Dwight Howard gets recognition on nights like Friday evening where Joel Embiid doesn’t play, though his new team appreciates his presence even when it doesn’t translate to court time.
“Dwight, man, he’s such a great leader…just throughout the game and through timeouts, he’s giving me tips on things I can do better,” fellow center Tony Bradley said of Howard.
Howard’s work ethic has the coaching staff raving about him, as Doc Rivers explained to FortyEightMinutes and other media members after the Sixers preseason win against the Pacers.
While Howard isn’t the All-NBAer that he used to be, his career continues on because he’s learned how to add value to an NBA team. Part of that is being a mentor to young players; part of that is taking on unorthodox roles. The big man is embracing the role of an “agitator” for this club.
“Whatever it takes to help this team win, I’m willing to do it,” Howard added. ” I know it’s a big part for our team is to mentally destroy the other teams and it starts with Joel and myself.”
More From Philadelphia
- The Sixers have waived Justin Anderson and Frank Mason, according to 973 ESPN Sixers Insider Paul Hudrick and Derek Bodner, respectively. Philadelphia now has 15 players under contract. Mason’s release was expected, as he signed an Exhibit 10 contract on Friday and has a decent chance to end up with the Delaware Blue Coats. Anderson seemed to have a chance to claim the team’s final roster spot with it coming down to him and center Vincent Poirier.
- Doc Rivers said he spoke with Ben Simmons about the trade rumors but wouldn’t get into the details of the chat. “I can tell you that none of this started from us,” Rivers said before Friday night’s preseason game.
- If the Sixers are going to trade Simmons, they may want more than James Harden, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN explains. “Well, I certainly don’t think they’re trading Ben Simmons just in a deal that looks like it’s straight up with some picks for James Harden,” Woj said on the Keyshawn, JWill, and Zubin Show. “I think they’re going to want a lot more than James Harden.”
