Right now there is no bigger story in the NBA than Dwight Howard’s eventual landing spot, either permanently in a city or at least for the next season. He is the hottest available commodity in the NBA, which is all in spite of the back surgery he had this past off season, and his diva status is one that has put a bad taste in quite a few people’s mouths.
Like LeBron and the decision to go to Miami, collectors have not necessarily given up on Howard as someone they like to collect. Personally, I would have a tough time rooting for someone who is acting the way he has over the last couple of seasons, but I understand why people like him the way they do. He is an exciting player with elite talent, regardless of his attitude off the court. He should not have given up on his team the way he did, opting to have the surgery when his team needed him, but he does play above the rim better than anyone.
Check out these prices:
Dwight Howard Exquisite Rookie Patch Auto /99
04/05 Dwight Howard / Lebron James Upper Deck Dual Auto BGS 9.5
04/05 Dwight Howard Exquisite Jumbo Patch Auto BGS 9.5
04/05 Dwight Howard Exquisite Jumbo Patch Auto #2
Howard’s cards have been crazy expensive since the beginning, given that he was the number one pick in the draft. However, since his dunk contest win, superman cape in tow, his popularity hit the stratosphere. Collectors chase the high flying dunkers more than they do players like Tim Duncan or Dirk Nowitzki, and its because the attraction is always to the dunks over the great shooters. Look at baseball. Both chicks and collectors dig the long ball, and if a player cant sock some dingers, they are rarely valuable. In the NBA, if you aren’t an exciting dunker, it rarely equates to long term value in the US, as well as overseas.
As his situation shakes out, either by him moving to Brooklyn or Los Angeles, both are a better following than what he already has in Orlando. As a mid market team with little to no potential to drive massive amounts of fandom their way, a culture change is definitely necessary to be more valuable in the hobby. He has achieved his top value in Orlando, and I know there are a lot of collectors waiting for the move to happen, all so they can cash in on his new fans.
Unlike some of the previous crop of talented big men, Howard is still quite young. That should give him adequate time to build his career a la LeBron, and also enough time to get more fans in his new setting. Its unusual for a guy like him to not be valuable in places that make a difference, like China and Japan, and I think that having a larger exposure in bigger markets can be a huge win for collectors everywhere.