Dwight Howard treated for dehydration, released from hospital after China trip
Atlanta Hawks center Dwight Howard was taken to a hospital late Sunday night “after feeling ill on a plane flight to Atlanta,” and was released Monday morning “after being treated for dehydration,” according to Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
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Howard, 30, has recently been in China on a 10-day promotional tour with shoe manufacturer Peak. Last week, the Chinese company and Howard unveiled his DH2 shoe which features the colors of the Hawks. It also has “Be Gr8” embroidered on the tongue. Howard changed his number to eight after signing with the Hawks this summer and has worn the slogan on apparel.
Howard has been working out with a personal shooting coach while in China and has posted several videos of his workouts on social media. The most recent post of Howard working out in China was four days ago.
From the sound of it, it was the marathon flight back from China that waylaid Howard:
Per source
Hawks Dwight Howard taken to hospital tonight after long plane flight. Every indication is that he's fine.. Dehydration believed— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) September 12, 2016
Per source
Hawks Dwight Howard taken to hospital last night after 17-hr flight back from China. He's fine, dehydrated. Got fluids, released— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) September 12, 2016
… which, while not exactly good news — I mean, I sure wouldn’t want to have to go to the hospital after spending the better part of a day in the air — is better than it could be, as evidenced by the quick release. (Which, incidentally, is something Howard seems to have worked on quite a bit this summer.)
After spending three up-and-down seasons with the Houston Rockets, Howard signed a three-year, $70.5 million deal with Atlanta this summer, setting the stage for a homecoming that Hawks fans hope will be as productive as it was emotional. While back and shoulder injuries have combined with the natural effects of heavy minute loads and plain ol’ aging to sap some of the explosive athleticism that made Howard such a devastating pick-and-roll finisher and paint-roaming menace during his heyday with the Orlando Magic, the eight-time All-Star and three-time Defensive Player of the Year can still be a very useful interior player on both ends when healthy, and is expected to fit in as a pivotal piece of the puzzle for a Hawks club looking to reclaim the glory of its 60-win 2014-15 campaign after a somewhat disappointing 48-34 mark last season, capped by a second straight postseason sweep at the hands of LeBron James and the eventual NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers.
Howard will have a lot of work to do to pull his weight as he steps in for departed longtime Hawks center Al Horford. This particular medical intervention doesn’t sound like it will pose too great an impediment in him getting ready for camp, which is good news for Howard, the Hawks and Atlantans hopeful that this year’s squad can get off to a strong start.
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Dan Devine is an editor for Ball Don’t Lie on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at devine@yahoo-inc.com or follow him on Twitter!
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