Is Dwight Howard an Elite Big Man?

[scanry]

I just don't see an Howard imprint on any of the Magic games or am i over reacting? I've been used to seeing Duncan (and Shaq) take over games in the second half (especially in the 1999, 2003 & 2005 playoffs), but it's like Howard shrivels under pressure. We saw that today versus Boston.

Demand the god damn ball Dwight, you have Glen Davis & Perkins guarding you. I really think the media give him a free pass as he's as soft as Yao & Gasol..

[Spur-Addict]

He is elite.

For all we know this may be the gameplan of the master of panic.

[Ghazi]

His offensive moves are not anything to call home about.

[resistanze]

1) The Magic are a jump shooting team, whether it's the 1st and 4th quarter.

2) Dwight Howard has no offensive game besides his spin move and dunk; if he's not close enough to the basket by the time he's finished spinning, he's useless.

[BlackSwordsMan]

a quiet 20 pts 20 rebound

[pauls931]

He´s elite. Look at him cleaning up on the boards. If they had someone who can run the offense still not injured maybe they could do something other than jack up 3´s or give him the ball in a triple team.

[Obstructed_View]

He's certainly an elite big man, but that's more due to the lack of depth at his position right now than his greatness. Skillset wise, at this point, he's a better version of Kevin Garnett: a role player that's capable of putting up ridiculous numbers, but not really a guy that's going to carry a team to wins. If he ever develops an actual post-game, he could become a threat. Until then, teams will find a way to beat him unless his teammates get really good.

[pauls931]

2) Dwight Howard has no offensive game besides his spin move and dunk; if he's not close enough to the basket by the time he's finished spinning, he's useless.

I´d trade amare for him in a heartbeat...

[Indazone]

I just don't see an Howard imprint on any of the Magic games or am i over reacting? I've been used to seeing Duncan (and Shaq) take over games in the second half (especially in the 1999, 2003 & 2005 playoffs), but it's like Howard shrivels under pressure. We saw that today versus Boston.

Demand the god damn ball Dwight, you have Glen Davis & Perkins guarding you. I really think the media give him a free pass as he's as soft as Yao & Gasol..


All Big men today will have the same problems that Yao has unless they play like Dirk. I mean look at this post. Sub in Yao's name instead of Howard's and this could have been a Yao post.

[ElNono]

Dwight needs to spend a summer with a good post coach. He needs to improve his footwork, positioning and figure out where the easy points come for him on the post.
With that body, it's a waste to get by only through dunks.

[resistanze]

I´d trade amare for him in a heartbeat...

I hope you would. I'd take him even if he only scored 5PPG just for the defensive improvement he would bring. Nevertheless, he's doesn't have the skillset of say, Shaq had at his age.

[pauls931]

All Big men today will have the same problems that Yao has unless they play like Dirk. I mean look at this post. Sub in Yao's name instead of Howard's and this could have been a Yao post.

When did they allow the zone to be played again? It seems like today if a big gets the ball the defense can collapse on him instantly. In the past I think it was easier for bigs because they could actually get more one on one matchups.

[pauls931]

I hope you would. I'd take him even if he only scored 5PPG just for the defensive improvement he would bring. Nevertheless, he's doesn't have the skillset of say, Shaq had at his age.

I´d even throw in nash if they´d send their backup guard. That´s how big a fan of this guy I am. I would have to rewrite my motto and DoK would finally leave me alone.

[scanry]

a quiet 20 pts 20 rebound

So was Duncan's 22 20 9 8 in the NBA finals. But unlike Duncan, Howard isn't the focus of their offense. Don't know why but Howard is pretty average in the low post.

And Hedo chucking 3's by the minute doesn't help his cause....

[Roxsfan]

He's good, but doesn't have a signature high percentage move like a jump hook or mid-range jumper or whatever. Can he do anything besides dunk and layup?

[iggypop123]

he is more of a PF than a true center. he has no post game despite his amazing shoulders

[pauls931]

He's good, but doesn't have a signature high percentage move like a jump hook or mid-range jumper or whatever. Can he do anything besides dunk and layup?

He´s good at rebounding.

[td4mvp21]

He has NO post game. He cannot create.

[resistanze]

And his arms are bigger than his legs.

[redzero]

timvp, where are you? Don't you hate Dwight Howard?

[Matchman]

All Big men today will have the same problems that Yao has unless they play like Dirk. I mean look at this post. Sub in Yao's name instead of Howard's and this could have been a Yao post.

nope.
for Yao its the speed problem, something that by nature he cant overcome
for Dwight its the skill problem, something if you put in enough work, you will eventually over come with.

[Kriz-Maxima]

I'm not a fan. Besides dunks his post game is pretty shitty, a lot of his blocks are actually goaltends and he doesn't have the mental strength to lead.

He is a great rebounder though, and an intimidating presence around the rim. I would love to have him on my team.

[Armando]

Yeah they can't even go to him that much in a tight game because teams will just foul him and take thier chances. The Master of Panic is not exactly good at coaching big men. This is the same coach who in Game 7 in the 2005 ECF went to Damon Jones when Shaq had Ben Wallace trapped under the basket and had an easy score. Damon Jones jacks up a 3 pointer that bricks.

[ElNono]

He's a work in progress...

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

I´d even throw in nash if they´d send their backup guard. That´s how big a fan of this guy I am. I would have to rewrite my motto and DoK would finally leave me alone.

1) I'd leave you alone if you just admitted Nash and Amare's play this season was inadequate and inexcusable on defense.

2) If the Suns got D-Ho I'd be the biggest homer there is.

[Roxsfan]

He´s good at rebounding.

I'm talking offensive moves bro.

[N4th4n]

he is more of a PF than a true center. he has no post game despite his amazing shoulders

His shoulders are one of a kind.

[duncan228]

So was Duncan's 22 20 9 8 in the NBA finals.

Just for the record, it was:

21 points
20 boards
10 assists
8 blocks

:)

[scanry]

Just for the record, it was:

21 points
20 boards
10 assists
8 blocks

:)

Can really argue with you about Duncan can i? :p:

[JoeTait75]

Monster rebounder. Monster shot-blocker. No discernible offensive skills whatsoever. No range outside dunking range. Spotty free-throw shooter. Not a particularly good passer (an underrated facet of Shaq's game.) He doesn't even have a reliable baby hook.

[shelshor]

Dwight Howard = Steve Urkel on steroids
http://www.imdb.com/character/ch0036939/

[Jacob1983]

Dwight Howard is not an elite big man. He's about as dominant as Raef Lafrentz. And let's not forget that Howard sucks ass when it comes to making free throws. I know that Duncan isn't the best free throw shooter but he's decent and can make them when the game is on the line. Shaq has never been a good free throw shooter but he's been known to make them when they're needed the most.

[Lars]

At this point, I would trade Yao for Dwight Howard.

[VI_Massive]

Very good. Still very unskilled.

[iggypop123]

At this point, I would trade Yao for Dwight Howard.

you would probably have to settle for elton brand and a first rounder

[Lars]

you would probably have to settle for elton brand and a first rounder

We got standards over here.

[scanry]

We got standards over here.

So does Orlando and probably every other team who would rather have a player that doesn't break down every fucking season.

Wake us up when Yao actually plays a whole NBA season.

[TDMVPDPOY]

this guy had no low posts game or a good jumper

all he does its reb and block shots.....

[KidCongo]

He has a couple more off-seasons for him to become a much more skilled offensive player.

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

No. He's talented, and a top 5 center--top 2 center--but he's not elite at all in the big picture. He's merely an exceptional rebounder, good blocker, and a good dunker.

When I think of elite big men I think of impact players that warp the whole scheme of the game/series, the Coaches game plan. Dwight is still way below a young Tim Duncan, Shaq, Hakeem and young David Robinson.
Even Yao Ming was able to change the series and neutralize the Laker Frontline for the first three games.
Dwight Howard hasn't had that same effect on the Celtics, Big Baby, and Perkins, don't really notice Howard

Dwight Howard to me is about a little bit better than Amare because he's perfected his rebounding and is possibly smarter than him. Even though Amare's offensive repertoire is vastly better than Dwight's.
He's still young so he can still get better but he's not yet elite like the Bigs who've come before him.

[jacobdrj]

Howard is as elite as they come.

I don't put any stock into 'roll player' arguments. Offensive players can be role players too, and they don't dominate a game. Howard is a rebounding machine. Whether or not his blocks are goal tends, he gets the call (sign of a star) and gets the block. He could certainly get better, but he is already a force to be reckoned with.

I don't buy the 'he is a power forward' argument either. Tim Duncan is a center who plays out of position at the PF. What I look for in a center is someone who can dunk the ball when given a good pass in the post. I look for him to defend the paint, and get the board. I look for my PF/SF to score in the paint. That is how the NBA is now, and D-Howard excels at doing what I outlined what a center should do.

He needs a dependable PF, or a better PG to go with his current squad. I think the Magic would be a better team with Jameer and Rafer both healthy, with Rafer in the reserve role. He could actually not hurt too bad by being the 'defensive' one and Jameer being the 'offensive' one.

1 or 2 more solid defensive SF would seal it for the Magic.

[Chieflion]

Howard is as elite as they come.

I don't put any stock into 'roll player' arguments. Offensive players can be role players too, and they don't dominate a game. Howard is a rebounding machine. Whether or not his blocks are goal tends, he gets the call (sign of a star) and gets the block. He could certainly get better, but he is already a force to be reckoned with.

I don't buy the 'he is a power forward' argument either. Tim Duncan is a center who plays out of position at the PF. What I look for in a center is someone who can dunk the ball when given a good pass in the post. I look for him to defend the paint, and get the board. I look for my PF/SF to score in the paint. That is how the NBA is now, and D-Howard excels at doing what I outlined what a center should do.

He needs a dependable PF, or a better PG to go with his current squad. I think the Magic would be a better team with Jameer and Rafer both healthy, with Rafer in the reserve role. He could actually not hurt too bad by being the 'defensive' one and Jameer being the 'offensive' one.

1 or 2 more solid defensive SF would seal it for the Magic.
Actually, in high school, and in his four years he played mostly as power forward (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_forward_%28basketball%29), averaging 16.6 points per game (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Points_per_game) (ppg), 13.4 rebounds per game (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebounds_per_game) (rpg) and 6.3 blocks (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Block_%28basketball%29) per game in 129 appearances.

Such a nice guy but is a fan of Kevin Garnett, taking the number 12 as it was the reverse of Garnett's when he was in Minnesota.

[diego]

howard is a kid and obviously has the tools to improve, but....

a) has no post game. at all. you cant run an offense through him. he has an elite body but not elite skills.
b) gets frustrated and makes bad decisions. someone was comparing him to amare... he has better character than amare, but is just as dumb bball iq wise.

because of a), the magic offense is to chuck 3's and let howard and gortat (also a good rebounder) to clean up the misses. that means he gets obscene rebounding numbers and scores from putbacks with high FG%. his stats look great. but he didnt get them from dominating the game, he got them from the magic's garbage system. if he doesnt improve, he will be like nash- great numbers and looks like they are having a great game, but not dominating the game the way an elite legend type would.


now, would i take him on my team? of course. but if you are going to compare him with duncan, shaq, KAJ, olajuwon, etc... he is not even close skills wise.

[pauls931]

this guy had no low posts game or a good jumper

all he does its reb and block shots.....

I´d take him, with shaq at the end of his career and duncan on the decline, with proper training dwight should be unstoppable. All he´d have to worry about is the off chance that Oden might be healthy.

[sribb43]

Dwight Howard is overrated, he is not the type of big man that you can throw the ball to when your team needs a bucket. The Magic rarely go to Dwight down in the post in late game situations, its always Hedo or Lewis with the ball. He has little to no post moves. At least Shaq had an array of moves.....Not saying Dwight cant learn those type moves bc he is still very young but as of now the man has been overrated based on his dunk contests

[pauls931]

Watching shaq he has three moves.

1. should to defender, then dunk, now days a layin.
2. baseline fadeaway
3. spin and dunk

Watchiing howard he has two moves

1. muscle defender, dunk
2. a shitty hook shot.

However, I´d still take him in a heartbeat, he can learn. Shaq took a while to develop his arsenal, he was all dunks his first few seasons too.

[Capt Bringdown]

This Celtics series is the first time I've bothered to pay attention to him and I'm surprised how raw and clumsy he is.

[stretch]

Howard is elite, but in a different way. He may not be an elite scorer right now, but hes a damn good defender, the best rebounder in the league, and keeps opponents out of the paint. He is a lot more like KG... great hustle player, does dirty/clean-up work. KG developed a decent offensive skill-set, but still isn't really a great offensive player... gets a lot of his points on clean-up work, much like Dwight. That style of play led to KG winning an MVP award.

I'd say Dwight is definitely an elite big-man, that still has more room for growth. If he can develop a consistent 15-18 foot jumper, the way guys like KG and Amare had... and learn how to pass out better, he will be pretty damn scary.

[TwinTowers]

The guy is still developing his game, and is not even close to the prime of his career. The NBA game has become guard-oriented, and the fact that Orlando relies way too much on three point shooting doesn’t help him either. He has great numbers, but lacks the skills, and dominance to be considered an “Elite” big man

[hater]

I'd take him over Bonner

[Muser]

I'd take him over Bonner


I'd take any player, big or small playing Centre than Bonner.

[resistanze]

Watching shaq he has three moves.

1. should to defender, then dunk, now days a layin.
2. baseline fadeaway
3. spin and dunk

Watchiing howard he has two moves

1. muscle defender, dunk
2. a shitty hook shot.

However, I´d still take him in a heartbeat, he can learn. Shaq took a while to develop his arsenal, he was all dunks his first few seasons too.
Nah, Shaq had an array of moves even when he was young. You forgot to add Shaq's baby jump hook in the lane, he did that effectively for like 15 years.

Nevertheless, D12 just needs a couple of more post moves to his arsenal and he'll be the best center in the NBA by light years.

[Obstructed_View]

Shaq had a dozen good go-to type moves in the post by the time he was Howard's age. Dwight at this point is more like Amare, relying on his athleticism instead of his skills.

[sexinthatsx]

Give the guy a break, he's only 24 years old. Give him 3-4 more years and i think he'll be able to fully polish his post-moves and become an elite big man taking over a game.