The Boston Celtics have plenty of history with future Hall of Fame center Dwight Howard. He was a pest on the interior at the beginning of his career with the Orlando Magic, specifically during their 2009 postseason run when the Celtics had no answer for the big man during their semifinals series.
While Howard will no longer be a thorn in the side of Boston fans in NBA action, the former No. 1 overall pick is set to embark on the final season of his professional basketball career -- which will include one last trip to TD Garden this July, as Howard has agreed to join the Los Angeles Riot of the BIG3, per Chris Haynes.
Celtics fans will remember how tough of a matchup Howard was during his heyday with the Magic as Boston had no answer for the big man during that 2009 playoff run. Howard recorded a double-double in each of the seven games in that series with his best performance coming in Game 6 as he finished the Orlando win with 23 points and 22 rebounds in a win over Boston to force a deciding Game 7, which the Magic ultimately won.
This will mark the first season of BIG3 action where teams will represent specific cities throughout the country and Boston is represented by the Ball Hogs, who are coached by former Celtics guard Gary Payton.
Obviously, it is hard to compare to facing off against a longtime foe during an NBA playoff series, but Celtics fans can hold out hope that the city of Boston will come out on top the next time Howard makes his way into Celtics Country.