Charlotte Hornets: Chris Bosh challenges Dwight Howard

CHARLOTTE, NC - FEBRUARY 25: Dwight Howard
CHARLOTTE, NC - FEBRUARY 25: Dwight Howard

11-time NBA All-Star Chris Bosh has issued a challenge to Charlotte Hornets’ big man Dwight Howard for the rest of the season.

During ESPN’s NBA Countdown show, Jalen Rose, David Fizdale and Chris Bosh discussed the state of the Charlotte Hornets and their chances of making the playoffs this season. They all spoke highly of Kemba Walker and the team but Bosh singled out Dwight Howard. He challenged the big man to lead the Queen City team to the postseason.

The two-time NBA Champion said, “I’m gonna issue a personal challenge to Dwight. He’s got the talent. He’s got that ability that nobody else in the world has and he’s that kind of guy that can take a team like that and get them into the playoffs. I challenge you man. Go ahead and make it happen.”

Even though Charlotte’s sitting at 10th in the Eastern Conference with a 27-33 record, their current form has some optimistic about their chances of making the playoffs. The Hornets are on a four-game win streak and look like a different team coming out of the All-Star Break. Still, they will need to go an incredible run just to have a chance at getting into the postseason.

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Chris also talked about the way Charlotte plays and said that from experience, “They’re going to play physical and they’re going to play hard every night. If you do that in this league, you’re going to have a chance to win.”

Bosh, who is currently a free agent, hasn’t played in the league since the 2015-16 season due to blood clots in his body. Although, he has talked about a potential comeback and at 33-years old, a return to the NBA isn’t out of the question but teams will be hesitant to sign him due to the severity of the blood clots that he previously had.

When asked how likely it is for this side to get into the postseason, the former Memphis Grizzlies’ head coach said that “It’s a likely chance, if they can stay healthy. They defend, they share the ball, they can shoot the ball. Steve Clifford is a heck of a coach. They are playing great right now.”

Here is the full video:

Jalen Rose was the first to point out Dwight Howard’s resurgence this season. Also, he doesn’t think the Detroit Pistons, who sit one spot ahead of the Hornets, will make the postseason because of the absence of Reggie Jackson.

Next: Predicting the second half of the season for Charlotte

Averaging 15.7 PPG, 12.7 and 1.6 BPG, the eight-time all-star has been the Charlotte Hornets’ second best player behind only Kemba Walker this season and one of their only consistent performers. Dwight will likely have to take his game to the next level in order for the team to sneak into the playoffs this year based on the uphill battle that they are fighting in the second half of the season.