Why was Dwight Howard not named on NBA 75 team? Which players could he have replaced?

In celebrations of their 75th anniversary, the NBA released a list featuring the 75 greatest players in the league's history. A panel of media members, current and former players, coaches and team executives selected the team. Many players felt they had missed out including former Orlando Magic legend Dwight Howard who was not included in the list. He took to social media and called the NBA "disrespectful" as he did not make the NBA 75 team.

Dwight Howard definitely has a point as his CV looks more like a top 50 player let alone top 75. When ranking his various stats the LA Lakers centre ranks an all-time eighth in field-goal percentage, 11th in rebounds, 13th in blocks, and managed all that being 44th in minutes played.

The question comes down to 'who should Dwight Howard replace on the NBA 75th Anniversary Team?' Well, the first that comes to mind is Paul Arizin, sure he was a great player in his time but Howard is definitely ahead of him. Then there's Damian Lillard, the Trail Blazers legend has only six All-NBA selections to his name and has never reached the NBA Finals so there is no argument that can be made for him being selected over Howard.

Anthony Davis is another player that can be argued about making the list, while he is an incredible player the question is if Howard should replace him? Yes. And here are the stats that say so:

Stat/Accolade	Howard	Davis
All-Star	8	8
All-NBA	8	4
First Team All-NBA	5	4
All-Defensive	5	4
Defensive Player of the Year	3	0
Points (career)	19,118	13,496
Rebounds (career)	14,277	5,780
Blocks (career)	2,192	1,325
Rebounds leader (seasons)	5	0
Blocks leader (seasons)	2	3
NBA Championships	1	1

NBA 75 Team

The names are in alphabetical order. As a result of a tie, the team features 76 players

1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

2. Ray Allen

3. Giannis Antetokounmpo

4. Carmelo Anthony

5. Nate Archibald

6. Paul Arizin

7. Charles Barkley

8. Rick Barry

9. Elgin Baylor

10. Dave Bing

11. Larry Bird

12. Kobe Bryant

13. Wilt Chamberlain

14. Bob Cousy

15. Dave Cowens

16. Billy Cunningham

17. Stephen Curry

18. Anthony Davis

19. Dave DeBusschere

20. Clyde Drexler

21. Tim Duncan

22. Kevin Durant

23. Julius Erving

24. Patrick Ewing

25. Walt Frazier

26. Kevin Garnett

27. George Gervin

28. Hal Greer

29. James Harden

30. John Havlicek

31. Elvin Hayes

32. Allen Iverson

33. LeBron James

34. Magic Johnson

35. Sam Jones

36. Michael Jordan

37. Jason Kidd

38. Kawhi Leonard

39. Damian Lillard

40. Jerry Lucas

41. Karl Malone

42. Moses Malone

43. Pete Maravich

44. Bob McAdoo

45. Kevin McHale

46. George Mikan

47. Reggie Miller

48. Earl Monroe

49. Steve Nash

50. Dirk Nowitzki

51. Hakeem Olajuwon

52. Shaquille O'Neal

53. Robert Parish

54. Chris Paul

55. Gary Payton

56. Bob Pettit

57. Paul Pierce

58. Scottie Pippen

59. Willis Reed

60. Oscar Robertson

61. David Robinson

62. Dennis Rodman

63. Bill Russell

64. Dolph Schayes

65. Bill Sharman

66. John Stockton

67. Isiah Thomas

68. Nate Thurmond

69. Wes Unseld

70. Dwyane Wade

71. Bill Walton

72. Jerry West

73. Russell Westbrook

74. Lenny Wilkens

75. Dominique Wilkins

76. James Worthy

Image: AP