National Basketball Association

What Is A Realistic Stat Line for Dwight Howard?

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The 2016-17 season will be crucial to Dwight Howard’s career. What is a realistic stat line after a disappointing one last season in Houston?

It’s no secret that Dwight Howard‘s reputation has diminished over the past few seasons. A mixture of injuries and locker room drama can contribute to that.

Ever since he was traded from Orlando after he was accused of getting head coach Stan Van Gundy fired, everything that he has done since had been judged critically.

Following Orlando, he played for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2012-13 and Houston from 2013-16. One could say that both organizations weren’t the greatest for Howard to escape from the drama, they only created more, which also carried over into his production on the floor.

It got so bad that last season in Houston, Howard had his worst season statistically since his rookie season in 2004-05. Here are statistical comparisons from Howard’s rookie season to last season:

2004-05: 12.0 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 1.7 BPG, 16.7 USG%

2015-16: 13.7 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 1.6 BPG, 18.4 USG%

There’s no excuse why his usage percentage should be that low at this point in his career. That can be credited to James Harden and his unwillingness to get Howard involved within the flow of the offense.

Needless to say, Howard’s time in Houston had run its course. It was time for fresh start and Atlanta was one of the best choices he could’ve made. Unlike Houston and Los Angeles, Atlanta is known for being a stable, well-run organization and with head coach Mike Budenholzer at the helm, the drama won’t be tolerated.

The Hawks offense won’t look like it has for the past three seasons, which consisted of five players out on the perimeter with a ton of off-ball screens and movement. Budenholzer will be sure to make slight adjustments so Howard can catch the ball on the block where he is most effective.

You can expect to see Howard involved in plenty of on-ball screens with Dennis Schroder and Kent Bazemore throughout the game. If Howard can gel with froncourt mate Paul Millsap, they have potential to be the most effective big man duo in the NBA.

Throughout the summer, Howard has posted videos of him working on his mid-range jumpshot. One criticism that he has always taken on is that he is only a dunking big man, not one with a post-game or mid-range game.

Defensively, Howard goes from a team in Houston that ranked 21st in defensive rating to Atlanta, who ranked second in the respective category last season. He replaces Al Horford and gives this team an elite rim-protector, which they haven’t had in some time. Not only will his shot-blocking come in handy, but his rebounding will help close increase opponent’s one shot possessions.

With this all being taken into mind, what will Howard’s stat line look like for the 2016-17 season?

2016-17 projected statistics: 16.1 PPG, 12.2 RPG, 2.1 BPG, 20.5 USG%

Next: 4 Reasons the Hawks Will Make the Playoffs