Heyyyy world!!! Hope you all had a good Christmas!!! Mine got started off bad with that ugly loss that we had against the Celtics, but it got better. I got to spend Christmas night with my son and it was so much fun watching him tear open presents.
We actually had a couple of days off after the Celtics game. It was the first time since camp started that we’ve had two days in a row off with no practice or game. I think that will help us sort of re-charge our batteries for this big stretch of games that we have coming up.
People ask me all of the time who I looked up to as a player when I was a kid. Ya’ll are gonna think this is crazy, but it was actually Wilt Chamberlain. I know he stopped playing before I was even born, but I’ve read all about him and watched highlights of him. He was, without question, the coolest big man of all time. I actually have an old article about Wilt in my locker right now and I sometimes read about him before games.
I just loved the way that Big Wilt dominated games. He changed how teams played the game and he changed how big men played the game. The paint used to real narrow, but they had to widen it because of him. He would just stand in the paint and score, so they had to change the lane and they had to change how people blocked shots because he would just go up and block every shot.
I’ve read up on Wilt and he they would just throw the ball up to him and nobody could stop him. He was so dominant that they had to change the rules for him. You know you are good when they have to change the rules to stop you.
He was unbelievable, he was talented and he was a people person. He had it all that you would want in a great player and a role model. I read up on him just because ever since I was little I’ve always admired him. One of my coaches in high school always told me that I could run and jump just like Chamberlain. And when we were in Philly last year a guy came up to me and told me that I reminded him of Chamberlain and he had played against him. To me that was a huge compliment.
I read Wilt’s book and Bill Russell’s books and those are the only two basketball books ever written that I have read. I just love those guys and want to pattern my career after theirs.
Well, I’m gonna bust up outta here. We play Milwaukee tonight and then we’re on the road for three games in Minnesota, Chicago and Indiana. It wouldn’t be a holiday if the Magic weren’t playing. We’ve already played on Thanksgiving and Christmas, and now we’ve got New Year’s Day, too. But it’s all good. Ya’ll be safe on New Yr’s.
—D-12
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Tags: 2010 NBA Season, Bill Russell, Dwight Howard Blog, Wilt Chamberlain
YO D12
Thanks for making me like basketball again. I love your game and your team and when im at the games or watching it at home or at a bar Im proud of my Orlando Magic
Now you and that little midget need to show the world and get that ring
also i got a new slogan
instead of shaqs “win one for the king”
how about D12 “dunk on the king”
Have you read the Russell vs. Chamberlain chapter in Bill Simmons’ book? Worth checking out.
Glad you a great Christmas after all the loss : )
Thats amazing how you can see worth in those that most people wouldnt. You are an amazing person and player and one day there will someone who has grown in to basketball that sees your worth like you see Wilt’s. Thank you for being so positive… and I will be safe on New Years! Going to church!!! Have a great New Years : )
Hi Dwight, thats nice you got a little chill time with the Fam…especially your son…you have been quiet…
That was a tough loss against the Celtics..but you did win the first game you played with them…sometimes its just like that where they play better…its a whole new ball game when the playoffs start..the teams are more intense..and the focus is that ring….
We love you have a great game tonight…
Like Wilt, you’re making some changes in the NBA yourself. You’re such a good player and (in my opinion) still making progress. You will dominate just like he did. The Best Is Yet To Come! Have A Great Game Tonight! A Safe Road Trip And A Very Happy New Year!!!
Dwight,
I am beyond excited for you to be here in MN (where I live) on New Years day. I know as a NBA player that has got to be hard to be away from your family during all the holidays and working. But when b-dall is in your heart and you have a passion as strong as yours it makes it ok. I know your family loves and supports you so I bet they have special celebrations just for you since your always away…I know I would. I’m waiting for my Magic “Game Time” T-shirt to arrive and i’m overly excited thinking about meeting you and seeing you play. Wilt C is a awesome role model, you got a old soul so I knew you would go old school : ) but remember to keep your image positive because a lot of people look to you as a role model as well. MN will welcome you with open arms…can’t wait…thinking about making a sign : )
I guess you haven’t read The Book of Basketball. You might slightly diminish your opinion of him.
Dwight I am glad that you had a good Christmas.I take more pleasure in giving my teenagers gifts than in myself.I always tell people do not buy me anything I will buy what I want.You are so humble.You are already a role model to many people and you will be a legend in your own right.Happy New Year.I am sorry that you have to come to all of this bad weather for your holiday so be careful.
[...] See the original post: My idol, Wilt Chamberlain [...]
Dwight you will be a legend. You will go down as one of the greats.I enjoy watching my 2 teens with their gifts more than I do myself.I tell people not to buy me gifts I will buy what I want.Be careful. Have a Happy New Year.Hope to hear from you during the holiday.I look forward to hearing from you.I just bought the G1 phone and it erased my last comment.I think!
Can’t wait for the game tonight Dwight!!! You should be proud of yourself, I think you are a great role model for thousands of fans and I am proud to say that you play for the great city of Orlando!! My basketball role model is Pistol Pete Maravich. You should watch his movie, it will inspire any basketball player. Good Luck tonight!!
I want the Magic to win tonight…..just take it easy on the Bucks though… Milwaukee shout-out (Redd, Bell, Gadzuich)!!!
HEY BABY IM GLAD THAT YOU GOT TO ENJOY YOUR CHRISTMAS AND GET A GREAT ENDING OUT OF A NOT SO GOOD BEGINING THAT WAS A PRETTY BAD LOSS TO WATCH ESPECIALLY FOR ME WITH ALL OF MY FAM WATCHING CRACKING JOKES AT ME FOR ROOTING FOR YOU BUT WHATEV YOUR MY BEA I LUV YA AND I GOT YOUR BACK WIN OR LOOSE BOO.
GOOD LUCK TONIGHT—-LETS GO MAGICS!!!!!!
Glad you had a great xmas with the family. I hope you have a good new year. May God Bless you!
Dwight,
I love the way you play the game, although I wish you’d demand the ball more.
As a fan of the game, though, I think you’re a bit off about Chamberlain. Firstly, it wasn’t because of him the lane was expanded; it was because of George Mikan, who used to set up camp in the lane (complete with fire, tent and ’smores). Secondly, Chamberlain was traded multiple times during his prime by teams that could no longer stand playing with him (and if you eventually read Bill Simmons’ “Book of Basketball,” you’ll discover when the Lakers had a shot at getting him in the mid-60s, both Jerry West and Elgin Baylor shot the idea down). And lastly, Wilt literally “wilted” in big game situations.
You also mention that he was a great role model — I don’t know about you, but a man who brags about sleeping with 20,000 women is not the kind of man I want my children emulating. I know you are a passionate Christian man, so I’m pretty sure you agree with me about that.
In terms of his work ethic, skill set, and natural ability, though, Chamberlain set a standard for many athletes, especially during an era when there wasn’t nearly as much focus on training as there is today.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, though. You are quite articulate, thoughtful, and your exhuberance and excitement for basketball — and life — is both refreshing and contagious. (And I say all of this as a die-hard Lakers fan!)
When I read what you wrote about Chamberlain here, I dont even know this guy but I thought about you…..
Because to me, you are unbelievable, talented and a people person!!!
Just like him:)
I am coming to see your game in the arena tonite, so I will see you in like 4hrs!!!!
I cannot wait to see your play and make me happy!!!!!
I <3 you, and lets go MAGIC!!!!!!!!!!!
Good Luck on your road trip…take care of business!
I would hope that you would model more of your game after Bill Russell since he won 11 NBA Championships. He was a great teammate and Wilt, not so much. Wilt was also a coach killer.
hey Dwight, good luck vs Minnesota….. like you’ll need it. haha. But Im goin to see you play in Minnesota. Look for me courtside.
Good Luck, Be Safe
HOHO~~~~You are My Idol!!!!!
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