Is Dwight Howard The NBA's Most Overrated Player? (He'll Never Be Half the Player Hakeem Olajuwon Is.)

Hello,

The ongoing attempt to coronate Dwight Howard as a great NBA player continues to struggle to gain footing. After shooting 9 of 21 from the field and 9 of 17 from the free throw line in Game 1, Howard whined about how the Rockets need to get him the ball. That always makes me laugh as he finished at 72% on the Meads Metric, which is brutal. Also he's not noted for his ball handling abilities and his range is 3 feet and in. Howard suggested how the Rockets needed to play in Game 2. "Coach" Howard suggested the Rockets play "inside out", which is what he had said while in LA as well. (Yes, I realize James Harden has been abysmal so far. But this blog is about all the weaknesses of Howard's game.)

Well the Rockets started the game playing inside out and Howard was dominant in the first quarter. He was 8 for 9 from the field and 3 for 3 from the free throw line. He also had 5 rebounds, 19 points and the Rockets +/- was 5 when he was on the floor. Howard also added 2 turnovers. At the end of the first quarter the Rockets led 31-23 and the Toyota Center was rocking. 

However over the next 3 quarters Howard returned to the player that he really is. In those 3 quarters Howard played 25 of 36 minutes and was clearly gassed. In the 3rd quarter he committed his 4th foul while the Rockets were on offense. That screen foul was a stupid foul. The reason I think he committed the foul was to get a break. Of course with his low basketball IQ, he cost the Rockets a possession. In the last 3 quarters he was 5 for 13, including one point when he missed 7 straight shots. He was 3 for 4 from the free throw. He added 9 more rebounds (besides shot blocking that's the only basketball skill he's elite at) and added 4 more turnovers. At the end of the game his +/- went back to 0. Obviously his first quarter was much adieu about nothing. More importantly over the final 3 quarters of the game the Trailblazers out scored the Rockets 89-74. Although Houston had homecourt advantage the Blazers lead the series 2-0, looking to go back to the Rose Garden to sweep the Rockets.

Other lowlights, on one possession it appeared that a Traiblazer pushed Howard out of bounds. Of course the whiny Howard yelled/cried "he pushed me". Why would a man that big and athletic whine about that, shouldn't he be embarrassed he was pushed out of bounds? Also he and his running mate James Harden have to be the leagues biggest whiners. Additionally I loved the shots of Harden talking with Howard, it appeared as if Harden was offering him guidance and encouragement. 

A dejected Howard left the court after the game probably to go find his next baby mama, six or seven just isn't enough. Don't feel bad for Howard he could care less if the Rockets win or not. That's clear in his body language, basketball isn't what motivates him. He only plays the game because the Rockets are foolish enough to pay him a lot of money to do so. At this point I expect Howard to check out for the rest of the series, as he did for the Lakers last season. Look for the Trailblazers to sweep the Rockets and the disinterested Howard. He'll say in the offseason how he's working on his game, but it's clear that he doesn't. Shouldn't he a lot better now after being in the league so long? Shouldn't a man that has played basketball as long as him be better from the free throw line? He would be one of the worst free throw shooters on most high school teams. What does that tell you about how little he works on his game in the offseason. 

No disrespect to the great Oscar Robertson, but his suggestion of Carmelo Anthony joining the Rockets is so misguided it's hilarious. Who would play defense on that team? That team would only be fun to watch for the soon to come implosion.

Ultimately at the end of the day Howard is a great athlete, a good basketball player but terrible at taking a team anywhere near a title. After stabbing Stan Van Gundy and Mike D'Antoni in the back, look for him to do the same to Kevin McHale in the next few days. In his view there's no way that Howard is the problem. And with his low basketball IQ I'm so glad he didn't sign with a team I cheer for.

themusicaddict