The October 2009 issue of Sports Illustrated Kids, on newsstands now, is SI KIDS second annual video game issue and features Orlando Magic star Dwight Howard, on the cover. This month’s issue gives readers the opportunity to see what are Howard and Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew’s favorite video games of alltime.
Dwight Howard puts on his game game and talks about his two biggest passions: video games and basketball:
Coming off of a career year, Dwight Howard has changed his approach to conditioning over the off-season. Maintaining his physique and increasing his strength takes up a lot of Dwight’s day, but the 23-year-old center always makes time for video games. Now that he is on the cover of NBA Live 10, Dwight has reason to play even more during his free time. Growing up, Dwight would spend his days like most children, running around plying basketball. But during the nights, when it was too dark to be outside, Dwight would play video games. So, after being asked to appear on the cover, Dwight was ecstatic. “Man, I played [NBA Live] all the time. And I used to think to myself, I would love to be on the cover of NBA Live one day.” Nine years later, Howard’s dream came true (page 18).
Maurice Jones-Drew is ready for the big time: In high school, Jones-Drew’s team never lost a game, and after leading UCLA in rushing for three straight seasons, he envisioned playing on Sunday’s.
Jones-Drew has always surprised people with his ability given he only stands at 5’ 7”. Although he became the number one running back for the Jacksonville Jaguars this year, Jones Drew still practices and prepares as though he is the last running back on the depth chart. “Train as if you’re not the best –- train as if you’re trying to become the best.” Madden NFL and Tiger Woods PGA Tour are among Jones-Drew’s favorite video games (page 26).