Sat Sep 06 23:20:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summarized version of the text and a rewrite as a news article:

**Summary:**

This piece argues that Dwight Howard’s omission from the NBA’s all-time Top 75 list in 2021 was a significant oversight. Despite a Hall of Fame career highlighted by dominant defensive play, multiple Defensive Player of the Year awards, All-NBA selections, and a Finals appearance leading the Orlando Magic, Howard’s peak is often overshadowed by the latter part of his career and other factors. The author contends that his impact on the game and his statistical achievements, particularly during his prime years in Orlando, make him more than deserving of a spot on the list, especially when compared to other players who were included.

**News Article:**

**Hall of Famer Dwight Howard’s Top 75 Snub Still Stings: Analyst Says Dominance Overlooked**

**[CITY, STATE] –** As Dwight Howard prepares for his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, renewed debate surrounds his glaring absence from the NBA’s Top 75 players list, released in 2021. Basketball analyst John Hollinger highlights Howard’s dominant peak, arguing it’s been unfairly overshadowed.

Hollinger points to Howard’s five consecutive All-NBA First Team selections, three Defensive Player of the Year awards, and leadership of the Orlando Magic to the 2009 NBA Finals as evidence of his elite status. He contrasts Howard’s achievements with those of other players included on the list, including fellow inductee Carmelo Anthony, questioning how Howard, a player who redefined the center position with his athleticism and defensive prowess, could be excluded.

“Howard’s half-decade of dominance from 2006-07 to 2010-11 gets swept under the carpet,” writes Hollinger. He suggests several factors contribute to this, including the perception of his later career, his time in a smaller market, and the lack of a championship until later in his career with the Lakers in a diminished role.

However, Hollinger emphasizes Howard’s impact during his prime. He highlights the 2009 Magic’s improbable run to the Finals, where they defeated a loaded Boston Celtics team and LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers, largely due to Howard’s dominance. He also notes the innovative way the Magic built their offense around Howard’s rim pressure, creating open 3-point opportunities and ultimately changing the game.

Using his “GOAT Points” metric, Hollinger ranks Howard 35th all-time, further underscoring the discrepancy between his career achievements and his exclusion from the Top 75 list.

As Howard is formally inducted into the Hall of Fame, the debate over his place among the NBA’s all-time greats is sure to continue, with many believing his peak years deserve far more recognition.

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