Dwight Howard turns back the clock with a 30-30 night

Dwight Howard just became the first player since Kevin Love in 2010 to post 30 points and 30 rebounds in a game. Howard and Love are the only two to do it since the 1981-82 season.

There was a time when Dwight Howard was considered one of the most dominant players in the NBA. A force because of his size, speed, and strength, Howard from the late 2000’s to about 2014 was a consensus top-10 NBA player. But, something happened that maybe only Howard can explain, and his production significantly dipped. It could be age, a lack of interest on his part, or the small ball era. Either way, he is no longer Superman.

But this season, he has somewhat been back to the old Dwight. Playing for the Charlotte Hornets, he’s averaging just under 17 points a game while still being a fixture on the glass with 12.2 rebounds per contest. So when he scored 32 points and secured 30 rebounds in last nights game against the Brooklyn Nets, a mixture of shock and surprise was the principle feeling.

Howard became the second player since Kevin Love in 2010 to post the 30-30 stat line. Howard and Love are the only two to accomplish the feat since the 1981-82 NBA season (Moses Malone.) But, two questions came to mind; where has this Dwight been and why hasn’t it occurred more often?

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As spectators, we will never know what it’s like to be an athlete of his caliber and to get paid handsomely. We hear stories about Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan and LeBron James with their will to take care of their bodies, but those players putting together the physicality with the mentality don’t come every day. For every LeBron James, there are plenty who should be better. Dwight isn’t that guy, and that’s okay. But, when he does show those flashes of brilliance, we must always salute. A 30-30 line is hard to come by. It takes a man of Howard’s special talent to do it.