He doesn't seem to be engaged mentally. Too many dumb fouls and lackluster help defense in certain situations. He can still go up and catch lobs for those amazing dunks, so I don't think loss of athleticism is the issue.
I think it's a combination plus the way he's being called for fouls when he becomes aggressive. What did he say before the WAS game was delayed? It took him 2 hours to loosen up and now he has to do it all over again. So age and declining athleticism has to be a factor. You see it with Josh Smith also. Guys who come to the NBA straight from high school usually end up with nagging injuries earlier (see TMac, Kobe). Fouls not being called on opponents and fouls being called on him has also been frustrating and slowing him down. Hopefully the playoffs will motivate him to play and defend harder. I hate it when he doesn't close out on his man on the perimeter. However his presence in the lane alone deters a lot of guys from even trying to drive. The "Dwight Howard effect" Guys who came straight to
He absolutely is and rightfully so. Dwert takes so many hits during games. If he gives it his 100 every game he's gonna get injured before the season even ends. People rake at his arms constantly, they stop his motion when he's jumping straining his knees and they smack at his shoulders. Imagine going through this for 30 minutes a night for 60+ games, the body will break at some point. I expect him to ramp it up the final 20 or so games of the season when the games matter more and then take it to another level in the playoffs. We don't need him to give his 100% in january and get injured again, that's just silly.
He has coasted off and on his entire career. It is why he is not an all time great - nor ever will be. DD
Our stars can take turns coasting each game. We have D-Mo and K-Pop giving their all at all times anyway.
I am probably in the minority here. But I think there is possibly a little jealousy creeping in with Dwight. I think he likes being the centerpiece and the center of attention( no pun intended). I think Harden getting all the accolades and praise and then the team performing well while he was out hurt has bruised his ego. I will be the first to tell you I really have no idea what I am talking about...it's just a feeling.
I'd say that the current system and Mchale does not have full use of Howard in the offensive end. It will be the reason we would most likely be a first round tour again in playoffs this season.
He takes the hardest contacts in the entire NBA, referee treat him like if he was made of steel, some of those can take a toll on his body, not a surprise when he ant to preserve his health until Playoff times
oh, unlike most fans here, I do believer all of our hope in playoffs solely relies on how this team can mix Howard into the offensive end. If this team can not do it in regular season, then basically the playoffs is doomed in the first round. It does not matter how Harden plays to MVP level.
Hakeem and Drexler used to coast, so I'm pretty sure Howard is also. He has nothing to prove in the regular season.
If he's coasting, then that's not cool. I really think having one of your supposedly best players coasting at times has a negative affect on the rest of the team. That's what frustrated me about Harden until this year. Harden's effort and drive have gone up this year and you see the results. Harden has turned into a true leader on this team.
Another observation is that Dwight doesn't contest some shots that he is capable of. A lot of times, he'll just stare at the contestant instead of putting a hand up. Not saying he does it all of the time, but he does do it a lot.
I don't know if it's that he's coasting as much as he's just deferring too much to the everyone else. He shouldn't be taking only 5 shots. I think the coaching staff needs to make it a point to get him at least 10 shot attempts a game and figure out a way for someone to get him the damn ball.
You have a point. Sometimes I think the reason he does this is because it's so easy call it a foul when the defender jumps so he stays on the floor. That doesn't explain not putting a hand up so I don't know.
