Dwight Howard has been working to return to the NBA. To make his point, he frequently inserts his name into discussions about various teams on social media. But he set aside his goals to give the new Lakers coach a shoutout after recently meeting his good friend and former player JJ Redick.
The two were seen enjoying a sincere talk in a brief video that Howard shared on X of their meeting. The 38-year-old reminisced about his early days with JJ, when they were both young hoopers, in the post’s description. As it happens, Redick attempted to entice Howard to attend Duke.
Dwight Howard speaks about JJ Redick
The 6’10 center, however, had other ideas about his career. He chose to forego college in favor of being picked in the NBA. Howard also talked of someday playing with Redick in Orlando and going up against the Lakers in the 2009 Finals—the same club Redick currently coaches.
Howard wrote: “Good seeing you JJ. Talking to you brought back flashbacks of when you told me to come to Duke with you and next thing you know we were competing in the finals against the lakers now you’re the coach. I’m proud of you good luck this season.”
Good seeing you JJ 💪🏾Talking to you brought back flashbacks of when you told me to come to Duke with you and next thing you know we were competing in the finals against the lakers 😮💨 now you’re the coach 🙌🏾 I’m proud of you good luck this season 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/fnIPwpqmz8
— Dwight Howard (@DwightHoward) October 20, 2024
Redick was a five-star recruit and one of the most well-liked high school athletes in the nation by the end of his high school career. He joined Duke in 2002 and was maybe the most charismatic Duke Blue Devil of his time. Redick’s talent was indisputable, even how despised he was during his college years.
The Orlando Magic selected Howard as their first pick in the 2004 NBA Draft. Redick became a teammate of the eight-time All-Star two years later. The Lakers defeated them in five games in the 2009 Finals.
