59.2% shooting, 23.1 ppg, 14.4 rpg, 2.5 bpg Based on production alone I think he now surpassed Yao Ming. So I think he can now be called the best Center in the world. Do you think he peaked? Can he get Shaq like number like 30/15?
Considering he's just about to turn 22, Howard definitely hasn't peaked. A 30/15 average over 3-4 seasons is certainly within reach for him. I'm willing to say his ceiling is higher than Yao's. I've been a huge fan of his since he came into the NBA. An identical thread was started a year ago and I said he would pass Yao in 2-3 years. Some people would hardly consider that. My how things have changed. I don't think he's caught Yao yet. With our losing streak, Yao's struggle to adjust to Adelman and the Magic's hot start, it's easy to have a knee-jerk reaction and say Howard is better. Let's revisit this at mid-season. I suggest waiting for the Rockets to settle down before deciding.
Don't know but he's been great for me in fantasy. Actually, I haven't been able to see him play this year. What caused his spike in ppg? Are they involving him more in the offense? Does he actually get baskets for himself, i.e. low post moves, or does he still get tons of dunks?
I don't think you can give him the clear cut top spot yet. While he has looked more impressive than Yao so far this season, they're too close for head to head numbers not to be the deciding factor. Last year when they went up against one another dwight had 18 pts, 16 rebs, 3 asts, 4 blks, to Yao's 37, 7, 3, and 4. He going to have to do a little better this season for me to give him the best center spot.
For a kid to come out of HS with that kind of athleticism and play like a big man is such a breath of fresh air. He doesn't get fancy, try to do things he can't do. He plays big. Been loving his career.
When he gets the ball in close, nobody is strong enough to prevent him from slamming it home or getting a gimme shot. Plus he's developed a tiny bit more touch with the ball. He plays a more complete game and doesn't disappear as often, which means defenses now have to wear themselves out to stop him. His increased effort is reflected by him shooting 11 FTs/game so far. In other words, he's growing up.
still gotta work on his offensive moves outside of the jump and dunk......plus with the poor ft shooting, you'd never go to him late if you need a bucket
Ya...I've been a big fan of Dwight since he came in. The combination of athleticism and size really makes him a dominant player, it's gonna be scary to see what he will do when he reaches 25-26 years old.
Wait, so we can watch Yao get dunked on again and again? That happens all the time already. I think Yao is better right now, but I think Howard would be better for RA's style of coaching for the next 3-4 years.
Dwight plays like a big man all the time, while Yao only does it sometimes. That's why even though Yao is much more skilled than Howard at this point, Dwight impacts the game more than Yao does now.
Howard is the most vicious dunker in the NBA. He isn't Amare or some smaller guy who won't get the ball over Yao. Take a look at Shaq in the first 10 minutes of tonight's game. That is what Howard will do to Yao if he gets it that close. He's just too big and strong.
He plays in the East. Great, young player but when defenses start keying on him like they have on Yao for the last 3 years then we can see how dominant he is.
Dwight is averaging 11FTA this season and he has 21 FTs today againt the bobcats. Yao only averaging 7.5FTA so far this season. Free Throws is the key for the center position. You get more free throws when you aggressive attacking the basket. Dwight did that whereas Yao shoots fade away jumpers. That the difference between Dwight and Yao now!
he's amazing, but yao is still a better go-to option down the stretch of a game. Overall, I'd go for a wash at the moment...with Dwight probably taking the lead by the end of the year unless Yao can make more strides
Much better? You been watching Yao this year? Did you see the Mavs game recently, especially the last few minutes when Brandon Bass was taking advantage of him?
It's amazing how a big majority of the NBA's top players are from hs Kobe Tmac Dwight Amare Lerbon Garnett Then the B-list high schoolers: J O'neal (was) Lewis (at least paid like one) M Ellis Al Harington T Chandler I think Oden would've been in the list had the rules not been changed.
