Washington Wizards: Dwight Howard, the piece the Wizards were missing

The Washington Wizards introduced Dwight Howard to the media on Monday. The athletic big had the room laughing while also detailing what he will bring to the court for the 2018-19 NBA season.

On Monday, the Washington Wizards introduced Dwight Howard to the media and the public. As their newest member, the 8-time All-Star dazzled in his press conference.

As he began to speak, I thought, “Oh my gosh, that’s what Washington was missing last season.”

Throughout the year, I couldn’t put my hand on what was missing from this team, that just the season before had been one game away from their conference finals.

The Wizards were not having fun last season. The 2017-18 roster was the same from the 2016-17 campaign. But something was amiss. It had nothing to do with John Wall missing almost half the season, because he was ready for prime time once the playoffs rolled around.

Not even losing to sub-500 teams. No matter what the Wizards did in 2016-17, one could find humor or a silver lining. There was the Bradley Beal flop, whereby a defender may have just looked in Beal’s direction, and the shooting guard would draw a foul.

Or when the team dressed in all black before a Celtics matchup. Even when Wall had words with Jae Crowder, or Beal smirking while Marcus Smart is trying to reach him in the melee.

The team was competing and having fun. No matter what happened off the court, in the locker room, once they stepped between those four lines, the 2016-17 Wizards were a brotherhood.

They had each other’s back, win or lose. We were all there for the ride.

But then the 2017-18 NBA season rolled around, they stopped having fun — win or lose. Usually when drafting a recap or article, I could put in a humorous tidbit for the readers. Something that we could all laugh at as #DCFamily. But there was no humor last season.

It appeared as if the Wizards were two teams, that they were fighting against themselves. Even when Markieff Morris would sit on the scorer’s table instead of the bench after being in foul trouble, there wasn’t my usual joke. Scoring tables are for winners.

The team was no longer having fun. That was the difference between the last two seasons.

Then a breath of fresh air blew into Washington on Monday. Dwight Howard’s smile lit up the room, or my phone (as I was watching it online).

Coach Scott Brook said, that he talked to others about Howard, and they remarked that he is competitive and plays hard.

Brooks added, that Howard has something that he’s never had before — playing with two All-Stars in their prime. Plus, Otto Porter, Jr., who’s the glue guy.

Brooks noted that the Wizards want to play fast next season, and Howard provides them the opportunity to do so. Especially, since he’s the best rebounder in the league. While it’s Brooks job to make it all work.

Howard said, that Wall contacted him and asked, “Do you want to come to DC?” The center ‘never had a guy like Wall as a point guard, and that’s no disrespect to former teammates.’

The most poignant thing Howard said, is that it’s “important that you enjoy what you do. Don’t let anyone or anything steal my joy”.

Howard’s main job in Washington — defense. Rebounding, setting screens and blocking shots.

He still has the cape from the 2008 NBA Slam Dunk contest, and he may dust it off.

Whether he wears the cape again it doesn’t matter. What blew into Washington was laughter and a competitive nature. If the Wizards can bottle that up, they have already won half the battle.