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Dwight Howard & Carmelo Anthony: 2020’s Comeback Kids

When the 2019-2020 NBA season began a year ago, there were two players who fans and pundits had pretty much given up on. The first was none other than three-time defensive player of the year Dwight Howard, who had just signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers. The other player was Carmelo Anthony, who wasn’t even signed to a team at the beginning of the season. Instead, Melo had to wait until mid-November before he was given a chance with the Portland Trail Blazers.

Both of these men had similar narratives surrounding them. When it came to Howard, some felt as though he was a shell of his former self who simply didn’t have the motivation to put up consistent results, despite being a good teammate. The same was said of Melo, with some theorizing that he had been completely blackballed by the league for his lack of defensive play and locker room attitude. These narratives were easy to run with, mostly because both players had gone through public falling outs with high-profile teams. Specifically, Howard with the Lakers in 2013, and Melo with the New York Knicks.

Given these narratives, it was almost inconceivable that Howard and Carmelo would be able to right their wrongs and prove themselves to be extremely competitive, especially given their ages. Well, it didn’t take long for either player to prove everyone wrong, and that’s why it must be said that both of these stars are the NBA’s comeback kids of 2020.

Dwight Howard

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Starting with Howard, his impact with the Los Angeles Lakers was immediately felt as he saw a complete return to form, albeit in a more supportive role. Fans were fairly shocked to see him on a whole new level when it came to blocking, all while scooping up defensive rebounds like it was nothing. As the Lakers began to go on massive winning streaks throughout the regular season, it was becoming quite obvious that Howard was no longer the player we saw in Charlotte and Washington. Instead, he was a more motivated version of himself that had been soaking in the criticism of the last seven years, only to unleash it back in our faces.

Statistically speaking, this was Howard’s lowest-scoring and lowest-rebounding season of his career. These facts don’t necessarily tell the whole story, however, as Howard was logging fewer minutes and contesting shots in a more energetic fashion, leading to some huge defensive stops for the Lakers. Not to mention, Howard improved when it came to blocks per game, while also providing the Lakers with the best field goal percentage of his career. Though his numbers on the stat sheet weren’t comparable to what he was doing in 2011, it’s impossible to deny how much of a positive impact Howard had on this team.

This was especially true during the playoffs as he proved to be a menace whenever the Lakers decided to go big. A perfect example of this was in the Western Conference Finals when Howard rendered Nikola Jokic completely ineffective. Jokic was one of the most unstoppable players in the first two rounds of the playoffs, but Howard put a quick end to that, which ultimately helped provide the Lakers with a path to the NBA Finals. From there, Howard did what he had to do when called upon, and it all culminated in him winning his first-ever NBA championship.

Carmelo Anthony

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While Melo’s comeback season didn’t end with the same glory, it’s safe to say that it was just as impressive. Coming off disappointing stints with the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder, fans weren’t sure what to make of him on the Blazers. Luckily, Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum had always expressed interest in playing with Anthony. This desire to run the floor with Melo led to immediate chemistry, and while it took a few weeks for him to get comfortable, he began to get in his signature groove. Unlike past seasons, Melo was playing solid defense that wreaked havoc on opposing shooters and actually led to more steals than he’s had in three years. As for scoring, Melo averaged over 15 points per game while notching 6.3 total rebounds. In fact, this was his best rebounding campaign in five seasons.

Throughout the year, Blazers head coach Terry Stotts praised Melo’s presence on the team, telling Yahoo! Sports “It goes beyond just leadership. I think the way he conducts himself as a person, just creates a lot of respect in the locker room.” These words alone debunked years of slander when it came to Melo’s ability to lead his teammates. His leadership qualities ultimately proved to be necessary in the bubble as the Blazers went on an incredible run in the seeding round, leading to a playoff appearance where Melo and company were ousted by Howard and the Lakers in just five games. Regardless, it was a triumphant season for Melo that proved he still has it.

As for Melo’s future, it seems as though he is willing to come back to the Blazers, as long as the circumstances are right. While that feeling is mutual, there are rumblings Melo could be going back to the Knicks, although we’d have to wait for the offseason to find out. Interestingly enough, Howard also has a big decision to make, as it’s been reported the Golden State Warriors might be going after him come the free agency period.

Following their respective seasons, both players seem to be in high demand, which is the ultimate compliment to how well they did this season. After years of disappointment and media criticism, Howard and Melo are back in everyone’s good graces and it’s why they are undeniably some of the best comeback stories of this season.

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Artist Spotlight

Shawn Mendes Gets Real About Mental Health in Eye Opening New Documentary

Shawn Mendes opens up about his mental health in his recent documentary, he takes that honesty to a whole new level. From the time he was a teenager becoming famous, to dealing with the huge pressures of being a global star, Mendes has talked openly about how it affects his mental well-being. Through his personal stories, fans get an even closer look at his journey, which is filled with ups and downs as he searches for genuine happiness. In his 2020 Netflix documentary, *Shawn Mendes: In Wonder*, the singer of hits like “Stitches” shares a touching portrait of his life at the height of his career.

Despite all his success, he expresses a desire for simpler times. “I’m so grateful. I love these performances and I’ve never had more fun,” he shares. “But at the same time, I just want to spend time with my parents, watch movies, drive around, lie on a soccer field, and hang out with my friends. I miss that right now. It’s pretty intense.” Even when he was at the top, Mendes craved the little joys that many people take for granted. The pressure to keep performing, creating, and looking perfect weighed on him, and he continued to discuss this in the years following the documentary.

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Flash forward to 2022, Mendes opened up again in a heartfelt social media post. At just 23 years old, with millions of fans and chart-topping songs, he shared that he was still battling feelings of self-doubt and anxiety. “Right now, I feel like a 23-year-old who’s either soaring high or sinking low,” he wrote. “Maybe that’s just what it’s like to be in your 20s, or maybe that’s just me.” His honesty struck a chord with fans who saw him as highly successful. Mendes admitted that despite his accomplishments, he often felt like he wasn’t doing enough. “The truth is, even with so much success, I still feel like I’m failing. I focus too much on what I don’t have and forget to appreciate what I do. I feel overwhelmed.”

Mendes’ willingness to talk about his mental health emphasizes that being famous doesn’t protect anyone from the stress of both personal and public expectations. His experience is not only a reflection of his own struggles but also offers hope to many fans who might feel the same way. In an industry that often emphasizes perfection, Mendes is changing the conversation by embracing being real and true to himself. What makes his story so inspiring is that it’s not just about his challenges but also his growth. Mendes is learning to handle his feelings, stay true to who he is, and understand that success doesn’t always lead to happiness.

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His readiness to share his story, no matter how complicated it may be, makes him relatable to his supporters. Through his documentary and candidness, Mendes encourages an important discussion about mental health in music. He’s showing that being vulnerable isn’t a weakness but a strength, a message that will likely inspire many others to be kinder to themselves. Though Shawn Mendes is a global superstar, at the end of the day, he’s just a young man trying to figure things out, just like everyone else. In his honesty, he’s discovered a connection with people.

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Artist Spotlight

Dua Lipa’s “Dance The Night” Reigns as the Ultimate Summer Soundtrack

Dua Lipa’s “Dance The Night” is a catchy new summer soundtrack. It evokes the sunshine, excitement of nightlife, and happiness that come with a true summer song. Co-written with the talented Mark Ronson, “Dance The Night” is a full-on experience that has quickly become the standout track of the season.

Not only is Dua Lipa a massive music star with multiple number-one hits, but this summer, she also made her acting debut as Mermaid Barbie in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie movie. It was only natural for her to be part of the film’s soundtrack, and she truly delivered. “Dance The Night” captures the fun and energy of her previous hits while turning it up with even more sparkle and good vibes, making it impossible not to dance along.

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“Dance The Night” was on the fast track to success. It quickly climbed to the top of the music charts, marking Dua’s fourth number-one song and adding to her growing legacy with hits like “New Rules,” “One Kiss,” and “Cold Heart.” This is about creating a lasting impact.

“Dance The Night” became the soundtrack for fun moments, whether at parties or dancing alone in your room. It’s the perfect song to play when you want to dress up, grab your friends, and dance the night away, just like Barbie does in the movie.

No summer track is complete without a great music video, and “Dance The Night” doesn’t disappoint. Featuring eye-catching visuals, impressive dance moves, and even a surprise appearance from the director, Greta Gerwig, the video captures all the exciting energy of the song. It also shows Margot Robbie’s Barbie living her best life, reminding us that having fun and being confident is always in style.

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What makes “Dance The Night” the ultimate summer song? It’s upbeat and instantly lifts your mood, making you want to dance. Its lyrics invite you to enjoy the moment, and it succeeds on all fronts. Dua Lipa has a knack for creating both familiar and new songs. With its lively disco sound, beautiful strings, and catchy rhythm, “Dance The Night” pays tribute to the classic dance music of the past while still feeling modern. It’s vibrant, exhilarating, and simply irresistible.

In a summer filled with movies, exciting pop moments, and unforgettable times, “Dance The Night” shines as the perfect soundtrack. Whether you’re watching Barbie on the big screen or dancing under the stars, Dua Lipa has given us another fantastic song to which we’ll keep dancing even as summer ends.