Dwight Howard’s life in Taiwan: Mass brawl, apology and “very disrespectful” request

Former NBA legend Dwight Howard has experienced a tumultuous period in Taiwan since making the unexpected transition.

In Taiwan, Howard became a member of the Taoyuan Leopards after spending 18 years in the NBA, even though he was still a dependable player in his later years in the association.

Howard had a dominant first season on the court, winning the Most Valuable Import Award and registering impressive numbers, despite not being without controversies.

Here’s how he has performed and what he has been up to, Dwight Howard left the NBA to play in Taiwan, as reported by Sport Mirror.

What was the reason for Dwight Howard’s departure from the NBA?

Howard will be remembered as one of the top centers of his generation in the NBA. By securing a championship and earning a spot in eight consecutive All-Star teams, leading a notably weak Orlando Magic squad to an NBA Finals appearance, and achieving the title of Defensive Player of the Year for three consecutive years, Howard is bound to be inducted into the Hall of Fame without a doubt, following his remarkable career.

In the year 2020, the Los Angeles Lakers squad emerged victorious in the NBA championship, and Howard commenced more than 20 games in that position, maintaining a consistent performance. As a player who adapted to specific situations, he primarily served as a substitute for the team’s center and embraced his role, never establishing himself as a reliable offensive player. Howard’s physical abilities diminished over time, negatively impacting his defensive skills in the latter stages of his career in the league.

Having been unsuccessful in securing a contract with a team for the 2022/23 season, Howard made the choice to relocate overseas and accept an opportunity while being associated with the Leopards in Taiwan.

Large Fight

Howard quickly showed that he was the dominant player in the league, registering 38 points, 25 rebounds, and 9 assists in his first game.

Following his participation in a massive altercation, Howard was expelled. Howard was excelling in every aspect, surpassing his opponents and gaining popularity in Taiwan.

Howard’s teammate, Chian Yu-an elbowed an opponent who attempted to defend him, with several teammates rushing towards the two with punches thrown.

Howard was one of the 12 players who was ejected from the game. He initially did not look to be the peacemaker and was not involved in the punches that were thrown, as captured in the images.

Howard subsequently missed numerous important matches after his suspension and ongoing struggle with injuries, resulting in significant losses for the team.

Apology from Taiwan

He is seen as a hero by many fans who choose to join the league and live on the highly speaking island of Howard, where he is annoyed by the locals and named Taiwan.

China continues to assert its sovereignty over Taiwan, despite the fact that Taiwan separated from mainland China in 1949. The issue of Taiwan’s sovereignty remains a highly debated topic, as evidenced by the nearly 400 million hits on the hashtag #HowardTaiwanindependence on the social media platform Weibo, as reported by Reuters.

Howard profusely apologized for his comments, stating that he did not want to get involved in Taiwanese and Chinese culture and politics.

‘Rude’ demand

He recently admitted that he was asked to take a pay cut ahead of the new season, but Howard remains seemingly happy to continue his playing career in Taiwan.

Clearly, Howard was not willing to accept that proposal from his team – a fair point to make after his dominance on-the-court.

“I had a sense of deserving better. I was greatly let down… I had a feeling that I contributed worth to the team. I had a sense that it was highly disrespectful,” he expressed to Taiwanese outlet TVBS News.

Howard completed his initial season with an average of 23 points, 16 boards, and five assists.