Dwight Howard’s pursuit of Jeanie Buss could intensify as DWTS stint boosts unfulfilled dream

Dwight Howard, a larger-than-life personality on and off the field, is making headlines in more ways than one. The 6-foot center, who first showed off his dancing skills to the public during a pre-match session for the Orlando Magic, turned heads on the dance floor with his pro dance partner Daniella Karagach, amassing a total of 177 points. Interestingly, Howard believes that his time on Dancing with the Stars might as well have furthered his unfulfilled dream, which he also subtly encouraged Jeanie Buss to pursue.

In a recent podcast episode with Shannon Sharpe, Howard once again expressed his determination to return to the NBA. “New York also needs a center and I know one” he began when the host addressed the current state of the Knicks.

Obviously, tThere’s nothing left to prove here for Howard, who won an NBA title with the Lakers in 2020, earned three Defensive Player of the Year awards and made numerous All-Star appearances. Still, the 37-year-old wants to keep going because before entering the NBA, Howard had a certain number in mind, but it hasn’t been achieved yet.

“20 would be great,” Howard states when asked how many more seasons he would like to continue. “That’s how long I want to play. That was my dream when I started. My goal was to play for 20 years.” Considering he has played for 18 years by 2022, his original plan calls for him to have two more years and Howard believes he still has good years ahead of him to achieve that goal. In the same hope, he has expressed his intention to join a team quite frequently.

“I was just in New York and I kept hearing that the Knicks needed reinforcements” He wrote it after the New York Knicks signed Karl Antony Towns. And when the Minnesota Timberwolves signed Rudy Gobert for $110 million, the former Lakers star offered “Minnesota, you all could have given me 10 million.” However, that wasn’t all. When Buss made it to his podcast last month, their conversations brought up his years in the NBA, the Lakers and their previous intentions to re-sign him.

“I am [still] I’m in shape for basketball, so Jeanie give me another chance.” Howard had sung in hopes of convincing the franchise owner. Now that he’s on DWTS, Howard believes he’s an asset.

“Longevity is something people don’t even really talk about…it takes a lot of discipline and sacrifice to play. I think DWTS has really helped me because I’m in great shape and I feel really good.” he admitted on the Nightcap podcast with Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson. “So if a team needs a big performance, count me in.”

The former Lakers star has actually grown with the intense choreography and routines that DWTS requires, including the many lifts and twists.

In their final appearance, the 6th episode of the Halloween special, Howard and Karagach did a dark-themed dance based on the song Ring Around The Rosie from District 78. The judges were so impressed that Howard placed in the top 10 of the season, for a total of 28 points. He was also able to surpass the performances of Ilona Maher, the American rugby union player, in the dance-off. Howard had been waiting for the opportunity to be on the show and he’s actually making the most of it.

Dwight Howard believes joining DWTS was one of the best decisions

In a surprising twist, NBA veteran Dwight Howard spoke about his rewarding experience Dancing with the stars. Known for his agility and strength on the court, Howard joined DWTS to take on a different kind of challenge, trading slam dunks for dance routines.

On the same podcast, he opened up about how he got a chance on the show after an intense three-year chase and has been nothing but thrilled ever since. “Well, I’ve been trying for three years. This year I actually had the opportunity to do that. I didn’t have basketball, but I had a chance. I contacted Deena Katz, the show’s talent coordinator. I reached out to her, she said she was going to try her best to get me for the season and I’m glad she did, man. It’s the best decision I made coming on the show.Howard said during the podcast.

Additionally, Howard revealed how this experience helped improve his flexibility and give life a new perspective: “It’s really helped me with so many things, not just my weight, not just my shape, but also my mental state. You know, having a partner on the dance floor is similar to “How to have a partner in real life,” “How you have to go through life.” So it really helps me in many areas,“Howard added.

DWTS wasn’t just a break from court; It was an opportunity to grow. If Howard could achieve his dream of being on the show, maybe the NBA has a chance too.