Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard recently turned 30. If he had it his way, he’d be in the league for another 10 years—at least.
“That’d be fun if I was to play this game (that long),” Howard told the Houston Chronicle. “That was always my goal, to play 20 years, 20-something years in this league. I’m extremely happy and blessed to have been able to play this game for as long as I have been so far.”
This is Howard’s 12th season in the NBA. He missed about half of last season with fluid in his knee. Injuries can derail any career as it goes along, but production is a huge area for Howard, as well. He’s averaging about 13 points and 11 rebounds per game this year at about 32 minutes per game, and averaging a double-double is always a high benchmark. It’s been a couple of years since he’s played a full season (or close to one), though he’s been healthier this year and hasn’t missed a game to injury.
That Howard has high hopes to play for another decade at minimum is no surprise, but there comes a point in even the greatest careers when Father Time comes up and quickly. Kobe Bryant is 37, no longer what he used to be, has battled injuries and takes on a different role with his team. Tim Duncan, all of 39 years old, has had as long-lasting a career as anyone. Yet he, too, has seen his overall minutes per game decrease even though he remains a big part of the Spurs.
But, you know what they say: 40 is the new 30. Or something like that.
(Via the Houston Chronicle)
