Dwight Howard used to have the NBA world in the palm of his hands. Coming off the 2008-09 season, where he led the Orlando Magic to an unlikely NBA Finals berth as they beat LeBron James and his Cleveland Cavaliers, Superman was one of the hottest commodities in the league. 

Fast forward nine years and Howard is in the twilight of his career having failed to produce what was expected during stints with the L.A. Lakers and Houston Rockets. 

Now a member of his hometown Atlanta Hawks, Dwight appears to be enjoying his basketball once again. But his story is one of wasted potential and miserable team chemistry.

Using NBA 2K's player rating, we take a look at how Howard's career has declined since his pinnacle; a 95 rating on NBA 2K9.

2K10 - 91

Having led the Magic to only their second NBA Finals in franchise history, Howard was rewarded with a four-point rating drop as 2K cracked down on their inflated valuations of players. 

Dwight was still one of the most dominant big men in the game and was easily the best player on an Orlando roster than included an 81-rated Vince Carter.

2K11 - 88

An average of 18.3 points and 13.2 points as the Magic won the Southeast Division in 2010 was not enough as Howard's rating suffered another drop. 

Still boasting 95 dunking and 90 inside scoring, he was a major threat in the paint but had fallen massively from the near-perfect rating of two years before.

2K12 - 93

In his final season with the Magic, having been named an All-Star in 2011, Dwight was back up into the 90s with a vengeance. 

A+ interior defence and rebounding coupled with A inside scoring made the center a serious force for the Florida team.

2K13 - 91

Now a member of the L.A. Lakers alongside the 95-rated Kobe Bryant, Howard made up one half   of one of NBA 2k13's deadliest duos. 

His 92 inside scoring and 90 dunking made him the perfect compliment to an almost faultless Black Mamba in the virtual world - sadly it didn't work that way in reality. 

2K14 - 91

Despite a poor season with the Lakers that was mired in disagreements with Bryant, Howard was part of a double-act once again; this time alongside James Harden. 

Harden was actually rated an 87 while Dwight was 91. But that wouldn't last. The Beard soon established himself as the star. 

2K15 - 88

The Houston Rockets would go to the Western Conference this season, spearheaded by their duo who were both rated at 88. 

2K16 - 85

As a three-star rebounder and defender, Howard was still one of the game's best centers, however, his scoring ability had fallen off since his prime days in Orlando. 

An overall of 85 was his lowest in almost a decade. 2K's assessment was emphasised in real life as the Rockets crashed out of the playoffs in the first round as an eight seed.

2K17 - 84

Having been 91 just four years before, it was a huge downgrade for Howard in the latest release of 2K's famous game.