Dwight Howard thought about retiring after the 2014-15 season

ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 18: Dwight Howard #8 of the Atlanta Hawks shoots the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers during the game on March 18, 2017 at Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Dwight Howard reflects back on his career and simultaneously looks ahead.

In a recent profile by Sports Illustrated, fans gained an in-depth perspective into the life of Dwight Howard. Although many pieces of new information were shared, one particular fact stood out above the rest. Howard admitted that he contemplated retirement in 2014-15. In any case, that may not come as a shock to those who watched Howard struggle in Houston. However, today’s NBA would not be the same without the 31-year-old.

In 2014-15, Howard had found himself in the middle of his supposed prime. But, those were dark times. His unhealthy stints with the Lakers and Rockets saw him become one of the NBA’s biggest villains. Howard slowly veered towards irrelevancy. For this reason, amongst many others, Howard turned to his childhood safe-haven and began seeing a pastor.

"At a low point with the Rockets, after the 2014–15 season, he considered retiring. The jolly giant who supposedly had too much fun on the floor was miserable. “The joy,” Howard says, “was sucked out of it.” But what would retirement accomplish? He had to change his life regardless of his occupation. So he did what his teenage self would have done. He saw a pastor."

Although the pastor helped Howard off the court, his on-court performance remained the same. Howard, who has still averaged a double-double every year of his career, now has Michael Jordan to mentor him in Charlotte. Howard was traded to Charlotte from Atlanta this off-season.

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The idea of retirement no longer scares Howard as he has a plan in place for his future. This plan includes a farm and spending more time with his kids, but he still has basketball to play. Howard is viewing the move to Charlotte as a chance to improve, not a resurrection campaign. The misunderstood 31-year-old is now a leader for his new Hornets team. Despite the fact that he’s the oldest player on the team, he has the most to learn from his new team. Confidence and peace are the traits he desires to learn in Charlotte.

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