[ClutchFans] As Howard sacrifices minutes for wins, Bryant cripples Lakers’ future

my favorite part:

i can't wait to see kobe and melo taking a combined 65 shots per game next season.

 

Not sure I agree with the crux of this article. Houston media is a lot different from LA media so even if DH12 was complaining about shots and minutes chances are we wouldn't hear about it. Also the amount of expectations the LAL had last season was just a breeding ground for false narratives like DH12 was selfish. Very different now in Houston where there aren't those expectations.

 

Are you suggesting the Houston media is covering up Dwight's complaining?

And people call me a conspiracy theorist...

 

Spoiler

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Btw where have all these Laker fans come from? Crawling out of the woodwork eh? Nice time to show yourselves; get ready for years of losing to the Rockets.

 

I am glad you ask. Since you are the officer patrolling GARM and doesn't seem to understand the constructive part behind the criticisms, I will take the time.

On the opening night, as sort of gift to his fans, when Dwight made his promise that he will grab 30 rebounds, he ended up with 26. He gave his stellar performance of this season.

Answer this for me: Why can't he do that on a nightly basis? Now you know what he is capable of doing...

Statistically speaking, did you know for every Dwight's postup/game, it is equivalent to almost one less win?

Postup efficiency: 0.65 PPP
Number of postups: 136
Points from 136 possessions: 88 points

Team synergy efficiency: 0.98 ppp on 1651 plays
Team Efficiency w/o D12 postups: 1.01 ppp

Points difference between Dwight postup and team average offensive possession: -0.36 ppp

Total difference (15 games): -49 points
Points difference/game: -3.3 point/game

Pythagorean Wins for -3.3 points/game? -8.47 games for the season.
His postup/game= 9.1

For every postup per game, we are projected to lose 0.93 game for the season. Less times he wants posting up, more wins for Rockets.

We should not go completely away from his postups. Just limit his number down low and stop asking for the ball when he is NOT having any success with any particular defender.

You might be surprised that I have nothing to say about his FT's because shooting 50% FT's for the season does NOT project to cost us games on the long run.

 

He has low PPP for post ups but thats not the whole story. He causes lots of fouls on the other team, which counts for something. He also very frequently rebounds his own miss off of a post up and tips it back in or kicks it out.

 

I already said we should not go completely away from posting up. Just limit his numbers and especially when he is not having much success against certain defenders. Sometimes the more he gets frustrated by a defender, the more he wants the ball. Instead of keeping his cool, all he is doing is losing the game.

 

Hahahaha. Dude has got a big mouth but a less than proportional mind to complement it.

 

Howard is showing signs of maturity, and he is ready to sacrifice to get a ring. That is why he is asking his teammates to sacrifice their stats and playing time as well so that the team can win games. To trust in their teammates and the bench. McHale followed that when he kept the bench in the fourth quarter in the Memphis Grizzlies game when they were hot. Howard might be the vocal leader the Rockets need. McHale has no control over Harden, but perhaps Harden might listen to Howard.

 

it's the first time it happened. let's see if he can keep it up as his minutes dwindle, which is inevitable. the current rotation benefits asik,because he plays in fourth quarter against bench players or tired starters.

 

I'll let your words speak for themselves.

 

Honestly, if they offered me that in front of me, I'd sign it too. Especially after I had a major injury. Call me selfish.

 

I have a feeling that Dwight has really become a part of the team and that's why he has a completely different attitude for the game. He also understands that there is no point working on his stats line at this stage when the real issue comes up only in the playoffs. If he keeps fixing his game and simultaneously keeps himself healthy until that, the Rockets will be a really tough team to beat. If he continues like this, the team will go to finals with a good chance to wil it all.

 

Team is all about sacrifices and Dwight is correct. You didn't hear any complaints from Lin either when he moved to the bench as the 6th man. Kudos to both of them.

Anyway, I was surprised that someone actually consider Lin to be a star. Is the writer a LOF?

"Head coach Kevin McHale opted to ride the hot hands, leaving Howard and Jeremy Lin on the bench as the Rockets put away the Grizzlies with a 38-23 burst. Most impressively, neither star seemed bothered at all. Howard, in particular, was routinely the first one off the Houston bench to high-five his teammates and encourage Asik (his own replacement) to keep up the good work."

 

I agree with the article about Howard's pay cut being much more substantial than Kobe's so-called pay cut. I just think that it's too early to praise Howard's attitude.

I hope he is a changed man. His history isn't exactly that of a choir boy.

 

Professional athletes... always wanting more

 

You entire piece is homer arguing just to argue. Dwight Howard has been lambasted for not being focused on winning and for being wishy washy for years. He came to Houston for a host of reasons, one of which was a chance to win. You just want to focus on what fits your homer narrative.

The fact is many great players never took less money to add pieces to give their teams a better shot at winning, Jordan and Olajuwon among them. If only the Rockets had prioritized Dream's legacy we would have never had to see him wear another team's jersey.

And really if you know who's going to win the title every year then give me the next five so I can place some bets. Thanks.

 

Can u name these stars that LA management bruoght in ? I dont recall many