Rory & Mal Don't Know Ball | Dwight Howard

Summary

Podcast Title: New Rory & MAL
Episode: Rory & Mal Don't Know Ball | Dwight Howard
Release Date: June 19, 2025
Hosts: Rory and Mal
Guest: Dwight Howard
Produced By: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

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Introduction to the Episode

In this engaging episode of New Rory & MAL, hosts Rory and Mal delve deep into the basketball world with special guest Dwight Howard. The conversation spans Dwight's illustrious NBA career, his perspectives on the evolution of the game, his feelings about being excluded from the NBA Top 75 list, and his experiences during pivotal moments like the 2009 NBA Finals. The trio also touches on broader topics such as media influence in sports, the impact of AI on basketball, and recent significant changes in NBA team ownership.

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Dwight Howard’s NBA Journey and Early Career Adjustments

Discussion Points:

• Dwight Howard reflects on his entry into the NBA as the first overall pick in the 2004 Draft, selected by the Orlando Magic directly out of high school.
• The challenges he faced transitioning from high school and AAU basketball to the professional level, emphasizing the physical and mental adjustments required.
• His training regimen, disciplined routine, and preparation that contributed to his early success in the league.

Notable Quotes:

• Dwight Howard [03:52]: "When I got to the team, I wanted to get out on the perimeter. I would always be trying to bring the ball up the court in practice."
• Dwight Howard [07:21]: "I woke up every morning at 4 o'clock and I went to the track. This was in high school. Every day I was doing this, waking up at 4 o'clock, going to the track."

---

Being Left Out of the NBA Top 75 List

Discussion Points:

• Dwight expresses his frustration and disbelief at being excluded from the NBA’s Top 75 list despite his achievements, including eight-time All-Star selections and multiple NBA titles.
• The conversation delves into potential biases within the selection process and the influence of media personalities like Skip Bayless.
• The hosts and Dwight compare this situation to similar instances in other fields, emphasizing the importance of objective metrics over subjective opinions.

Notable Quotes:

• Dwight Howard [13:39]: "I was pissed off. I was like, man, there's no way I put in this much work personally and for the league to leave me off."
• Dwight Howard [15:16]: "It’s just the numbers don’t add up and it doesn’t matter... people are saying it has nothing to do with what happened when I stepped between the lines."

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Evolution of the Game and Defensive Play

Discussion Points:

• The hosts and Dwight analyze how the NBA has evolved over the years, particularly focusing on the shift towards a more offense-driven game with increased athleticism.
• They discuss the perceived decline in defensive intensity compared to Dwight’s playing days, highlighting how current players emphasize scoring over defense.
• Dwight shares his admiration for legends like Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, comparing their impact to modern players.

Notable Quotes:

• Dwight Howard [21:40]: "The world is changing. The game is global and they want more scoring, they want more entertainment."
• Dwight Howard [25:17]: "Michael Jordan is Michael Jordan. He gotta be number two or three on my all-time list."

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2009 NBA Finals: Orlando Magic vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Discussion Points:

• Dwight reminisces about the 2009 NBA Finals, where the Orlando Magic faced off against the Los Angeles Lakers led by Kobe Bryant.
• He recounts the intensity of the series, the strategic preparations against LeBron James and the Lakers, and the emotional toll of the finals loss.
• The conversation covers team dynamics, coaching decisions, and the pivotal moments that defined the series outcome.

Notable Quotes:

• Dwight Howard [35:02]: "We wanted to send Cleveland home mad that they played us. That last game was like a statement."
• Dwight Howard [38:40]: "We were fighting against LeBron and Kobe, the best in the league at that time. It was tough."

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Impact of Media and Public Perception in Sports

Discussion Points:

• Dwight discusses his experiences with media scrutiny, especially as a young superstar with high expectations.
• The hosts explore the relationship between athletes and media personalities, including the influence of commentators who may not have firsthand experience.
• The conversation touches on the balance athletes must maintain between personal performance and public perception.

Notable Quotes:

• Dwight Howard [10:48]: "If I'm in a room with Skip, I'm a slap him. That's how I was thinking back then."
• Dwight Howard [12:33]: "It's great to hear both sides, but actual players should be the ones talking about their experiences."

---

AI and the Future of Basketball

Discussion Points:

• The hosts and Dwight speculate on how artificial intelligence (AI) could revolutionize sports, particularly basketball, by enhancing player performance and fan engagement.
• They discuss the recent sale of the Los Angeles Lakers to Mark Walter, CEO of TWG Global, and its implications for the future of the team and the league.
• The conversation explores the potential for AI to change how games are analyzed, played, and experienced by fans.

Notable Quotes:

• Dwight Howard [68:58]: "They are looking at all that. You know, the biggest thing is to attract this new market."
• Dwight Howard [67:43]: "All these players are going to be at home looking at VR sets of fake LeBron James. It's over."

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Personal Growth and Overcoming Challenges

Discussion Points:

• Dwight shares personal stories about dealing with depression, maintaining motivation, and finding inspiration outside of basketball.
• He discusses his time playing overseas in Taiwan, the fulfillment he found in connecting with fans globally, and how these experiences rejuvenated his passion for the game.
• The hosts and Dwight talk about the importance of faith, discipline, and maintaining a strong personal foundation to navigate the highs and lows of a professional sports career.

Notable Quotes:

• Dwight Howard [76:39]: "Sometimes I just have to travel. Get away from my normal routine and see the world differently."
• Dwight Howard [80:58]: "These are experiences. Like in America, sometimes it can be hard because it's an expectation. But overseas, they just let me go about my day."

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Final Thoughts and Conclusion

Discussion Points:

• The episode wraps up with reflections on Dwight’s legacy, his continued influence on the game, and his outlook on future opportunities within and outside the NBA.
• The hosts express their appreciation for Dwight’s honesty and openness, highlighting the inspirational aspects of his journey.

Notable Quotes:

• Host [81:30]: "You need those moments. Even Steph talked about his experience in China. That was similar as well."
• Dwight Howard [81:17]: "I'm just in awe. I'm stuck staring at him like, 'Yo, Michael Jordan just passed me.'"

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Conclusion

This episode of New Rory & MAL offers an in-depth and heartfelt conversation with Dwight Howard, providing listeners with a comprehensive look into his career, personal struggles, and views on the evolving landscape of basketball. Through candid discussions and memorable quotes, Dwight sheds light on the challenges and triumphs that have shaped him both on and off the court, making this episode a must-listen for basketball enthusiasts and fans alike.

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Notable Quotes Summary:

• Dwight Howard [03:52]: "When I got to the team, I wanted to get out on the perimeter."
• Dwight Howard [07:21]: "I woke up every morning at 4 o'clock and I went to the track."
• Dwight Howard [13:39]: "I was pissed off... for the league to leave me off."
• Dwight Howard [21:40]: "The world is changing. The game is global and they want more scoring."
• Dwight Howard [35:02]: "That last game was like a statement."
• Dwight Howard [68:58]: "They are looking at all that. The biggest thing is to attract this new market."
• Dwight Howard [76:39]: "Sometimes I just have to travel. Get away from my normal routine."
• Dwight Howard [80:58]: "These are experiences... you have to let me go about my day."

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Disclaimer: This summary is based on a transcript provided and aims to capture the essence of the episode accurately. For the full experience, listening to the complete podcast is recommended.

Transcript

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[Dwight Howard]

The volume.

[Host]

No worry and mouth. All right, Rory, we are back for another episode of don't know Ball.

[Co-Host]

Yes.

[Host]

You know, show that. We have now to talk to some people that know a lot about ball. And today is a special day because this is our first.

[Dwight Howard]

First.

[Host]

This is our first number one overall.

[Co-Host]

Yeah.

[Host]

Selection in his draft.

[Co-Host]

That is true.

[Host]

So with the first Pick in the 2004 NBA Draft, Rory, the Orlando Magic selected somebody out of high school who had a lot of promise, a lot of upside. I think ended his career being probably one of the most underrated big men that I've ever seen play the game. Definitely revolutionized the position.

[Co-Host]

One of the most athletic.

[Host]

One of the most athletic big men we've ever seen in the NBA. And I probably have more respect for him today now that I got a chance to stand next to him. He's not as tall as I thought he was. So now I got even more respect for him because it's on the perimeter that's taller than him. And they didn't. They couldn't do what he did. So. We are joined today by Dwight Howard. Dwight, how you feeling, brother?

[Dwight Howard]

That's good. You right?

[Host]

Listen, man, so when he walked, when.

[Co-Host]

He got off the elevator, he was like, nah, he could kind of small.

[Host]

You know what it is when you. No, no, definitely not saying that. But you know what it is, Dwight, when you. When I. I stand next to, you know, hanging out with KD and I stand next to kd, it's like, damn, I would think that Dwight is much taller than a Kevin Durant.

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah, KD's seven feet. He's six feet.

[Host]

Yeah, but that's what I'm saying. A lot of people don't know that. Right? But on the court, because of aesthetically, you just look like.

[Dwight Howard]

I look like. I was upset. It's crazy. When I played for the Lakers and Antwan Jameson was one of my teammates, and I was standing next to Pau Gasol, he was, bruh, you really ain't seven feet. Yeah, you like six, eight. For real.

[Host]

That's what I'm saying.

[Dwight Howard]

I said, what you mean? He said, because, pal, seven one. And he killing you right now. He way talking. I was like, bro, it's just when I get on the court, I look tall. Cause I'm always jumping, touching the top of the back. But it's crazy. Like, yeah, I was one of the shortest centers to play.

[Host]

I mean, one of the shortest. Me saying that is crazy. But the way you played the position though, Dwight, now we, you know, me particularly speaking, saw you in high school, obviously knew the talent was there. Everybody knew you would be the number one overall pick. But that position, and I think that time the center position was kind of in a different kind of space. We didn't have the, you know, the big dominant Shaqs was on the way out, you know what I'm saying? That was kind of the latter part of the career. So the big bulky you came in and the way you were running. A lot of people don't know this, but Shaq kind of played that way in his rookie years, in his early years in Orlando. He could run, excuse me, run the floor a lot better than people thought. But what you did at the position was like, no, he's like freakishly athletic at the center position.

[Dwight Howard]

It's crazy because when I got to the team, I wanted to get out on the perimeter. So I would always be trying to bring the ball up the court in practice. And coach would stop me from dribbling the ball. He would tell Steve Francis or one of the guards, no, we don't want you dribbling the basketball. And I'm like, well, what you want me to do? They just said, dwight, we want you to bring down the house. So I'm like, what does that mean? Yeah, dunk everything. And so I was playing the four, man when I got on the Magic. And back then it wasn't those stretch fours or fives, so it was always interchangeable. They saw how fast I could get up and down the floor and how high I could jump. So they said, you know what, let's put you at the center position. Let's get four shooters and then let's keep you in the pick and roll. Cause you're going to be faster than all the centers. It might be taller than you, but you can make up for that with your arms and jumping and stuff like that. So now we want you to put pressure on the rim. So every time, run as hard as you can, seal to the basket. If you don't have it, come set a pick, a roll, we gonna get you on the lob, get you on a deep post up. So it was like easy money for me.

[Host]

No, but you came in and it almost seemed like right away you adjusted to the NBA game. Was that due to you think you always just being a fan of the game, watching the game closely? Or did you come in knowing that I'm going to have to make Some adjustments to my game. And how fast did you pick up that adjustment? Because I don't. Looking back, I don't think you really came out the gates, like, slow. You had like an adjusted period.

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah, I did.

[Host]

But you had success early as well.

[Dwight Howard]

I think it was how I prepared to come into the NBA. So I woke up every morning at 4 o' clock and I went to the track train every day. This was in high school. Every day I was doing this, waking up at 4 o' clock, going to the track. Then I would go to the court and lift or try to lift as much weights as I could, and then go to the court, obviously, and work out. I did this religiously. That became my routine. So I wanted to prepare myself for the traveling, for the getting up early, having to get on the plane ride and wake up and having to lift and do all that stuff. And also to maintain my body, you know, I had to train for that.

[Host]

Yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

Cause I knew once I got to the NBA, it's going to be tons of things that could distract me. So I said, I need to work on being disciplined. So my first year, and it was going to be adjustment period. Kevin Willis was the one who woke me up. I tried to box him out one day and chicken wing.

[Host]

Yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

He pulled my arm down and it was stuck and I couldn't move. And I was like, yo, let go of my arm.

[Host]

And Kevin Willis was an older guy. He was a super vet by the time.

[Dwight Howard]

Super duper vet, 20 year in the league. Chicken waved my arm and he held it down. And I said, after that, I will not let nobody ever push me around in this league. I went that summer in eight weights. My first year was an adjustment period because now I'm playing against stronger, older and wiser men. AAU was a different type of game that we came from. High school was different. But now we're playing against all these savvy vets. It was more vets in the league back then. So, you know, with me coming in number one pick, you know, everybody got all these high expectations. Every big man is trying me. So now it's like I gotta come back with a plan. And the plan was to get bigger, stronger, and faster. And it worked out.

[Co-Host]

What was the media side like that? Cause, I mean, even, you know, high school, when did they cut that off? Right before the league?

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah, the next year.

[Co-Host]

The next year?

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah.

[Co-Host]

So I thought so. It was a controversial time. And outside of being the number one pick, being a high school player as well, how'd you deal with the media shit, outside of dealing with grown ass men in the paint, man, I didn't.

[Dwight Howard]

Know what I was dealing with. I didn't know what was going on. Cause it's like all I knew was basketball and God, you know, I went to a church, school. So every day I'm waking up doing what I'm doing with basketball. Now we mixing it with school and church. And this was everything that I knew. Now I go from this small school to the big world. Now I'm the face of a franchise. Now they're asking me to make sure to understand money and things I didn't know none of about this. So it was a big adjustment period for me and I was very thankful that not had to go through so many trials because it really made me better off the court, Made me better on the court and the media, man, we didn't know how to deal with it coming in. I didn't have to deal with any negativity like that until that moment, you know, coming into the NBA. So it was like, how do I deal with, you know, everybody always in my business wanting to know everything about my life that come with being famous and all these different things is now it's coming into play and it's not as easy to deal with if you don't have a strong faith or a strong foundation.

[Co-Host]

Who pissed you off the most in the media at that time? I mean it wasn't like the first take era where it's like every show is opinionated pundit shit. But people still, you know, there's still opinions going on in sports media.

[Dwight Howard]

Back then it was probably like the Skip Bayless. Like I would say, if I'm in a room with Skip, I'm a slap him. That's how I was thinking back then. Why he always got something to say. Because people like that, I believe back in the day it started what we call with everybody having an opinion based off somebody who's never did this before. Like I could understand.

[Host]

Do you respect it more coming from God? Cause I like what the NBA is doing now and you've done a great job with it as well. I think I caught one of the magic games and you was courtside talking and I was like, well Dwight, you've always been well spoken, but it just seems more natural to have guys that played the game talk about the game, to have talk about the game. Because y' all always see it from an angle. We obviously will never see it from and understand it differently. But is that something that you had to learn later? On like, okay, these guys, they're just speaking about it. So I can't get so emotionally upset and you know, and take it too seriously because they don't. They just doing their job.

[Dwight Howard]

It's hard not to. Because people on the outside teams are also hearing this stuff too. So now it could put them in a position like, is this true or is it not true? Is this person or player. Yeah, that's how we're taking it. Cause it's like, yo, I'm really out here grinding every single day. And now you're telling people I'm a cancer in the locker room. I'm lazy, I don't work hard. Like, you can't do that. That's not fair because my resume is showing otherwise. But now you're trying to tarnish that by saying this. So it's really not cool. So it's great for everyone to have opinions. I think we need to hear both sides of it from a player that has played and somebody who's just observing the game because maybe they could see something a little bit different.

[Host]

Yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

So I can understand that. But to have the actual players who played in that era, I think they should be the ones that are talking. So like, now the guys who played with me are against me and stuff like that. I feel like they would be great commentators for games. The older guys, they haven't been out. They haven't been a part of this new generation's game. So I feel like maybe their opinions could be biased based off when they played and how they played.

[Host]

So now you have the career that you have, obviously, eight time, what, All Star NBA champion, all of these things. The one thing that I had an issue with was you being left off the top 75. And you've always had this personality where you're smiling. You know, things never seem to really upset you. I don't think I've ever seen you do any or say anything too crazy. But personally, how did you take that? Like, when you got the news that you didn't make the top seven, like, we not talking about cameras and media. I'm talking about Dwight Howard at home.

[Dwight Howard]

I was pissed off.

[Host]

Yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah. I was like, man, there's no way I put in this much work personally. And for the league to be left off. And I know it's not 75 guys, that's better than me.

[Host]

Okay. That's the issue I had with it. I'm like, some of these guys, I get it. He was good. But I remember what this kid was doing in Orlando and it Looks totally different.

[Dwight Howard]

It's totally different. So I was very pissed off, and I was like, man, this is not right. Cause it gotta be a bigger play. It gotta be something else. Because I know for a fact some of these guys don't have my resume. Yeah, they're on it.

[Host]

That's a fact.

[Dwight Howard]

But as it got closer to when they. I think ESPN was doing a little coverage of the time when they were saying it's like, 10 players left.

[Host]

Yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

When it got down to 10, I said, you know what? They ain't gonna put me on it.

[Host]

Why did you.

[Dwight Howard]

I could already sense it.

[Host]

But why?

[Dwight Howard]

Because if I wasn't already on it by the time he got the 10 players left. Come on.

[Host]

Oh, okay.

[Dwight Howard]

I can't say it's 65 players better than me that done played.

[Host]

Yeah, it would be hard for me to name 65.

[Dwight Howard]

So for that to happen, or 70 players, 65 players left, whatever, for that to happen. I'm like, yo, I'm not gonna make it watching on tv. Like, damn.

[Co-Host]

You would obviously know about NBA politics better than most for the length of a career you had. Do you think there's a reason why you were left off? Was it politics as usual? Is there a specific person or entity that.

[Dwight Howard]

Man, that's a tough one, man. I don't wanna put nobody out there like that. I don't know. It gotta be. It gotta be like, it's just the numbers don't add up and it doesn't matter. Like, it's the thing that people all say, well, he did this off the court. It has nothing to do with what happened when I stepped between them lines. You can't take that away from nothing. Rumors, stories, whatever. People are saying, it has nothing. Talk about the real story. Let's put in the film and my stats and accolades to show if I was really taking the game serious or not. You can't go by Skip. And people said, oh, he was just playing the game. He wasn't playing for real. Like, what? The numbers and stuff don't show that.

[Co-Host]

So then I'll ask with this listing, because this just happens with podcasting. We go through every fucking complex music list, every rapper list, and we just had the. What was it? LA rappers that complex just put out. And we were debating, like, all right, yeah, there's legends on this list, but they're from an era that, like, you're only on there because you were in the beginning.

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah. Like, you start.

[Co-Host]

You're not better than this other rapper. You just have a legend status because you were there in the beginning. Do you think that also lends itself to basketball?

[Dwight Howard]

Like, some people on there?

[Host]

Yeah.

[Co-Host]

Like, yeah, you wouldn't. In my era, you would have got cooked. Like, you shouldn't even be on this top 75.

[Dwight Howard]

Like, it was somebody on there. What was his name?

[Co-Host]

Sure, he's white, and his name is Bob Cousy.

[Dwight Howard]

That's his name. I played with him on 2K on live when I was in high school, and I was better than him. Ain't no way. Dolph Shades. His name. Dolph. I'm sorry. And I love young Dolph. Rest in peace. I'm not talking, but his name. Dolph Shades, bro. There's no way. Top 80. Get out of here.

[Host]

No, I. Listen, it's more names than that. On that top 75 where I was just like, Yeah. I just don't. I don't see it. Like, not because, again, Orlando Magic, Dwight Howard. Like, I went to games. I went to games with the guard. I went to games to nets games. Like, when those teams came into the city, there was like a. Oh, like, how do we stop him? It was Jameer. You know, it was other guys, but it was like, what y' all gonna do about him in the paint, though? So when you have that feeling in the arena for part of your career, there's no way you could say, yo, there's 75 players that had that feeling.

[Dwight Howard]

I know it's not. I just know it because I. Man, and it pissed me off. I remember seeing Sam Mitchell in the airport in Atlanta, and he was like, man, I just want to tell you, man, that top 75 shit still got me mad when he said that, I.

[Host]

Was like, man, yeah, Van Gunner, your coach, he had some things to say about it. Like, a few people kind of spoke. I was like, nah, they got that one wrong. Like, not white boys.

[Dwight Howard]

But, hey, who are these people that actually. And how did they get the right to vote for these?

[Host]

You've never had that conversation with anybody?

[Dwight Howard]

I'm saying, we have talked. They showed the list. But it's like, how are these people the ones who have the criteria to vote for these 75 people? What makes it. I think one of the people was a player.

[Host]

Am I not mistaken?

[Dwight Howard]

He's playing now. How could he have the right to vote for who should be top 75 now and he's still playing. It should be players that I would say maybe wasn't superstars or all stars in the league, but played in all the. Who played in certain areas. That can say, okay, now this guy, I played against him, he was cold. Now, you know, like the 9th, 8th man on the bench who was all these guys that done played or witnessed the game, no disrespect to nobody, but like, they're the ones that should be saying, man, that was a cold dude that played. He topped. You know what I'm saying?

[Co-Host]

They knew how tough it was to go against that person.

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah.

[Co-Host]

And it's funny, Pej and Maul were having a conversation off mic before you came here that I thought was very interesting of. We're getting to the era of young kids that did not see Jordan whatsoever. So now it's going to be the way I view Wilt Chamberlain. Like, I've heard about it, but I.

[Dwight Howard]

Don'T fucking know exist.

[Co-Host]

Yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

Like, and that's my favorite player, so. Damn, Wilt. Yeah.

[Co-Host]

Okay, but we're just getting that, like, where someone playing right now. How could they vote on the top 75 players ever? Like, they didn't actually watch them. They didn't play against them. How do you even vote for that?

[Dwight Howard]

Because the name, it's like, for this, a lot of kids never seen Shaq play, but they're gonna say he's the most dominant center, which is true.

[Co-Host]

But also that goes with branding and Shaq continuing to be in the space as well. Like, his name is gonna continue on, but.

[Host]

And y' all got YouTube though. YouTube. Shaq. And then you tell me if I'm lying about what I'm talking about.

[Co-Host]

Oh, I agree with you on Shaq on that side, but I'm saying it's different too. Like, I was young. I caught the very tail end of Jordan. It doesn't resonate the same way as Kobe with me. I watched Kobe. I hate, hated Kobe. Rest in peace as I just hated him because I watched him kill every team I loved. Like, I know about it. Jordan. Yeah. I could watch the highlights and be like, oh, my God, that guy's insane.

[Dwight Howard]

Oh, but he never watched.

[Co-Host]

There's not a feeling of watching Kobe crush.

[Host]

No, I crush us. I sat down in front of the TV plenty of Sundays and watched Mike.

[Co-Host]

Yeah. But we have a 10 year difference.

[Host]

So, like nothing. Nothing like it. These are the greatest ever. I don't. Dwight, don't even look at me. Like, I don't care who your number one all time, Michael Jordan.

[Dwight Howard]

I think don't say the. The goat gotta be Kareem.

[Host]

Okay, but you and I know why you're saying that. You're talking about just as far as basketball career, high school, college, all over.

[Dwight Howard]

He gotta be the goat I get.

[Host]

And I'm not mad at that.

[Dwight Howard]

Strictly basketball.

[Host]

I'm not mad at that. I'm not mad at that. But Michael Jordan, what he did when he came in his 84 season to this day. And now y' all are supposed to be more athletic. Y' all are supposed to have more moves. Y' all are supposed to. All these opportunities to score and do all these things and nobody can still get close because it's harder than 84. You know, it's harder to score now.

[Dwight Howard]

If guys are more athletic, they're stronger, they jump higher, they're faster on offense. What about the guys on defense? It's the same thing.

[Host]

Yeah, but I don't think that again, and this is why we had the show. I don't think that NBA players now put as much emphasis on the defensive end as they did when you were playing.

[Dwight Howard]

That's true. Because it was so let alone 84, like Iverson's.

[Co-Host]

One example. Do you think Iverson would have an easier time scoring right now or the era he played in? I would say the era he played in.

[Host]

No, right now he would have a way more time. Easier time scoring.

[Co-Host]

That's what I'm saying.

[Host]

Oh, okay.

[Co-Host]

It'd be way easier for Iverson to score right now, but.

[Dwight Howard]

Well, yeah, well, that's Iverson.

[Co-Host]

This is one example.

[Host]

That's what we talking about. If you was to drop Michael Jordan in this.

[Dwight Howard]

I always say that Michael Jordan is Michael Jordan.

[Host]

No, but listen, this is what I say. I say that if Steph Curry had the ego of Michael Jordan, just the ego. Steph Curry's game with Michael Jordan's ego, they would drug test Steph Curry every game.

[Dwight Howard]

But what kind of ego? What do you mean?

[Host]

Because I say that because Steph is such a passive guy. He doesn't care to be. His talent brings that to him. But he doesn't push that ego on to other players. He doesn't get at other players. And dominating the way that Mike did. Mike would create an issue with a player just to be like, yo, I don't like the way he looked at me.

[Dwight Howard]

That's the era that we played in, though. I mean, that's the era of Michael Jordan. Like, they had to find an issue. Remember, it was no friends back then. People, like, they hated each other, but they used to get mad at us for hanging out with each other. Like, why you hang with him? That's the enemy. It's like, no, we just hooping against each other. We supposed to be cool. I think that that was just the error. Cause I was looking at some stats. They said of Michael Jordan. They said he had a 48 inch vertical. That's ridiculous.

[Host]

You don't believe it?

[Dwight Howard]

That's hard to believe.

[Host]

But why you don't believe that?

[Dwight Howard]

Because that means he would be touching the top of the whole backboard. Easy 48.

[Co-Host]

He did the measurements at the dunk contest. We watched.

[Dwight Howard]

Who, you? Me?

[Co-Host]

Yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

No, I'm saying Michael Jordan.

[Co-Host]

I know, but I'm saying, you know, the exact measurements based on, I think.

[Host]

The top of the bag. Boy. I think that's. We know it's exaggerated. A 48 inch. We know it's exaggerated. But if you go back and look at tapes of Michael coming out of North Carolina. And just look physically the way he looked against everybody else.

[Dwight Howard]

Maybe. Cause everybody else didn't have it, but now everybody else got all those same things. That's what I'm saying.

[Host]

It still don't look like that.

[Dwight Howard]

Because it don't. Cause back then, it was a whole different game. Like, now I'm trying to learn how to do the moves that the youngest is doing. Like the whole Euro steps, all these different moves. Like the going sidestep and coming back, catching and shooting, and then take another sidestep.

[Co-Host]

These are learning how to travel.

[Host]

Yeah, travel.

[Dwight Howard]

Okay, That's. This, the new age basketball. It's AI. This is AI basketball. That's what I'm saying. Y' all gotta get with chat. Gt I'm watching.

[Host]

I'm watching Halliburton. And I'm like, gbt stuff. Yo, he picked up his dribble in the paint. He's at the 3.

[Dwight Howard]

How did he do that?

[Host]

Like, and it's no whistle. I'm like, all right, things change.

[Dwight Howard]

But that's how it is now. Like, everything is. It's a upgraded system. Like the way the players were back then. If they would have had the same type of training, the same type of facilities, they would have been able to do all the stuff that's being done now. But they was only going off what they had, which was simpler, which made the game easier. So to us, why Mike looks so cold? Because he won two dribbles into everything. That's what we like.

[Host]

We want all.

[Dwight Howard]

Why you gotta take all them dribbles.

[Host]

And do all that right to it?

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah, but that's the era that we grew up in. But now we looking at an era where they taking angles. Somebody take this angle away. Cause he's strong. Enough. And he can get you to take that angle away. Now you gotta find another way to get to another angle. So it's just, it's a different ball game.

[Host]

Where's Mike at on your all time list? Cause I.

[Dwight Howard]

He gotta be two or three.

[Host]

Okay.

[Dwight Howard]

I just have Kareem at one because I respect that.

[Host]

If you would have had him going five, I'd have been like, all right, Dwight, we can't. What are you talking about? Players better than Michael.

[Dwight Howard]

No, you can't. But Kareem is just like.

[Host]

I'm not mad at that. I'm never mad at nobody. That has Kareem Abdul jabbar at number one.

[Dwight Howard]

How many points he got total? 39. No points. 38.

[Host]

Sounds something crazy.

[Dwight Howard]

All two. You know what I'm saying? You know how hard that is to do. And he only had one shot.

[Host]

Yeah, I get it. No, he dominated. He dominated every level of basketball. Without a doubt. I'm never arguing. Kareem Abdul Jabir.

[Dwight Howard]

And he did it with two names. Yeah, he might be the coldest then. Ain't no player colder than him. He did it as Lou Alcinda and he whooped Bruce Lee. Real ass. And then he got a minute go, bro. Come on. What's up?

[Host]

I've never argued.

[Co-Host]

He was at 38,000 points.

[Host]

Yeah.

[Co-Host]

Is what he was at.

[Dwight Howard]

That's crazy.

[Co-Host]

I mean, do you think with how the league is, it's better for the league moving forward? Like with it less physicality, people being more AAU style friends and shit. You think it's better?

[Dwight Howard]

Well, I just think that, see the game is global and they want more scoring, they want more entertainment. The world we live in, people get so like distracted fast. So they have to do things to keep it entertaining. And so I think it's in a great position. The only thing I see is it's over saturated with talent and that it's not enough teams, it's not enough all star spots. It's not enough. That's what you said. It's not enough money to go around for all these players because they're going to continue to get better. And the only thing for the players I want them to start doing more is probably just playing more pickup. The younger players stop training to try to get to the league. Cause all.

[Host]

Everybody gotta train everybody. One on one workouts and all of that.

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah, one on one workout.

[Host]

The best way to play basketball is to play basketball.

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah. Once it go back to that, then the game itself is gonna regain the love and the passion that it Used to have. Just think about how back in the day it was just us hooping. Like, it just felt so good to get out there and hoop. You ain't got no money involved. Now the players, now they gotta worry about making sure they hit the parlay. What they call them. The parlays? Yeah, the parlays. All that. Like people get mad about if somebody don't get enough rebounds or score enough points, that could put a lot of pressure on these young guys, you know what I'm saying? So then people wasting their money doing it, People gonna bet do what they.

[Host]

Do, they gonna always do that. How did you feel about the whole nil? Like, do you feel like that's hurting college basketball? How do you feel about the transfer portal? Like, if Dwight Howard in high school had those options in front of him, how does that look for Dwight too.

[Dwight Howard]

Going to the league? Only because I wasn't going to the league for money. I wanted to go to the league just to. Cause I wanted to be one of the greatest to ever play. That was my goal, wasn't. Man, I gotta get some money so I could live. I always felt like God was gonna provide for me if I use my gifts properly. So I think the nil can be a great thing. And also it could be a bad thing depending on how people use it. I know a lot of families would wanna use it to take. Get themselves out of a situation. But also at the same time, what if you don't know what to do with this money and this fame and you giving up your name, image and likeness, like, and everybody's doing that now. I don't think that's a. That part is a great thing for these young athletes to give up your name, image and likeness, that's who you are. And if you're doing it at a young age, you know what I'm saying? It's like you won't stop. You have to keep feeding that beast. Oh man, I gotta come back. My name, image and likeness is on the line. And that's a lot to give up you. You know what I'm saying? So that's the only part I don't.

[Co-Host]

I mean, but if, hypothetically, if like, you know, KG and Kobe didn't prove that you could be successful right out of high school. Cause I mean, Bron hadn't really been proven at that point. Do you still. Bron was what, a year?

[Host]

Yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

What he right after me, he made right before me.

[Co-Host]

I'm talking about at that point, KG and Kobe, we knew you'd Come out of high school and be a superstar. Bronze rookie of the year. Great. But that was one year. Do you think you still wouldn't have taken that time to develop in college? Say, maybe one or two years?

[Dwight Howard]

How, like, okay, this is what I told my mom. I said, people go to college to learn how to make money. And whatever it is that they're trying to make money in. This is what the NBA is for me. I'm making money in the thing that I want to do, but I'm not doing it for money. But guess what? If I could play this game every day and get paid for it, why not do that? You know? So she said, you right, son. This is what you wanted to do. So you go ahead and be the greatest that you could be.

[Co-Host]

What were some of those conversations, like, with J.R. smith, Sebastian Telfair, like, at the McDonald's.

[Dwight Howard]

Just, like, they knew what I was gonna do. We know what you gonna do, Bigfoot. You going to the league. You better go to the league. And I'm like, y' all right? Like, if I got a chance to go top. If you get a chance to go top three in the NBA draft, you will be a fool to go to college.

[Host]

You knew you was going one, though.

[Dwight Howard]

Yes. But I'm just saying, for anybody in general, like, if you get a chance to go top three and you know you can go number one. Come on, now.

[Host]

Yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

That'd be like knowing that you got a box behind this door that's $100 million, and everybody in the world know it. And you say, you know what? I'm gonna go to college and go earn it. Yeah, you just earned it.

[Co-Host]

Yeah, that's, of course, just weighing with stuff. I mean, even, you know, I want no beef with Kwame Brown at all. I don't want to go back and forth on YouTube, but, you know, that always be in the back of my mind, too.

[Dwight Howard]

But what did he do that point?

[Co-Host]

What year was he? 01.

[Dwight Howard]

He didn't do anything wrong. Like, see?

[Co-Host]

No, I agree. It was a weird system with the Wizards.

[Dwight Howard]

And not even that. Like, he made it out the rat race.

[Co-Host]

Yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

You know what I'm saying? That's how you can't take it. Like, man, he didn't have an awesome career. He did played over 10 years in the NBA. The average career in the NBA is three to four years, folks. So for somebody to go past that. Now, maybe he didn't meet everyone outside of himself's expectations. Cause they had expectations for him, but he met his. He made it to the league. That's probably what his. Why was I gotta make it to the league? Everybody had a different reasons. Everybody loved ball for different reasons. You know what I'm saying? So I can't fault him for that. And just think about this. You coming into a league and your favorite player is on your team. And it's Michael Jordan, and he's Michael Jordan, and you're 18. Like, that's a lot on you. And then for this person to be on you, so heavy. You not understanding that's a lot.

[Host]

I never really, like, took a second and thought about just that. Like, you grew up looking at this figure that is like, you're so idle. This is the one. And now he's mad at me because I dropped the pass he just threw to me. And it's like I'm watching the greatest player ever.

[Dwight Howard]

I'm just in awe.

[Host]

I'm stuck staring at him like, yo, Michael Jordan just passed me. The.

[Co-Host]

That is a lot that I even. I was young, but I remember the media like, this is. Jordan handpicked this draft pick. Even though he's on the team, Jordan is drafting him. They were doing special. I feel like he went to Jordan's, like, house in North Carolina. Like, they made that.

[Dwight Howard]

He probably was so inspired. And then he probably felt shitted on right after that. Cause he was like, damn, man, I fucked up with Michael Jordan.

[Host]

Yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

That could probably sting a lot as a different type of pressure.

[Host]

Absolutely. What is that pressure, though? Like, knowing that you're the number one pick. Like, what is that? For me, it's just a different glow you got in the green room when everybody know you going number one.

[Dwight Howard]

I was afraid if I was going to go number one or number two for a second. And then I remember one of the guys said, hey, Ashley wasn't one of the players. I'm sorry. It's my agent, Aaron Goodwin. He said, dwight, as soon as they call your name, give your mom a hug and a kiss, shake your pop's hand, you can get ready to smile. So I said, oh, that mean I'm going number one. Soon as he said that. Cause we're in the green room. And I think they do the green room a little different now. I don't know how it goes, but, man, back then it was a little. It was treacherous. It was like we're in the garden, you know, the fans is everywhere. I think before they had all of us outside, it was a great experience, man. But being 18, looking back on it, it was a whirlwind. It Happened so fast. Like, one day I wake up, I'm in this, you know, 16 student class. My senior class. School is super small. Next day I'm getting drafted into the NBA. All my dreams come true. Like, man, this is sick.

[Host]

Yeah. So let's talk about the 2009 season. So the Orlando Magic, y' all beat LeBron, the Cavs to go to the finals. What was that? You had the closeout game against you. You had a crazy game.

[Dwight Howard]

I think you were at 40, 41 and 19.

[Co-Host]

Just a light. A light.

[Host]

Double. Double. You saw how Dwight threw that out there. He said, you know, and he still remembered it, you know, 41, 19. That was light day at the office, you know, got a duration.

[Co-Host]

40 and 19 is 16.

[Host]

40 and 19 is absolutely. But against that team, against that player in that moment to go to the finals, like, in the. What do you, as a player take us in that moment where you feeling in the zone, like, oh, I'm having one of those games. This is one of those. Like, what is that? How do you control that emotion?

[Dwight Howard]

You can't. It's just like one. You feel everything that's going on from the crowd. Cause we're in Orlando, so the crowd is hyped because this is the furthest we've been in a long time. And you could feel that, the intensity. Everybody's so hot. Hype. And it's like the only thing on our minds is they've been talking about this Cleveland Laker matchup.

[Host]

Yeah, they wanted it bad.

[Dwight Howard]

They wanted it so bad. We seeing all this stuff on tv, the commercials. Everybody's just counting us out. And that just brought out so much anger that it was like, we are f to destroy Cleveland. Whatever it takes, we're going to send them home mad that they they from playing us. And that last game was like a statement. Like, nah, y' all gonna remember the Orlando Magic. Everybody gonna remember we the team that stopped LeBron and Kobe from going to the final.

[Host]

That series was still that. That time really was like some of the best basketball. Basketball, man, that I think that we had. The matchups, the individual players, the teams. When did it start to click for y' all, though, that obviously, you know, you felt like everybody was counting y' all out and things like that. But when did it really start to click? Like, oh, shit, we got a legit shot.

[Dwight Howard]

Well, really, that how we started out. That whole season was not playoffs. We started out against Philly, and we were down. I think we had to go to game six. We lost the first game Fans went crazy on us at home. How y' all make it this far? Y' all best team, and y' all lose the first game, man, they going crazy on us. So I get suspended. Game six, and we're already up. We just needed one more game. And I'm like, man, we can't go to no game seven. Cause anything can happen. But I'm suspended. I'm tripping. So we end up winning the game. I think we play Boston the next round, and then we play Cleveland. Boston's a battle in itself. So after beating in Philly and Boston, we felt like we had the upper hand on Cleveland all year. And we knew about why. The time the game come, we had a plan for LeBron, we had a plan for Ilgauskis. Anybody on the court, we had a plan for. And we wanted to dominate them, and I think we did that.

[Host]

Did you have any moments in playing the Cavs where you're looking at LeBron and what they're doing? Like, damn, he's really on a different level as far as just pure athleticism. Cause I think that series, like, Bron didn't show one of his best playoff series, that y' all just beat them. But, like, he played at a high level almost every game. He had a great game. Like, you never looked across the court and was like, how the fuck is he still. Like, we can't stop him. We can't stop him.

[Dwight Howard]

Nah, we was in a mode. I didn't see him. I just saw the trophy. He was in the way. I was looking at the trophy. Like, man, he is in the way. He is a person, and this team is in our way. Like, he gots to go. He gots to go.

[Host]

Yeah. So the next round, y' all get the organization that's probably the most prestigious organization. And definitely in basketball, maybe in sports, but what is that feeling now? We got la. We got the Lakers, we got Toby.

[Dwight Howard]

I was like, this is it. We playing against the Lakers in the finals. The Magic. Orlando was going. We saw Orlando flags all over Orlando. The crowd, the fans is going crazy. I'm like, this is.

[Co-Host]

They put Mickey Mouse at number two.

[Dwight Howard]

This is it. You know what I'm saying? It was. At first, everybody was talking about, this was Mickey Mouse town. They wasn't calling us Orlando Magic, they called us Orlando Tragic. So for us to go from that to being in the Finals, man, the best feeling in the world to beat the Cavs, and then now playing the Lakers, the games was crazy.

[Co-Host]

And let's not act like Boston was A trash.

[Dwight Howard]

Boston wasn't a trash team. So we went through hell to get to. By the time we got to the Lakers, we ain't had no more energy.

[Co-Host]

Look at all the teams you had to go through just to get to.

[Dwight Howard]

Kobe, just to get to the big boss man. You ever played. Played like a video game. You got one life left, and now you playing against. He got all the. He got everything I like, bro. This is not fair. He got three seven footers.

[Host]

Oh, my God. Incredible kid.

[Dwight Howard]

Oh, my God.

[Host]

Y had. Y' all had. Now when y' all got to the finals, your, your, your, your running mate Jamir was hurt, yes, But Skip, Skip.

[Dwight Howard]

And Skip came.

[Host]

Off the bench.

[Dwight Howard]

No, no. Skip and Anthony started the whole playoffs and it was hurt up until the finals.

[Host]

Right. I always feel like that was a bad call on Van Gundy.

[Dwight Howard]

We can't blame Van Gundy. And, you know, a lot of times we tried to blame Van Gundy because he was the head coach. But we all agreed to let to have Jameer play, too. For Jameer to come back and play. Cause we wanted him to play. It's not like we didn't. Yeah, but I think it kind of messed up the chemistry between Anthony and Skip, you know, that kind of put them in a place like, man, we got y' all here and obviously we rock with Jameer, but, man, me and Skip did our job. So looking back on it, like, I could understand why coach and all of us wanted Jameer back. Cause we thinking at the time, like, man, we finally got him back. Now it's go time. But chemistry and timing is super important. Everything has to be aligned in order to win those championships. That was our one time. That was our one shot.

[Host]

We got somebody that wanted to call in and just talk to you. I told him you was coming in today.

[Dwight Howard]

Oh, so.

[Trevor Ariza]

Oh, my God.

[Dwight Howard]

Thunder.

[Host]

Oh, my God. Yo, we was just talking about. We were just Talking about the 09 finals and Dwight was saying. Dwight was saying. Trev. Trev couldn't guard him. He was like. He kept calling for a switch. Caught in the switch.

[Dwight Howard]

One thing I will say about Trev is he is one of the most solid people in the world. Outside of whatever's going on with basketball. He is one of the most solid and on the court. We've been battling each other since we was some jits. And it's crazy to see how long your dreads got. Mine ain't grown since you over there looking like little Moses, bro. I swear to God. Little Jesus.

[Trevor Ariza]

When you started writing at the same time?

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah, we started at the same time. I learned from you.

[Host]

Yeah, man. So we, we were just talking about the 09. The 09 finals. Trev, when did y' all feel when. When y' all got. Because obviously Dwight was saying everybody wanted la Cleveland to see, obviously Kobe and Braun. But Dwight, Dwight and them sent them packing. When Dwight numb sent Bron and packing, did you feel like, oh, we got this, this is easy. We walking through them? Or did y' all feel like, damn, man, we gotta go out there and beat this big shoulder dude and Jameel.

[Trevor Ariza]

Nelson and them, man, first off, personally for me, I wanted to play them so bad. So I. I knew like, if they won, like, it would be like the energy of like just the world and the universe just coming back on they ass if we played them.

[Host]

Yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

You know, they traded me.

[Trevor Ariza]

Yeah, Orlando traded me from. Well, I got traded from there to la, you know, so I threw their whole. Everything that they did. I knew what pissed some of the players off. I knew what got under Dwight's skin. I knew how to agitate them. So, like, the things that I would share about what they did, you know, I would tell my team we would use that shit.

[Host]

Yeah.

[Trevor Ariza]

So, yeah, I felt like we had the advantage in a way.

[Host]

Well, Dwight, Dwight, he said that he didn't because I kind of, I blamed. I, I still, I. I respect what Dwight said. All of them agreed to have Jameer come back and play, but I felt like with Skip and Anthony Johnson was doing, I think that that kind of messed up the chemistry. Did y' all game plan for Skip and AJ and like, once Jameer came back, like, what was the switch that y' all made in the locker room?

[Trevor Ariza]

It's crazy because I think Mir was an All Star that year too, right?

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah, he was. He was.

[Trevor Ariza]

Dwight.

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah, he was.

[Trevor Ariza]

Mirror was an All Star that year and he fucked his shoulder up. So when they, When Skip got put in the lineup, that caught a rhythm, like a really, really good rhythm. But Jameer is the All Star starter who year after year, like his play has, you know, gotten them to where they was at. But making that switch at that time while you rolling or why their team was like moving the way it was moving. It was a tough decision to make for a coach and a team to try to adjust to without having like practice and shit like that. So that was another advantage that I think that.

[Dwight Howard]

Was able to have.

[Host]

Now I think I do remember one time, I think, Trev, you got a poster on Dwight?

[Dwight Howard]

No, he tried Dwight is a fucking hack, man.

[Trevor Ariza]

The picture has Dwight literally slapping holding.

[Host]

My arm.

[Trevor Ariza]

This top. I'm probably 207lbs Dwight all at 260.

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah, I have my little ass arm. You have to hack Trevor. I'm gonna tell you why. Every time Trevor wants to dunk on you, he does karate kick to kick.

[Host]

You kick out before he done.

[Dwight Howard]

So I had to make sure he wasn't going to kick me and then dunk on me.

[Trevor Ariza]

Out of here. You a hack, bro.

[Host]

Trev, I appreciate you calling in bro.

[Dwight Howard]

You say the tr I am a hack.

[Host]

My brother Trevor Rey.

[Co-Host]

That was Ram. I didn't know if he was going to get him free or not.

[Host]

Yeah.

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[Host]

So, Dwight, take us to the last game you lose the finals in 2009 to Trev and Kobe and the Lakers. What is that emotion in the locker.

[Dwight Howard]

Room, man, before we got in the locker room, I sat on the court with Jameer and watched them celebrate. I was just like, mirror man. I just gotta sit here, man. This shit really. It really hurt, man. Like, we put in so much time to get here and we don't know if we can get back again. Because it's hard.

[Co-Host]

Yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

But let's remember this feeling. So when we get back in the gym, yeah, this is what we fighting for. And so that's what we did. So when I got back home and I was so hurt, I sat outside in my house about five, five, six hours, and I listened to the lose yourself in the moment. I was like, man, I just lost a fighter.

[Co-Host]

Playing recovery with the Lakers, man.

[Dwight Howard]

But if you want to. My one shot. What if I never get back to this?

[Co-Host]

Look how many rings Kobe has.

[Dwight Howard]

He didn't need that one, I'm telling you. I was so sick, man. I just sat outside like that was my one shot, man. Like, this is him. This is Kobe, the Lakers. Like, I'm like, man, if the Magic would have won the championship, like, that would have been everything that we wanted in Orlando. And damn, talk to me about the.

[Host]

Cause you were on the bubble ring, right? That's where you got your.

[Dwight Howard]

Dang. Why everybody keep calling it the bubble ring?

[Host]

Cause it is the. What do you mean, but it's. Okay, let's have that conversation. You don't feel like we should call it the bubble ring?

[Dwight Howard]

Why?

[Host]

Well, because everything around it, the season was stopped. Y' all were on vacation for maybe three months.

[Dwight Howard]

So that should make it harder.

[Host]

Well, this is why I wanna have this conversation. I'm on the side of. I don't I don't see how it's harder from the standpoint of we know exactly how much traveling and having our fans screaming down on top of the other team affect the game.

[Dwight Howard]

It don't.

[Host]

Dwight, don't say that. Don't say fans don't. Fans in the arena don't affect the game.

[Dwight Howard]

Okay, so then why didn't it affect either. Either way when we didn't have fans?

[Host]

No, no, I'm not saying that. I'm not saying that it didn't affect either way. I'm just saying I think that that's a bigger element that is now missing is the fact that we don't have to go into LA and beat the Lakers or we don't have to go into Orlando and beat the Magic or we don't have to go into San Antonio and beat the Spurs.

[Dwight Howard]

But if we're the Lakers, everywhere we go, we're going to be the home team. It doesn't matter where we play at. Name one place we're going to go play at if we're the Lakers on that championship run.

[Host]

Boston.

[Co-Host]

So you felt like you could have.

[Host]

Never went into Boston in one. Who as the Lakers?

[Dwight Howard]

That team. We did it already. The Lakers. The Celtics didn't even go to the Finals.

[Host]

No, no, I'm saying.

[Dwight Howard]

I'm just saying we had the best.

[Host]

No, no, I'm saying as opposed to having fans and not have. It's tougher to go into Boston and win in that building with.

[Dwight Howard]

No, it's.

[Co-Host]

When you were in Orlando, did you feel like the Lakers were at home when you guys played in Orlando?

[Dwight Howard]

Yes.

[Co-Host]

Oh, shit. Okay.

[Dwight Howard]

Just like when we played Detroit, I.

[Host]

Could see Orlando being that way. Of course, the Lakers. I'm talking about where it's rivalry shit. Like you're not gonna go.

[Dwight Howard]

That's a team. That's only Boston, everybody.

[Host]

That's if you're the Lakers. But I'm just saying if you're the spurs, it's hard to win in San Antonio.

[Dwight Howard]

Spurs. We had more Laker fans there. You talking about for the playoffs? You talking about for the Finals? If we're playing the Finals team, that means it's an Eastern Conference team.

[Host]

They were more Lakers fans at spurs games than spurs fans in the playoffs.

[Dwight Howard]

We didn't play them in the.

[Host]

I'm just saying, like when the Lakers played the spurs, like when Kobe did play them. The spurs is not.

[Dwight Howard]

But back then it was a lot of Laker fans at them games.

[Host]

I'm sure it is. Cause the Lakers, the brand is just.

[Dwight Howard]

So that's what I'm saying. We got home court advantage everywhere. We not getting affected by that. But how does it. All right, so you got the bubble. You said that we was out for how long? Three months.

[Host]

Almost three months, maybe.

[Dwight Howard]

All right, so three months of no basketball, no training, none of that. But the oldest team come back and beat everybody fair and square. How many times? What was it, four? Did we sweep everybody?

[Host]

I don't know.

[Co-Host]

It was close. Our one team, pretty dominant.

[Dwight Howard]

Oh, it was four one, everybody.

[Host]

Yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

Okay.

[Co-Host]

It was a quick time.

[Dwight Howard]

So what does that mean? Everybody had the opportunity.

[Co-Host]

Well, then let me ask you, is there a difference in the energy of when you went to the finals with the Magic playing the Lakers than when you were in the bubble in the finals? You can't say there's no. I'm saying there was no difference in the energy of walking onto the court. That's what I'm asking.

[Dwight Howard]

But what does the hap. All right, so we're asking. We don't know, obviously, if it's no fans there, it's going to feel different for when it's a whole bunch of fans there. But we was the best team come going into the pandemic anyway.

[Host]

No, I get that part, but I'm just saying, when you have the stoppage and then you obviously have guys being outspoken about not wanting to go to the bubble, you have guys that's in a bubble that's not comfortable. They're like, yo, bro, I'm ready to get out of here. So I'm just thinking, like, guys don't really care. This is it. Kind of came across like we got the best players in the world, we put them inside the bubble, and they're basically like AAU shit. They know what time their games are, their teams are showing up to the gym. But to me, it's not the same as when I'm watching Orlando and the Lakers in 2009.

[Dwight Howard]

But then, like, it just. What about the lockout year?

[Host]

Well, the lockout year was.

[Dwight Howard]

We don't say lockout championship. They made.

[Host]

But it wasn't. It wasn't as long as the coat. The bubble. It wasn't that much time.

[Dwight Howard]

This should have been the hardest time for us. That's a harder time. We're in a bubble. You played.

[Host]

I'm asking you if you feel like it's tougher, then I'm taking that because you actually played in 2009 and you played in the bubble championship.

[Dwight Howard]

So what I'm saying is tough is the circumstances that we're all up under. I would love to travel during the finals and be with my family and go to LA and chill. That's probably harder to play now. Cause now I gotta worry about everybody coming to the games. I gotta worry about making sure the tickets is right, the flights is right.

[Host]

That's what I'm saying. It's harder, it's tougher, but it has nothing to basketball.

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah, basketball.

[Host]

You get out there once, y' all playing, y' all playing.

[Dwight Howard]

But there are elements in the bubble. It's pure basketball. So it should make it harder to play against another team because there's no other circumstances besides basketball. So now everybody's playing they best. Jamal Murray, he's getting 50 pieces in the bubble. He had nothing to worry about. He had no other outside stress when it comes to game day. Now the stress that we had is dealing with the whole world being at stop. We getting Covid tests three times a day when we can't even catch a cold in there. Why are we getting Covid tests so much? There's no reason for that. It's nobody there but us. Imagine waking up every day getting a real COVID test three times a day just to play a game. So, yeah, it's. People could put an Astro, but they wasn't there. So what else they're gonna say? Well, that was easy. It's LeBron. That was his team.

[Host]

Yeah, but come on, man.

[Dwight Howard]

If the Knicks would've won, y' all, I bet you wouldn't have said it was an Astro.

[Host]

I would. That would be a nasty championship.

[Co-Host]

I would say it was the greatest championship of all time.

[Dwight Howard]

Cause y' all got a championship.

[Host]

But I would say that's nasty.

[Co-Host]

I wouldn't say bubble.

[Dwight Howard]

Right. It would be nasty because there's no parade and no other stuff that come with it. That's the nasty part. Like, I want a parade. I want. At least we ain't get a chance to do nothing, man. Only parade I got was on my 2K, man, when I won.

[Host]

All right, so. See, I did. This is. Damn. So you didn't win in 09, but you won in 2020. Right? Tough question, because I think I know your answer. Would you rather had one in 09 than 2020?

[Jeff Teague]

Yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

Orlando.

[Host]

Why?

[Dwight Howard]

It's Orlando.

[Host]

Okay.

[Dwight Howard]

First championship.

[Co-Host]

Yeah, that's a staple like that changes everything.

[Dwight Howard]

That's the first one that changes everything. So, of course, in Orlando, and then the crowd is there just before the new arenas finished. Oh, my God. Going into the new arena with a ring.

[Host]

All right, quick question.

[Co-Host]

Parade at Disney World would have been.

[Dwight Howard]

Parade to end up at Disney World. Oh my God.

[Host]

Yeah, that's nice.

[Co-Host]

You can literally say at the end like, you just won the NBA championship. What you gonna do? Like, clearly. I'm going back to my room, double.

[Dwight Howard]

Parked in front of.

[Host]

I got some salt for you. I'm going to my room. All right. Prime Shack or prom Dwight.

[Dwight Howard]

I gotta go with myself. But Prime Shaq is a big old beast. But I'm not backing down.

[Host]

No, I know you ain't backing down, but 32 in Orlando.

[Dwight Howard]

7272320 and I'm pushing 611 with shoes on 265. It's cool. I'mma battle my ass off. I'm strong as shit. So hey, I'm going with Prime Dwight.

[Host]

Okay? Not mad at it. I'm not mad at that.

[Dwight Howard]

I'm five the shit out of him two times. But you know, in our career, if you ever seen it, we both have. I think we averaged like 5,000 every game against.

[Host]

Oh, yeah, absolutely. It's a lot of that going on. Hell yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

Absolutely.

[Co-Host]

What does the NBA need to do with All Star Weekend in general? Not just the All Star game, but three point contest.

[Host]

Dwight got to come back in the dunk contest.

[Dwight Howard]

I mean, what you want people to do? I'm telling y' all, it's over saturated. Like, think about it, y' all, we done seen all the dunks in the world. What else can somebody do?

[Co-Host]

Do you think they need to add in some of the. I mean, they try to do it, but some of the YouTube dunkers and bringing people up from G League just.

[Dwight Howard]

For that weekend, like you can do that stuff too. But again, now everybody wants to be compensated for what they're doing. Their nils.

[Co-Host]

Yeah, I mean, they make enough money doing it. They make enough money on NBA all star weekend. You YouTuber.

[Dwight Howard]

I, I understand that, but the YouTuber is saying, hey, if you, if you want my name, image and likeness and you want me to get out there and dunk, I want to get paid. I want to collab, post, I want to do all this stuff. So now I think they're looking at all that. You know, the biggest thing is to attract this new market. So if I was them, they got all them chat, GTP servers. Just ask all the AIs and the AI is going to tell them how to make All Star better.

[Host]

They're trying something where it's the world versus the NBA. Right.

[Dwight Howard]

They already do that though.

[Host]

But that's what the younger guys, where.

[Dwight Howard]

They gonna play that the world versus us in the States.

[Host]

Yeah. Like Fall Star Weekend.

[Co-Host]

But that's cool to add on to the All Star Weekend. Don't get me wrong. I'm gonna watch it. But that's not a game changer for me.

[Dwight Howard]

It's not gonna be a game changer.

[Co-Host]

Yeah. Cause it's cool.

[Dwight Howard]

It's gonna be normal. Can we be, you know who's. It's like the rookies versus like it's not gonna ever be the same. We don't. We done seen so much good talent. We done seen the best of the best of the best of the world. So now we're expecting the All Star game to be something crazy when it just ain't the times we lived in. We probably gotta let that go. Cause it's nostalgic for us to be like damn, I remember when we was in the All Star game. Everybody had their home jerseys on. All that stuff. Yeah. It's cool. But now we done the times is just set for something different.

[Host]

You know, I like the idea of having the world versus USA in the All Star Weekend. Only because I don't know if the USA wins.

[Co-Host]

Oh right now just with a young guy.

[Dwight Howard]

But who gonna play?

[Host]

The last three MVPs is not even playing.

[Dwight Howard]

But how they gonna are people gonna really play? What's the incentive?

[Host]

I think if it's that structure, that format.

[Dwight Howard]

But what's the incentive behind it? And who do you pick? How do you vote Now I think.

[Co-Host]

If they did it with the actual All Stars it would give more incentive because I think America would have something to prove. Because I think it would get a.

[Dwight Howard]

Little embarrassing to the Olympics then. So why they got no limit is difference.

[Co-Host]

Because it's every single if it's the world, everyone that's just not the best citizen.

[Host]

Each team in the world That's a matchup versus the U.S. the best players. Yeah. There's some to prove us that could be tough. Like cuz now you got Luca on the same team.

[Dwight Howard]

You got enough time. You ain't got enough time for. You need more than the All Star Game. One game ain't gonna really improve it too. You see what I'm saying? Enough time. Cause you like man. Hold on. Who we gonna get? We gotta make sure we pick the right guys. And then it take away from it going back to the All Star voting.

[Host]

Yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

Remember these guys is also trying to make sure for longevity they get on the All Star team so they can get another year in their contract. All these different things. So now that the money Is so much. So much stuff involved. It just make it difficult. The one thing I would like to see is not. Not with the All Star Game, but Olympics. Instead of having Olympics in another city or another country every year, I think that they should go back to Greece where it started at. Fix it up to where it looked like the old school kind of style, but make it new school, but just keep it there every year so we can bring the value back into it. Because when you have it in every place around the world, they put all their money up for one year or for a couple years just to build this place up. And then now when the Olympics is over with, you got all these nice venues, but nothing to do with it.

[Co-Host]

I do one better. They'll build all that shit just to bid. They might not even get the Olympics.

[Dwight Howard]

Just to bid for it. So just like they happening. Are they still happening in California?

[Co-Host]

It's in la. Yeah. The next one's in la.

[Dwight Howard]

So they have it in la. They had to bid for it for a couple years.

[Co-Host]

That's why you get Sophie Stadium, because of the Olympics.

[Dwight Howard]

What about all the people that live there that have to travel and work, who are not gonna go to the Olympics, who have to just live how they wanna do all that stuff? So now let's put it back to where it started. Let's bring the value back into it. Let's kind of get the real gold medals, the real silver medals. Make it mean something again. Like every country when they go play in Olympics, it really means. It don't seem like it. It's like for us in America. So I think that'll get back to everything else. Like, hold up now. If we want to be the most dominant, let's do it in the Olympics. Let's be the most dominan, NBA baseball, whatever it may be.

[Host]

Now, this news just broke. The Buss family is entering an agreement to sell majority ownership of the Los Angeles Lakers to Mark Walter, the CEO and chairman of diversified holding company TWG Global.

[Dwight Howard]

This just happened.

[Host]

Just happened. News just broke. The Buss family is entering an agreement to sell majority ownerships.

[Dwight Howard]

How much money did they just get?

[Host]

Ooh.

[Co-Host]

I don't know if there's a number. Is there a number?

[Dwight Howard]

They must have broke the bank.

[Host]

Yeah, we talk about it.

[Dwight Howard]

Jesus Christ. He talking about billions. We talking because I know, Mr. I know the one that. Who. Who done transitioned a couple years ago. He done woke up by that grape. Y' all did What?

[Host]

Yeah, yeah.

[Co-Host]

10 billion.

[Host]

10 billion.

[Co-Host]

10 billion alleged. Now.

[Dwight Howard]

10 billion alleged. 10 billion. Is that enough? That is enough.

[Host]

That's enough. Yeah, that'll get it done.

[Co-Host]

10 billion.

[Host]

Get it done.

[Dwight Howard]

G.

[Co-Host]

You never gonna see her again.

[Host]

It's funny because the same Dwight doing. That's what Phil Jackson would do it, right?

[Dwight Howard]

I'll do the triangle again. Oh, my God. 10 billion is crazy for.

[Host]

Majority ownership.

[Dwight Howard]

Genie, man, just give me a. Since we didn't have our parade.

[Host]

We.

[Co-Host]

Could do the five year anniversary.

[Dwight Howard]

Come on, man, give me some.

[Host]

Yeah, that's a crazy. You know, hearing numbers like that is like, you know, you never think that you would. I don't think we've ever seen anything like that.

[Dwight Howard]

No.

[Host]

Never seen it. But what does that mean for the Lakers, though? Like, what do you think that means for, you know, the Los Angeles Lakers? Cause now they still. They sold majority ownership.

[Co-Host]

So the Bus family, like a sports organization. It's like, it's so far beyond that.

[Dwight Howard]

All right. Our whole lives we've known the Lakers to be from where?

[Host]

Los Angeles?

[Dwight Howard]

No, no, no, no. From who?

[Co-Host]

The Bus family.

[Dwight Howard]

There you go. The Bus family. We know. Bus, Bus. They own it. And then it ain't the Buses no more. It's just like a. The world is changing, bro.

[Host]

Yeah, that's. That's, that's. That's exactly what that. That's. That's a. That's like Steinbrenner not having. Or the Steinbrenners not having anything to.

[Co-Host]

Do with the Yankees, but that's the only family I could compare that to.

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah, this.

[Co-Host]

With those type of organizations.

[Host]

$10 billion. This, this changes.

[Co-Host]

You know, they're not Walmart.

[Host]

It shifts a lot.

[Dwight Howard]

This shifts a lot of $10 billion.

[Host]

Yes.

[Dwight Howard]

What are they about to do to the Lakers? I want in. Listen, I. I will be whatever y' all need me to be on the team.

[Co-Host]

Hey, and now I totally understand why it's not the Staples center anymore. Because who shopped at Staples? They can't afford.

[Dwight Howard]

No, see, and then a smart cryptocurrency now is blowing up.

[Co-Host]

Who. Can we. Can we Google who bought it?

[Host]

A multinational conglomerate holding company founded by Mark Walter with interest in financial services, insurance, AI technology, sports, media, entertainment and energy.

[Co-Host]

So it's one of those companies where you know absolutely nothing of what they do. It's just a bunch of words. And they're billionaires, okay?

[Dwight Howard]

One of them private invest.

[Co-Host]

You do everything.

[Dwight Howard]

Oh, my God.

[Co-Host]

Anytime you see private investment services with.

[Host]

An enterprise value exceeding $40 billion, and they just.

[Dwight Howard]

They gave the Lakers 10 billion.

[Host]

Just that 10 piece.

[Dwight Howard]

Don't worry about it hey, here's 10 billion. We're going to take this company that you had for 30. How long the Lakers with this?

[Host]

Probably 50 years, man.

[Co-Host]

Oh yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

What can they do with the Lakers now?

[Host]

70S, I believe.

[Dwight Howard]

Do y' all think that was a great move? Well, money talks.

[Host]

That'll get it done like that.

[Co-Host]

We always bring up AI. Who knows where AI and sports are going now you own everything that has to do with the Lakers.

[Host]

Where's the going?

[Dwight Howard]

It ain't going to be no more players. It's going to be all AI and so.

[Host]

So why I'm not doing this.

[Co-Host]

No, no, no. That's really what I was eventually. Now they own the Lakers. For AI and all the likeness of every player that was ever on the Lakers, it's over. Who knows what they just bought for $10 million.

[Dwight Howard]

It's over with.

[Co-Host]

He was folding that deal.

[Dwight Howard]

Ain't none of us going to be playing. Everybody's going to be at home looking at VR sets of fake LeBron James.

[Host]

Now I do, I do believe the way will will view basketball games is gonna change. Yeah, I can see them doing something where each player has a point of view camera on them and you can kind of watch, figure out who follow the whole game, things like that.

[Dwight Howard]

See, they taking away from the integrity of the sport, but at the same time it's AI and this is what people want. They always trying to stay a step ahead of the game. So this is a major move.

[Host]

When you see numbers like that though, Dwight as a player. ERA a young Dwight Howard, let's say he's drafted by the Lakers. Amazing first three years. It's time for you to get your extension. Your negotiation. Now you negotiate with the Lakers. This deal happens for $10 billion. What does Dwight and his agent sit down and talk about?

[Dwight Howard]

I'm going say agent, I love you.

[Co-Host]

And refer to him as agent. You know his full name. Agent.

[Host]

Agent, I love you. Yeah, Agent, I love it.

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. But this next deal, I think I'm gonna have to do it on my own.

[Co-Host]

You're not taking 10% of this.

[Dwight Howard]

If you get 10%, it's 10 billion. It's up.

[Co-Host]

No, but I mean does that change any of the market value for Lakers players just cause that deal happened?

[Dwight Howard]

There's a salary cap.

[Co-Host]

Yeah, I mean the cap's gonna be the cap.

[Dwight Howard]

The cap's gonna. Yeah, well the cap is always a cap in this league. Everything is capped.

[Host]

Everything is cap.

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah, I did.

[Host]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Yo, the big three, we can't let you go without talking about this now. Big three, they hit the chat the other night and said we had Dwight coming in on Wednesday. I'm like, yo, yeah, Dwight, man. I hung out with Dwight and Trev a couple nights when they was here in New York. I said, dwight, cool, man. Then they send. Because we were supposed to have Lance here earlier today.

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah.

[Host]

But he missed his flight. So they was like, yo, any overlap? Like, like I said, what happened? So he seen the clip. I'm like, that's just basketball, man.

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah, we. Are we over there?

[Host]

Yeah. Like, it ain't nothing.

[Dwight Howard]

See, I think before that, they had allowed so much stuff to happen before the game, and I think it had. I was just out of my element.

[Host]

Okay.

[Dwight Howard]

And I. And I was pissed off more so at myself after that for allowing, you know that. Allowing that whole game to even get to that point.

[Host]

Okay. You feel like you played a part in it getting to that point?

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah.

[Host]

Okay.

[Dwight Howard]

Cause I. I mean, one, I didn't know how the game goes in the Big three, you know what I'm saying? So, you know, before the game, everybody's like, yeah, this a trash talking league. We want you guys to talk trash and all type. I'm like, okay, then I can talk trash. What else?

[Host]

Yeah, yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

I want y' all to, you know, it's way physical. I'm like, okay, all right. So we're playing like certain things was happening. It was a play where Lance had kind of. He got scored on and then he shoved the ball in Jordan Crawford's chest. And so that kind of got Jordan heated to the next play. You see Jordan taking his finger, going all up in his nose and searching for boogers and shit. So that happened then morning, the game, they yelling in our faces. Before the game, they doing the same thing. So I'm like, man, this a little bit too much, man. And so it was the play where me and Lance kind of get into a scuffle, kind of like pick up his fist out, like he's gonna throw a punch. So I like, put my hand up, like, hold up. What the fuck going on? Then he did it again. So I'm like, yo.

[Host]

Yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

And then at that point, I'm like, I kind of blacked out for a second.

[Host]

Yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

Then when I grabbed him and started to pick him up, I'm like, oh, shit. I'm fucking tripping. I'm fucking tripping.

[Host]

I'm fucking.

[Dwight Howard]

But that's how I started. I thought, but in the moment. I'm in the moment. So I'm like, oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. And I also thinking too, like, by the time they see us really starting to go, I'm thinking, everybody. Cause I'm like, oh, shit, this too much.

[Host]

Yeah, they gonna bring it up.

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah, yeah. Then it just. I start tripping over in the floor and the people on the. By the basket. And then I'm looking at babies and shit. I'm like, man, imagine pulling down, seeing.

[Host]

A baby like that.

[Dwight Howard]

I'm like, damn, it's a lot song so meaninglessly.

[Host]

But, I mean, it's not. But that's just basketball, I think. I think, you know, I sent this to the chat. I said, man, that's just bad. They didn't throw no punch.

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah. I'm like, man, first of all, throwing a punch with. That's so disrespectful.

[Host]

Yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

And basketball, all these kids and families that's there, like, that's when it becomes a brawl when you have some kind of situation like that happen. And so I'm glad it didn't escalate to that, but I'm glad it did happen too. We kind of got all that. All that extra energy out the way now. Now for the rest of the season, everybody can just hoop now.

[Host]

We saw Michael Beasley and Lance just play one on one last week. How good is Michael Beasley? To me, personally, I feel like he probably has the same skill set as a Carmelo Anthony. I. I don't think he had, obviously, the professionalism and maybe some other things kind of, you know, hindered his potential in the career in the NBA and what he could have accomplished. But just from a skill set, to me, Michael Beasley is one of the most gifted basketball players I've ever seen.

[Dwight Howard]

I think he is too. I think, man, it's just timing. He was in a team in a situation at a time where it wasn't accepting, I guess, with how they felt his behavior was Miami, whatever. And once you get kind of a bad rep in the league, and it was really hard to come back from it. And I think he's awesome. I remember meeting Mike in high school, him and KD at top 100 camp. And they had asked me to talk to both of them. And I saw both of them, I'm like, man, both of these guys got a chance to really be special. I told KD then I said, man, you can be one of the best scorers in the NBA ever.

[Host]

He is absolutely.

[Dwight Howard]

Shabiz is just one of the coldest basketball players. It's just all about time and opportunity. I think Miami, he was on a team where it was. Who was on that team, man? Was it D. Wade?

[Host]

D. Wade? Yep.

[Dwight Howard]

If you don't have that, if you don't have a team, when you come into the league, like, Mike deserved to have his own team. So he's.

[Host]

His talent is that big.

[Dwight Howard]

That's how good. That's how talented he is. I just feel like maybe he didn't have. I don't know. I don't know why they did him like that, man.

[Host]

Yeah, he.

[Dwight Howard]

I don't know why. And I think that it can make you depressed.

[Host]

Oh, yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

I've had those days and those moments and those times of depression, man, why this team do that? And it's like, you can't expect me not to make a mistake or fail in certain situations. Like, you know, one, I'm human. I'm young as hell. You give me all this at 23, 24. What do you expect, right? You know what I'm saying? Like, we didn't grow up. I may have had, you know, both my parents, but my parents didn't know about millions of dollars. They understand the lifestyle that come with this. And I'm the one that living it. Mike's the one that's living it. All these other players, we're living this lifestyle. So it's like, if you're not in it, if you haven't been a part of it, it's like, how can you understand it? And, you know, for Mike, man, and a lot of guys who be depressed and stuff like that, it can be difficult.

[Host]

How do you deal with. With those moments of having the success that you have and, you know, achieving things that not many people will ever achieve and reaching these heights, but then also feeling those moments of not being fulfilled, not being motivated. How does Dwight Howard, how did you navigate those moments in your career?

[Dwight Howard]

Oh, man, sometimes I just have to travel.

[Host]

Okay.

[Dwight Howard]

Get away from the States.

[Host]

Okay.

[Dwight Howard]

Get away from, you know, my normal routine and just, you know, see the world differently. You know, sometimes traveling, you see how people live and, you know, other places, and it's like, man, you know, everybody's out here and there. One mission for everybody in the whole world. We're just trying to survive until the next day, right? Everybody, no matter where you at in the world, everybody's just trying to survive. And you see that. And I'm like, man, I done did so much in my younger days that, you know, I can rest easy knowing that the hard work is a lot of my hard work behind me. I done work so hard to build up this life that I have now, I should just be thankful, you know. So when I had those moments, I'm like, man, God, I'm just so thankful for. I could have been dead, I could have been out in the streets, I could have been doing anything else. But you allowed me to play this one sport for all these years. And it's because of my dedication, my discipline to the sport, to you and to my faith that I have these things. So man, thank you. Going overseas is probably one then really just getting along, man.

[Host]

Was that one of the things that played a factor in your decision to go to Taiwan? Was it just wanting to, to get out of your norm and kind of like find motivation again?

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah, man, Taiwan was amazing. I remember getting ready to go to Taiwan. People was like, why would you go over there? Taiwan's a third world country. I'm like, how would you know what Taiwan is and you ain't never been in?

[Host]

Right? Right.

[Dwight Howard]

Like you don't know what I'mma get from going out over there. But if God is telling me to go to Taiwan and he's opening doors, I'mma go, I go to Taiwan, stay there for eight months and up. Getting my own basketball league, getting a gold card, which mean I can do business all over Taiwan, me and my whole family. So it's like I done set myself up for the future by going by listening to God and taking a step, a leap of faith, you know what I'm saying? So Taiwan really gave me wings, you know, going overseas, you know, playing basketball again, just the not obviously NBA and the Taiwanese league is different.

[Host]

Yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

You know, I would say like the fans really inspired me while I was there, motivated me to just remember why I played, you know, what drove me back in the day. And I'm like, man, this is awesome. Seeing 90 year olds come to the games.

[Host]

Yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

I like, yo, this is awesome, man. Just to witness this, man. These people coming from different parts of the world and they know who I am. Like I'm from College Park, Georgia. There's somebody all the way in whatever part of Taiwan this is, don't got no TV screen and they know my name, my family name. They gon give me anything they can to show me they love me. That's an awesome feeling.

[Host]

I was happy to see you just being yourself and having fun. But I am, I'm gonna be honest, when I saw them stats at that point, I said, Dwight, gotta cut this out, man. He over there. I said, why Dwight? That's premeditated murder. I'm like, what is Dwight.

[Co-Host]

It was for funsies.

[Host]

Yeah. Dwight went over there, had like 60 and 30. I was like, dog, come on, man, get your ass back over here, man.

[Dwight Howard]

What's wrong with playing over there?

[Host]

Like, there's nothing wrong with it. Dwight, you can't. You was over there putting up. It's just like, yo, come on, man, stop playing with those people, man. Leave them people alone.

[Dwight Howard]

I had so much fun.

[Host]

No, I bet you did.

[Co-Host]

I bet I like dunking on my knees too.

[Dwight Howard]

Oh, that be was taller than me, man.

[Host]

Listen, they could be taller than you, but they ain't never seen nothing like Dwight Howard in Taiwan.

[Dwight Howard]

You right, exactly.

[Host]

That's all I'm saying.

[Dwight Howard]

But I had so much fun just being able to be outside of like, it was like. I know you probably heard people say it before. Like they have a person, then they have another personality. Like, so, Dh12, that's the basketball player now I got a chance to be Dwight Howard over there.

[Host]

Yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

Get out. Just walk.

[Host]

Okay.

[Dwight Howard]

You know what I'm saying? Just go to the park and just sit.

[Host]

Yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

You know what I'm saying? Like, little stuff like that. Experiences the greatest. These are experiences. Like in America, sometimes it be hard cause it's an expectation. I go out. Hey, come here, let me take a picture. Yeah, you would talk to my cousin.

[Host]

Yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

You know, but I'm over there. They just, hoo, ha, duh, I love you.

[Host]

Yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

And then they just let me, you know, go about my day. Now obviously they want pictures and stuff, but sometimes they see me like, oh, he just. There go Dwight. And that felt really good.

[Host]

Yeah, that's dope. I mean, I think you need those moments.

[Co-Host]

Even Steph talked about his experience in China. That was similar as well. So. Yeah, I think that's great. That's where Steph was, right, Sean?

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah. Stepping all over.

[Host]

Yeah.

[Co-Host]

But no, we really appreciate you, man. This was great. Thank you for coming through.

[Host]

Yeah, Dwight, it was a. It was. I mean, we again, you know, I. I've had. I was around you and Trev some nights when y' all was here. We hit the club a little bit. But I was telling the guys one thing about Dwight. What you see on TV when he's speaking, he's the same person, like on and off the floor. Like, he just has this energy and spirit about him that's just very welcoming, very, you know, no ego. And you have. All right to have ego. You larger than life figure done some great things in the NBA. But always, always, even from when you came in, had the Same spirit and energy. Very humble the way you carried yourself. Very professional. I think that. And that played a lot in the success that you had in the NBA as well. So thank you for coming through, Dwight. We appreciate you. Thanks for having me and. Yeah, man, call Genie, man. Get some of that 10 bill, man. I don't know.

[Dwight Howard]

Jie, man, come on. We ain't get no.

[Host]

Listen, we ain't get no parade.

[Dwight Howard]

Get no parade. They calling it a bubble ring. A couple hundred thousand. A couple hundred million to let everybody know that the bubbles is real. What's up, Jenny?

[Co-Host]

Bubble over Los Angeles.

[Dwight Howard]

Come on, Jenny, stop playing.

[Jeff Teague]

This is Jeff teague from the Club 520 podcast. Yeah. We're taking over Times Square's JD Sports for a special draft takeover. We're chopping it up with the next generation of hoop stars. Top picks, fresh fits and real talk. Catch exclusive interviews, behind the scenes vibes. And the crew checking out the latest heat in JD Sports. It's all going down on Club 520 podcast. Powered by the volume. Don't miss it for excitement and check out their new collection. Visit jdsports.com or download JD yet.

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[Host]

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[Co-Host]

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[Host]

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[Dwight Howard]

Right.

[Co-Host]

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[Host]

Oh yeah.

[Co-Host]

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[Host]

Absolutely.

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[Co-Host]

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[Dwight Howard]

Waiting for coffee.

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[Dwight Howard]

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[Host]

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[Host]

This is an I Heart podcast.