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Why did it take so long for something to light a fire in Howard?

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by RV6, May 3, 2014.

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  1. RV6

    RV6 Member

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    ****I'm not putting blame on him for losing this series, I'm looking at what happened from day one to before the series started.****

    I understand stars should pick up their play in the postseason, but there was quite a difference in his demeanor, not just his numbers. Was he just pacing himself and expecting to turn it up in the playoffs? Was he really coasting and someone gave him a wake up call?

    I know he was coming into a new situation, learning new things and trying to mesh with new teammates, but it's not like he progressively played better and better and just peaked once he hit the playoffs. He just hit another level instantly against Portland.

    If it's as simple as him asking for the ball and his teammates/coaches were happy to oblige, why didn't it happen sooner? Some analysts thought it was that difference in the offense that took Harden out of his rhythm and there's probably some truth to that. So why wait until the post season for that change?

    i think there's a middle ground between the two and that's where he really should have been most of the year, but it looks like he only hit that during a 10 game stretch in February. The team was 8-2, but that was an easy stretch, IIRC. However, Portland is not a bad team, so I don't think he can only do it against sub .500 competition. So, is this just a case of Howard needing a reminder, like Dream mentioned? Will we see the same thing next season? Or do you think Howard realizes he's got to reach that elite level more often during the season, so we can get an even higher seed?
     
    #1 RV6, May 3, 2014
  2. Mr. Clutch

    Mr. Clutch Member

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    He's immature.

    Truth is we don't have a superstar on our team who gives 100% on both sides.

    It took a second year player (Lillard) to show them how it's done, and that's sad.
     
    #2 Mr. Clutch, May 3, 2014
  3. oogie boogie

    oogie boogie Member

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    He got more touches lol. I think in the reg season he had like 12 FGA, in the post season 18. Plus it's not like he was being guarded by someone scary. It's Robin Lopez. All that aside, he still did great.
     
    #3 oogie boogie, May 3, 2014
  4. cheke64

    cheke64 Member

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    He was the most mature player this series.
     
    #4 cheke64, May 3, 2014
  5. drowsy12

    drowsy12 Member

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    Mr. Clutch be trolling.


    Dwight immature?


    lol
     
    #5 drowsy12, May 3, 2014
  6. RV6

    RV6 Member

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    robin lopez was out there swatting shots in crunch time....the guy isn't as bad as people make him out to be, but he knows his place offensively and defensively he's a legit 7 footer with length and enough speed to be a problem.
     
    #6 RV6, May 3, 2014
  7. Mr. Clutch

    Mr. Clutch Member

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    Key phrase: THIS SERIES

    The thread is specifically about why he waited until this series.
     
    #7 Mr. Clutch, May 3, 2014
  8. ryano2009

    ryano2009 Member

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    You have got to be joking right....?
     
    #8 ryano2009, May 3, 2014
  9. CometsWin

    CometsWin Breaker Breaker One Nine

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    He got a lot more opportunities once the offense changed. All year they played playground basketball just running around throwing up threes. This series when it wasn't working they actually went to the post up and Dwight's numbers went up as a result. They basically played one way all year long and then changed it in the playoffs.
     
    #9 CometsWin, May 3, 2014
  10. cheke64

    cheke64 Member

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    Haha. True at playground basketball.
     
    #10 cheke64, May 3, 2014
  11. Nick

    Nick Member

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    Exactly... and it took them 3 games before they even realized that they would have to do that for the entire series.

    Once they "accepted" that, they actually played much much better/more efficient in the half-court set.

    If there's one thing they can "learn" from this playoffs is that their regular season style just can't sustain itself in the post-season... its all about half-court execution, exploiting matchups, and making each possession count.

    I will also point out that the turnovers went way down when the team started to play more structured.
     
    #11 Nick, May 3, 2014
  12. J.R.

    J.R. Member

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    Rather show up in the postseason than disappear like some other guy.
     
    #12 J.R., May 3, 2014
  13. do work son

    do work son Member

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    robin lopez was one of the more dependable defensive centers this year.

    opponent FG % at the rim:

    dwight howard: 47.8
    robin lopez: 42.5%
     
    #13 do work son, May 3, 2014
  14. do work son

    do work son Member

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    it wasn't like dwight was scoring on a bum. he was just dominating him. in the regular season, we got away with running and gunning. in the postseason, we had to play a more half court oriented game. with our lack of offensive sets, getting dwight looks was easy because it's not very hard to make a guy post up
     
    #14 do work son, May 3, 2014
  15. RV6

    RV6 Member

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    Don't talk like that about DMo. His hair looked great.
     
    #15 RV6, May 3, 2014
  16. BamBam

    BamBam Member

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    I don't think Dwight had anything with the other guy NOT guarding his man either.
    .......
    .......
    .......
     
    #16 BamBam, May 3, 2014
  17. YourSecretLover

    YourSecretLover Member

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    its called stepping up in the playoffs. regular season means nothing to him.
     
    #17 YourSecretLover, May 3, 2014
  18. Richie_Rich

    Richie_Rich Member

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    THIS.

    I'm still at a loss with Harden's struggles early in this series.

    Fully expected him to elevate himself to TRUE superstar status this postseason.

    That said, I'm more than impressed with Howard's resolve in the face of horrid officiating. If anyone had room to sulk it was Dwight, but he didn't.

    The man stepped up and put the team on his broad shoulders. I fully expect him to be the focal point of our team next postseason.

    He's clearly our leader as it stands today. Respect.
     
    #18 Richie_Rich, May 3, 2014
  19. jordnnnn

    jordnnnn Member

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    I think Portland is just one of his better matchups. Don't want to sound like I'm giving him no credit for bringing it in the playoffs, because obviously Harden struggled doing the same against a team he too demolished in the regular season, but I just think Lopez is just too easy for him.


    Playoffs

    38.5 mpg / USG 28.2%

    26.0/13.7/1.8

    2.8 blks / 3.2 TOs

    .547/-/.625

    TS% .581

    Regular season vs. Blazers

    39.3 mpg / USG 25.6%

    25.5/13.5/1.8

    1.75 blks / 4.0 TOs

    .633/-/.650

    TS% .657
     
    #19 jordnnnn, May 3, 2014
  20. RV6

    RV6 Member

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    I thought about this...but again, Lopez is actually not a bad defender. Given the state of the center position in this league, aren't the majority of matchups during the season good ones for Dwight? I would say only Noah, Gasol, Nene and DeAndre should give him enough trouble. Everyone else is too slow, too small, or not skilled enough. I was going to add Hibbert, but...
     
    #20 RV6, May 3, 2014
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