Agreed. Also, Hakeem had his go-to jump hook in the lane. All other moves were counters (baseline spin) and counters-to-counters (baseline dream shake). Watching him setup these moves progressively as the game wore on was truly remarkable. He was the master. If Dwight could establish himself early, then he could counter with his own repertoire of spin moves and face ups. IMO, Dwight gets into trouble when he makes up his mind on how he's going to attack, instead of waiting for what the defense gives him. So many of his turnovers are due to his lack of 'feel' for his defender. He often complicates things when most of today's bigs can't even defend his go-to move -- the left hand running hook through the lane.
I forget who said it but it's really hard to teach new "mechanics" in the sense of the athleticism, intuition, and fluidity of new moves. DH has been trying for a long time to add more dimensions to his game. Maybe he should focus on fine-tuning what he does best, his PNR game, and making it the most unstoppable in the league.
Dwight's go to move should be the dunk. Dunking off lobs, dunking off of a pick and roll, dunking off an offensive rebound. The possibilities are endless.
Dwight should watch DMo, the closest we've got to Hakeem's graceful movements. DMo just doesn't have the touch on the shot that Hakeem has. Does DMo have small hands? Dwight doesn't have a shooter's touch. It's pretty much a push shot. He should just capitalize on his quickness to make a move, not back down his defender. I've also been advocating he learn the Duncan short bankshot. Would save his body from all that banging.
So you feel pretty good about Dwight going to his hook late in a game? Do you feel it's going to be a good look most of the time and also accurate? His money shot? Does he have a money shot? I don't. Half the time I expect him to get it off awkwardly. I With the better post players, it's more about making or missing it, rather than worrying about them getting it off.
Dwight tries to muscle his shots too much instead of keeping his balance. Hakeem had that wrestler's strength. His balance made him feel like he weighed 40 pounds more than he did.
PNR would be more effective if Howard ran it with more then 1 player on the team and not always at the top of the key
^ This. Watch this video with Yao and Hasheem the Dream working out together. Yao gets full extension of his arm before flicking the wrist. Thabeet shoots it with his whole arm. Dwight is not as bad as Thabeet, but he is somewhere in between. Yao's form will get you much more consistency because he is releasing it at the same point every time. http://youtu.be/kDdVQN7xEuI?t=54s
Dwight's form is poor but it's too late to change it. He's most comfortable with it and he can get by but it will never be as automatic as the great historic big men. His hook is more of a push shot whereas the proper mechanics require a flick of the wrist. It's like why they teach you to flick your wrist when you shoot and not to push the ball at the rim. It's a lot more accurate and you have a higher release point which is multi beneficial.
Wow...that disparity is discouraging. I hope Dwight regains his DPOY athleticism because I'm not optimistic otherwise
Too much emphasis on their release..although I see the difference you're talking about and it is a problem, the bad movement starts when Thabeet catches the ball. If you could draw the path the ball travels for each, from catch to release, you can see Thabeet's would be lower. He brings the ball down, which changes his posture enough to change how he lifts his arm overhead. Same issue with Dwight. He bends at the torso, which changes how he lifts the arm, which will affect the wrist release. It's all connected.
Good thread. I did notice DH does push the ball instead of using his wrist more. It is ok when he goes for the kiss off the glass from the side but definitely better form would help him with hooks in front of the basket.
he's hitting it with only Black defending him..hope we get a legit 7-footer back up C so that DH12 can really perfect that shot
Watching open court on nbatv. C web was throwing out names of players as they discuss who are great players. He throws out a few names, among them Howard. Shaq just starts laughing hysterically. And as they go to commercial, Reggie keeps asking why Shawn is laughing, and Charles keeps saying "because he hates him" as reggie repeatedly asks, "but Whyyy?" Meanwhile, shaq continues to laugh in the background. So much hate, but it was kind of funny.
