Dwight Howard currently fifth in rebounding

Returning from back surgery, Dwight Howard admitted recently that he’s still not quite himself.

Howard is typically the league leader in rebounding. So far this season he’s fifth overall at 11.4 boards per game.

Zach Randolph of the Memphis Grizzlies is first at 13.8 followed by Anderson Varejao (13.1), Omer Asik (12.3) and Al Jefferson (12.3).

Over the course of his career, Howard has a 13 rebounding per game average. Before his injury last year with the Orlando Magic, Howard collected a career high 14.5.

If Howard isn’t quite himself, it’s not reflected by field goal percentage. His 60.8% is second only to his performance in 2009/10 when he shot 61.2%.

To put Howard’s numbers in perspective, last year Andrew Bynum collected 11.8 rebounds a game (a career best) while shooting 55.8% from the field.

Howard is also putting up 20 points per game, slightly above his career average of 18.4.

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You can email Eric Pincus at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.