Don't get me wrong, i am super thrilled with our 3 big recent wins. Personally, this is the same feeling I had on our 22 win streak. I am happy with the way Dwight is doing defensively. But I think if we wan't to compete to the next level. We need Dwight to do more. I just hope Harden don't burn himself out and Lin to contribute more. Three simple things I suggest Howard needs to do: 1.) Dwight needs to score more This is obvious but I feel he needs to score at least in the mid 20's. He has done it in in his career. He just needs to score more than the usual 18 pt average. 2.) Dwight needs to post up more (and quickly) Obvious again. Eventhough he gets a lot of turnovers, he need to do it more and in a quicker pace. 3.) Dwight needs to post up more in the 4th or in crunch time. I understand that Mchale does not want the opposing team to foul on Howard but still if you are confident on your post moves then just keep on trying. We can't rely on Harden all the time in the clutch. It was obvious that he was getting tired against the Blazers. Similar to the time when Olajuwon was getting all the touches during crunch time, I think he should get similar touches to build his late game confidence. Or else, he will just be satisfied on giving picks to Harden. If Howard can do these three things, we can definitely be a contender!
LOL No. Just NO NO. With James Harden as the go to scorer, Dwight averaging around 19PPG is perfect. Rockets are doing just well going to Dwight early on and seeing if he has it going. If he does, they go to him often, if not go to pick n roll and ask him to set good screens and clean up the glass. NO. He needs to post up quickly agreed but more is relative. If he has it going, he will be the focal point for the first 3 quarters, if not then same as above. He is turnover prone and I'd rather have a missed hot from the perimeter than a Dwight TO in the low post. NO. Overall, Dwight is doing great. Playing great D, rebounding well and scoring when he has it going. He is not going to have it going every game on offense but that is the beauty of Dwight. He can still affect the game in several ways just like yday where he put up 17 and 12 in what was deemed a bad game for him and locked up the paint down the stretch
he's been averaging 25 points recently and has been more of a scoring threat, which probably has to do a lot with him making his ft's at a better % now and more decisive moves. He's been doing great and doing what the team needs him to do.
Depends on the match-up. If there is one thing we need most from Dwight is his defensive rebounding. He need to eat up the board.
Basically.. Dwight needs to challenge Korver's 3pt record! Or be the ballhandler and run the PnR with Asik! Anything else I missed? .-.
Offensively, I think he has integrated well. He doesn't hold the ball that long and is willing to give the guards and forwards their space to attack the rim. He is efficient when he gets the ball in his favorite spots. Defensively, I don't think he has been dominant.
He has been doing fine. There is no need to force him the ball when a team like the Blazers have an awesome game plan to stop him when he posts up. Everything is rolling wight now for the team especially when Dwight is having a good night posting up and Chandler/Harden are driving and passing to Dwight.
So basically you want him to demand the ball more on offense, take away touches from guys like Harden and Parsons, and to post-up when the game is on the line??
I want him to be more involved during crunch time. Of course, I want to give it to Harden or anybody who is hot at that time. I just think he should post up more (not every possession) during the critical moments of the game because I think he can and should.
Um he needs to be setting picks during for Harden or Lin or whomever during that time. What a PATHETIC thread
Dwight Howard is not going to consistently score in the mid 20's. His career high is 22 points a game and that was on a team that was literally built around him and in a conference that is not as good as the current Western Conference. Honestly, he is closer to 30 than 20 years old and he isn't going to suddenly turn into a 25 point a game scorer. Further, the rules and changing defenses make it very hard to get that many points in the paint on a consistent basis. Howard is averaging 20 points a game this season, that would be the THIRD highest in his career over 9 seasons. That is very good, even when pace is adjusted when you consider the back injury a year ago, the new team and offense he is adjusting to, and the sheer number of weapons the Rockets have. Overall I am very happy with Howard. He has performed better than I expected. His numbers are up across the board and he has showed leadership qualities and has not been a distraction. His game has improved over the course of the season and he was able to fight through the free throw shooting problems he had earlier.
There is no reason for a poor ft shooter to be involved during crunch time if there are plenty of other offensive options around with much better ft.
Further more, in crunch time, I would really like him to focus his energy on the defensive end as he is the anchor of rox D with game on the line.
Dwight doesnt need to be an offensive closer....James Harden will obviously take the shots in the 4th especially at the end. Dwight just needs to set good picks play great D and get boards....and finish at the rim. He does that so dont know what the complaining is about. He has had some huge offensive rebounds at the end of games so im happy
