Dwight Howard will not be adding a Dancing With the Stars championship to his 2020 NBA championship. The former NBA player was eliminated in a recent episode, marking a significant moment as it coincided with the 500th episode of the series. The theme of this episode centered around the show's history, with couples paying tribute to memorable performances while incorporating their own unique styles into their dances.
An additional layer of challenge was introduced in the form of an instant dance segment, where competitors had only five minutes to learn the dance style and song before performing. Despite the effort, Howard and his partner Daniella Karagach were unable to impress the judges sufficiently, resulting in his departure from the competition as the combined scores from the judges and live voting led to his elimination. Meanwhile, other notable athletes in the competition, such as Olympic rugby player Ilona Maher and partner Alan Bersten, secured their place in the next round, alongside Olympic gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik with partner Rylee Arnold and former NFL wide receiver Danny Amendola with partner Witney Carson.
Social media reactions to Howard's exit varied, reflecting a spectrum of opinions on his performance and sportsmanship. While some expressed surprise at Howard's better-than-expected performance, others criticized the scores he received, suggesting they did not accurately reflect his dance abilities. Ultimately, Howard's efforts were not enough to continue in the competition, but his impressive career accolades, including an NBA championship, three Defensive Player of the Year awards, eight All-NBA selections, and eight All-Star Game nods, remain as a testament to his athletic prowess.
