I think redefining D12's role is critical for the teams future success. The narrative has been that's a difficult conversation to have with your highest paid star player, but at this point given his injuries and the fact that he is 1 year away from his player option with his window closing soon, this is a conversation the FO and coaching staff must be more aggressive in having with Dwight. If it ruffles his feathers or causes friction, so be it.....his play has to change during his remaining time here if there is a future for him as a Rocket anyway.
Howard focusing on the dirty work would be great, sure. Assuming we had added a 2nd scorer. Right now we don't have enough offense without him, regardless of how ugly his post game has been of late. We need points from him to win in the playoffs this year, otherwise we're just punting. Again. It's a slap in his face too after what happened last year in the Blazers series. You're asking the only player who showed up to stop trying on offense? I'd be ticked.
Yup. Not to question cyberx, but this doesn't seem likely at all. You don't just tell your max contract star player to marginalize himself and have him be cool with it. Now...if you told me that they were trying to convince him to post up less and go for more pick and roll or weak side dives? Then I'd buy it. He won't agree to just become Omer Asik, though.
Go visit notgonnahappen.com right now, there's an image of Dwight Howard doing the Mutombo finger wag with the question on top 'Care to just be like Mutombo at the end of his career with Houston?'
Deuce posted this in another thread, but I think it really captures where the Rockets are right now. It's not that Dwight still isn't important, but he's no longer a cornerstone of the franchise. This means a few things for the Rockets: 1) We aren't looking for a 3rd star.......we're looking for a 2nd. If Harden is Durant, we need a Westbrook. If he's Curry, we need Thompson. 2) The spectrum of potential options is now broader than it was. Where we were just focusing on a star PG or PF, we now need to look at any and every position save SG and to a lesser degree, center. bbholic has mentioned Jimmy Butler a few times, and I'll admit, I've become increasingly intrigued with him. Given the huge cap bump coming in 2016, I think there's a real chance he takes the QO, which puts Chicago in a difficult position. Houston now has KJ McDaniels, who is a younger version of Butler. With Chicago's notoriously cheap ownership, is there a chance they opt for the assets? Probably not, but you never know. similar issue with Kawhi Leonard. If the Spurs don't make any noise this year, do they decide to go into rebuilding rather than retooling?
Please do not try to inflate your ego by discussing things Cyber says. Thank him for the information and move on. This is not a place to discuss information. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, CyberSquad
Asking Dwight Howard to just become a defensive anchor like Omer Asik, something that he is very effective at, no doubt, is asking him to marginalize himself. As I said...if they're just asking him to post up less, then sure, that's fair. If they're asking him to hardly be involved in the offense as somebody like Omer is (cyberx's example), then no, that is not going to happen, nor should it.
Maybe I worded it wrong. I'm firmly on Team Cyberx. I don't question his info's validity at all, I'm just questioning the likelihood of it actually happening. Just doesn't seem like something Dwight would be content with and willing to go along with.
When Jodan gets the max from someone this Summer, it won't be considered marginalizing yourself. Chandler made all his money after making the conversion to full-time defensive anchor. If Howard embraces the defensive anchor role and can stay healthy, he will opt out after next year with multiple max extensions awaiting him.
I agree with that. It makes basketball sense. I just think he'd be upset, not because he's a cancer or doesn't see it himself, more so because he was the only source of offense last year in the playoffs and right now, in his mind, he thinks he's regressed 100% due to injury. Which may be true.
Nah, you just missed my sarcasm. I think it's ridiculous that you have to say something like "not doubting Cyber" when you talk about something he's said because people here will go nuts on you if they think you are questioning him.
If this is referring to me, I go nuts on people who attack validated insiders and drive them to leave, not for discussing the info they provide.
Well I think you could completely take away Dwight's post opportunities and replace them with PnR and alleys and his numbers would actually increase. Howard playing the Asik role would lead to more production because he's not Asik, he has hands.
I am hoping he focuses on the pick and roll offense rather than his post ups. He can get 20 a game running a solid pick and roll with Harden on ally-oops alone.
Part of it is maybe the organization's realization that this is firmly James Harden's team, and they need Dwight craft his role around James. He'll still be a superstar, but they're looking at asking him to change his role. I know that in the past they have been conscious about making sure that there isn't favoritism showed for James over Dwight and vice versa. While Dwight has been struggling through injuries, James has become elite. Would be meaningful if they are starting to work the roles around that.
He is miles better than Tyson Chandler. If he focuses on defense and PnR he will be the Dwight of old. All Star Dwight.
Oh, yeah, my bad. Yeah, I agree, the info is always nice, but it's worthwhile to at least debate it, especially when it sounds unlikely. Last time I'll post this. I never said him posting up is something we should emphasize. If what they want is less post ups and more pick and rolls, then sure, that's understandable. Asking him to put his offense aside and focus strictly on defense is not happening. He is a star player, and asking him to reduce his role like that is only going to upset him, and rightfully so. He's the only one that came to play last postseason. I agree. But Howard clearly doesn't embrace it like Jordan and Chandler do. If he does, then that's awesome, but as far as we know, that's not the case.
