Sources: Houston has started contacting teams about trading Dwight Howard

Yep.

One can hope there are still other teams in the league and GMs that don't have analytics departments... because the narrative that Dwight is still an elite defender and it's lack of effort by Harden, or a step back by Ariza that are the true defensive problems clearly doesn't tell the whole story. it tells a lot of the story, but the stats as you note also paint the picture of Dwight just not being as good.

Frankly, it's increasingly obvious with the eye test as well. He's increasingly reluctant to come out "enough" on pick and roles. He doesn't go up as much to block shots. When he does go up to block a shot it seems to take a lot more effort and is slower, which leads to uncontested offensive rebounds by the other team. Etc., Etc.

This is clearly not pogo stick, challenge everything in sight, move your feet on PnR big man defense that Dwight did when he was younger.

It's his back, his age, his mentality, whatever.

There's a reason why the Rockets defense isn't really any better with him or without him these days.

 

Cousins. Please Cousins

 

Ya'll said this last year, but this year that crap doesn't fly. Ty Lawson was supposed to be the starter, but Bev beat him out with pure heart & hustle. The main reason he's starting is because he helps cover for Harden's laziness. Putting a playmaker next to James makes a bad defense ever worse

 

I noted that its our defense. Yes I know. But it just shows you that he's not able to clean up a mess like he used to.

In a better team defense I'm sure Dwight would be great, but with this team obviously their best chance to WIN NOW isn't with Dwight on the floor. Its by simply outscoring their opponent.

So unless the Rockets are going to overhaul their defense overnight, they need to trade Dwight if he's not going to be around next Summer. He's not helping us at all this year unless they miraculously turn around their defense.

 

Who covers Bevs laziness.

 

Good post!

But I have to think some of this can be blamed on terrible perimeter defense, right? Guys blowing past Harden/Ariza with ease on their way to Dwight?

 

Beverley can't defend anyone, he gets blown by easily and gives up silly fouls

 

in that case, sure! But if Durant doesn't show up, then you don't want to pay more for a team that's already bad. Get something for Dwight now before he walks. I honestly think he deserves the max still. Any other C of his quality is getting the max. I don't care if they're younger. Dwight's rebounding and great hands to catch and finish alley- oops and just passes in general are very hard to find... Good luck replacing it.

 

5 crazy Dwight Howard trades you wouldn't even think of ...because why not?

Spoiler

Horford + Splitter for Howard + Motiejunas
Carmelo + RoLo for Howard + Lawson

HOU: D.Lee + Randle + Bass + Olynyk
MIA: J.Crowder + L.Nance
LAL: McRoberts + Whiteside
BOS: Howard

D.Lee + Bradley for Howard
Parsons + Zaza + J.Anderson for Howard

 

I just don't get it....how the hell can you not figure something out with this much talent??

Not gonna lie though, I never got the impression that Howard disliked Mchale, Rockets seem to be listening more to Harden then Howard. I'm not saying that they're wrong for that, but often times the younger and more immature you are the less self-reflective you are when faced with a problem.

I honestly would have been much less sad to see Harden go, not based on play necessarily, just that attitude

 

Bev's lazy now? What is this nonsense you speak of young man

 

Helllllllll no

 

THIS. Spot on. This rockets season has got to be some of worst perimeter defense I've seen played in some time. Its blow by city if your the opposing team.

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Actually, I have been corrected on the salary matching. Rockets would have to take back a little more than $17 million if deal Dwight.</p>&mdash; Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jonathan_Feigen/status/697871170603847680">February 11, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Morey last night: &quot;Where we're at shifts how much you focus on now versus future. Doesn't make you exclusively look at 1 versus the other.&quot;</p>&mdash; Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jonathan_Feigen/status/697872407789371392">February 11, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Howard for Tyson Chandler and Morris. I don't like it, but I could see it going down.

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=p2rwbw4

 

Neither can any other center. How often do you believe that happens per game?

Those numbers regarding shooting percentage are based on the player directly guarding the shot attempt, not just being in the area. This season opponents are shooting +0.5% better than their normal shooting percentage when Howard is defending the shot.

Why do you think Capela has a better percentage (-1.6%) when he's playing with the same players?

 

ncoming Players
Mike Conley
28 year old, 6-1, 175 lb PG from Ohio State
14.9 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 6.1 apg in 31.5 minutes in 2015-2016
Jeff Green
29 year old, 6-9, 235 lb F from Georgetown
12.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.8 apg in 29.1 minutes in 2015-2016
Courtney Lee
30 year old, 6-5, 200 lb SG from Western Kentucky
10.0 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.5 apg in 29.2 minutes in 2015-2016
Outgoing Players
Dwight Howard
30 year old, 6-11, 265 lb C from Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy (Georgia)
14.6 ppg, 12.0 rpg, 1.5 apg in 32.3 minutes in 2015-2016
Jason Terry
38 year old, 6-2, 185 lb G from Arizona
5.9 ppg, 1.1 rpg, 1.3 apg in 16.8 minutes in 2015-2016

 

Exelent post

I take the Miami deal if we can agree an extention with Whitside before. CyberX metion this trade as a posibility.

If we can steal Winslow in that trade it will be amasing. Miami will need a PG. so Bev + 1st for Winslow and fillers.

But anyway, a starting lineup with

Dragic
Harden
Winslow
Dmo
Whitside

looks young and great. Still not a contender.

If we can steal Winslow in that trade it will be amasing. Miami will need a PG. so Bev for Winslow and fillers.

 

Damn I like this first two

 

Wow...Not what I expected to hear (or wanted to hear) coming into this season *sigh