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Edit...story does mention he doesn't come close in assists.
No bull: Mavericks' Howard may be a Pippen clone
11:00 PM CDT on Tuesday, October 16, 2007
By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News
Scottie Pippen was one of a kind.
Josh Howard has said all along that he would like to change that.
And while the world mostly remembers Pippen as the best sidekick in NBA history, and that Howard is merely a one-time All-Star who has yet to win one-sixth as many NBA les as Pippen was part of, a couple of facts link them.
After four seasons, they both had the same number of trips to the NBA Finals – one, although Pippen also had a ring with the Chicago Bulls.
They both were just finding out how good they can be playing behind – and beside – an MVP.
Howard has said since he came into the league that he's patterned his game after Pippen's, trying to do the slithery, sneaky stuff that Pippen mastered in midcareer.
And, by the way, being a 20-point scorer wouldn't hurt, either. But it's not just about the scoring. It's about everything. It's about having the kind of overall game that made Pippen so unique. He wasn't Michael Jordan. But he wasn't bad.
Howard is no Dirk Nowitzki. But he is a rare talent nonetheless.
"It's a step I would love to take. It's just a matter of time," Howard said. "I love being the sidekick to Dirk. I think Scottie played that role great. He was the greatest No. 2 of all time. And on any other team, he'd have been No. 1.
"So he respected other players. That's one thing I took from him when I was watching him growing up. MJ was the star, and Scottie knew his role. It's kind of like me. Dirk's our star, and I know my role. Hopefully, I can do it."
Howard is aware that any comparisons when his career is over will hinge on earning championships. The Mavericks are 0-for 1 in trips to the Finals. The Bulls went 6-for-6 with Jordan and Pippen.
Those sort of comparisons are unfair, of course. But life's never been fair. Howard has gone through a rough summer with the death of his college coach, Skip Prosser. Howard learned to deal with life and basketball while playing at Wake Forest under Prosser. Those lessons have served him well.
Now, Howard understands that he has the talent and drive to be a special player.
Efforts to reach Pippen were unsuccessful, but he told Mavericks coach Avery Johnson during off-season meetings that he was a big fan of Howard.
"[Pippen] was impressed with him, he just thought there was a whole other level for him to go," said Johnson, who has made a point of showing Howard videos of Pippen, Sean Elliott and other players with games similar to the 6-7 Howard.
Robert Horry, San Antonio's seven-ring-owning forward, understands the potential that Howard has and gives him the utmost respect.
"He's like I was when I was young," Horry said. "That's the one thing we don't have on our team – a long, lanky wing guy that is athletic and can do pretty much everything. I used to be able to, but now I can only do it for one possession, maybe."
Johnson emphasizes that Howard is going to get every opportunity to be a Pippen clone. He already has the scoring ability, the shooting, the slashing and the defensive instincts.
He's Pippen without the big nose in so many ways.
But one thing is missing. Pippen averaged 5.2 assists for his career.
Howard has averaged fewer than two assists per game in all four seasons. And that's something Johnson and Howard expect to change if he's to become the new-age Pippen.
"I think he's maturing to that level, and that's a good example for him," Johnson said of Howard. "We let him run the offense a little bit more, get us into some plays last year. I think that can be effective for us.
"More than anything, I think Josh just needs to keep his body strong. Josh is a warrior. Josh is a stud. Josh can just flat-out play. But he needs to get better, he needs to get stronger and keep his body strong all year."
A lot has been made of Howard's fast start to games. By far, his production in the first quarter was his best of the game, on average. The flip side to that is he often faded in the second half.
"He's one of the guys I'm really looking forward to working with," new Mavericks assistant coach Mario Elie said. "Josh always gets off to these great starts and then disappears. We're going to work hard on that. He plays pretty much the same position I did, so I hope to lend some expertise there."
It would be another step in Howard's progression. And he understands that it isn't a trip that he can fast-forward. He won't become what he wants to be in a day or a year. It will take a career that evolves and grows.
"There's not many guys who come in and can get a championship in their first four or five years," Howard said. "I know we had an opportunity two years ago, but I'm in it for the long haul. Hopefully, I can get it here in Dallas. I'd love to stay here my whole career."
Especially if it means eventually being mentioned in the same breath as the player he's emulating.
JOSH WANTS TO BE LIKE SCOTTIE
Scottie Pippen won six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls. The Mavericks' Josh Howard wants to pattern his game after Pippen's. Staff writer Eddie Sefko compares the two at the same point in their careers:
Pippen's progression
ROOKIE SEASON: 7.9 points, 3.8 rebounds
SECOND SEASON: 14.4 points, 6.1 rebounds
THIRD SEASON: 16.5 points, 6.7 rebounds
FOURTH SEASON: 17.8 points, 7.3 rebounds
FIFTH SEASON: 21.0 points, 7.7 rebounds
Howard's progression
ROOKIE SEASON: 8.6 points, 5.5 rebounds
SECOND SEASON: 12.6 points, 6.4 rebounds
THIRD SEASON: 15.6 points, 6.3 rebounds
FOURTH SEASON: 18.9 points, 6.8 rebounds
Edit...story does mention he doesn't come close in assists.
But what about steals?
Plus Pippen was Pippen because he ended up with 6 rings and had a dude named Michael Jordan next to him. Who does Howard has? Chokewitzki?
Howard>Ginobili
Ginobili 3 rings, 1 olympic gold medal >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Any Mav in history
that doesn't change the fact that Howard is better than ginobili.
What fact? There's no fact. It's your opinion. Fact is what I told you. Facts are rings and medals. Come back to me when Howard earns any of those facts.
Howards shooting>>>Manu
Manu in the clutch(taking over a game especially in the playoffs)>>>>>>>>Howard
Manu's mental toughness>>>>>>>Howard
I ing love Josh Howard but there are alot of things Manu is just much better than him at.
All of this wont matter much when Cuban ships him to the Fakers as part of the Kobe deal.
Dude there is alot more to basketball than those few points.
Howard > Ginobili in rebounding, defense, scoring, any area except clutchness.
Manu has Parker and Duncan while Howard has only Dirk and Terry. Therefore Howard>Manu.
Maybe I'm missing something here, but, who coached Pippen? JACKSON!! He could easily make Howard another Pippen if he wanted.
Pippen without the big nose? This guy needs to get his information straight.
This isn't actually true. Howard's per-game averages are slightly higher, but he also plays 35 minutes a game to Ginobili's 27. These are their per-40-minutes averages from last season (via basketball-reference.com):
Howard: 21.5pts 7.7rb 2.1ast 1.3stl 0.9blk
Ginobili: 24.1pts 6.3rb 5.1ast 2.1stl 0.5blk
So, last season, Howard was significantly better rebounder and a slightly better shot-blocker while Ginobili a significantly better stealer of the ball. Defensively they are pretty similar. But Ginobili was a significantly superior scorer, in terms of both his own points and getting his teammates involved.
what a ing insult to pippen. and lmao @ dirk4mvp. not a personal fan of ginobili but he is more of a special player then howard. howard.
Howard still has a short temper and lacks composure. In terms of scoring and rebounding sure Howard>Manu. In terms of heart, slashing, stealing, getting under the other teams skin,toughness, to extent leadership and taking over in the clutch then it is easily Manu>>>>>>>>>>>>>Howard.
LMAO
except Michael Finley
Howard was our best player against Golden State. Maybe he exerts too much effort and is fatigued in the 4th quarter because of it but he gives a lot in the 3 quarters.
What a load of garbage.
Ginobili's per 48 stats are better....well I should HOPE SO!!
He only has to play 27 minutes a game. Could you imagine how much better everyone's efficiency numbers would be if they knew they were only playing 27 minutes a night?
True. Howard would be perfect if he only had to play 27 minutes. He just can't play his best for the total game as he gets fatigued.
He has played over 27 minutes and still kept his efficiency up. Should I remind you when he dropped 48 points in your gym? Didn't think so.
Just go ahead and take it out on the Mavs and whoever else you want. Just be prepared for the season the kings are about to have.
ginobili had one good year and playoffs and everyone jumped on his nuts....
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