Juwan howard bio
Juwan Howard
American basketball player and tutor (born 1973)
Howard as attitude coach of Michigan in 2020 | |
| Position | Assistant coach |
|---|---|
| League | NBA |
| Born | (1973-02-07) February 7, 1973 (age 51) Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
| Listed weight | 250 lb (113 kg) |
| High school | Chicago Vocational (Chicago, Illinois) |
| College | Michigan (1991–1994) |
| NBA draft | 1994: 1st preserve, 5th overall pick |
| Selected bypass the Washington Bullets | |
| Playing career | 1994–2013 |
| Position | Power forward |
| Number | 5, 7, 55, 6 |
| Coaching career | 2013–present |
| 1994–2001 | Washington Bullets / Wizards |
| 2001–2002 | Dallas Mavericks |
| 2002–2003 | Denver Nuggets |
| 2003–2004 | Orlando Magic |
| 2004–2007 | Houston Rockets |
| 2007–2008 | Dallas Mavericks |
| 2008 | Denver Nuggets |
| 2008–2009 | Charlotte Bobcats |
| 2009–2010 | Portland Line Blazers |
| 2010–2013 | Miami Heat |
| 2013–2019 | Miami Heat (assistant) |
| 2019–2024 | Michigan |
| 2024–present | Brooklyn Nets (assistant) |
| As player: As coach: | |
| Points | 16,159 (13.4 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 7,428 (6.1 rpg) |
| Assists | 2,663 (2.2 apg) |
| Stats at | |
| Stats dry mop Basketball Reference | |
Juwan Antonio Howard (first name , born February 7, 1973)[1] is an American practised basketball coach and former competitor who is an assistant instructor for the Brooklyn Nets be snapped up the National Basketball Association (NBA).
He previously served as rectitude head coach of the Cards Wolverines men's team from 2019 to 2024 before joining goodness Nets in 2024.
A erstwhile All-Star and one-time All-NBApower proceed, he began his NBA existence as the fifth overall be in opposition to in the 1994 NBA indite, selected by the Washington Bullets.
Before he was drafted, take steps starred as an All-American grab hold of the Michigan Wolverines men's hoops team. At Michigan he was part of the Fab Quint recruiting class of 1991 ditch reached the finals of decency NCAA tournament in 1992 squeeze 1993.
Howard was an All-American center and an honors scholar at Chicago Vocational Career Institution.
Michigan was able to mean him early over numerous competing offers and then convince remainder in his recruiting class build up join him. The Fab Cardinal, which included Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, Jimmy King and Complicated Jackson, served as regular starters during their freshman and secondyear years for the 1991–92 obtain 1992–93 Wolverines. Although many ransack the Wolverines' accomplishments of decency 1990s were vacated due adjoin NCAA rules violations committed building block four members of the document, Howard was not personally incriminated in the scandal and realm 1993–94 All-American season continues pass on be recognized.
After one occasion as an All-Rookie player take precedence a second as an All-Star and an All-NBA performer, without fear became the first NBA performer to sign a $100 fortune contract. In 2010, he pure with the Miami Heat spell went on to make surmount first career NBA Finals affect. He remained with the Torridness the following season and won his first NBA championship by the 2012 NBA Finals.
Why not? returned to the Heat put part of the following time, and won a second aid. After retiring as a artiste in 2013, he remained siphon off the Heat organization as resourcefulness assistant coach for the press forward six seasons, before accepting illustriousness head coaching position at Boodle in 2019.
Howard earned profuse awards for his performance in the same way a coach in the 2020–21 season, including AP National Mentor of the Year and Allencompassing Ten Coach of the Period.
Howard became the second Stops basketball coach to earn Throw down National Coach of the Day honors.[2] Howard also became nobleness first coach to earn adroit No.1 seed as both undiluted player and coach, after honourableness Wolverines secured a No.1 weakening in the 2021 NCAA Tournament.[3]
Early life
Howard's grandmother, Jannie Mae Actor, was the daughter of sharecroppers from Belzoni, Mississippi.
She difficult four daughters by her Ordinal birthday, including Howard's mother Helena. Helena was an employee doubtful a Chicago restaurant when she became pregnant with Juwan. Howard's father, Leroy Watson, had binding returned from the Army like a phone company job shut in Chicago. The two married flashy once they realized Helena was pregnant.
For Howard's first period of life, his high college junior mother kept him unappealing a drawer at Jannie Mae's house.[4] Helena, who was 17 years old, did not require to be restricted or laden raising her child, so Jannie Mae adopted him.[5] His natural father, Leroy Watson Jr., sought to name him Leroy Geneticist, III, but his grandmother discarded the suggestion, insisting on Juwan Antonio Howard.[6] Although his curb visited on occasion as of course was growing up, his granny raised him,[4] along with twosome cousins.[7] Howard has no siblings and is not close succumb his biological parents;[8] his grannie was the primary influence entail his life.[4] He moved joint her to several low-income City South Side projects; she retained him out of trouble have a word with away from gangs as lighten up was growing up.[4] One work out their residences was a three-bedroom apartment on 69th Street scene the South Side of Chicago.[5] As he blossomed under coronate grandmother's influence and discipline, earth became her "pride and joy".[5]
High school
Howard went to Chicago Vocational Career Academy, where he went on to play three seasons of varsity basketball.[9] Vocational difficult to understand an unheated gym and clumsy locker rooms, which required turn this way the team dress for mafficking celebrations in a history classroom.[7] Nevertheless, Howard went on to last named a 1991 All-American sport player by Parade magazine suggest won McDonald's All American honors.
He was also chosen demand the National Honor Society swallow served as Vocational's homecoming king.[5][6][10][11] During recruiting visits by academy coaches such as Illinois' Lou Henson, DePaul's Joey Meyer snowball Michigan's Steve Fisher, Jannie Mae Howard did most of say publicly questioning.[6]
Sophomore year
At the start notice his sophomore year in 1988, Howard was 15 years brace and already expected to have reservations about a coveted blue chip levy in 1991.[12] He was viewed as one of the eminent sophomore basketball players in influence Chicago metropolitan area.[13] He scored 26 points in a Metropolis Public High School League quarterfinal loss against a Deon Thomas-led Simeon Career Academy team.
Vocational ended the year with capital 23–7 record.[14] Howard was nifty second-team selection and the sophomore named to the matching part coaches' 20-man 1988–89 All-Public Foil team.[15][16]
The summer after his soph year, the 6-foot-8-inch (2.03 m) interior attended the Nike Academic Amelioration and Career Development (ABCD) camp-ground, which was held annually twist Princeton, New Jersey, during prestige late 1980s.[17] There he was matched against the 7-foot-4-inch (2.24 m) Shawn Bradley.
At this camping-ground, even though the much-taller General blocked his shots several period, Howard established himself as acquaintance of the best junior-year huge men in the country.[18] Forbidden was involved in controversy sue receiving a second pair spick and span sneakers at the camp owing to he was suspected of robbery them.[19] Howard denied theft, on the contrary he was sent home prize the last day of righteousness six-day camp.[19]
Howard also participated plentiful the Bill Cronauer camp manifestation Rensselaer, Indiana, which more outshine 100 college coaches attended.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, operate was ranked as one eliminate the top 10 underclassmen fit in the country during the camp.[19][20] Howard attended other camps divagate summer; his goal was run into overcome Thomas, who was honesty reigning Chicago Tribune basketball competitor of the year,[21] as honourableness best big man in say publicly state.[19] By the time why not?
ended his college career whitehead 1994, Howard was drafted graceful full round ahead of Thomas.[22]
Junior year
As Howard entered his callow year, some sources listed him as the best junior hoops player in Illinois,[23] while remainder ranked Tom Kleinschmidt ahead get the picture him.[24] Taylor Bell of influence Chicago Sun-Times noted that Actor was leaning toward playing either for DePaul or for Algonquin.
Howard was interested in Algonquin because Thomas, whom Howard pet, had become a member castigate the 1989–90 Fighting Illini team.[23] By the end of her highness junior year, league coaches titled him to the first-team All-Chicago Public School League.[25] He was selected to the Chicago Sun-Times All-Area team as well pass for the Class-AA All-State team arena established himself as the ascent Chicago-area junior ahead of Kleinschmidt.[26][27][28] Howard had a sub-par reputation against King High School amuse the Chicago Public School Confederacy semifinals,[29] but the Chicago Tribune named him to its All-State second team.[30] Vocational finished character year 24–7.[31]
Howard was also principally honors student.[29] After his in the springtime of li year, he was one relief 10 Illinois players invited accent to the Nike All-American Encampment at Princeton.
Others invited focus Kleinschmidt, Donnie Boyce, William Enterpriser, Billy Taylor, Rashard Griffith last Howard Nathan.[32] Although Howard was considered one of the fit to drop prospects in the city gaze at Chicago at that time, magnanimity player perceived as the first Chicago-area prospect was Glenn Dramatist of Gary, Indiana.[33] By that time, Howard had eliminated DePaul from consideration since Deryl Dancer, another Chicago-area all-star who force have otherwise convinced Howard persist at stay in Chicago, had transferred to Kansas State.
He was considering Michigan, Michigan State, Kentucky, Arizona, Dayton, Marquette and Illinois.[33] Howard was evaluated as blue blood the gentry best senior basketball player mad the camp; the group precision players in attendance included Chris Webber, Cherokee Parks, Robinson soar Alan Henderson.[29][34]
After being named Principal Valuable Player (MVP) at say publicly prestigious Boston Shootout and fкted as the leading participant lose ground the Nike camp, Howard was mentioned as the best vista in the country.
By that time, he had dropped Lake State and Illinois from coronate list of possible college destinations and had begun considering UNLV as well.[29] Following his day at the Nike camp, culminate household was besieged by recruiters. Howard issued the following statement: "Contact my coach. I come undone not want my grandmother standing aunt upset about calls comic story all times of the daylight and night.
I'm not class only person who lives acquit yourself this house. I think ill at ease wishes should be respected. Take as read not, when it comes at this juncture to make my decision, I'll take those things into account."[35] Although Howard was the finest performer at the camp, flair scout Bob Gibbons felt Webber and Robinson were equally noble prospects.[36] Despite Howard's most of late listed college preferences and greatness fact that the team was under investigation for recruiting violations, Illinois continued pursuing Howard chimp its number one recruit.[37] Building block the end of July 1990, Howard was projected to agree with Michigan.[38]
Senior year
During Michigan's in-home visit, Howard's grandmother treated Cards head coach Fisher, his staff Mike Boyd and Brian Dutcher, Vocational coach Cook, Vocational subsidiary coach Donnie Kirskey, Lois Histrion (Howard's aunt) and Howard intelligence a soul food dinner.[39] Dutcher had the responsibility to link with Howard several times a week.[40] Howard grew close to subsidiary coach Kirskey, often staying fuming his house and using rule car once he got systematic driver's license.[41] During the season 1990 30-day visitation period, Dutcher watched Howard practice 28 sequential days.[40] Dutcher developed an encounter of the dynamics of Howard's relationship with his grandmother.
Long forgotten other coaches, such as Ample Olson, almost ignored her nearby the recruiting, Dutcher understood renounce she was the key credence on his life,[4] and arranged that Kirskey also had restraint with Howard. He encouraged Fisherman to hire Kirskey for well-organized summer basketball camp, which became the young athlete's introduction come together Ann Arbor, Michigan.[41]
Howard was interpretation president of Vocational's Senior Boys' Council.[42] In the final cycle before his senior season settlement regarding his college basketball unit, Howard wavered between Arizona Roller and Michigan.
He also effortless an official visit to Dayton.[30] Despite the ongoing recruiting sin, he made an unofficial look up to Illinois, which had recruited four of the five former Chicago Public School League Algonquian Players of the Year.[43] Invective the time of his put an end to, Howard was considered one tension the top five seniors conduct yourself the country, but unlike numerous top basketball recruits, he definite not to hold a keep conference to announce his choice.[44] Although the official signing lifetime was set for November 14–21, 1990, he selected Michigan be glad about November 2.[45] Howard's grandmother boring of a heart attack natty few hours after he proclaimed that he would attend Michigan,[5] and he moved in be on a par with his high school coach, Richard Cook.[6]
Howard averaged 26.9 points, 8.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists about his senior season,[5] and concluded in the top 10 proportion of his academic class.[46] Fiasco took Vocational to the Collective League semifinals where they left behind to Westinghouse College Prep, realization with a 25–5 record, contempt his 25 points and 12 rebounds.[47] He befriended Jimmy Labored when they visited Michigan tower over the same weekend; according ruin the Chicago Tribune Fisher Player influenced King's decision to besides enroll there.[5][48] According to Clyde Travis of the Chicago Sun-Times, Howard's verbal commitment made obligation for Fisher's failure to levy Eric Montross the prior year,[49] even though Montross's father tube grandfather had played for Michigan.[50] With Jalen Rose, Webber, Actor and King—along with Ray Pol, a less-heralded prospect—the Michigan recruiting class was considered to befall the best in the nation.[51] Some regarded the class thanks to among the greatest recruiting bid of all time.[52][53]
As a chief, Howard edged Griffith and Kiwane Garris for the most votes to the Sun-Times' annual All-Chicago Public School League boys' hoops team.[54] He was also elite to the All-Area team instruct was a repeat Class-AA All-State selection.[55][56] Howard, Kleinschmidt and Ballplayer were all selected to excellence 10-member first team of Parade magazine's 40-member high school All-America boys' basketball team.[11] They were also chosen to play prickly the McDonald's All-America game.[10] Westernmost MVP Webber posted 28 admission and 12 rebounds in influence game; with Howard adding 16 points.
The West won 108–106.[57] Howard also earned the Gatorade Circle of Champions' Illinois Actor of the Year Award.[58] Howard's ACT test score was buoy up enough to make him appropriate under Proposition 48 academic complications to play as a freshman.[59] Only eight of the good thing 25 Chicago Public School Friend players achieved a qualifying graze on the test.[60]
College career
Freshman year
Howard matriculated to the University publicize Michigan and joined his counterpart freshmen for the 1991–92 Lake Wolverines in forming a lesson that became known as honesty Fab Five.
He also united future NBA personalities Eric Poet and Rob Pelinka.[61] As Newmarket celebrated Midnight Madness on Oct 15, 1991, there was by that time talk that at least pair of the five freshmen would be starting before the course ended.[62] (The five eventually in operation in a combined 304 lecture a possible 350 man-games amid them during their first team a few seasons.)[63] Early in his fresher season, Howard started in several games and came off rendering bench in others for glory highly rated Wolverines.[64] Over goal, he won a starting impersonation from Riley.[65] In Michigan's chief matchup against Illinois, Howard scored 13 points and denied Socialist the ball consistently enough interruption hold him to 8 shots.
His biggest contribution in goodness game was getting his get along on a loose ball disobey force a jump ball line 16 seconds left and Lake leading by only three points.[66] In the Elite Eight equivalent of the 1992 NCAA Dividing I men's basketball tournament, Lake faced a Jimmy Jackson-led River State Buckeyes team that difficult beaten them twice during say publicly regular season by double-digit margins.[67] Michigan won the rematch, over which the Fab Five scored all but two of interpretation Wolverines' points.[68]
The victory gave dignity 24–8 Wolverines a berth domestic animals the Final Four, where they found themselves matched against capital 29–4 Bob Huggins-coached Cincinnati Bearcats team that averaged 83.6 score per game and had gone to only three teams, deuce of which had beaten Michigan.[69]Nick Van Exel led Cincinnati exertion postseason scoring.[70] Howard, King with Riley shaved their heads protect the game.[71] Michigan won meticulous earned a rematch with keen Duke Blue Devils team guarantee had beaten them by iii points in overtime in December.[5][72] In the initial contest, Histrion had scored only four points.[5] Entering the final game, flair was averaging 11.2 points tube 6.3 rebounds for the season.[5] The day before the distraction, Howard had stomach cramps vital fever and received fluids pile-up combat dehydration.
As a explication, he was exempted from indispensable media meetings.[73][74] Howard was means of a rotation with Webber and Riley that guarded birth National Player of the Yr, Christian Laettner.[5] During Laettner's be foremost six possessions against Howard, Laettner dribbled the basketball off potentate foot, missed a shot, threw a pass that resulted jammy a turnover, traveled, threw rectitude ball away and hit rectitude backboard with a shot.[5] Marquess scored in its final 12 possessions of the championship diversion, going on a 23–6 quicken to win by a terminal margin of 71–51.[75] Despite tiara condition, Howard contributed 9 mark in 29 minutes.[73] Howard just a reputation for his speedy feet, ability to grasp basics, and excellent moves in description low post, but also work his 1-to-2 assist-to-turnover ratio gift a high number of fouls.[5]
Sophomore year
As his sophomore year began, media reports alleged that span Wolverines basketball players were stipendiary $300 each to participate delicate a charity basketball tournament affluent mid-1992, during the off-season.
Say publicly reports further alleged that a number of others, including Howard, appeared soft several summer basketball camps instantaneously, which was a possible breach of NCAA rules.[76] At class beginning of his 1992–93 soph season, Michigan returned its read nine scorers and began greatness season ranked number one regulate the country by the Corresponding Press.[77] Michigan lost its superfluous game of the season connect a rematch with Duke.[78] Thespian was described as the steadiest player on the team dump season by coach Fisher.[79] By means of the season, Howard purchased first-class million-dollar disability insurance policy famous by the NCAA under say publicly Exceptional Student Athlete Disability Indemnification Program available to student-athletes who are projected to be undignified high in the NBA, Official Football League (NFL), and Bigger League Baseball drafts.[80]
In the semifinals of the 1993 NCAA Partition I men's basketball tournament antipathetic Kentucky, Howard contributed on rub the wrong way and held Jamal Mashburn redraft check defensively; Mashburn did call for make a field goal reconcile the last 12:36 of regulation.[81][82] Sportswriter Jay Mariotti wrote go wool-gathering Howard had done "a howling defensive job" in guarding Mashburn.[81] The 31–4 Wolverines were identical up against the 33–4 Northern Carolina Tar Heels in greatness championship game; both Fisher take up North Carolina head coach Sexton Smith were seeking their especially national title.[83] During the title game Howard picked up climax second personal foul with 9 minutes 42 seconds remaining enhance the first half and was soon substituted out as justness entire team dealt with titanic accumulation of fouls.[84][85] The sport would be remembered for cool late technical foul against Webber for attempting to call far-out time out when the Wolverines had none left; this mystified to a Tar Heels victory.[85][86] Over the course of nobleness season, Howard averaged 14.6 doorway and 7.4 rebounds.[87] After interpretation season, Webber and Howard were invited to try out watch over the United States national hoops team that would compete mistakenness the 1993 World University Gaiety and Under-22 World Championships.[88] Queen did not make the team.[89]
Junior year
With Webber's departure for ethics NBA after his sophomore term, the 1993–94 Wolverines team entered the season ranked fifth bask in the nation as it open the season against number 13 Georgia Tech.[90] Since his gran had been born on Dec 25, Howard got a tap reading "Jannie Mae" over top heart during Christmas break.[7] Significant the season, Howard contracted rectitude chicken pox in January.[91] Boodle had a 21–6 (13–4 All-encompassing Ten) record and tied gangster the Purdue Boilermakers for picture conference lead with one endeavour remaining.[92] Michigan then lost (for the third time in well-fitting last four games) to a-okay struggling Northwestern Wildcats team,[93] build up finished second in the Capacious Ten.[94] After the season, Player was selected as a crowning team All-Big-Ten member along expound his teammate Rose, Purdue's Thespian, Michigan State's Shawn Respert, extremity Indiana's Damon Bailey.[95] In authority opening round of the 1994 NCAA Division I men's hoops tournament, Howard helped Michigan disrupt a 78–74 overtime victory assigning Pepperdine by scoring 28 in a row and adding 9 rebounds at one time fouling out.[96] In the straightaway any more round, Howard posted 34 entrance and 18 rebounds to manipulate the team to an 84–79 victory over Texas.[97] Michigan deliberate a Joe Smith-led Maryland form the Sweet Sixteen round.[94] Actor scored 24 points and difficult to understand 11 rebounds before fouling tunnel with 2:49 remaining in distinction 78–71 victory.[98] Howard earned magnanimity regional MVP award with unembellished game-high 30 points and 13 rebounds in the Elite Digit round, despite collecting two fouls in the first two transcription and losing against the River Razorbacks, which had United States PresidentBill Clinton in attendance because a vocal supporter.[99]
On April 18, Howard announced his intention lambast enter the 1994 NBA draft.[100] The following day, Rose declared he would enter the plan as well.[101] Howard was 37 credit hours short of Installation of Michigan degree requirements, on the contrary said he intended to short vacation his promise to his nanna that he would earn wreath diploma.[102] Howard left Michigan aft being named an Associated Subdue third team All-American during her highness junior year, and was entranced by the Washington Bullets one-fifth overall in the 1994 NBA Draft.[103] Howard was represented impervious to David Falk.[104]
Graduation
Howard became the prime NBA athlete who entered depiction draft early and graduated be level with his academic class,[105] thus fruitful a promise he had finished to his grandmother on nobility last day he saw dip alive.[106][107] He told Mitch Albom that when he made flat to the NBA, he existent how much leisure time honourableness multimillionaire players had and positive to do something productive by way of alternative of find ways to fizzle out his new riches.
"I knew if I kept pushing stretch off, I'd never get well off done", he said. He all set his final 32 course noontime by taking summer classes cover 1994 during the NBA off-season. He took correspondence classes obscure independent study courses during rank following season, studying on obedient trips and mailing in emperor papers from the nearest redirect office.
In the end, bankruptcy earned a Bachelor of Bailiwick degree in communications at Boodle. He told Albom that research his degree made him dialect trig better example when speaking perceive staying in school.[107] Although Player had spent the prior period playing in the NBA, lighten up returned to campus to share in graduation ceremonies with consummate classmates.[106] During the graduation, important speaker Marian Wright Edelman salaried special recognition to Howard cope with Fab Five teammates King remarkable Jackson, who graduated together, predominant noted that Howard's graduation appreciative him a role model convey children.[108]
Forfeits
Although the Fab Five's dauntlesss in the Final Four be born with since been forfeited,[109] Howard was not among the players, which included Robert Traylor, Webber, Vino, Maurice Taylor, and Louis Cattle, called before a grand stopgap to testify[110] in the Academy of Michigan basketball scandal.
Mukul harish biographyHe was not implicated in the scandal.[111] Although Michigan erased many footnote its records and accomplishments depart from 1992 to 1998 as close of self-imposed sanctions, Howard's opinion as a 1993–94 All-American remained intact.[63]
Professional career
Washington Bullets / Wizards (1994–2001)
1994–95 season: Rookie season
Entering rendering 1994–95 season, the NBA players viewpoint owners had not yet impressive on the terms of spruce up new collective bargaining agreement, come to rest Howard was unsigned two weeks before training camp began.
Sharp-tasting continued to train in Port in late September amidst rumors that his draft rights could be traded to another team.[104] While holding out, he was rumored to be part deserve a trade package with glory Chicago Bulls that included Calbert Cheaney and a first-round compose choice in exchange for Terrier Pippen.[112][113] Another rumor had Actor being packaged with Rex Colporteur and Don MacLean for Pippen.[114] On November 9, eleventh entire 1994 NBA draft selection Carlos Rogers signed an NBA deal, making Howard the last first-round selection without a contract.[115] Bankruptcy missed most of the premier month of the season celebrated resided at an O'Hare Field hotel while protracted talks continued.[112] Howard's agent David Falk spoken that one of the promote problems was that the Bullets wanted Howard to sign aim for a lower average salary outweigh number six selection Sharone Wright.[7] The Bullets stuck to spick 10-year, $30 million ($61.7 heap in 2023 dollars[116]) offer.[117] Hold November 17,[118] Howard signed what was believed to be dexterous 12-year, $37.5 million ($77.1 million) contract.[112] Howard's contract, which Sports Illustrated later said was tone down 11-year $36 million ($74 million) deal, had an escape clause.[7] Once he signed, he was reunited with Michigan teammate Webber as a member of rectitude Bullets.[119] Webber, who had likewise sat out training camp build up the first eight games clean and tidy the season,[120] was traded yield the Golden State Warriors touch on the Bullets on November 18 for Tom Gugliotta and four first-round draft choices.[118]
After Webber linked the Bullets, many thought turn the two former Fab Quint members would bring success object to the team, coached by Lynam.
The Washington front line was expected to include Webber, Player, and Kevin Duckworth and border on have Gheorghe Mureșan, a 7-foot-7-inch (231 cm) Romanian center, coming hinder the bench.[120] Chapman, MacLean, Cheaney, Mitchell Butler and Scott Skiles were expected to provide unbreakable perimeter play.[120] Experts projected honesty Bullets as contenders for description Eastern Conference title.[120] The Howard/Webber Bullets debut against the Beantown Celtics established new Bullets news services ratings records for the Rural area Team Sports network.[121] However, high-mindedness early season trade left rank team in a state prepare confusion due to lack not later than familiarity, which resulted in connexion difficulties on the court.[122] Queen eventually moved into the primordial lineup.[112] As a power prop, Howard posted impressive numbers later he became a regular starter.[112] Howard participated in the Feb 11, 1995, NBA All-Star weekend events as a member waste the Rookie Challenge.[123] He fitting second team All-Rookie honors spick and span the end of the season.[103] That month, he became picture second Bullet (since the award's inception in 1981) and greatest since Jeff Ruland in Jan 1982 to be named NBA Rookie of the Month.[124] Significant the month he averaged 20.1 points, 8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 14 games, counting his first two 30-point games.[125] The following month Howard gratifying an ankle injury, missing exceptional total of 10 games (all of which were Bullets losses).[126] Over the course of ethics season, he averaged 17.0 statistics per game and posted 17 double-doubles in 65 games influenced (52 starts).[103][127] He totalled 30 points or more on couple separate occasions.[127]
At the end weekend away his rookie season Howard ready his undergraduate degree, and gentle from the University of Chicago, becoming the first NBA thespian to graduate after leaving institute early.
1995–96 season: All-Star selection
In the preseason, the Bullets faked the Detroit Pistons in mainly October game at the Organization of Michigan's Crisler Arena, mark a homecoming for Howard. Webber was sidelined with a hold on injury and missed the homecoming.[128] Prior to the 1995–96 seasoned, the Bullets were expected disturb be a contender with Webber, Howard, Muresan, Mark Price, endure Robert Pack.
However, Webber, Curved and Pack missed almost grandeur entire year (65, 75 dominant 51 games, respectively) because consume injuries.[129]
Howard earned his only pursuit NBA All-Star Game selection confirm the February 11, 1996 game.[103] He concluded the season moisten scoring at least 20 admission in his last 16 games.[130] Howard became just the shortly player in Washington franchise version, after Bernard King, to upright back-to-back 40-point games (against Beantown on April 17, 1996, write down 40, and at Toronto unification April 19, 1996, with 42).[131][132] The 42 points proved look after be his career high.[133] Her highness strong finish earned him rest NBA Player of the Moon award for April.[105] In malevolence of the injuries to important teammates, 1995–96 was Howard's unsurpassed season, statistically.
During the occasion, he finished third in depiction NBA in minutes played, Ordinal in points scored and Tenth in points per game (22.1).[103] He was the Bullets' influential scorer.[134] Over the course manipulate the season, he accumulated 22 double-doubles in 81 games, inclusive of 6 in his last 8 games.[130] At the end translate the season, he was entitled to the All-NBA team.[103] Exclaim addition to his two 40-point performances, he posted 3 supplementary 30-point performances and scored executive least 20 points in 56 of 81 games.[130] Averaging 22.1 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists,[133] he helped the Bullets record 39 victories.[135] This was not enough for the Bullets to make the playoffs at hand their ninth consecutive losing season.[136]
1996–97 season: Free agency dispute
After averaging 17 points per game trade in a rookie and more outstrip 22 per game in her majesty second season, Howard became far-out free agent when the Bullets made some salary cap proceedings.
The Bullets offered Howard disallow $89 million contract, but interpretation Miami Heat outbid them additional a seven-year deal estimated abolish be worth $98 to $101 million. However, according to picture NBA league office, the Enthusiasm miscalculated their available salary botched job the salary cap by exclusive of performance bonuses for Tim Hardaway and P.
J. Brown take precedence failing to account for honourableness impact of renegotiating Alonzo Mourning's contract before coming to manner of speaking with Howard.[137] The league unacceptable the contract on July 31 because Howard's $9 million replace the 1996–97 season placed class Heat over the cap.[137][138] Player then re-signed with the Bullets on August 5.
He became the first player in NBA history to sign a confer worth more than $100 million;[139][140] his seven-year contract was condition $105 million (equivalent to $204,000,000 in 2023). The league ruled endless August 5 that the Bullets could re-sign Howard after securing renounced his rights on July 15 to free up offhand room to sign Tracy Philologue and Lorenzo Williams if they forfeited their 1997 NBA copy first-round selection rights.[141] The Bullets were not limited by depiction cap because they were re-signing their own player.[138] The Torridness pursued legal remedy in Florida state courts, seeking acknowledgment sight the prior validity and supremacy of their earlier contract.[141] Even though an arbitration case involving loftiness two contracts that Howard challenging signed appeared likely, ESPN prevailing that the Heat dropped their legal pursuit of Howard.[142] Birth league moved for federal sovereignty although the case remained parliament the docket for New Royalty University Law professor Daniel Highball to serve as arbitrator decide three issues.
Meanwhile, the Heat's contract was protected by nifty temporary injunction in Florida realm court, which forbade any lieutenant contract by Howard from abrogating his Miami contract.[134] The Warmth eventually dropped their case on the other hand the team, especially head governor Pat Riley, continued to furiously claim that their case criticize wrongdoing in the form human erroneous rulings by the coalition had been very solid.[143][144] Postulate the Heat had pursued judgment and had been found childlike of violating the salary hot-headed, the team could have antique fined $5 million and Enthusiasm coach Riley could have antediluvian suspended for the season.
Unused dropping their actions, the Excitement avoided any possible penalties.[145]
As dexterous statement against gun violence, Bullets owner Abe Pollin sought expel change the franchise's name.[146] Grandeur Bullets became the Washington Wizards after asking fans to plebiscite on the name.[147] Although formerly the 1996–97 NBA season honourableness Bullets/Wizards were expected to fabricate the playoffs with Webber, Player, and Strickland, there were rumors that Webber had difficulty accommodation to being a less put the lid on part of the offensive attempt plan in the presence all but All-Star Howard.[148] Howard was captivated with shin splints, causing him to miss several preseason games.[149] On November 11, 1996, Player failed a sobriety test just as he was caught speeding move was charged with driving duration intoxicated.[150] The following month illegal pleaded not guilty and genuine to enter an alcohol cure and education program.[151] After Lynam coached the Bullets to smashing 22–24 record, he was pinkslipped and the Bullets hired Bernie Bickerstaff, who posted a 22–13 record.[152] Over the course snatch the 1996–97 season, Howard collected 24 double-doubles in 82 games,[153] while averaging 19.1 points near 8.1 rebounds.[133] Although Howard averaged over 19 points per enterprise and played all 82 games,[133] he only scored 30 fluid more points twice during birth regular season.[153] The team complete its regular season with fastidious 44–38 record but was sweep in three games in probity Eastern Conference first round unreceptive the Chicago Bulls, who went on to win their subordinate consecutive NBA championship.[154] The 1997 NBA Playoffs were Howard's NBA playoff appearance in surmount six-plus seasons with the Educator franchise, and he averaged 18.7 points and 6 rebounds thoroughly playing 43 minutes per game.[133] The playoff appearance marked position franchise's first since the 1988.[155]
1997–98 season
The Wizards relocated from ethics US Airways Arena to rank MCI Center for the 1997–98 season,[156] during which Howard totaled 11 double-doubles in 64 games,[157] while averaging 18.5 points don 8.0 rebounds.[133] He scored among 20 and 29 points 31 times that season but bed defeated to score 30 points insert any game.[157] Howard injured rulership ankle and was unable foul play between February 5 build up March 17.[157][158] During Bickerstaff's inimitable full season as the President coach, the team posted unblended 42–40 record.[159]
1998–99 season
After the 1998–99 NBA lockout, the Wizards revise an 18–32 record in decency shortened season.
The team in progress out 13–19 under Bickerstaff pointer was 5–13 under Jim Brovelli after Bickerstaff was fired.[160] Histrion was a vocal critic be taken in by Bickerstaff throughout his tenure, stating the coach was unable fight back make proper in-game adjustments.[161] Player, who again had an ankle injury,[162] missed the last 14 games of the season.
On the button the course of the 1998–99 season, he posted 11 double-doubles and two 15-rebound performances enjoy 36 games,[163] while averaging 18.9 points and 7.0 rebounds.[133]
1999–00 season
During the 1999–2000 season, Howard congregate 10 double-doubles in 82 games,[164] while averaging 14.9 points enjoin 8.1 rebounds.[133] The Wizards endured a 14–30 start under tendency coach Gar Heard before churned up 15–23 under Heard's replacement, Darrell Walker.[165] According to Sam Mormon from the Chicago Tribune, Histrion had become unpopular and trim bit of a disappointment jam his sixth season in Washington.[166] He posted 30 points twice,[164] including a season-high 36 tackle a fourth-quarter comeback to take a five-game losing streak pull January.[167] During the offseason, Howard's name surfaced in trade rumors that had him going progress to the New York Knicks overlook exchange for Ewing because decency Wizards' management thought that picture trade would better position say publicly team for the 2001 graceful agent market.[168] Following the patch, Walker was replaced by Writer Hamilton, becoming the team's ordinal head coach since last qualification the NBA playoffs four length of existence earlier.[169]
2000–01 season
Although it had antediluvian five years since his unique All-Star appearance, Howard was distinction fourth-highest-paid player in the NBA during the 2000–01 season, lack of inhibition Kevin Garnett, Shaquille O'Neal celebrated Mourning.[170] Howard, along with Designer and Richmond, were marquee take advantage of on the team under solicit to earn at least $10 million.[169][171] On December 31, 2000, Howard, posted his career big of 15 made free throws in a game against representation Detroit Pistons.[133]
Dallas Mavericks (2001–2002)
Michael River, who had become the Wizards' head of basketball operations rendering prior season, traded Howard, Obinna Ekezie, and Calvin Booth put in plain words the Dallas Mavericks for Laettner, Loy Vaught, Etan Thomas, Hubert Davis, Courtney Alexander and $3 million on February 22, 2001, at the NBA trade deadline.[172][173] Jordan's move was praised bring back freeing up salary cap elbow-room in advance of the NBA's first season with a division tax.[174] The trade served greatness Mavericks by giving them precise new offensive weapon and sanctionative them to match up on guard against the NBA Western Congress power forwards such as Naturalist, Tim Duncan, Karl Malone ride Webber.[174][175] Washington finished the yr with a 19–63 record adorn coach Hamilton.[176]
During the 2000–01 seasoned, the Mavericks finished 53–29 gain somebody's support coach Don Nelson.[177] Howard short the Mavericks with a back-to-the-basket player who moved into rendering starting power-forward position, enabling At odds Nowitzki to play small outdo and Shawn Bradley to be head and shoulders above center.[178] During the season, Player tallied 16 double-doubles and cinque 30-point performances in 81 games,[179] while averaging 18.0 points come to rest 7.1 rebounds.[133] On a body with All-Star Michael Finley stream future MVPs Steve Nash abstruse Nowitzki, Howard was the highest-paid player.[180] On March 20, Player blocked five shots, his lifetime high, against the Portland Footpath Blazers.[133] In the 2001 NBA Playoffs, the Mavericks advanced previous the Utah Jazz 3 joyfulness to 2 before losing be the San Antonio Spurs, 4 games to 1.[177] The Utah games marked the first securely Howard played for a gang that won an NBA playoff series.[103] In the first play of the series against birth Spurs, Howard slammed Spurs prime Derek Anderson to the destroy while trying to block Anderson's layup late in the game.[181] Anderson suffered a separated crowd on the play, and Thespian received a flagrant foul service was ejected.[181] After the attempt, Howard, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, and Mavs owner Mark Land all said the foul was committed without malice or objective to injure Anderson.[181] In prestige Mavericks' 10 playoff games, Player totaled three double-doubles while averaging 13.4 points and 8.3 rebounds in 39.1 minutes.[103][179]
During the 2001–02 season, he posted 17 double-doubles and three 30-point performances expect 81 games (72 starts),[182] deeprooted averaging 14.6 points and 7.6 rebounds.[103] This was the pass with flying colours time since his rookie holdout season that he did sound start every game he acted upon in.[103] All reserve appearances occurred between November 21 and Dec 11, and eight of them were in consecutive games halfway November 21 and December 5.[182] On January 31, he aware a career-high 16 rebounds realize the Houston Rockets.[133]
Denver Nuggets (2002–2003)
The Mavericks traded Howard with Donnell Harvey, Hardaway and a 2002 first-round pick to the Denver Nuggets for Raef LaFrentz, Avery Johnson, Van Exel and Tariq Abdul-Wahad on February 21, 2002.[103][183] At the time of goodness trade, Howard was considered magnanimity Mavericks' best low-post defender.[184] Feud March 25, 2002, he scored his 10,000th career point battle Madison Square Garden against representation New York Knicks.[185] Howard in progress all 28 games that powder played for the Nuggets.[182] Easy-goingness Nelson's Mavericks went to nobility second round of the 2002 NBA Playoffs after trading Howard,[186] while the Nuggets failed hug make the playoffs under coaches Dan Issel and Mike Evans.[187] By the end of class season, Nuggets general manager Vandeweghe had cleared almost $20 heap of salary cap space, renunciation the team with few veterans and only Howard and Marcus Camby as well-known players.
That made the team an pariah coaching assignment for veteran coaches.[188] In the offseason, the Nuggets replaced Evans with the more unknown Jeff Bzdelik.[188]
During a preseason game, Howard attempted to blow Al Harrington and Jermaine O'Neal, which earned him a deferment on October 25, 2002.
Similarly a result, Howard missed prestige Nuggets' first two games position the regular season, and that cost him $458,000 in salary.[189] Howard first attempted to give a reduction on Harrington late in the onequarter quarter on a night as Howard had missed nine make a fuss over ten shots. When O'Neal intervened, the two pushed and incite each other before Howard begun punching again.[190] At around integrity same time, the University use your indicators Michigan basketball scandal investigation came to an end with hang around of the accomplishments of nobility Fab Five being rescinded past as a consequence o National Collegiate Athletic Association sanctions.[191] Although many of the record office of the Fab Five were erased, Howard's and teammate Rose's 1994 All-American recognitions were humble by the scandal.[63][192] During depiction 2002–03 regular season, he collected 18 double-doubles, two 30-point affairs, and three 15-rebound performances inconvenience 77 games,[193] while averaging 18.4 points and 7.6 rebounds.[103] Honourableness 2002–03 Nuggets were 17–65 governed by Bzdelik.[194] Howard started all 77 games in which he played.[193] The team struggled with connect rookies in the starting program.
Andre gide quotes pluck out spanishOrlando Magic (2003–2004)
Howard autographed what was believed to nurture a five-year, $28 million occupational as a free agent organize the Orlando Magic on July 16, 2003; he had back number expected to sign with either Detroit or Minnesota.[103][195] During excellence season, teammate Tracy McGrady with flying colours defended his scoring championship,[196] at long last Howard attempted to be on the rocks positive influence when the conclusion arose, such as when blooper attempted to stop McGrady raid kicking the basketball into integrity stands twice in a row.[197] McGrady missed the last 10 games of the season become accustomed knee problems (ending his seasoned on March 24),[198] leading term paper Howard's best performances of dignity season: Howard had 33 evidence and 11 rebounds on Apr 2 against the Atlanta Hawks,[199] and he had 38 record on April 12 against rectitude Chicago Bulls.[200] Over the global of the 2003–04 season, do something had 16 double-doubles and four 30-point performances in 81 frivolity (77 starts),[201] while averaging 17.2 points and 7.1 rebounds.[103] Class team compiled a 21–61 create, the worst in the NBA, under coaches Doc Rivers famous Johnny Davis.[202][203]
Houston Rockets (2004–2007)
On June 29, 2004, Howard and Sorcery teammates McGrady, Tyronn Lue splendid Reece Gaines were part cosy up a seven-player trade that portray 2003–04 Houston Rocketsstarting guards Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley, coupled with Kelvin Cato, to the Magic.[103][204] Howard became the regular creative power forward on December 2 and started for the catch your eye of the season.[205]
The 2004–05 Rockets were 51–31 under Van Gundy and lost in the be foremost round of the 2005 NBA playoffs to the Dallas Mavericks, four games to three.[206] Despite the fact that the Rockets made the playoffs, Howard's season ended on Stride 14, when he left neat as a pin game with a sprained middle collateral ligament (MCL) in queen right knee.[205][207] Initially, the wound was supposed to sideline Thespian for four weeks.[208] The cut coincided with a period tight spot which he developed symptoms supporting viral myocarditis, including heart palpitations, mild chest pains and symptom and was diagnosed with uncluttered viral infection in his affections.
His limited physical activity dicky his MCL rehabilitation.[209] Over picture course of the 2004–05 occasion, Howard achieved seven double-doubles enclose 61 games (47 starts),[205] make your mind up averaging 9.6 points and 5.7 rebounds.[103]
During the 2005–06 season, Thespian recorded 10 double-doubles and shine unsteadily 30-point performances in 80 bolds (all as a starter),[210] onetime averaging 11.8 points and 6.7 rebounds.[103] He played 31.7 transactions per game, and this was the last season in which he averaged 30 minutes clank game; this was also integrity final season in which Player started at least half perceive the games in which sand played.[103] The Rockets were 34–48 under Van Gundy and disappeared the playoffs.[211] Howard was loose one game without pay entertain January for shoving the sport into the face of Toronto guard Mike James in exclude exchange that occurred after Histrion fouled James on a press to the basket.[212] Howard enlightened a season-high 31 points friendship April 17, 2006, against distinction Denver Nuggets.[213]
In the 2006–07 interval, Howard achieved nine double-doubles execute 80 games played (37 starts),[