Why Dwight Howard compares his role to a policeman

Dwight HowardThe defensive dominance wasn’t just due to athletic ability. One of the greatest players in Orlando Magic franchise history and three-time Defensive Player of the Year recently revealed the personal inspiration behind his rim-protecting mentality, drawing a direct comparison to his father’s career in law enforcement.

During a conversation with Andy Katz on The Sideline, Howard explained how his father’s profession shaped his approach to defense.

“My dad was a police officer, you know, so his job was always to protect, protect and serve. That’s what police officers were supposed to do, so for me, you know, my job was to protect and serve on the ground,” Howard said.

From my conversation with @Hoophall Dwight Howard for @SidelinewithAK: https://t.co/h8jvUS1V1n

— Andi Katz (@TheAndiKatz) October 24, 2025

The former Magic star took that philosophy and ran with it throughout his 18-year NBA career. He wanted to protect his teammates while entertaining the fans with his signature dunks and blocks.

“I want to protect my teammates and I’m going to serve the crowd with a good dunk, a good street shot, a good block and a good smile, you know,” Howard explained.

That mindset has led Howard to become one of the league’s most feared defensive anchors. He won Defensive Player of the Year three years in a row from 2009 to 2011, the only player to accomplish that feat.

“I wanted to become one of the best defenders in history and that, you know, just brought the will and the determination to never let anybody get into my paint, get into my teammates’ paint, but also dominate,” Howard noted.

The numbers back up his claims. Howard led the NBA in rebounding five times and blocks twice during his prime in Orlando. He averaged 11.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game during his career while leading the Magic to the 2009 Finals.

Howard ended up winning an NBA championship with the Lakers in 2020, bringing that same defensive intensity to the bubble in Orlando. His father’s influence clearly left a lasting mark on how he viewed his role on the field.

Dwight Howard was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame in 2025, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest defensive players ever. Howard recently ventured into acting and businesssigned with Innovative Artists Entertainment.