Dwight Howard vs Andre Drummond

In the midfield world of the NBA, Dwight Howard and Andre Drummond are two players who stand out for their best games on both sides of the court. Both are known for exceptional rebounding, shot-blocking and interior presence, but they differ in their careers in terms of accomplishments and style of play This article compares these two veterans at key points in their careers.

Career Overview

Dwight Howard

Eight-time NBA All-Star, three-time Defensive Player of the Year and NBA champion Dwight Howard is widely regarded as one of the strongest centers of his generation and began his career with the Orlando Magic, where he made an immediate impact with his shot-blocking and rebounding skills. Howard has played for various teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers, where he won the 2020 title.

Key Achievements:

  • 8-time NBA All-Star
  • 3-time Defensive Player of the Year
  • NBA Champion (2020)

Andre Drummond

Known for his rebounding prowess, Andre Drummond is a two-time All-Star and has led the league in rebounding multiple times. Drummond’s style focuses more on the paint with rebounds and defensive presence. He’s been a lesser scorer than Howard but still had a big impact, especially during his time with the Detroit Pistons.

Key Achievements:

  • 2-time NBA All-Star
  • 4-time NBA rebounding leader

Head-to-Head Comparison

Points Scored

Howard holds the lead over Drummond in points per game (PPG) in their head-to-head games. In 14 games, Howard averaged 12.4 points, while Drummond averaged 12.6 points in their meetings.

PlayerPPG (Head-to-Head)
Dwight Howard12.4
Andre Drummond12.6

Rebounds

Rebounding is key to both players’ games, but generally Drummond’s rebounding numbers have been more consistent. In their 14 meetings, Drummond is averaging 12.8 rebounds, slightly more than Howard’s 9.5

PlayerRPG (Head-to-Head)
Andre Drummond12.8
Dwight Howard9.5

Defense (Blocks and Steals)

Known for his shot-blocking, and holding ability, Howard is in blocks per game compared to Drummond. Howard averaged 1.9 blocks per game, while Drummond averaged fewer blocks. Both players are good rim protectors, but Howard’s defensive presence has earned him plenty of accolades in his career.

PlayerBPG (Head-to-Head)
Dwight Howard1.9
Andre Drummond1.4

Career Achievements Comparison

AspectDwight HowardAndre Drummond
NBA Championships1 (2020 with Los Angeles Lakers)0
All-Star Games82
Defensive Player of the Year30
Rebounding Titles54

Playing Styles

Dwight Howard’s Style

Howard’s style of play has evolved over the years. He was a force in the paint when he showed up, leaning on his athletic ability, strength and defensive prowess. He excelled in pick-and-roll situations and was solid at the rim. His ability to block shots and deflect opponents’ efforts made him one of the most feared players in the NBA at a young age.

As his career has progressed, Howard has become a more prominent player, particularly in the Lakers’ second season, where he played limited minutes but contributed at key moments during the 2020 championship run

Andre Drummond’s Style

Drummond is known as a traditional center who excels in rebounding and defensive presence. His offensive game relies heavily on putbacks, dunks and close-range shots, while his rebounding ability is one of the best in NBA history. While not as much of an offensive threat as Howard, Drummond’s consistent rebounding has been valuable to many teams over the years.

Unlike Howard, Drummond hasn’t stretched much beyond the paint, and has struggled with free throw shooting throughout his career, though he has tried to improve this aspect over time

Playoff Success

Dwight Howard

Compared to Drummond, Howard has had more playoff success. His deep playoff run included taking the Orlando Magic to the NBA Finals in 2009 and winning an NBA Championship with the Lakers in 2020. His playoff experience and ability to work around crucial moments importance in all his work.

Andre Drummond

Drummond, on the other hand, has limited playoff experience. His teams have generally struggled to make deep playoff runs, and Drummond has yet to have a signature postseason performance. His impact is seen regularly during the regular season, especially through his rebounding dominance.

Who is Better?

  • Dwight Howard: If the criteria are championships, defensive accolades, and overall impact, Howard is the more accomplished player.
  • Andre Drummond: For consistent rebounding dominance and impact on the boards, Drummond is the superior player in that specific aspect.

Ultimately, both players have made significant contributions to the NBA, with Howard’s career being more decorated due to his versatility and ability to perform in critical moments. Drummond’s rebounding abilities, however, make him one of the best in NBA history in that department.

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