'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAIAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQG/8QAFAEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA//aAAwDAQACEAMQAAAAxsYbf//EACIQAAEEAQIHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMBAgQSBRETAAYUITFhwf/aAAgBAQABPwCTkMUedAnHx5IgVE+cTrYrdl9B0UY9G2rq5y6efsfG8hEAN7hTxq5qOogCPr6ttd+P/8QAGREAAQUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEQABAgMS/9oACAECAQE/AI1bYlf/xAAZEQABBQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQMREiH/2gAIAQMBAT8AR2mQf//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Dwight Howard recently said that he had a better prime than two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic. Howard, an eight-time All-Star and three-time Defensive Player of the Year, hit his prime early and was an unstoppable force in the paint. However, fans are not buying what Howard is selling, as they consider Jokic to be the better player.
On 'Run It Back' on Fan Duel TV, Chandler Parsons asked his former teammate about the Nuggets superstar. Howard will take his prime over Jokic, who is labeled the best player in the league after leading Denver to their first NBA Finals.
"Prime Dwight Howard," Howard said. "All day, every day. I'm dominating every play with a smile on my face. I'm taking prime Dwight Howard."
Dwight Howard had one of the best peaks of an NBA big from 2007 to 2012, leading the Orlando Magic to the NBA Finals in 2009. He was also an All-Star every year during that span, winning three Defensive Player of the Year awards from 2009 to 2011.
Despite his accolades, fans still roasted Howard for his take on Nikola Jokic. One fan even said:
"So when does the weed turn into crack?"
Here's what others on Twitter had to say about Howard's claims about him and Jokic:
It's tough to argue that Dwight Howard was better than Nikola Jokic during his prime.
Notably, it was short-lived, as injuries robbed Howard of his explosiveness and athleticism. He's undoubtedly one of the greatest defensive centers of all time, but Jokic is arguably an entirely different big man at the defensive end.
Dwight Howard's NBA career
Dwight Howard was a high school phenom from Atlanta, Georgia. The Orlando Magic took a chance on him, drafting him first overall in 2004. It took some time before Howard became a force to be reckoned with three years later.
Howard was an All-Star six times during his stint in Orlando, including an NBA Finals appearance in 2009. He prevented an NBA Finals matchup between Kobe Bryant and LeBron James.
The 37-year-old forced his way out of Orlando in 2013, landing with the LA Lakers in a blockbuster trade. However, he lasted just one season in Hollywood before signing with the Houston Rockets in 2014.
After three years in Houston, Howard became a journeyman in the NBA. He ended up playing for the Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Washington Wizards, back to the LA Lakers twice and the Philadelphia 76ers. He won his lone NBA championship in 2020 with LA inside the bubble.
Howard now plays for the Taoyuan Leopards of the T1 League in Taiwan. He has career averages of 15.7 points, 11.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game in the NBA.
Guess the Bulls players in this quiz and it's not going to be easy!
