Who will be the Orlando Magic’s next Basketball Hall of Fame inductee?

Dwight Howard

Although Dwight Howard’s image in Orlando is all but irreparable, he is still arguably the best player in the team’s history. When his time comes, he will be a Hall of Famer too.

If Howard retired today, Basketball-Reference gives him a 99.1 percent chance at induction – better than Steve Nash, Dominique Wilkins, George Gervin, and countless other first ballot shoe-ins. His eight All-Star games, fourteen All-NBA appearances, seven MVP award shares and his sheer volume of career points, blocks and rebounds make it an easy call.

Not to mention, Howard is the only player in the league’s history to win three consecutive Defensive Player of the Year awards.

His rebounding, defense and shot blocking alone would be enough to get him a serious shot at the Hall of Fame (See: Dikembe Mutombo). His prolific scoring just increases his chances at a first-ballot induction.

If Howard misses on his first ballot it will be because of his failure to win a championship.

He is currently signed to a three-year deal with the Atlanta Hawks, who have their work cut out for them if they want to make a serious run in that timeframe. The Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors look set to dominate the Eastern Conference for the next few years, with other franchises like the Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers waiting in the wings.

At the moment, all signs point to the 31-year-old Howard’s championship window closing. But if he can continue to defend at a high level and post impressive rebounding numbers, it might not matter all that much.

The stark lack of rings on Dwight Howard’s fingers and his public image problems could very well keep him from a first ballot induction. But his numbers speak for themselves.