When Houston Rockets’ center Dwight Howard was at his best while playing with the Orlando Magic, then-Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy built the entire offense around Howard. He played Howard with as many shooters as he could in order to stretch the floor and create room for him in the post or in the case of a double team, open shooters for Howard to kick the ball out to. That included playing with a non-traditional power forward and instead using a pair of players, Rashard Lewis and then Ryan Anderson, who knock down three-pointers and keep defenses honest.
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That is something Howard hasn’t had in Houston and is likely why the Rockets made a run at Miami Heat big man Chris Bosh, who re-signed with the Heat.
Jabari Davis of Basketball Insiders doesn’t believe you need a stretch four to win but knows Howard is more comfortable with one.
"You know I’m a bit old school when it comes to the league as well, so I’m not entirely sold on the idea that you have to have a stretch in order to win. The league has definitely moves towards that direction, but there are still several examples of more traditional “power” forwards or guys that can mix it up with their backs to the basket as part of their offensive arsenals.For Dwight, in particular (since I know Houston is your squad), he prefers to have one beside him in order to spread the court and provide that extra half-second of space to operate out of the post. That’s why Bosh would have been a good fit in my opinion."
Howard put up 18.3 points, 12.2 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, 1.8 assists and 0.8 steals per game while shooting 59.1% from the field and 54.7% from the free throw line last season.