Dwight Howard is sure that when he hangs up his jersey in the not so distant future, his name will be honored alongside the greats in the NBA Hall of Fame, and no one can tell him different. The Hawks center was asked by ESPN's Marc Spears whether he thinks he has already put together the kind of resume that would establish one as an all-time great, and without pause Howard responded, "no doubt."
As a testament to his worthiness, Howard pointed out the accolades that he is rarely recognized for having already attained at the age of 31, including his six-year league leading rebounding streak, and his being the only player to ever collect three Defensive Player of the Year trophies. All achievements that he says the media has taken for granted while maintaining what he believes to be a bias since the contemptuous repertoire they've built with him since he left Orlando.
For many, winning an NBA Finals Championship is a defining moment for potential Hall of Fame players, a moment which some would say you're without, a player's stats would have to all the more compensate for. The Hawks are Howard's fourth team in 13 years, and for thirteen years, over which time he has also played for the Magic, Lakers and Rockets, he is yet to have helped a team win it all. What's more, there are those who've questioned his will to win. Howard gained flack some years back when he insisted that even without the gold trophy, he is a champion. It is a claim that he continued to defend during his ESPN interview.
"A champion starts in the mind. If you’re not telling yourself every day that you are a champion and that you’re the best, your body is going to follow your mind. That’s how I feel and it’s never going to change. To come from where I come from and do the things that I’m doing compared to what I could’ve been doing, I’m a champion,” said Howard.
Source: slamonline.com
