PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Dwight Howard is without question the best backup center the Sixers have had during the Joel Embiid era. However, his reliability in giving Embiid a spill has come with a tendency toward technical fouls — 15 to be exact. If Howard gets one more during the remaining 11 regular season games, e will be levied a one-game suspension.
He’s not happy that he’s picked up 15 techs, but he says he believes he’s been targeted this season.
"I do feel like I’m being targeted every night," Howard said after the Sixers' 121-90 blowout of the Oklahoma City Thunder — a game in which Howard did not receive a tech.
He felt Monday night was an outlier compared to the rest of the season, joking, "I changed colognes. That pretty much helped tonight."
But Howard is a 35-year-old veteran who’s been humbled enough to change his game from a relied-upon superstar — mostly during his days with the Orlando Magic — to a savvy, veteran role player, leader and champion. Witness his place on the 2020 title-winning Los Angeles Lakers.
Howard recognizes he has to be smarter, especially during the upcoming playoffs, and even had a hilarious message for NBA referees who have liked to "T" him up for a variety of things — whether it’s disagreeing with a call or with his extracurricular activity with the Lakers' Montrezl Harrell last month.
"I love you," Howard said to any ref listening. "I apologize for whatever it was. Let’s hug. Let’s meditate."
At this point in his career, Howard is well aware of the style of game he plays.
"I came from an old-school basketball, so I like to talk trash, I like to hit people, I like to push people hands down," Howard said. "It’s not like I’m doing it to be malicious, but it’s how I play. It’s Philly basketball, so can’t help it."
But Howard also said he needs to hold himself accountable, as his goal is to help the Sixers do what he accomplished last season: win a championship.
"I want all the Philly fans to know that I’m out there giving 130% every night."