on a tangent -- Sam Smith (don't know him) on Bulls.com is claiming that "Dwight Howard is already starting to pout about having to play with Asik" (http://www.nba.com/bulls/news/sam-smiths-2013-14-nba-power-rankings.html) -- anyone else seeing this? Or hearing anything like that? Not trying to start anything, just checking up on something that sounds like speculation to me...
I am skeptical, because this guy works primarily for the Bulls and I don't see how such a controversial information could somehow evade all the other popular writers out there. This article was also written 6 days ago, before the season started and after the Rockets had two dominating pre-season victories over the Spurs and the Grizzlies with the twin tower frontcourt fully utilized. I think this guy is full of it.
For those less educated on theories: "If you feed the big dog, he will guard the yard. If you don’t feed him, he’s just going to walk around and get bored, and he ain’t going to do ****. So if I’m getting the ball, I’m going to work. Every time." Shaq
He doesn't get enough shots for him to look like 2009 Howard. Athletically and defensively, he's there.
It would be great if Dwight can average close to his best year which was about 22 and 14 if I'm not mistaken. Dwight, however, is not quit as freakishly athletic as he was that year so he has GOT to improve on his post skill. He has some skill down low but mainly relies on his athleticism. He still turns the ball over too much and sometimes looks no better than Asik when he gets the ball down low. He has to get more sure handed and consistent down low. That being said, Dwight just with his presence and rebounding still catapults this team into contender status and makes the Rox a difficult match up for most teams.
Outside of the counting numbers, how do you think he's looked? I've been impressed with his ability to be an impact defender. That was what struck me in the Charlotte game - they single covered a pretty elite post big man in Al Jefferson (primarily with Asik), forced him into a horrendous shooting night, and let Howard be a terror around the basket. He needs to make his free throws, but he's gotten to the line, which is what you want. He and Harden are going to force teams to go to their benches. The PnR with Harden has shown flashes, and I think he'll start getting more points from that as they develop their chemistry. Not sure what you expected offensively. He hasn't been Shaq down low, but he's a big jump up from a Mutombo.
A bit of a strong word, yes. Do you care to elaborate? Our offense seems to go in spurts of turning the ball over 6 plays in a row. Do that against contenders and we will get burned. We give the other team dangerous momentum. Both the Dallas and Utah announcers couldn't stop talking about how their teams' D's look so good. I can't help but feel that we make their D look that good. Once we tighten up in that area, then we'll begin to see the dominant team that Clutchfans expect.
If we keep playing like this it's not going to be a Good season. We're playing like the Texans right now. Wait until the the last second to turn play serious. Doing that in basketball is not going to work out well. D12 can play much better. I hope this isn't his old days, and we're playing awful right now compared to where we should be. If we play in LA like we've been playing so far we're going to get ran out of LA
I am as excited as the next person, but remember we have played poor teams. It is safe to assume we start the season 8-2 (give or take) considering our schedule. We are beating teams we SHOULD beat. It will actually work to our favor because our weak schedule allows us to figure it out while winning at the same time.
My guess is that someone from the front office of another team used Sam Smith to spread this rumor to try and lower Asik's trade value. Smith's reference talks about how the Rockets have to trade Asik and it seems that some some office love to use the media this way. As for Howard's feelings, he may well be a little frustrated with playing PF next to Asik, which results in him having to guard shooters like Dirk and having less space with which to operate. I think a lot of us have similar doubts based on the mixed return so far. However, there is a huge leap to go from there to "Howard wants Asik gone!" First, Howard has to appreciate (and said so himself several times) having a great back up in Asik that allows him to rest when tired, in foul trouble, or injured. Second, the twin-tower returns have not been all negative. Finally, even if the twin towers don't work, the Rockets have done great with Casspi and Parsons at the PF, so worst come to worst you can play Asik less and play the other guys more. There really is no urgency to burn a great C just to acquire a traditional PF or anything else.
Dallas is not a poor team. They already beat the Hawks and the Grizzlies. Also, remember this team went 41-41 with an injured Dirk, and before replacing Darren Collison, OJ Mayo and Elton Brand with Calderon, Ellis and Dalembert. Health permitting, the Mavs are going to be an over .500 team at least.
I think some people are really overreacting to Dwights offensive struggles. I think you have to ignore last year, nobody was committed to making that work and he was hurt to boot. His last year in Orlando his offensive numbers were in line with his great years, he's really only had the bad Laker season. He'll get right back to that level by midseason. His struggles are more an issue of comfort and everybody learning how to get the most out of his ability. Flashes, seal offs, and lobs.
Defensively I was very impressed in the first game, and most of game 2, and portions of game 3. He also had some lapses where he didn't get out on shooters or he didn't really make an effort to contest some shots. He offers a lot in terms of sheer intimidation, but consistent defensive intensity and alertness is also something I'd like him to bring us. Its early. Offensively, he looks more uncoordinated than I realized on basic hook shots. He seems very rushed.
This was my most observed problem with Dwight in the post. He needs to know what he is doing before he receives the pass. I also noticed in the first two possessions Chandler completely blew off Dwight wide open underneath for easy dunks off of pnr. His teammates need to notice a big man open near the rim and pass him the ball.
