I've mentioned a lot of this lately, so some may be tired of reading it, but I think this post paints a clearer picture of Dwight's downward spiral. He may not have the best attitude to play pro sports, but I don't think that's really his issue, as many seem to be arguing lately. 2011-2012 (Magic) Spoiler Has back surgery in April to repair herniated disk http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/7834605/orlando-magic-dwight-howard-back-surgery-miss-rest-season 2012-2013 (Lakers) Spoiler Torn labrum in January http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/...s-angeles-lakers-shoulder-injury-re-evaluated -------------------------------- Spoiler Begins to wear posture shirt (Some of you may have noticed Dwight wore the shirt again for a game or two about a week ago) One thing I've never understood was, if he obviously needs to work on his posture, which 9/10 times involves keeping your shoulders back and down, why did this keep happening at the free throw line? Counterproductive much? 2013-2014 (Rockets) Spoiler Signs with Houston http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/...ise-joining-houston-rockets-kevin-mchale-says 2014-2015 (Rockets) Spoiler June -The Rockets invited a sports chiropractor and mobility/movement coach to teach a few things to their staff. Looks like the team made sure Dwight would be available for some treatment. <blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://instagram.com/p/o6TSe7I9tm/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_top">A photo posted by Dr. Andreo Spina (@drandreospina)</a> on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2014-06-06T17:27:17+00:00">Jun 6, 2014 at 10:27am PDT</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script> ----------------------------------- Spoiler Dwight trained with P3 over the summer. They basically break down the mechanics of athletes and look for issues that need to be corrected. They made this video available, showing Howard's lateral movement versus Jeff Teague's. <iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Q1y8yANAS6g" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> In a recent article on P3 I found this quote: So, we know with certainty that Teague is the good example in that video. You'll notice that Dwight's lower legs come together on the move. I also see that Dwight's lower back area seems to move first. It's just a slight twitch to his right and then the rest of him seems to move right. Teague moves basically in one whole movement. This slight twitch is associated with back pain and movement dysfunction. Medical reference @ 17:25: <iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ntS6Xv8jxeg?t=17m25s" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> http://youtu.be/ntS6Xv8jxeg?t=17m25s Also, at 21:12: "People with low back pain, move the lumbo-pelvic region early during lower limb movements" ------------------------------------ Spoiler "Bruises" right knee in practice during pre-season Now, I may be reaching here, but it's the same knee and at the time McHale spoke about getting the swelling out. It could have been one hell of a knee bump, but could it have been an early sign of trouble? Maybe Dwight wasn't sure how it happened and assumed he bumped knees? Maybe the team wanted to cover up the issue? http://247sports.com/Bolt/Dwight-Howard-to-miss-Rockets-preseason-game-with-a-bruised-knee-31892280 ------------------------------------ Spoiler Strains right knee and has platelet procedure done http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/1...ouston-rockets-no-table-return-knee-procedure ------------------------------------ Spoiler Strained knee still an issue http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterocke...emains-an-issue-for-dwight-howard/#27968101=0 ------------------------------------ Spoiler Yesterday: We can see that Dwight still excels in the vertical game. He can go straight up for rebounds, blocks, dunks, alleys...but that's about it. He's sort of always been this way though, so perhaps he's always been a little off mechanically and it has just snowballed over the years. If that's true, then it's very possible that trying to turn him into a post player, with spins and twisting moves, would only wear him down more. That kind of play last year could be one big reason why his knee is hurting now. Possibly. In the vertical game it's easier for his body to compensate. There's lots of slack to stretch out, from the ankles, knees, hips, to the spine and neck. When it comes to rotational movements though, there isn't much slack because rotation occurs at joints at different levels, from side to side, and in opposing directions. Not just straight up and down along the whole body, like when he extends for a rebound or dunk. The questions I'd ask are, how damaged is he really? How much of it can be corrected? How much are the Rockets doing to correct it? Dwight has implied he's pacing and protecting himself, hoping to be ready when it counts, the playoffs. That sort of implies he needs rest, to take it easy, and/or possibly more platelet-type treatment. However, he showed he still has movement issues at P3, as early as this past summer, so I'm not sure that's enough. If he's not moving better mechanically, he's just going to tweak something again. Feigen did tweet this last night: <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Just for you, I asked. Morey, Keith Jones said no way. RT <a href="https://twitter.com/aquarilized">@aquarilized</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/Jonathan_Feigen">@Jonathan_Feigen</a> Rumor, Howard needs micro fracture surgery. True?</p>— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jonathan_Feigen/status/558103389427736578">January 22, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> But I'd take that with a grain of salt, given how the question was asked. It's easy to say no, he doesnt need surgery right now. Cyberx only said they feared he might, as in later. Personally, I'm frustrated watching this unfold because I posted about Dwight's movement issues several times, since he got here. If I could see it, clearly they could, right? So, I was optimistic to hear they saw the issues during his physical. I've been expecting major improvement, but it peaked in the playoffs and it's been downhill since. Will Dwight need surgery? Will he get better? Worse? Will he miss games? The playoffs? Spoiler I know it'll be easy to blame the medical staff, yet again, but I think we need to keep in mind that there are more variables at play here, than just a doctor's visit. Dwight has to look out for himself, his career. Morey has to look out for the team, his job. And the list goes on. A couple of different individuals could be blamed for different reasons here. Finally, there's this....now, I'm not saying their issues were caused for the same reasons and will turn out the same. After all, there are different ways to cause damage to joints, but it can serve to show how there is a relationship between problems at these joints and how severe it could be. Spoiler
Excellent post. I especially enjoyed the picture at the end. Did you have to steal the title of that much less well reasoned thread? It's become cliche and detracts from your post. I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Superman curse: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superman_curse
I think it's hard to do what they do, for as long as they have, and have a heart issue. The guys that really don't care don't stay in the league or in rotations very long. A better argument is that they both love life much more than basketball, so in the day to day grind, maybe going that extra 10th mile wasn't worth it. On the other hand, a guy like Kobe is making sure he exhausts all options and gets the most out of his body....but he's also a crazily-obssessed *******, so there's that
I wont be suprised if he doesnt get in the all stars game... after all lets admit it... he doesnt even deserve it.
T-mac seemed to be "hungry" player in the early Orlando days trying to prove a point. But after multiple failures and injuries, seemed like he was happy to be 2nd and 3rd fiddle and lost his heart. Dwight always has been a fun loving guys who doesn't take serious about his work despite having all the tools to become the next great center since hakeem. Now with all the mileage and injuries he seems to coast in the games which I doubt he can switch it on come playoffs.
Despite what this means for our chances this season, the potential of Dmo , Jones, Capela is still that of a high caliber front line , it just needs more time to get there.
T-Mac, I'll give you, but Dwight's workouts and his gym work ethic are legendary. Even at his most problem-ridden times, he's still working on the areas he can. I've never seen the guy step on the court in anything less than amazing shape. If you could simply work-out your way past knee issues, cracked vertebrae and torn labrums, I have no doubt Dwight would have done it. There are many things you can question about Dwight, but I don't see his gym work ethic being one of them.
take solace in the fact, that if he weren't damaged goods and/or not driven anymore, Houston never would have landed him. He'd still be in LA.
LOL Nobody cares if an NBA player deserves an All-Star spot. If you like the player, you vote him. Aged Kobe got more than a million votes to start the game, and I personally didn't vote Curry or LeBron a single time.
I wasn't referring to gym time. I meant, after you're done putting in 12 hours a day, are you going home looking for ways to still get and feel better? Kobe was trying new procedures in Germany and now there's that story about bone broth circulating. He just isn't satisfied with what the team does for him or provides. He uses that and still looks for more.
To be honest, I really miss Yao. His attitude on basketball is really impressive. I won't blame him on any lose game.
the only real non-broken down all-star we got since morey has been here has been harden who knows how rudy gay would would have developed had we kept him tmac was having back issues when we got him, and dwight had injuries and missed games with the lakers when he signed here
One thing I like Harden more than Tmac is that this guy is making big progress every year to overcome his shortcomings.
Excellent post RV6 and it a tough dose of reality. Injuries suck but they are a part of sports. Dwight has accomplished an amazing amount in life and it is absurd for people to say he doesn't have "heart". You don't magically get to his level without heart.