First and foremost, Mr. Morey was absolutely correct about Dwight and his effect on the Rockets. He imposed his will on this series and changed the entire complexion every minute he was in there. The Mavs had absolutely no answer for him. So, they started playing dirty and fouling him hard to "match up" but Howard never lost his cool. He just keep doing his thing. Interviews, the Howard said all the right things, not too much flash like in the regular season. Just professional. I love this team With this time off, Howard, Smith, Capella, and Jones (and pretty much all the Rockets) need to get their ass to the free throw line and practice. And yes, I'm talking about practice. Go Rockets.
And to me his post moves look just the same as they did in last year's playoffs. The only difference this year is that we don't need to run the offense through him nearly as much. Even Harden has taken a step back in the playoffs, deferring more to his teammates, but perhaps that's just a function of the defense we're seeing. As we face better and better teams, they will look further to take away what we do best. It is great, in that regard, to continue to trust in our system and to get the ball to the most open or capable scorer. Our momentum is only going to build up from here. The only thing that can stop us now is free throw shooting. I have never seen an NBA champion shoot as poorly as us up and down the line-up.
Playoff Dwight is a badass. I don't get all the media hate , dude has said and done all the right things since joining the Rockets. I really don't understand how they question his desire just because he's a fun loving happy go lucky personality off the court. Really bothers me how the officials treat him compared to other stars .... That had to be the most lopsided officiating I've ever seen in 45+ years of watching the NBA. South Oklahoma got all the calls and got away with dozens of things they shouldn't have and they still got handled. Says a lot about the ability of this team. What makes it more impressive is that I never really thought Harden got it going during the entire series (even if he did score 42 and average 28.4). Aminu did as good a job guarding Harden as is possible , give that guy some credit. I was really impressed with their half court defense ... Cant wait for round two , whoever they draw.
Well that's the truth! The man was a monster in the series. He was a defensive and rebounding juggernaut, and contributed significantly offensively. He will be a load for the Spurs if they win their series.
Besides allowing Chandler get into his head during a few key moments, Dwight was elite. Not quite Orlando level but definitely DPOY caliber. I don't see anyone on the Spurs giving him trouble, but DJ and Bogut will pose issues. Also, I'm pleasantly surprised at his postups. Even against Chandler he was able to demonstrate a great touch and quick purposeful movements.
*wearing Dwight Howard shirt at work as I type* And I work in an office. Gotta show respect where respect is due. Can we get a compilation of all his (or if someone is ambitious, all the Rockets') dunks in the series? Dwight made some sick, DOMINATING dunks in this series, but they'll never be never be appreciated in the national media.
Dwight was a beast Keep in mind he is playing on a different level than the rest. When I say this, I mean it. Officiating is really hard on Dwight compared to others because he is so beastly down low. Refs call any ticky tacky against Dwight If it were an even playing field, Dwight would easily score Shaq's expected 28/15
playoff dwight is so beast that the mavs had to cheat by flopping on him, like it would do anything good. even tyson, the defensive specialist, had to flop on dwight.
Been stepping up amazing in this post season. However, wish refs stop calling those damn flops on the picks.
Leads the league in boards and blocks right now in the playoffs 13.8 boards, 3 blocks. Playoff Dwight is real.
Especially JJ Barea.. good lord, every time that gerbil tried to go around a pick, he would act like he ran over by an 18-wheeler!
yeah i think dwight shot him. i didnt see anything, but the way jj was acting made me think dwight shot him point blank. could be wrong though. still cant find a replay of that foul. oh well, i guess they let players shoot each other on the court now
He's been excellent for this team. He brought everything the Rockets needed. He controls the paint, and has been throwing in some nice bonus offense as well. When I think about best defenders on this team it comes down to Dwight and Ariza. They are both great, but I might give the edge to Dwight. Not only can he play great position defense, but covers up for other guys and plays help defense like nobody else. The guy has been huge this series for the Rockets. So glad that he came back and that he plays for Houston.
Uh, he earned a tech 'not losing his cool'. Dirk is a b**** and all and he needs to retire if he can't play a physical game, but Dwight wasn't 100% under control when he earned that tech against him.
Leading in Rebounds per game and Blocks per game and he looks better than last year, a bit quicker and smoother.
I didn't follow to much of dwight to much in his "peak" years with Orlando but I'll have to say defensively this series Dwight Howard was certainly the Orlando one. Due to better perimeter players his offense is minigated but I see everything what he displayed from 07-12 respectively.
One damn Tech for all the crap he had to sustain. I'd call that not losing your cool. He could have been kicked up multiple times.
Never doubted him and never will the guy's been in so many playoff series, went to the finals by beating Lebron's cavs he knows exactly what is to be done and does it everytime I never want to hear people talk about him not being serious and too much smiling ever again
