Howard: I´d like to play into my 40s

Houston Rockets centre Dwight Howard turned 30 a fortnight ago but says he can see himself playing into his 40s.

While his performances have been consistent in 2015-16, Howard missed over 40 games last season due to knee issues.

But the eight-time NBA All-Star believes he can keep playing for another decade.

“That’d be fun if I was to play this game (that long),” Howard told Houston Chronicle.

“That was always my goal, to play 20 years, 20-something years in this league. I’m extremely happy and blessed to have been able to play this game for as long as I have been so far.”

Howard was the first overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft and is now in his 12th season with his third NBA franchise, but his scoring average and field goal percentage have dropped off in each of his last three seasons.

The former Orland Magic man’s current average of 13 points per game is the lowest since his rookie season.

Howard has also been bothered by injuries during the latter half of his career and hasn’t played a full 82 games since the 2009-10 season with the Magic.

He added: “I have played a lot of minutes. I’ve been doing a lot since I came into the league. I’m thankful. I’m not going to complain about it. I’m happy that I’ve been able to play 12 years so far.

“A lot of NBA players never played this long so I am very happy and blessed that I’ve been able to play 12 years in the NBA.

“Hopefully, I can play another 10, but the time I’ve played, I’ve enjoyed it.”