North Station Sports

Their is no doubt that Dwight Howard has arrived among the NBA’s elite players ahead of schedule.

Dwight is 23 years old and in his fifth season in the NBA.

After five seasons, Dwight has career averages of 17.3 points per game, 12.5 rebounds per game, 1.4 assists per game, 57% field goal percentage, and 60% from the foul line.

On Thursday evening his Orlando Magic will face the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals.

Los Angeles, having a long history of Hall of Fame Centers, will have the unfamiliar task of putting together a strategy to guard arguably the league’s best.

Hanging above Staples Center are the jerseys of Los Angeles legends, Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

How would Dwight fare against these two titan centers? We will never know.

As I have stated in the past, I do not like to make historical comparisons with current players. It’s not fair to the legend or the current player to make any comparisons until the player’s entire body of work can be examined.

In this article I have decided to explore the progression and growth of Abdul-Jabbar, Chamberlain and Howard through their first five seasons.

Wilt Chamberlain entered the NBA in 1959. Through five seasons Wilt averaged an astonishing 41.6 points per game, 25.2 Rebounds, 3.1 Assists, 50.6% from the field and 57.4% from the foul line.

In Wilt’s first five seasons he failed to reach the Finals. In his fifth season he failed to reach the playoffs. Chamberlain spent from 1968-1973 roaming the purple and gold paint in Los Angeles.

He won 2 NBA titles.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar entered the NBA as Lew Alcindor in 1969. Through five seasons Kareem averaged 30.5 points per game, 15.5 rebounds per game, 5.36 assists, 55% field goal percentage and 69% from the foul line.

In his first five seasons, Kareem reached the Finals twice and won the NBA Championship once.

Abdul-Jabbar wore a Lakers jersey from 1975 until retiring in 1989.

He won 6 NBA titles.

An interesting look at three generational of big men and how they impacted the game.

Dwight is ahead of schedule creating his legacy. He has the strength and foot speed of Wilt. He could dominate offensively or defensively at will.

He has the length, durability and basketball IQ of Kareem.

Seemingly possessing what is great about both legendary big men, Dwight seems to have an energetic approach to the game that neither possessed.

His light approach to the game and captivating smile makes basketball look as fun as it did when Magic Johnson played. That’s something the NBA has greatly missed.

Thanks for the Magic Dwight.