Dwight Howard says PH Strong Group team can beat Pistons

Strong Group PH reinforcement and former NBA player Dwight Howard arrives in the Philippines. –STRONG GROUP

MANILA, Philippines—Dwight Howard surely brought along his signature sense of humor to the country as he joins the Philippine side Strong Group.

In a tweet sent out by the NBA champion, Howard said the current composition of Strong Group that’s set to compete in the Dubai International Basketball Tournament can defeat the lowly Detroit Pistons.

“My team in the Philippines could beat the Pistons, lol. Me, Andray Blatche, Andre Roberson, McKenzie (Moore), lol, it’s over,” wrote Howard on Tuesday morning.

The multi-timed NBA Defensive Player of the Year awardee had reasons to feel confident.

Really I’m 5’5 but … pic.twitter.com/KywYmIzUWg

— Dwight Howard (@DwightHoward) January 9, 2024

Other than a star-studded pool of imports, the Philippine side will also have established collegiate stars in its arsenal like Kevin Quiambao, JD Cagulangan and former La Salle Swingman Justine Baltazar.

The coaching staff for Strong Group isn’t any slack either with coach Charles Tiu being backed up by UAAP champion coach Topex Robinson and consultant Brian Goorjian, who’s established as a top-tier tactician with the Bay Area Dragons and Australia’s national team.

It probably helped Howard’s confidence, too, that the Pistons are currently dead last in the league with a 3-33 record.

The former Orlando big man also made jokes on his Instagram with a video hinting at his interest in playing as an import for the PBA.

In a video posted on the same day, Howard took out a tape measure to calculate his height to show he’s eligible as a league import.

“PBA, I’m only 6 9, man, come get me in the league. Stop playing,” he said in jest.