Link : http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles...life-with-lakers-knicks?ex_cid=espnapi_public World Peace talks life with Lakers, Knicks " On Howard's limitations as an offensive player: "That’s where I had an issue with Dwight sometimes because he’s strong and he can rebound, he can block shots, he can dunk. But his moves are not polished yet. So to want the ball every time … we’re going to give it to you, because the franchise called for that, but he isn’t going to score." Ooooo but sounds kinda right..
Dwight has been inconsistent with his post play. There are some nights where he's just completely dominating whoever is guarding him...and most nights, Dwight can't buy a field goal.
income the homers who attack MWP saying he's just mad that the Lakers didn't win anything, even though MWP is on the mark.
World Peace is right. The Rox are falling into the same trap of force feeding Dwight in the post to pacify him. He just doesn't have skill down there especially against decent post defenders. Throwing it to Dwight in the post most of the time is a negative play. I so hope the coaching staff utilizes him appropriately in the playoffs or it could really hurt the team.
Howard is third in the league in FG%. He averages more 'points per shot' than any other Rocket (that plays significant minutes).
If we can get a proper entry past to Dwight fast enough, his post game is alright. However, when that doesn't happen and the D has time to set and guard it due to Dwight's lack of being able to change his post game on reaction.
My biggest problem with Howard is his post up possessions. He's averaging toward the bottom of the league per post up possessions. It almost a throw away possession most of the time when the Rox throw it to him in the post.
"Dwight, we need to run the pick and roll with you every offensive possession alrite." "but but but but... no buts Dwight we are heading into PlayOffs.." "Do you want to look good or fail this post season?" This conversation needs to happen seen. Confronting a player is okay, even though he's a franchise player.
We this is Metta's point, Dwight is a nice dunker hence the high FG% but his moves are not polished...which is true. BUT Dwight has drastically improved on his post play since the beginning of the season.
Everybody has a point about Howard's efficiency when he takes the shot in the post, but that isn't why we're encouraging him to get the ball in the post. We do it because he's able to frequently draw the double team and draw the defense into the paint. When that happens, he's able to pass the ball out of the post to the perimeter and our team can swing the ball to find the open three-point shooter. So, even though he isn't uber-efficient at scoring in the post, his positioning and action down in the post results in quality offensive possessions, which, on the average, are justifying some of his turnovers and misses down low.
I'm willing to bet Dwight will not see many double teams in the post in the playoffs. Heck, even the Bobcats weren't doubling Dwight much last night. He's gonna have to make smarter, quicker decisions when he receives the ball down there and not be a ball stopper.
I don't agree with his comments. Yes Howard is no Hakeem, or Ewing that has post moves for days. He does however score plenty of times playing from the post position or gets his teammates open looks when he is posted up. Say what you will, hate on him, but he still commands a double team and he is still a threat to score from the post. There have been numerous games this season in which he dominated his opponent from the post. He's a great passer, and a smart passer at that, and we in now way would be with 48 wins without him.
I'm willing to bet he will get double teams. He was coming off an injury and Al is a big body and good defender. Splitter,D.Lee,Lopez,Plumlee can't handle him 1 on 1, Gasol and Deandre can.
Good, smart defensive teams will not double Dwight. Thats playing right into the Rox hands. Smart, good defensive teams would rather Dwight try to beat them in the post and not open up shooters on the outside and give Harden and other cutters room to operate.
I swear the world has short term memory. Dwight has one off game returning from an injury and everybody forgets the improvement in efficient basketball he's been playing this last half of the season.
