Sensationalist piece. All you have to do is look at the stats. The subjective stance on how he should act and lead is a boring narrative already. "He smiles too much" I mean really? Dude is a big goofball, that isnt some new revelation. All I know is this, he does have some baggage, but for the HOUSTON ROCKETS Dwight had been probably the only dude who has consistently shown up in crunch time. His playoff stats speak for themselves so BlindHurry should probably check himself. My criticism would be of Bickerstaff and making a big deal out of it. Nobody is going to show Howard sympathy. Game plan for it, but dont go crying to the media. Internalize, have a meeting on what to do when refs lose their goddamned minds and move on.
Ah, but LeBron has TWO rings which is a good enough reason for that organization to "bend over" for him. Besides, he made a conscious decision to return home to Cle with the express goal of leading them to an NBA title. Howard, on the other hand, was running away from Kobe's relentless (and oppressive) desire and determination to win a championship. Howard came here because it was quiet, safe and the fans (media) wouldn't be too critical of him and his antics. Oh, and he still gets PAID. And he was right.
Because he is criticizing a guy who actually produces on court? How has the team enabled Dwight? In fact the team has limited Dwight, they cut all his post ups and I dont even know if they run plays for him, all his touches seem to be pnrs and whatever he gets off his rebs. Sure he couldnt control his emotions and got thrown out, does that happen every game? No? Then stfu BlineBery! Not sure DD why your always critical of Dwight, u wanted him traded a year after his awesome playoff run and now you're agreeing with this hack writer when he has no basis on his writing. Dwight is a star, of course Rox have to treat him well. But between Dwight and Hardem who you think is enabled more?
Good question.... DD, matter what Howard does you have TRUE hate for this man... If he leads the team you give the credit to someone else... If they lose you blame him regardless, even if he has a good game... Hell you blame him for a loss even when he didn't play. T_Man
Got to agree here. DD has on blindsiders. Fran used to be a good reporter, but I would bet money that he did NOT watch the last 3 games completely. Especially the non calls against Dwight. Would have expected a more objective response from you DD.
I think most of the people calling for players to just "keep their head down, give 100%" are older fans. That's what used to be idealized though current players actually get away with a lot LESS in terms of fouls and complaints to the refs. If it were "back in the day" Dwight could give back a little punishment of his own and rip the refs all game. Dwight is who he is and he's not much different from any other superstar - and certainly no different than any other Superstar Big Man. Where is the superstar that keeps his head down, doesn't complain when the refs screw him, and just does his job? Outside of the Warriors, I don't see many. And for the Warriors, it's easy to let stuff go when you're winning. We'll see their true colors if they ever find a team that can consistently push them to the brink. The argument of "They get paid millions to play a game, they should just be productive robots" doesn't work either. Getting paid millions to play basketball is "normal" to them. They do it, their friends do it, their associates do it, their enemies do it. When you're around millionaires most of your adult life, you adjust to that situation and have the same mood swings/outbursts/human reactions anyone else would have. Adjusting to new situations (whether better or worse) is what life does. So let's switch it up - our FANS have to stop complaining, keep your head down, give 100% every game regardless of W/L, and do your job, and let's turn this team around. *Clap Clap*
Bull**** stawman argument. I don't hate anyone, I just have expectations that are higher than the enablers in here criticizing the writing and ignoring the truth of it. And no, Dwight is not reffed fairly, well BOOO HOOO, no big man ever has been, but they don't do stuff to get thrown out like Dwight does either, and the REASON teams do this, is because they know Howard is mentally weak and it will affect him..... If we are going to pay the man for being a superstar he needs to act like it. DD
yes please act like Lebron <blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="6" 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% 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=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BBJdxWVIC11/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">LeBron to Marcus Morris: "Stop f***ing grabbing my arm like that"</a></p> <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 video posted by Sports Videos (@houseofhighlights) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2016-01-30T03:20:57+00:00">Jan 29, 2016 at 7:20pm PST</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>
Unfortunately... You do... But the crap that Howard has put up with is ridicules.. Now here is where I agree with you on something... A GOOD coach steps in to defend his player, especially his big man... As a coach you yell, you scream, you take a "T" AND then you bring it to the press... Hakeem had a short temper, Wilt, Russell, Kareem, Dawkins.. etc.. The difference is, those coach's would step in to protect their big man... Hell Rudy T, could see when Hakeem was about to blow and he would go off.. The same thing with Pat Riley and Phil Jackson. So yeah Howard has done some stupid stuff.. But the refs have been ridicules this year with Howard.. Even the opposing announcers have stated that was not a foul. So Howard has to do his part, but the coach and management have to do theirs. T_Man
Bickerstaff brought Dwight getting beat up every night to the media, but if he does start getting more calls it just means he has a chance to go to the line and brick more free throws. We thought Hakeem and Yao were treated unfairly by the refs too so bigs getting beat on nightly isn't some new revelation that we haven't seen in the past. Rockets need to play some damn defense and that's been the issue all year. They aren't going to win many games giving up 120 points on a regular basis and stop worrying about the refs and start holding themselves accountable for their piss poor efforts.
While I think there's a degree of truth in there, Blinebury is not exactly a dispassionate observer of such things anymore. Basketball-wise, Dwight's not been bad. He's taking three less shots a game, so call him unassertive if you want - but his efficiency, rebounding, and shotblocking are unchanged from the last two years. There are much more obvious places to look for the Rockets' struggles. As far as the refs go, I think in a general sense Dwight needs to shut up and play, but in the context of the last week I understand the counterargument and it's going way overboard to call him a fake tough guy for the situation.
Yah but that article on the bottom right was by Fran. Also why is he just writing an article about the city enabling Dwight when the article should be about us enabling the entire team to play the way they do. We enable guys like Harden and Tjones to not focus on both ends of the court. We enable guys like Brewer to play the way he is right now and for Josh to continue to chuck the ball at a low percentage.
if this is DH, immediate ejection and suspension likely <blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="6" 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% 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=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BBYWWMboCyz/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">J.R. Smith doesn't have time for games. </a></p> <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 video posted by Sports Videos (@houseofhighlights) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2016-02-04T22:04:41+00:00">Feb 4, 2016 at 2:04pm PST</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>
I don't mind JBB stepping up, JVG did it for Yao. I mind Dwight doing stuff he KNOWS is going to get himself kicked out because he can't control himself after 11 years in the league. DD
Don't you think you're overreacting considering Dwight got thrown out of 1 GAME? How long has he been in the league? He's been playing for 11 years this is the first time he got suspended for touching a ref and it's a token suspension, just 1 game. So 1 game out of 11 years worth of games and now suddenly everyone who defends him is an enabler? You're the one using strawman arguments here, what's the basis for saying the Howard is a deviant and the Rox are enabling him? Seriously why don't you stop posting BS and give me facts? Because based on facts the Rox haven't been enabling him at all, in fact there are articles last year when Dwight said he would LIMIT his role and sacrifice (the OPPOSITE OF ENABLING) just to win: http://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...6/dwight-howard-rockets-free-agency/77434388/ Dwight 2014 Playoff Average: 26 pts, 13.7 Rebs Dwight 2015 Playoff Average: 16.4 pts, 14 Rebs Dwigh 2016 Ave: 14.4 pts, 11.8 rebs 60.8% FG (underutilized) Dwight has been acting like a superstar, the only reason you don't think so is because you hate the guy for some reason. What kind of expectations are you having that if he gets suspended for 1 game he deserves to get ripped apart by hacks like Blindbury? Dwight's the only guy on the team that has consistently shown up in the playoffs and against elite opponents like GSW, Spurs and Cleveland. Its not like he got suspended for 1 season or he lost control and punched somebody, he just touched a ref and so his "punishment" if you can call it that is just something light. Blindbury's article is one big strawman argument, his entire article about Dwight "not being there" ignores the fact that the dude has been injured, if you are gonna blame him for being injured what about Yao Ming? Are you hating on Yao Ming too? He was making superstar money and he missed a ton of playoff years we had due to injury! BTW Hakeem got suspended too multiple times, are you saying Hakeem doesn't act like a superstar and anyone who defends him is an enabler of his bad behavior? Why does hakeem get a pass but Dwight has to be ripped for missing 1 game? http://articles.chicagotribune.com/...charlie-thomas-hakeem-olajuwon-leonard-armato http://www.cbsnews.com/news/hakeem-mcdyess-fined-suspended/
