One of Dwight Howard’s many stops during his NBA career was the Houston Rockets, where he played for three seasons starting in 2013.
During that time, he played alongside James Harden, who was doing <a href="https://sports-info.online/2025/01/18/nba/stats-show-how-lebron-james-has-been-dominating-since-turning-40/” title=”Stats Show How LeBron James Has Been Dominating Since Turning 40″>incredible things.
Talking on “7PM In Brooklyn,” Howard opened up about his relationship with Harden and how it didn’t pan out like he expected.
“I thought me and James were gonna work because I felt like he was a younger Kobe with better passing… But I did like playing with James for those first couple of years. Then, after that, I was like, ‘Dang, this dude don’t pass me the ball no more! What did I do to you?’” Howard said, per Legion Hoops.
Dwight Howard on playing with James Harden on the Rockets:
“I thought me and James were gonna work because I felt like he was a younger Kobe with better passing… But I did like playing with James for those first couple of years. Then, after that, I was like, ‘Dang, this dude… pic.twitter.com/XFBbupsZfk
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) January 31, 2025
During his three seasons with the Rockets, Howard averaged 16.0 points and 11.7 rebounds.
Meanwhile, Harden put up 29.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 7.7 assists during his nine seasons in Houston.
Harden was at his peak during that time and constantly in the running for MVP, winning once in 2017-18.
The goal was for Harden and Howard to work together and lead the team to new heights and possibly a championship.
When they joined up together, Howard imagined them both leading the team, but it soon became clear that the Rockets were Harden’s team, and Howard started to feel he didn’t have a lot of space to grow and flourish.
Following his stay with the Rockets, Howard moved on to the Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, and Philadelphia 76ers.
Rockets fans fondly remember this period for the team, although they also wish the squad would have achieved more.
Howard and Harden didn’t work out as planned, and it sounds like there may still be bad blood between them.
NEXT: Rockets Are Showing Interest In Trading For Trail Blazers Veteran
