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5 worst starters of the Orlando Magic’s Dwight Howard era

By Harrison Brown

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 13: Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic walks off the court during the game against the Miami Heat at Amway Center on March 13, 2012 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 13: Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic walks off the court during the game against the Miami Heat at Amway Center on March 13, 2012 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
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Kelvin Cato, Orlando Magic, Yao Ming, Houston Rockets
The Orlando Magic used Dwight Howard as a power forward and leaned on shot blocker Kelvin Cato as his first frontcourt partner. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

5 worst starters of the Orlando Magic’s Dwight Howard era

Kelvin Cato (2005-06)

50 starts, 6.1 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 1.1 BPG

Dwight Howard’s early years in the starting lineup looked much different. This is because he was the starting power forward for the first two seasons of his NBA career.

The Orlando Magic acquired Kelvin Cato in the Tracy McGrady trade and found himself starting his first year with the organization. His job was to protect the rim and grab rebounds.

The roster was clearly going through turnover after Orlando could not compete in the Eastern Conference and began retooling after dealing away their star player. Cato was a stable starter and had the fourth-most appearances in the starting lineup this season behind Steve Francis, Grant Hill and Dwight Howard.

Cato was second on the team in rebounds per game behind Howard and also contributed 1.3 blocks per game. The two of them formed a formidable duo averaging 3.0 blocks per game and led the Magic to 11th in the NBA in blocked shots.

Even though Cato started, he only averaged the seventh-most minutes on the roster that season and did not contribute much on the offensive end.

He only shot 4.8 shots per game which was 10th on the team, but that was not his job. The Magic had a successful offensive season in Howard’s rookie year and averaged 99.5 points per game. That was ninth in the NBA.

The team had offensive weapons but needed someone to do the intangibles, and that was Cato. He was a mentor for Howard at 30 years old when Orlando acquired him.

But his 6.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per contest were not enough to prove he could be a long-term starter. He played similarly to Howard as a back-to-the-basket player. Spacing was not a thing in the NBA at the time.

Cato was excellent at running the floor during fast break situations for easy finishes at the basket, but so was Howard. Their games were too similar for Cato to remain a focus on the team.

The 2006 season was Cato’s last with the Magic as he struggled with a shoulder injury that kept him out most of the season. He managed to suit up in 23 games and came off the bench the entire season.

At the trade deadline, he was traded to the Detroit Pistons along with a first-round pick for Darko Milicic and Carlos Arroyo.