Dwight Howard: How These 5 Teams Would Look with Superman

Dwight Howard has not looked like the happiest camper since the season commenced.

Regardless, he hasn't said too much since the offseason and has let his game do the talking on the hardwood.

His averages for this embryonic season are 17 PPG, a Wilt-Chamberlain-esque 17.5 RPG, 3 BPG on 52% shooting.

Stupendous.

However, we know his intention is not to wear the Orlando Magic jersey for too long. Here's a look at how the other most likely candidates for his services would look with him on their team.

Dallas Mavericks

How he gets there?
 
Signs as a free agent in summer 2012
 
PG-Jason Kidd
SG-Jason Terry
SF-Shawn Marion
PF-Dirk Nowitzki
C-Dwight Howard
 
Predicted Record: 56-26
 
Finish: Lose in Conference Semi Finals to Clippers
 
This is not going to be Dallas' 5 if they sign Dwight most probably. For one, a lot of their key players are coming off the books and there's a good chance they'll be replaced.

Most likely we'll see Cuban load up on fresh faces. I think Raymond Felton would be a good fit at point. Maybe Gerald Wallace at the three, with Rodrigue Beaubois starting at shooting guard?
 
I can't predict the front office's mindset if they do get Dwight, hence why I'm just adding him to the current squad. Even with Dirk still going strong the team is just far too old right now. They'd probably get a third seed and go down with a fight in the conference semis.

New Jersey Nets

How he gets there?
 
Sign and trade for Brook Lopez plus picks before the trade deadline if Lopez recovers in time, or in the summer of 2012 if he does not.
 
PG-Deron Williams
SG-Anthony Morrow
SF-Damion Jones
PF-Kris Humhries
C-Dwight Howard
 
Predicted Record: 53-29
 
Finish: Lose in Conference Semis to Heat

Really, this team makes the least sense for Howard in purely basketball terms. This roster is even thinner than Miami's. D-Will and Dwight alone almost guarantee you 50 wins, but not playoff success unless you give them decent role players. New York has managed to put together a starting five with quality at every position around their two superstars. New Jersey doesn't have the flexibility to do so.

Los Angeles Lakers

Three team deal:
 
Houston gets Pau Gasol and Hedo Turkoglu
Orlando gets Andrew Bynum, Kevin Martin, Goran Dragic and picks.
 
Los Angeles gets Luis Scola and Dwight Howard
 
PG-Darius Morris
SG-Kobe Bryant
SF-Devin Ebanks
PF-Luis Scola
C-Dwight Howard
 
Predicted Record: 59-23
 
Finish: Win NBA Title
 
We all know that Mitch Kupchak and the Buss family are not foolish enough to let go of both Bynum AND Gasol just for Howard. That would leave them starting Josh McRoberts full time at the four: a frightening prospect.
 
The solution? Replace New Orleans with Orlando in that infamous cancelled three team deal. This time, the trade exception created by Odom's absence allows the Lakers to integrate Luis Scola, one of the most underrated fours in basketball.
 
This team would be very good, but not a regular season monster good. They would probably let their young guns have more playing time and turn it on in the playoffs.

Considering that Kobe seems to have his legs back I don't think any team would be able to defend Howard and Scola while paying attention to him. There's a plethora of shooters on this team such as Blake, Goudecock, and Fisher. Barnes and Artest provide the perimeter defense necessary as well.
 
It'd be a toss up between this team and the Heat but I think Kobe's resurgence would be the tipping point.

Oklahoma City Thunder

How he gets there?
 
Perkins and Westbrook for Howard.
 
PG-Eric Maynor
SG-James Harden
SF-Kevin Durant
PF-Serge Ibaka
C-Dwight Howard
 
Predicted Record: 66-16
 
Finish: Win NBA Title
 
This team would be flat out unstoppable. Ibaka and Howard, to me, would be reminiscent of Sampson and Olajuwon. Imagine if you add Larry Bird to that team.
 
That's what you have with the Thunder if they get Howard. Harden has showcased the potential to be their primary playmaker, plus he can stretch the floor.
 
They'd have an answer for everything. Miami would give them a good fight in the Finals but nothing would stop this juggernaut.

Chicago Bulls

How he gets there?
 
Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson and Luol Deng for Dwight Howard and Hedo Turkoglu
 
PG-Derrick Rose
SG-Richard Hamilton
SF-Hedo Turkoglu
PF-Carlos Boozer
C-Dwight Howard
 
Predicted Record: 62-20
 
Finish: Win NBA Title
 
Call me crazy for thinking that replacing Noah with Dwight would leave the Bulls with the same record, but the Bulls would probably have to gut their depth for this to happen, evening it out.
 
Other than Rose and Howard, the starting line-up would look older and overall a lot worse without the hard work and defense of Deng and the energy of Noah. The two would have to play huge minutes and it might end up in an ugly Miami-like situation.
 
Make no mistake, linking the league's best point guard and center would ensure dominance but it doesn't guarantee a title any more then their current team. They'd attack the Heat's two weakest positions in a playoff series but the Big Three would score a ton of points as well. Again, its a toss up, and not a guaranteed title like the Lakers.