Dwight Howard Could Have Been Sidelined For a Year

Yes, most, if not all of it, was his own doing. Regardless of the frustration surrounding Howard’s last year in Orlando, there is something we should know as fans: It wasn’t an easy year for Howard either.

“There was a practice where I couldn’t even bend over. I just felt it all the way down my leg. That’s when I knew something was wrong.”

–Via ESPN.

The herniated disk in Howard’s back caused serious strain on the new Laker. He explained that at one point last year, he couldn’t do calf raises or even stand on his toes. The pain shooting up and down Howard’s leg, the way he describes it, should have kept him off the floor. He played through the pain for as long as he could, before surgery became a dire necessity.

This isn’t some attempt at glorifying Howard by pointing to his “never say die” attitude. Instead, it’s the fact that he avoided being sidelined for a full year that surprises. In fact, the best case scenario, as Howard’s doctors saw it, was a 5-month rehabilitation.

Instead, there he was.

At the start of training camp, Howard was already running up and down the court. He was also a full participant in Lakers practices. Though Howard has yet to see game action, the fact that he’s on the court so early is wholly unexpected.

“I went to see the doctor right before I got traded,” Howard said. “And he said, ‘Most guys don’t recover as fast as you did. Especially when it affects the nerve down your leg. It usually takes a year for your leg to regain strength.’

–Via ESPN

It took Howard all of 2 months to get his leg strength back and before you knew it, he was ready for training camp. His progress will be closely monitored until a determination can be made as to when he can see game time.

Mohamed Abdihakim is a journalism student at Florida Atlantic University. He is a Phoenix Suns fan, who is not prepared for the possibility of Nash winning a title in a Lakers jersey. Mohamed is also a contributor at “Les Snobs”. Interests include International basketball, Mad Men, and blues music. Nearly all stats are credited to Hoopdata or Basketball-Reference.