Monday marked a happy occasion for the Orlando Magic and their former center, Dwight Howard. Over a decade after Howard departed the franchise, the Magic inducted Howard into their Hall of Fame ahead of their game against the Los Angeles Lakers, who Howard also played for.
The Magic drafted Howard No. 1 in the 2004 NBA Draft, and Howard spent eight seasons with the team before Orlando traded him to the Lakers in 2012. Howard helped the Magic reach the postseason in six straight seasons, even reaching the NBA Finals in 2009, which they lost to the Lakers. Though Howard won Defensive Player of the Year three consecutive seasons and the Magic became playoff staples, he grew unsatisfied by back-to-back first-round playoff exits, and ultimately requested a trade from Orlando.
