I don't care how much of a "nice guy" people think Howard is but when Howard gets hot under the collar, he plays stupid and last night was a good example of that. If he doesn't get calls or gets manhandled underneath (like pretty much every time Orlando plays Houston), he starts pulling out the cheap shots. Many like to advocate this kind of action saying "well Deke does the same thing after getting a rebound" or "they used to do this kind of stuff in the 80s". No, it's not the same. Grabbing a rebound and defending yourself from opponents trying to reach in and steal the ball is different than throwing a blatant elbow at someone. Playing rough and pushing one another in the 80s is different than trying to knock someone out cold.
When you are playing with no double team that's very easy to do especially if you are the most athletic big man in the NBA.
Same thing can be said about Rajon Rondo triple doubling the Bulls. Who on the Sixers is guarding Howard?
This is the truth. Deke never threw elbows like he was a UFC fighter after the play was over. Huge difference. Things were rough in the 80s and fists and even elbows flew but the big difference between now and then is that it's the cowards that do it now. Dwight Howard (maybe Rondo too) are both guys who would have never acted like this had they played in the 80s because if you threw a punch or an elbow at Dream or Kareem for that matter you would get your rear end handed to you on a platter. These guys now days know that between the rules, suspensions and coddling of the NBA's star players they can throw cheap shots and not have to worry much about someone throwing something back.
Samuel Dalampert who is a pretty good defender. There's nothing they can do against Howard so they pretty much have to play him like how opponents play Yao. Howard doesn't take that crap though. I think it will hurt the Magics in the short run (1 game) but when opponents see Howard not afraid to retaliate against dirty play, they will think twice before pushing him around.
That was a rhetorical question. It only strengthens my argument that he's putting up Moses-like numbers is because the Sixers don't have anyone that can guard him. I bet you put a body like Pryzbilla on him his numbers would be considered "average" and not out of this world. As for opponents thinking "twice before pushing him around", why would they? If a superstar can't keep his cool and not do dumb things like elbowing people in the head, what good is he once he's suspended? Howard's maturity level is still the same as when he was drafted and he reacts to situations just like how a 15 year old knucklehead would - if you don't get your way, use physical tactics and b*tch.
D12 has some great games against Portland. http://www.basketball-reference.com/fc/h2h_finder.cgi?request=1&p1=przybjo01&p2=howardw01 I'm pretty sure Pryzbilla woulnd'nt effect him much. Shaq almost clobbered Brad Miller in the past as well as many other opponents. I'm sure some opponents thought twice before they tried anything dirty to him.
See that's the difference-- "almost" clobbering someone is different than actually delivering a headshot with your elbow. One shows some restraint but the other shows immaturity and stupidity. I am willing to bet anyone that an opposing coach could put a guy out there (Varejao?) just to get under Howard's skin enough to where he'd pull something like this again. All in all, there's zero excuse for Howard's elbow and the NBA justifiably did the right thing.
There's a difference? <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/V7T7MKpHDf8&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/V7T7MKpHDf8&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
ok? and what happened? Shaq. Got. Suspended. That was in the regular season. You think he would have done that in the playoffs, especially when he got a 3 game suspension for that scuffle?
24ppg 16rebs 2.8blks and 68% from the field and u act like that's nothing? Ok. I guess when houston played the 76ers and dalambert played Yao tough, he didn't get those numbers. People on this board will never give him his due. I don't even care about the points, but 16rebs and almost 3 blks is great on its on.
Howard is very immature, and lacks discipline. He should have been ejected and suspended. It's no surprise he was amongst players who received the most techs during the regular season.
If I'm the opponent I'd keep doing that to Howard in hopes he does more stupid stuff. At least that's what Rodman would've done.
There is a differance between having your elbows out and rotating, and aiming at a player and swinging your elbow at there head.
Am I the only one that can understand Howard's reaction? I am going from memory here but it looked as though Dalambert put both hands on Howard and pushed with all his might after the play was sealed. I would have done the same thing, Dalambert should have been whistled for something, maybe then Howard wouldn't have to take it into his own hands.
If they have been doing it all series long, they wouldn't of stopped playing him that regardless. At least doing that will sow the seeds of fear/doubt to some degree. Look at Artest, not many players mess with him because they know he's crazy. He goes after fans as well.
I saw that too, and in context, I feel Howard should have been able to retaliate. But a blow to the head is a little too much. And as they always say, it's the reaction that gets the whistle, not the initial contact.
