"Choir Boy" is #1 in NBA Draft
New York-AP June 24, 2004-- The Orlando Magic tonight grabbed Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy standout Dwight Howard with the first overall pick in the N-B-A draft.
kltv.com
Dwight Howard’s Faith
By Ryan "Real Deal" McNeill
Jun 12, 2004, 12:28
Dwight Howard has a strong chance of being the top overall selection in this month’s NBA Draft. He’s a 6'10 high school All-American with the kind of physical gifts that NBA scouts drool over. The only things standing in the way of Howard being the first overall selection in this years draft is Emeka Okafur (or Tracy McGrady).
Okafur is the better known commodity - a 6'9 pitbull from national champion University of Connecticut - but is suffering from back problems which caused him to miss numerous games over the past two seasons.
NBA scouts are under the impression that Okafur has the potential to step in and play at a high level right away, while Howard may need a year or two before he is able to play a prominent role with a NBA team.
The Orlando Magic currently hold the top pick in this summer’s draft, but with McGrady still pouting over a disastrous season and threatening to bounce, logic would dictate that Okafur will be the Magic’s man.
Not so quick!
That perception was shattered a week ago when Howard took a emphatic stand and displayed to hoop addicts around the globe the faith he has in himself.
Through the media Howard personally invited McGrady to his workout with the Magic because he felt he had the talent and ability to help the Magic immediately.
The testicular fortitude of that statement by Howard was immense. Here’s a high school kid who feels he can step up and help change the direction of a franchise. Can you imagine being 18-years old and knowing that you can "save" a floundering NBA franchise?
When you hear Howard talk you can’t help but believe the words that come out of his mouth. Despite being a young man blind to most of the negative things the world can throw at you, when you hear him speak you believe what he has to say. The faith he has in himself is unshakeable.
On Howard’s wall at home hangs Howard’s personal commandments. Among this list of life statements the following "commandments" sticks out - "and it shall (and) will come to pass that Dwight Howard II will surpass LeBron James for the best high school basketball player, college player and NBA player. Amen." and "and it shall (and) will come to pass that Dwight Howard II would stand head and shoulders over 2004 prospects in the name of Jesus. Will he do it? Amen."
What makes Howard so special? How can he be so sure that his commandments will come to fruition?
The kid’s smart (he’s a honours student), he benefited from a late growth spurt (he used to be a guard which explains his advanced perimeter skills) and the kid’s a freak of nature (6'10 tall with great hands and explosive leaping ability).
As a basketball fan, when I hear these kinds boisterous statements I chalk it up to a young athletes ego. With Howard these statements are different. These statement flow from his faith in God.
Howard plans to "raise the name of God within the league and throughout the world." While he is motivated to succeeded on the hardwood, the battle he is really passionate about is winning over fans to his beliefs.
Howard plans to place a black cross over his NBA logo next season. This is a move that may be seen as sacrilegious to some hoop heads (or David Stern), but for Howard it’s just a reminder that some things are bigger than the game of basketball.
"I want to be able to speak to non-Christians so that I can get them saved or change their lives around." Howard told reporters prior to the Roundball Classic in Chicago a few weeks back.
Will Howard be the top pick in this month’s draft? I guess that depends on if he is able to impress McGrady, er, I mean the Orlando Magic with his workout. Amen!
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