in all 82 regular-season games for the third consecutive year, Howard earned his first NBA All-Star selection as a reserve, showcasing his growing stature in the league.
One of the season's highlights came on February 9, 2007, when Howard delivered a game-winning alley-oop at the buzzer against the formidable San Antonio Spurs, further solidifying his reputation as a clutch performer. He also achieved a new career high with 35 points in a game against the Philadelphia 76ers on April 14, further underscoring his offensive prowess.
Under Howard's guidance, the Magic secured a spot in the 2007 NBA Playoffs as the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. Despite their best efforts, the team was ultimately swept by the Detroit Pistons in the first round. Despite this setback, Howard's individual contributions did not go unnoticed, as he averaged an impressive 17.6 points and 12.3 rebounds per game for the season. His stellar performance earned him recognition, as he finished first in the NBA in total rebounds, second in field goal percentage, and ninth in blocks. Howard's efforts culminated in his selection to the All-NBA Third Team at the end of the 2006–07 campaign.



In the following season, 2007–08, Howard continued to excel, leading the Magic to their best season to date. His stellar play earned him a spot as a starter for the Eastern Conference All-Star team, showcasing his status as one of the premier players in the league. Additionally, Howard captured the attention of fans worldwide when he won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest with a series of innovative dunks, including one where he donned a Superman cape, rejuvenating the contest in the eyes of many.
Howard's dominance extended into the playoffs, where he played a pivotal role in guiding the Magic to their first division title in 12 years. His exceptional performance, including three 20-point/20-rebound games, propelled Orlando to a series victory over the Toronto Raptors in the first round. Despite a valiant effort, the Magic fell to the Pistons in the second round. Nonetheless, Howard's stellar play throughout the season earned him numerous accolades, including his first selection to the All-NBA First Team and a spot on the NBA All-Defensive Second Team.


The 2008–09 NBA season marked another impressive chapter in Dwight Howard's career. Despite suffering a knee injury in December, which interrupted his streak of consecutive games played, Howard bounced back to lead the Orlando Magic to a remarkable season. His outstanding performances on the court earned him a record-breaking 3.1 million votes for the 2009 NBA All-Star Game, where he secured a starting spot for the Eastern Conference team.
Under Howard's leadership, the Magic clinched their second consecutive Southeast Division title and finished the regular season with an impressive 59–23 record. In the playoffs, Howard's dominance was on full display, particularly in critical moments. Notably, in Game 5 against the Philadelphia 76ers, he recorded an impressive 24 points and 24 rebounds, propelling Orlando to a series victory.


However, it was in the Eastern Conference Finals where Howard truly shined. Facing off against the formidable Cleveland Cavaliers, Howard delivered a playoff career-high performance, scoring 40 points and grabbing 14 rebounds in the decisive Game 6, leading the Magic to victory and a spot in the NBA Finals for the first time in 14 years.
Although the Magic fell short in the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers, Howard's contributions did not go unnoticed. Despite the loss, he showcased his defensive prowess by winning the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award for the first time in his career. Additionally, he was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team and the All-NBA First Team, solidifying his status as one of the premier players in the league.


The following seasons further cemented Howard's reputation as a dominant force in the NBA. In the 2009–10 season, he led the league in blocks and rebounds for the second consecutive year, becoming the first player in NBA history to achieve this feat twice in a row. He continued to excel defensively, earning his second consecutive Defensive Player of the Year Award.
In the 2010–11 season, Howard reached new heights, posting career highs in points and field goal percentage. His remarkable defensive skills were once again recognized as he secured his third consecutive Defensive Player of the Year honors, making him the first player in league history to achieve this feat. Despite his individual success, the Magic faced disappointment in the playoffs, falling to the Atlanta Hawks in the first round despite Howard's stellar performance.
Despite some challenges, including accumulating technical fouls and facing suspensions, Howard's impact on the court remained undeniable, solidifying his status as one of the most dominant and influential players in the NBA during this period.

References

1.  At a Glance 2007 Archived January 23, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, nba.com/playoffs2007, accessed May 1, 2007.
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3. ^ Medeiros, Andrew, "Around the Association presented by T-Mobile: February 13" Archived February 15, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, nba.com, February 13, 2008, accessed February 15, 2008.
4. a b c MVP Kobe Bryant Highlights All-NBA First Team Archived May 11, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, nba.com, May 8, 2008, accessed May 9, 2008.
5. ^ Schuhmann, John, "All-Star Saturday Dwight", nba.com, February 17, 2008, accessed February 17, 2008.
6. ^ Magic Beat Raptors, Move to Second Round, nba.com, April 29, 2008, accessed May 1, 2008.
7. ^ Feschuk, Dave, "Nelson dangerous, Howard kills", thestar.com, November 18, 2008, accessed November 19, 2008.
8. ^ Schmitz, Brian, "Pistons end Magic's season in Game 5" Archived May 14, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, orlandosentinel.com, May 13, 2008, accessed May 14, 2008.
9. ^ Kobe, Garnett Headline All-Defensive Team Archived July 26, 2010, at the Wayback Machine, nba.com, May 12, 2008, accessed May 13, 2008.
10. ^ Grange, Michael, "O'Neal prepares for tall challenge", Globe and Mail, November 17, 2008.
11. ^ "Without Howard, Magic beat Jazz in Utah". NBA.com. Associated Press. December 13, 2008. Archived from the original on April 18, 2013.
12. ^ Howard tops balloting for 2009 NBA All-Star Game Archived January 24, 2009, at the Wayback Machine, nba.com, January 22, 2009, accessed January 23, 2009.
13. ^ Gonzalez, Antonio, "Magic Switch: Orlando bounces Boston from 2nd", nba.com, March 25, 2009, accessed March 28, 2009.
14. ^ 2008–09 NBA Season Summary, basketball-reference.com, accessed April 16, 2009.
15. ^ Withers, Tom, "Howard scores 40 as Magic make finals", nba.com, May 30, 2009, accessed May 31, 2009.