OT: Analyzing Dwight Howard

[DeAnna]

Dwight is one of my fav players. I remember he was compared to Amare when he first got into the league. Pretty funny comments at the end by Raja when they played the Suns.

It's Getting Hard to Describe Dwight Howard

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December 7, 2007 12:36 PM
My lifelong affection for the Portland Trail Blazers notwithstanding, I'm a journalist, not a cheerleader, right? I'm supposed to be measured and balanced and fair and all that.
Back when Dwight Howard was a prospect, it was easy to write about him with good, measured journalistic words like "promise" and "potential." It wasn't hard to describe his collection of strengths (size, mobility, speed, grace) and weaknesses (handle, shooting, post moves).

But over the last few weeks, as I have been watching Dwight Howard every chance I get, I find it is getting mighty tough to write about him with any measure or balance at all. All the things I'm thinking are so hyperbolic and salesy that it would sound like the brochure for Dwight Howard Enterprises.
One small example:
Dwight Howard's 6-11. From time to time you'll catch an ignorant person implying that the taller someone is, the more intimidating they are -- or by extension, the more likely they would be to win some kind of fight. (By this math, Shawn Bradley is more fearsome than Maurice Lucas. Give me a break. And sure, Shaquille O'Neal is a beast, but don't you feel like you have a shot at outrunning him?)
I suspect that logic comes from grade school, when height was a crude indicator of age and overall maturation. In adults, though, I'm certain there's a point of diminishing returns. (Any boxing experts out there? What size is the perfect boxer? Smaller than Shaquille O'Neal, I'm guessing.)
But Dwight Howard? He is the super tall guy who really is that kind of intimidating. He's massive, he's covered in muscles, he's coordinated, and he's way faster than you. (See, there I go: writing the brochure for Dwight Howard Enterprises.)
And, not that basketball is a brawlfest, but those same qualities matter on the basketball court -- in real basketball terms, and as intimidation. It has got to be disheartening to bang against this dude all night.

I'm not sure anyone has yet described perfectly what it is that he does on the court. I'll say this: He has gone from someone who has a lot of tools in his toolbag, to someone who is running the construction site.

There are still those who knock him. The most common complaint is that he does not have a go-to move. The Indianapolis Star's Mike Wells quotes Phoenix Coach Mike D'Antoni addressing that concern:

"Who cares if he supposedly doesn't have a true offensive move," added Phoenix coach Mike D'Antoni, who coached Howard over the summer with Team USA. "That's what cracks me up about people. He averages 24 (points) and 20 (rebounds) anyways. It doesn't really matter. He can get to the basket. He's good enough to keep you honest. He'll improve in time. He's only 21. If it never comes, he's still really, really good. He's the best out there."​

ESPN's David Thorpe called me excitedly the other day and made me watch a series of highlights on Synergy that show Howard blocking shots against the Warriors. Some of what I saw:

• There was Monta Ellis on the drive -- he's the kind of scorer who has befuddled many a big man. Howard did not even jump. Just snatched the ball from Ellis with both hands -- cool, calm, and in total control.
• He did the same thing later in the game to 6-9 Al Harrington.
• And he went high as anyone ever goes to send back a Baron Davis floater.
• But his best block of all was against Austin Croshere, whose dunk, I have to believe would have gone down against almost anyone else.

Sports Illustrated's Jack McCallum wrote a Dwight Howard feature that's in the current Sports Illustrated. It has a great little anecdote illustrating how Dwight Howard's size, strength, and power affects the game:

... over the next 36 minutes Orlando outplayed the Suns. Howard vacuumed up every rebound in his vicinity. He dunked on follow shots, dunked on spin moves, dunked when he rolled to the basket after setting high screens for Nelson or Arroyo. Howard's athleticism is most manifest in those situations -- the passer need only throw the ball, almost blindly, in the general direction of the basket, knowing that Howard will swoop in and put it through. "If you make just a pretty good pass," says Arroyo, "he's going to do something alien with it, something out of this world."​

On one fourth-quarter play Howard pushed Phoenix guard Steve Nash away with his left hand and dunked with his right; on another he brushed off forward Shawn Marion and sent the Matrix flying. At one point Suns guard Raja Bell, never one to shy away from contact, asked assistant Alvin Gentry what approach to take when Howard comes steaming down the lane on a screen-and-roll.​

"Should I step in and plug?" said Bell.​

"I'd just get the hell out of the way in that situation," answered Gentry.​

"Just making sure we were on the same page," said Bell.​

Which page is that? I don't know exactly, but I'm pretty sure it's in the brochure.

 

[nowagimp]

Dwight is one of my fav players. I remember he was compared to Amare when he first got into the league. Pretty funny comments at the end by Raja when they played the Suns.

It's Getting Hard to Describe Dwight Howard

You must be registered for see images attach

December 7, 2007 12:36 PM
My lifelong affection for the Portland Trail Blazers notwithstanding, I'm a journalist, not a cheerleader, right? I'm supposed to be measured and balanced and fair and all that.
Back when Dwight Howard was a prospect, it was easy to write about him with good, measured journalistic words like "promise" and "potential." It wasn't hard to describe his collection of strengths (size, mobility, speed, grace) and weaknesses (handle, shooting, post moves).

But over the last few weeks, as I have been watching Dwight Howard every chance I get, I find it is getting mighty tough to write about him with any measure or balance at all. All the things I'm thinking are so hyperbolic and salesy that it would sound like the brochure for Dwight Howard Enterprises.
One small example:
Dwight Howard's 6-11. From time to time you'll catch an ignorant person implying that the taller someone is, the more intimidating they are -- or by extension, the more likely they would be to win some kind of fight. (By this math, Shawn Bradley is more fearsome than Maurice Lucas. Give me a break. And sure, Shaquille O'Neal is a beast, but don't you feel like you have a shot at outrunning him?)
I suspect that logic comes from grade school, when height was a crude indicator of age and overall maturation. In adults, though, I'm certain there's a point of diminishing returns. (Any boxing experts out there? What size is the perfect boxer? Smaller than Shaquille O'Neal, I'm guessing.)
But Dwight Howard? He is the super tall guy who really is that kind of intimidating. He's massive, he's covered in muscles, he's coordinated, and he's way faster than you. (See, there I go: writing the brochure for Dwight Howard Enterprises.)
And, not that basketball is a brawlfest, but those same qualities matter on the basketball court -- in real basketball terms, and as intimidation. It has got to be disheartening to bang against this dude all night.

I'm not sure anyone has yet described perfectly what it is that he does on the court. I'll say this: He has gone from someone who has a lot of tools in his toolbag, to someone who is running the construction site.


There are still those who knock him. The most common complaint is that he does not have a go-to move. The Indianapolis Star's Mike Wells quotes Phoenix Coach Mike D'Antoni addressing that concern:

"Who cares if he supposedly doesn't have a true offensive move," added Phoenix coach Mike D'Antoni, who coached Howard over the summer with Team USA. "That's what cracks me up about people. He averages 24 (points) and 20 (rebounds) anyways. It doesn't really matter. He can get to the basket. He's good enough to keep you honest. He'll improve in time. He's only 21. If it never comes, he's still really, really good. He's the best out there."​

ESPN's David Thorpe called me excitedly the other day and made me watch a series of highlights on Synergy that show Howard blocking shots against the Warriors. Some of what I saw:

• There was Monta Ellis on the drive -- he's the kind of scorer who has befuddled many a big man. Howard did not even jump. Just snatched the ball from Ellis with both hands -- cool, calm, and in total control.
• He did the same thing later in the game to 6-9 Al Harrington.
• And he went high as anyone ever goes to send back a Baron Davis floater.
• But his best block of all was against Austin Croshere, whose dunk, I have to believe would have gone down against almost anyone else.

Sports Illustrated's Jack McCallum wrote a Dwight Howard feature that's in the current Sports Illustrated. It has a great little anecdote illustrating how Dwight Howard's size, strength, and power affects the game:

... over the next 36 minutes Orlando outplayed the Suns. Howard vacuumed up every rebound in his vicinity. He dunked on follow shots, dunked on spin moves, dunked when he rolled to the basket after setting high screens for Nelson or Arroyo. Howard's athleticism is most manifest in those situations -- the passer need only throw the ball, almost blindly, in the general direction of the basket, knowing that Howard will swoop in and put it through. "If you make just a pretty good pass," says Arroyo, "he's going to do something alien with it, something out of this world."​

On one fourth-quarter play Howard pushed Phoenix guard Steve Nash away with his left hand and dunked with his right; on another he brushed off forward Shawn Marion and sent the Matrix flying. At one point Suns guard Raja Bell, never one to shy away from contact, asked assistant Alvin Gentry what approach to take when Howard comes steaming down the lane on a screen-and-roll.​

"Should I step in and plug?" said Bell.​

"I'd just get the hell out of the way in that situation," answered Gentry.​

"Just making sure we were on the same page," said Bell.​

Which page is that? I don't know exactly, but I'm pretty sure it's in the brochure.

Really interesting until I read the part about how "austin croheres dunk would have gone down against almost anyone else", that was hilarious and practically disqualified the writers other opinions. If howard can learn shoot a 15 foot jumper and foul shot, he will be a perrenial 1st team NBA player for a long time.

 

[jbeecham]

Dwight's inability to hit a jumpshot or ft is going to be the only main criticism on Dwight Howard for a long time. Right now, he's like a stronger Amare in his 1st & 2nd years in the NBA. He basically tries to dunk over everybody, no matter who is in his way, and then he occasionally throws up a hook shot. Outside of 4-5ft, he has almost no offensive game at all. He doesn't have much skill dribbling or passing the ball either. He's like a bigger stronger Ben Wallace with better offensive awareness and jumping ability, which allows him to catch alley-oops that Ben Wallace doesn't.

 

[sly fly]

Dwight's inability to hit a jumpshot or ft is going to be the only main criticism on Dwight Howard for a long time. Right now, he's like a stronger Amare in his 1st & 2nd years in the NBA. He basically tries to dunk over everybody, no matter who is in his way, and then he occasionally throws up a hook shot. Outside of 4-5ft, he has almost no offensive game at all. He doesn't have much skill dribbling or passing the ball either. He's like a bigger stronger Ben Wallace with better offensive awareness and jumping ability, which allows him to catch alley-oops that Ben Wallace doesn't.

Who needs an offensive game when you can dunk on anybody AND defend like Bill Russell?

I will even goes as far as saying that I would take Dwight Howard over Shaq both being 21 years of age.

 

[DeAnna]

I will even goes as far as saying that I would take Dwight Howard over Shaq both being 21 years of age.

I think that was the point being made in the article

 

[nowagimp]

I think that was the point being made in the article

Right now Howard is definitely not better than Shaq was in this 3rd year, but Howard has a great work ethic, so his upside is huge. Shaq had a better all around game, not as good defensively, but you must consider the competition. Shaq came into the league and had to play against Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, Patrick Ewing, Alonzo Mourning, Dikembe Mutombo, the competition was much tougher in the center spot than today when stiffs like Ilgauskis and Yao and considered some of the better true centers(amare gives up way to much strength, he's not a center). Trust me, no way howard dunks on a young Mutumbo, Hakeem, or Robinson, it'd be as rare as a silver dollar. Howard is a man among boys(and old men) in the center spot in todays NBA. Shaq enjoyed no such advantage, was just destroyed by Hakeem as a young player, struggled against Robinson, Mutumbo and even Ewing at times. these guys were all quick at 7'+ height.

 

[Covert Rain]

Shaq came into the league and had to play against Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, Patrick Ewing, Alonzo Mourning, Dikembe Mutombo,

I couldn't have said that better myself. Shaq 100% has played in a tougher era in terms of opposing centers then Dwight Howard. You cannot put Dwight up there with Shaq by any stretch of the imagination.

I do think Dwight Howard is a stud but he hasn't done anything yet in this league. Including getting a jump shot or learning how to shoot free throws. That didn't stop Shaq from getting any rings. However, Dwight better team up with another Super Star a la Kobe or Dwayne Wade or he will probably never see a ring.

 

[HooverDam]

Howard is a treat to watch, I received lower bowl tickets to that Suns-Magic game for my Bday, and seeing him in person, he looks even more like a cartoon super hero. His shoulders are just ridiculous.

If he gets better at ball handling, passing, and definitely shooting, he'll be a hall of famer.

Also, while Shaq obviously played against better bigs, I for one think we are seeing a bit of a revival of the big man.

Around the league you quality young bigs like:
Amare
Chris Bosh
Eddy Curry & Zach Randolph (we'll count them as one, since alone they dont garner a mention )
Howard
Ming
Camby
Gasul
Okur
Bogut (he's not there yet, but seems to be improving)
J. O'Neal
Okafor (when he's healthy)

So its not where it was in the middle 90s, but I think its getting better. Plus who knows, maybe Greg Oden is the 2nd coming of whomever. I think the quality of players in the league in general is improving from the post Jordan/darkest hour in NBA history/super boring early 2000's.

 

[Covert Rain]

Howard is a treat to watch, I received lower bowl tickets to that Suns-Magic game for my Bday, and seeing him in person, he looks even more like a cartoon super hero. His shoulders are just ridiculous.

If he gets better at ball handling, passing, and definitely shooting, he'll be a hall of famer.

Also, while Shaq obviously played against better bigs, I for one think we are seeing a bit of a revival of the big man.

Around the league you quality young bigs like:
Amare
Chris Bosh
Eddy Curry & Zach Randolph (we'll count them as one, since alone they dont garner a mention )
Howard
Ming
Camby
Gasul
Okur
Bogut (he's not there yet, but seems to be improving)
J. O'Neal
Okafor (when he's healthy)

So its not where it was in the middle 90s, but I think its getting better. Plus who knows, maybe Greg Oden is the 2nd coming of whomever. I think the quality of players in the league in general is improving from the post Jordan/darkest hour in NBA history/super boring early 2000's.

Some of those guys on the list are really Power Forwards and I still wouldn't put them in the same mold as some of the centers that are no gone.

 

[Errntknght]

Around the league you quality young bigs like:
Amare
Chris Bosh
Eddy Curry & Zach Randolph (we'll count them as one, since alone they dont garner a mention )
Howard
Ming
Camby
Gasul
Okur
Bogut (he's not there yet, but seems to be improving)
J. O'Neal
Okafor (when he's healthy)

I agree with that list and some others that have an inside game or are bruisers on the boards are:
Lamarcus Aldridge
Andrew Bynum
Nenad Krstic
Nene
Al Jefferson
Al Horford
Chris Kamen

a step down and less proven there are

David Harrison
Craig Smith
Kendrick Perkins
Paul Milsap
Hawes (Sacramento - very unproven but he looked good against us)

 

[HooverDam]

Some of those guys on the list are really Power Forwards and I still wouldn't put them in the same mold as some of the centers that are no gone.

Right, I wasn't specifically talking about centers, just "bigs"...as the line between power forward and center seems to be decreasing in recent years.

 

[arwillan]

his offensive game reminds me of amare in a sense... neither of them get into the low block and use an actual post offense because they prefer to face up and try to dunk

 

[cly2tw]

Boozer is still young in the NBA. He came in the same year Amare was drafted and I was hoping we could get him together with Amare. But we needed an affirmative action player in Casey. Ugh!

 

[HooverDam]

Boozer is still young in the NBA. He came in the same year Amare was drafted and I was hoping we could get him together with Amare. But we needed an affirmative action player in Casey. Ugh!

What was the knock on Boozer that dropped him to the 2nd round? I dont recall.

 

[Cheesebeef]

What was the knock on Boozer that dropped him to the 2nd round? I dont recall.

he was a chronic underachiever and never looked like he'd be anywhere near the stud he is now. That was the knock on him. Seriously, I can understand being pissed that we passed on Tayshaun for Casey, but Boozer just looked like a run of the mill, do nothing on the NBA level Dukie when he was in college.

 

[cly2tw]

he was a chronic underachiever and never looked like he'd be anywhere near the stud he is now. That was the knock on him. Seriously, I can understand being pissed that we passed on Tayshaun for Casey, but Boozer just looked like a run of the mill, do nothing on the NBA level Dukie when he was in college.

I never follows the college ball but thought the knock on him was that he was fundamentally sound but not athletic enough to be considered of having more NBA potential as 3/4 year college player. In a sense, he was the diametrically opposite of Amare. But already in his rookie year, he proved that his fundamental was solid enough to be a very good lowpost player in the NBA. I wanted him for the CJ pick as a complementary player to Amare.

 

[nowagimp]

Howard is a treat to watch, I received lower bowl tickets to that Suns-Magic game for my Bday, and seeing him in person, he looks even more like a cartoon super hero. His shoulders are just ridiculous.

If he gets better at ball handling, passing, and definitely shooting, he'll be a hall of famer.

Also, while Shaq obviously played against better bigs, I for one think we are seeing a bit of a revival of the big man.

Around the league you quality young bigs like:
Amare
Chris Bosh
Eddy Curry & Zach Randolph (we'll count them as one, since alone they dont garner a mention )
Howard
Ming
Camby
Gasul
Okur
Bogut (he's not there yet, but seems to be improving)
J. O'Neal
Okafor (when he's healthy)

So its not where it was in the middle 90s, but I think its getting better. Plus who knows, maybe Greg Oden is the 2nd coming of whomever. I think the quality of players in the league in general is improving from the post Jordan/darkest hour in NBA history/super boring early 2000's.

Only howard on that list is a center capable of physically controlling the game around the hoop al la shaq, Hakeem, David Robinson, Mutumbo, Zo, Patrick.


group 1: Defense sucks as in a defensive liability on the floor, cant block shots, cant play their man:

Yao; Gasol;Okur: HAHAHAHAHA! he just stinks overall;Curry Randolph, some of the worst post defense of the group; Bogut, still young we shall see, at least he's smart and not a softie like okur.



Group 2:
Too weak to play center defensively on a true post up player, these guys need a double to come fast:

camby;bosh;amare;

that pretty much winnows the croud out, the "step down" guys just are weak period.

Most of these guys are passable to very good 4's, but not centers as they are either stiffs(group 1) or not strong enough to defend a true center.



Left off the list was Rasheed Wallace who can play D in the post and who has a nice high post/perimeter game as well as a decent(but not strong) low post game. Rasheed, Tim Duncan and KG can play center defensively, though they are really power forwards that operate better 10-15 foot from the hoop on offense.

 

[Roca Dolla]

amare is so much better then dwight its not even close, u gotta be real blind if u think dwights is better then amare.

 

[arwillan]

amare is so much better then dwight its not even close, u gotta be real blind if u think dwights is better then amare.

Howard: 23/15/3 on 60% from the field (only 59% from the line) and only 3 years pro. Currently 2nd mvp candidate behind only garnett. No major injury issues.

Amare: 22/9/2 on 58% from the field and 75% from the line. 5 years pro. Never been an MVP candidate due to lack of consistency and defensive effort at times. Very injury-prone (microfracture issues) thus far in his career.


Dwight is a far better defensive player and rebounder. He scores at a higher % than amare and even gets more points. The only area amare excels at over dwight is mid-range shooting and free-throw shooting.


You tell me, which is better? howard.

 

[Suns_fan69]

I'd shudder to think what Howard's FG% would be if he played with Nash...

 

[Roca Dolla]

Amare! Amare! Amare!

if dwight had those microfracture issues u would never ever see him again in this league

amare is much better player then dwight its not even close i say it again and again!

 

[arwillan]

I'd shudder to think what Howard's FG% would be if he played with Nash...

yeah, you don't say....

right now he's playing with arroyo, nelson, turk, rashard, etc.... nobody who really specializes with creating offense for others. I'd kill to see nash and howard play together some day.

 

[Dr. Jones]

This guy could average 30 and 20.

He is that good. Moses Malone good.

 

[arwillan]

This guy could average 30 and 20.

He is that good. Moses Malone good.

moses malone is the perfect comparison. many say a younger shaq but i see a more athletic guy who will develop to be much better than shaq in the long run

 

[slinslin]

Howard gets 22/15 in 40mpg in the East
Amare gets 22/9 in 30mpg in the West

And Amare isnt getting the touches he should get on this team, quiet sad actually. But the bottom line is Amare is a constant 30/12 player in the playoffs so Dwight has a lot of catching up to do in that regard. Regular season statistics don't mean that much anyway, one thing is for sure Amare could clearly average a lot better than what he is right now getting less shots than Barbosa and Marion..