In the 2010-11 NBA season, Dwight Howard looked to once again lead the Orlando Magic to success. The team finished the season with a 52-30 record, earning them a fourth-place finish in the Eastern Conference.
Howard’s performance in the regular season was once again excellent. He averaged 22.9 points, 14.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.4 steals, and 2.4 blocks per game while shooting 59.3% from the field. He finished second in the MVP voting behind Derrick Rose.
Howard was named to the All-NBA First Team for the third consecutive year and the All-Defensive First Team for the fifth consecutive year. He became the first player since Ben Wallace in 2004 to lead the league in rebounds and blocks per game in the same season.
In the playoffs, the Magic faced the Atlanta Hawks in the first round. Howard’s play continued to be dominant, averaging 27.0 points, 15.5 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks per game in the six-game series. The Magic won their third consecutive first-round playoff series.
In the second round, the Magic faced the Boston Celtics. Howard’s excellent play did not waver, averaging 27.0 points, 15.5 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game in the five-game series. However, the Magic were swept by the Celtics, ending their playoff run.
Off the court, Howard was once again selected to play on the United States National Team at the 2011 FIBA Americas Championship in Argentina, where he helped the team win the gold medal.
In the middle of the season, Howard made headlines when he requested a trade from the Magic. However, he later decided to remain with the team for the remainder of the season.
In conclusion, the 2010-11 NBA season was another remarkable year for Dwight Howard. His dominant play in the regular season and the playoffs once again demonstrated his elite abilities on both ends of the court. Howard’s performance earned him All-NBA First Team and All-Defensive First Team honors for the third and fifth consecutive years, respectively. Although the Magic were swept in the playoffs, Howard’s play was a major reason why the team enjoyed yet another successful season.
