Dorian Finney-Smith's Salute: A Gesture of Respect and Resilience

Dwight Howard wasn’t just good—he was an athletic FREAK! At his peak, he combined:
π₯ Insane leaping ability
π₯ Elite strength & power
π₯ Unmatched speed for a big man
This made him one of the most dominant forces the NBA has ever seen! Let’s break down how Superman changed the game with his mind-blowing athleticism!
Howard didn’t just jump high—he jumped like a guard at 6’10” & 265 lbs!
✅ 40+ inch vertical leap!
✅ Could dunk without running—just pure explosion!
✅ Jumped OVER a car in the 2008 Dunk Contest!
His hops made him a rim-protecting nightmare and an alley-oop machine!
For a center, Howard moved like a small forward!
π₯ Quick first step—blew past slower big men
π₯ Ran the floor like a guard on fast breaks
π₯ Elite lateral speed—could switch onto smaller players
Most big men couldn’t keep up with his speed & agility!
Howard wasn’t just strong—he was an absolute beast!
✅ Benched 365+ lbs easily
✅ Absorbed contact & still dunked HARD
✅ Could body Shaq & hold his own in the paint!
His combination of power & quickness made him unstoppable!
Howard didn’t just block shots—he sent them into the stands!
π₯ 2.1 career BPG
π₯ Led the NBA in blocks twice!
π₯ Had multiple 10-block games!
His explosiveness + perfect timing made him a defensive monster!
Howard didn’t do soft layups—he DESTROYED rims!
✅ Led the league in dunks multiple times
✅ Dunked on anyone—no matter their size
✅ Even shattered a shot clock in 2012!
When Dwight dunked, you felt it in the whole arena!
At his peak, Howard was the best rebounder in the NBA!
π₯ Led the league in rebounding 5 times
π₯ Career 12.3 RPG (Peaked at 14.5!)
π₯ Outmuscled & outjumped bigger players!
No one could battle him on the boards!
Howard’s athleticism led the Magic to the Finals!
✅ Took down LeBron’s Cavs in the ECF!
✅ Averaged 20 PPG & 15 RPG in the playoffs
✅ Shut down elite big men like Kevin Garnett & Tim Duncan
Even though they lost to Kobe’s Lakers, Howard dominated the playoffs!
Howard was the most feared defensive force in his prime!
π 3x Defensive Player of the Year (2009-2011)
π 8x All-Star & 5x All-NBA First Team
π₯ NBA Champion (2020 with the Lakers!)
At his best, he was the perfect mix of strength, speed & explosiveness!
Howard’s insane athleticism, shot-blocking, and dunking power made him one of the greatest big men ever!
What do YOU think? Is Dwight the most athletic center in NBA history? Drop your thoughts below! ππ₯