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Dwight Howard: "Let Me Dominate..."

MC Homer Written by MC Homer, Thursday May 14 2009
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     After Orlando’s game five meltdown in Boston, Dwight Howard had a few choice words for his coach. Known as a very quiet, lead-by-example type of guy, he obviously had seen enough. And you know what? He’s absolutely right. Howard had only 10 total shots, and two in the fourth quarter. Tell me how the most dominant big man in the league, not to mention the best player on his team, only gets the ball enough times to attempt a measly 10 shots?

 

     Magic coach Stan Van Gundy has been criticized before, so this is not new territory. Last time we heard him being chewed up one side and down the other, was from Shaq, after he and the Suns were beaten by Dwight’s Magic. Shaq said some things that maybe shouldn’t have been said, not because they weren’t true, but because those are the kinds of things that should be said behind closed doors. There is no need to say things like “…but as I fell, I realized that it was a flop and it reminded me of Coach Van Gundy's whole coaching career. The one thing I despise is a frontrunner. First of all, none of his players like him. When it gets tough, he will become the master of panic like he did before and he will quit like he did before.” Way to be the bigger man Shaq.

 

     What Howard said in his post game rant on Tuesday was true, and I don’t have a problem with him sharing it with the world. Howard was quoted as saying “I have to get the ball… I don’t think you are going to win a lot of games when your post player only gets 10 shots. It’s tough to get yourself going and get a lot of shots without a lot of touches. We have to get better with that.” For as much flak as he is getting for being so outspoken, those comments are not exactly as sharp as a razor. Just another example of the media playing something up to be bigger than it really is.

 

     Van Gundy’s idea of offense, even on this team loaded with long distance shooters and one big man, is embarrassing. Everyone knows you will never win anything important when living and dying by the three ball. It is not living and dying by it, it is dying by it. When you are forced to play elite teams, this strategy is useless. Feed the big man already.

 

     I don’t think too many people will argue that the Magic are a better team than the Celtics when Kevin Garnett is not on the floor. It is true that Boston is the reigning champs, and they will not give up that title easy, but c’mon Orlando, coughing up a 14-point fourth quarter lead? I know you’re soft, but wow. It is rarely about who is the better team, it is all about who wants it more, who is hungrier. The Celtics have gone through wars, they know what it takes. I hate to say it, but Boston will be in Cleveland to begin the Eastern Conference Finals next week.

 

     Boston’s big man Kendrick Perkins is no match for Howard. He is big and strong, but as good as he might be on the defensive end, Dwight can get anywhere he wants on the floor and he can jump out of the gym. Every time I see a Magic box score, Dwight Howard is pulling down a good 15 rebounds, at least, and more often than not, that is in the first half.

 

     An argument against Howard and his words is his free throw shooting. He has no business being on the floor late in the fourth quarter with any semblance of a lead. The hack-a-Howard works to perfection just like the hack-a-Shaq does. He is on the same level as Shaq at the charity stripe, and that is shameful. I will admit that if he doesn’t get a dunk, his baby hook and jumper are as ugly as it gets, but he still ends up with a high shooting percentage. Anyone will tell you, it doesn’t matter how it gets done, as long as it does.

 

     This post season, in nearly 38 minutes a game, Howard is averaging 20 points per and making over 61% of his shots. He is also shooting 63% from the free throw line, up from 59% in the regular season. He has also upped his rebounds per game from under 14 to over 16 in the playoffs. And stats tell very little of the story. You see, it is common knowledge that the Magic lack the go-to guy in late game situations. So why not feed the big guy?

 

     Don’t give me nonsense such as Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis being late game performers because they aren’t. I admit to not seeing many Orlando games, but I’ve seen enough to know that Turkoglu is mildly overrated and Rashard Lewis has gone downhill since departing from the now defunct Sonics. If JJ Redick could create his own shot, they might have a secret weapon, be he can’t, so they don’t. Rookie Courtney Lee has been a surprise, but it may be a few years until he can be relied upon when the clock is nearing :00.

 

     The problem with the Magic is they miss their point guard. Jameer Nelson was having a fantastic season until he tore his labrum in early February. When he went down, so did Orlando’s chances of making a Finals run. I also believe the problem is the coach. I despise Shaquille O’Neal and his “cute” personality, but he was right when he degraded Stan Van Gundy. I’m not a fan of degrading someone, especially after a loss, it just makes you look pathetic… Shaq.

 

     I respect Dwight Howard for how he carries himself. He is a stand up guy and a good teammate, by all accounts. When he said “You’ve got a dominant player… let him dominate,” has was far from wrong. If the Magic go down in game six at home, it won’t surprise me, but if they go down and Howard is avoided like the plague by his teammates again, the result will not just be a disappointing playoff exit, but it will put his future with the franchise in serious doubt. I’m not saying he’ll demand a trade, but something will have to be done to rectify the situation.

 

 

Photo Credit: Icon SMI


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8 comments


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MC HomerMC Homer, over 3 years ago said:

You're right, again... He probably doesn't ever work on low post moves. We ARE talkin' 'bout practice, you know. I'm sure everyone who is around him tells him he is great at shooting free throws, and he has the best low post game ever... Maybe you should attend a Magic practice, then accuse him of not working on his moves... Unless you have, then I'll shut up.

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HeegosHeegos, over 3 years ago said:

But the point isn't for Dwight Howard to be a defensive stalwart, it's for him to be a dominant all-around player. I mean, the column you wrote was spurred by Howard calling for the ball, right? How can he call for the offense to run through him if he only has one move? I think all the attention he gets is going to his head and will ruin his game if he continues to spend all his time practicing crazy dunks and full-court shots instead of low-post moves. Not to mention Patrick Ewing is his mentor. That's an entirely different story.

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MC HomerMC Homer, over 3 years ago said:

Ahhh, see? Now we agree. Yes, if Howard doesn't get some low post moves then he will only be the perennial defensive player of the year. If he does get some offensive moves, he is an MVP candidate in my book.

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HeegosHeegos, over 3 years ago said:

He is still very young and has a great deal of time to develop, but if he doesn't focus more on that soon, he could be a lost cause. It's not about finesse or style, it's about creating more mismatches through a variety of offensive moves. His defense and rebounding are impecible, but without offense he stands to be less like Shaq and more like Rodman or Ben Wallace. I think the problem stems from Howard being given too much influence in the organization at such a young age. He is babied by the Magic and rarely faces criticism. He's becoming too much of a primadonna, yet people don't see it because all the media highlights is his "Fun-loving, giant kid" persona. He cries for calls after every play (I know, I know, everyone does it...), he called out his coach in a press conference, and he dissapears down the stretch, yet still demands the ball. Maybe overrated isn't the word I was looking for, but it could be if he doesn't get his act together.

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MC HomerMC Homer, over 3 years ago said:

Awww, Heegos, we usually see eye to eye! What Dwight Howard lacks in finesse, he more than makes up for in strength. Nothing he does is pretty, but he shoots a high percentage and is the only player on his team with any kind of toughness, good thing he has enough of it to make up for his soft teammates. You are correct about Lewis being Orlando's best all around player, hands down, well, since Jameer Nelson got hurt. But more about Dwight... If by overrated you mean he has zero style on offense, then yes you're right, but he is still 40-73 shooting in the series. He just prefers forcing the square peg into the round hole, so to speak. Not to mention he grabs a million rebounds nightly. Howard is by far the best player on his team, and just because he can't shoot a jumer or hit a 5 ft hook shot doesn't mean they need to avoid him. If he doesn't get touches they lose, it's that simple. He doesn't have to shoot 30 shots, the offense just needs to run through him. Especially with Boston's lack of bigs. All that said, you're right, he will not be winning offensive player of the year anytime soon. Overrated? If he was considered a supreme offensive talent, I would agree, but I dont think anyone is ready to give him that label, yet. He's still a baby though, and that is the scariest thing of all.

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HeegosHeegos, over 3 years ago said:

I think Howard is overrated offensively. He doesn't have any moves other than dunking the ball. No turnaround, no hook shot, no jumper. If Orlando wants to win the series, Stan Van has to let Rashard Lewis do his thing. Lewis can blow by any player Boston can put in front of him.

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magicfanmagicfan, over 3 years ago said:

We won! and now we will win in Boston! Dwight howard, 23 points

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MagicfanMagicfan, over 3 years ago said:

I can't believe Orlando is so close to a 7th game vs Boston: 72-67 in the forth quarter! GO Magic!