Ranking every Hall-of-Fame teammate from James Harden's career

Ranking every Hall-of-Fame teammate from James Harden’s career

James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on against the Brooklyn Nets during the first half of Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at Barclays Center on April 22, 2023 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

2 of 7

Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic wearing a Superman Cape in the Sprite Slam-Dunk Contest at the New Orleans Arena during the 2008 NBA All-Star Weekend February 16, 2008 in New Orleans, Louisiana. AFP PHOTO TIMOTHY A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images) /

Ranking James Harden Hall-of-Fame teammates: 6. Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard is slowly becoming one of the most underrated centers of all time because he is an eight-time All-Star, eight-time All-NBA selection, five-time All-Defensive selection, five-time rebounding champion, two-time block champion, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year winner, led the Magic to the NBA Finals in 2009, and won a championship with the Lakers in 2020.

There was a five-year stretch, from 2008-2012, where Howard was the best center in the NBA but unfortunately for Harden, he did not get that version of Howard. After having back surgery and a very down year with the Lakers in 2013, Howard would go to the Rockets via a sign-in-trade.

He would then spend the next three seasons with the Rockets and Harden where he averaged 16 points, 11.7 rebounds, 1.6 blocks on 60 percent shooting from the floor. His first season with the Rockets in 2014, Howard would make the All-Star team and would be selected to 2nd team All-NBA.

Howard ranks sixth on the list more because of the team success he had with James Harden. His first two seasons the Rockets won 53 games in 2014 and 56 games in 2015. Then when 2016 came along the Rockets only won 41 games. In the postseason, the Rockets lost in the first round in 2014 and 2015 but they did make the Western Conference Finals in 2015.

The lack of total team success that Harden had with Dwight Howard and Howard being on the decline of his career because of back injury is why he lands so low.