Dwight Howard is a Hall of Fame player with an 18-year NBA career.
He won one championship, earned eight All-Star selections, and made eight All-NBA Teams during his prime.
He captured three consecutive NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards, showcasing his dominance and impact as an elite center.
Despite his impressive resume, Dwight Howard recently expressed admiration for another player’s career persistence.
Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty ImagesDwight Howard acknowledges Al Horford’s continued NBA relevance at age 39
Following the reports that said Al Horford will join the Golden State Warriors, Howard shared his feelings on social media.
“Al Horford inspiring me man! Same high school class and he is still going,” Howard wrote on his social media platforms.
Al Horford inspiring me man ! Same higschool class and he still going 😮💨
— Dwight Howard (@DwightHoward) September 28, 2025
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Both players are currently 39 years old, though Howard entered the NBA earlier than Horford.
The Orlando Magic legend was drafted straight from high school in 2004, while Horford attended college before entering the league.
Despite Horford’s later NBA entry and less spectacular individual career compared to Howard’s peak dominance, he has maintained a longer active career.
Next season as Golden State’s starting center, Horford will begin his 19th NBA season.
Al Horford’s adaptability contrasts with Dwight Howard’s traditional approach
Horford’s career longevity stems largely from his adaptability to the modern game.
He transformed his playing style into a stretch-big capable of three-point shooting beginning in the 2015-16 season.
His evolution has been statistically impressive, making the fourth-most three-pointers (877) by a center in NBA history, trailing only Karl-Anthony Towns, Brook Lopez, and Nikola Vučević.
Howard’s offensive game never evolved to include consistent perimeter shooting or advanced playmaking despite his undeniable physical tools.
As a traditional rim protector, many teams viewed Howard as a liability in modern pick-and-roll schemes against smaller, faster guards.