The Dwight Howard Thread

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: Could Dwight Be Playing Somewhere Else Next Season?

14 Shots? Probably not, although it's not impossible for him to do that.

15-17 Shots however? Yeah, then 28 shouldn't be an issue for a guy like Duhwight and his abilities.

EDIT: Oh and can any mod possibly rename this thread the Dwight Howard Thread instead of it's current title?

[WTF]

Re: Could Dwight Be Playing Somewhere Else Next Season?

Just showed my modding ability by changing the title to just that.

[wwharton]

Re: Could Dwight Be Playing Somewhere Else Next Season?

Well Dwight doesnt have Ewing or Shaqs talent, those are two HOFs, so I don't know that its saying anything to put them ahead of him in the ASG.

As far as Zo, they pretty much got their points the same way.....I could definitely see him out performing Zo

Zo had college 3 point range. Hell, he even took (and made) a few when the NBA moved their line in. Offensively, Zo was definitely more skilled than Howard is at this point.

Dwight needs more shots to get those kind of numbers. Shaq in his prime tooke between 18 and 20 shots a game. Dwight takes less than 14. If he could take 5 more shots a game, he's probably up to 27 ppg. And if he wasn't having a career low in FT %, there's another ppg. I don't think it's unrealistic for Dwight to be a 28 ppg scorer. I think the ability is there. But for whatever reason, when you watch the Magic, they don't really go through him. His offense has come a long way, and he's got some pretty impressive post moves now.

Shaq got more touches bc he had moves to score if he didn't get double teamed. If Howard gets the ball more than a couple of feet from the basket he's generally lost if he's gotta create his own shot. Team's could build their offense around dumping it in to Shaq. No double, and it was a bucket 90% of the time. With Howard, as long as the guy guarding him is solid enough to keep from being backed down, there's no real need to double. So as the coach, you're only going to give him the ball with the intent of him scoring in situations where he's not isolated which limits his shots.

Long story short, it's Howard's lack of offensive ability that gets him only 14 shots a game.

[23]

Re: Could Dwight Be Playing Somewhere Else Next Season?

Jeff Van is not a fan of loyalty

Jeff Van Gundy Suspects Howard's Decision About Power

Jeff Van Gundy believes Dwight Howard's decision to opt-in and remain with the Magic was more about having power than loyalty.

Van Gundy's brother Stan is the head coach of the Magic.

“To me, only the most gullible fans would believe that this was about loyalty,” Jeff Van Gundy said.. “I think it was about power and control. … I don’t know what they agreed to, but anybody who doesn’t think senior management and Howard have come to an agreement on either trading players to get people he (Dwight) likes or changing the coach or changing the general manager or changing the marketing of him. … Whatever they agreed to, there’s been an agreement made.

“… What the Magic senior executives are doing right now is unbecoming. The groveling and begging is hard to read and watch. His (Dwight’s) opinion should matter, but the strong organizations stand for something rather than fall for anything.”

[PrettyT11]

Re: The Dwight Howard Thread

Wwharton I can agree with that. Part of it is on Dwight. I agree with with you said and I will also add he could be more aggressive attacking the basket at times. I also have to put a big part of that on Van Gundy too though. He let's every other guy on the roster have the green light to shoot as many threes they want whenever they like. I have never see him complain about one of his wing guys shot selection. There have been times when Dwight has his man sealed for an easy bucket and somebody just jacks up a three. Dwight gets those guys open looks but it wouldn't hurt for them to dump it back down an extra time or two instead of just launching a three.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: Could Dwight Be Playing Somewhere Else Next Season?

All I know is if Orlando dumps SVG after this year, I'd replace Averah for him in an instant.

[23]

Re: The Dwight Howard Thread

At least he's not only getting 10 FGA's per game anymore

He needs to continue to work on his offensive game though to put himself in position to do even better

[Nathan_OS]

At least he's not only getting 10 FGA's per game anymore

He needs to continue to work on his offensive game though to put himself in position to do even better

Yeah, he only has two go to moves really.

That little face up pivot, with the running hook.

And that 1 dribble, to the right spin to the left layup.

It would still be good if this guy had a jump shot.

[The 24th Letter]

Zo had college 3 point range. Hell, he even took (and made) a few when the NBA moved their line in. Offensively, Zo was definitely more skilled than Howard is at this point..

Oh I remember Zo well. He put the Charlotte Hornets on the map. Ive watched many a Zo game here , even every game againsd MIA was a big deal once he left. He may have had the range your speaking of, but it wasn't a consistent weapon. His 15 footer was definitely a part of his game, but it wasn't really money.

He didn't get that career .500 plus percentage shooting J's, it was mostly put backs, finishes, shots at the rim. I know durability was an issue, but even with that skill he never averaged over 23 ppg....

[DonkeyJote]

Re: The Dwight Howard Thread

You know who I think would be a good fit for the Magic? Gerald Wallace. If they can't keep Deron Williams, maybe the Nets would be willing to unload him. He's still perfectly capable of scoring 15 a game, getting 6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, a couple steals, and a block. His weakness is the 3 pointer, but with all those shooters, Orlando needs a guy who can create, plus he gives them a very good perimeter defender. Maybe a package of Hedo, Anderson, and a draft pick could do it. The Nets may be one of the few teams that could handle taking on Hedo; they only have about $3 million spent on players for the 13-14 season, so they could probably afford to buy out Hedo's option. Too bad they used their amnesty on Outlaw.

[Nathan_OS]

You know who I think would be a good fit for the Magic? Gerald Wallace. If they can't keep Deron Williams, maybe the Nets would be willing to unload him. He's still perfectly capable of scoring 15 a game, getting 6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, a couple steals, and a block. His weakness is the 3 pointer, but with all those shooters, Orlando needs a guy who can create, plus he gives them a very good perimeter defender. Maybe a package of Hedo, Anderson, and a draft pick could do it. The Nets may be one of the few teams that could handle taking on Hedo; they only have about $3 million spent on players for the 13-14 season, so they could probably afford to buy out Hedo's option. Too bad they used their amnesty on Outlaw.

Hedo, Anderson and a draft pick for Gerald Wallace?

[DonkeyJote]

Re: The Dwight Howard Thread

Hedo, Anderson and a draft pick for Gerald Wallace?

I'm not a huge fan of Anderson, and I think trading Hedo would be addition be subtraction as this point. I'd do that deal for two reasons: I think it'd make the team better short term, and it'd free up money to pursue Chris Paul.

The Magic really only have three trade assets in my mind: Anderson, Redick, and Nelson. You can't trade Nelson away unless it's in a deal for a point guard. Imo, the Magic's biggest priority, aside from convincing Dwight to stay, obviously, is freeing up money to get Deron Williams (unlikely unless someone would take on Hedo and Nelson in a sign and trade) or Chris Paul. If I have to give up Ryan Anderson and draft picks to have a chance at Chris Paul, then I do it in a heartbeat.

[23]

Re: The Dwight Howard Thread

I'm not a huge fan of Anderson, and I think trading Hedo would be addition be subtraction as this point. I'd do that deal for two reasons: I think it'd make the team better short term, and it'd free up money to pursue Chris Paul.

The Magic really only have three trade assets in my mind: Anderson, Redick, and Nelson. You can't trade Nelson away unless it's in a deal for a point guard. Imo, the Magic's biggest priority, aside from convincing Dwight to stay, obviously, is freeing up money to get Deron Williams (unlikely unless someone would take on Hedo and Nelson in a sign and trade) or Chris Paul. If I have to give up Ryan Anderson and draft picks to have a chance at Chris Paul, then I do it in a heartbeat.

The heck?

Chris Paul is signed for another year in LA at least

Trading Anderson for Wallace at this stage is a mistake let alone multiple players

[DonkeyJote]

Re: The Dwight Howard Thread

The heck?

Chris Paul is signed for another year in LA at least

Trading Anderson for Wallace at this stage is a mistake let alone multiple players

He is. Turk is under contract for two more years, Wallace for one. Paul is a free agent after next season.

I think Wallace is a better overall player. Anderson is a better 3-pt shooter, and a slightly better rebounder. Wallace shoots a higher overall percentage, gets steals and blocks, is a better passer, and a MUCH better defender. The Magic's biggest problems is that they don't give consistent effort, and they can't defend with the exception of Howard. Wallace shores up both of those things. You give up some 3-pt ability, but there's still plenty of that with Nelson, Redick, and both Richardsons.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: The Dwight Howard Thread

The Nets may be one of the few teams that could handle taking on Hedo; they only have about $3 million spent on players for the 13-14 season

Yeah, I can say with full confidence that hell will freeze over before this ever happens. Hate to disappoint ya there my friend lol.