When center Dwight Howard unties his basketball shoes for the last time, maybe a dozen or more years down the line, it's conceivable he could be mentioned among the greats of the game at that position.At 23, he's already got some pretty impressive numbers, and they're likely to rise some more in the coming years. It's already impressive that Howard has played in an NBA Finals, been on two All-NBA first teams and won the Defensive Player of the Year award.
So you can see how Howard might end up being one of the greats. That's all well and good, but the problem for Orlando is that Howard isn't good enough right now.
That's not to say he's not good. Of course he is. Very good, in fact. After all, who will argue if you call him the best center in the NBA? It's just that he needs to be better for the Magic to beat the Lakers, and it's the kind of better that will take years, not games.
Too bad for the Magic Howard isn't yet in his prime. They might have had a shot at this.
Here's what Orlando Magic general manager Otis Smith said about Howard before Game 1: "He's gotten better. But he's a long ways away. He's still a long ways away. He's really good right now. In about two years he's going to be ... I see him being unbelievable."
So far, the Lakers have neutralized Howard, holding him to 29 total points in two games and under 50 percent from the field. L.A. has managed to take away virtually all of Howard's easy garbage-type stuff. As a result, Howard's low-post game has had to speak for itself.
It's been quiet.
Perhaps not coincidentally, Howard hasn't been much of a factor at the defensive end. Sure, he's on an island down there, and he's blocked a few shots, but Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom don't seem to be intimidated.The point here isn't to pick on Howard or his low-post game. The Cavaliers tried to guard Howard one-on-one for a lot of the Eastern Conference finals, and Howard tore them up.
And for as well as Kendrick Perkins played Howard in the Eastern semis, Howard still was the most dominant player in that series.
But the Lakers are making a point of accounting for Howard – on every single trip up the court, whether it's in the halfcourt or in transition (not that there's been much). They are throwing different looks at him with different bodies, most of them big bodies, but then again sometimes small.
They're fouling Howard before he can get any cheapies. And they're swarming him just enough so as to not allow him into a comfort level. Hence, the seven turnovers on Sunday.
Howard's game is just not evolved enough at this point in his career for him to play as well as he would need to play for the Magic to win the series. And it can't evolve until he goes through these kinds of series, where he gains this kind of experience.
"The things he's doing right now are sheer athleticism," Smith said. "He's got a hook around the basket. He's still learning what to do, what not to do. The best game I've seen him play was Game 6 of that last series (Cleveland). Probably because he wasn't in a hurry.
"He passed the ball out of the double-team. When they didn't double-team, he scored. When you're 23 you have a tendency to think that scoring is the only way you can affect the game. As you get older you realize that there are other ways to affect the game. He'll do that when he gets older."
Unfortunately, the Magic need him to do it right now.
Latest NBA Finals Photos
Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates beating the Orlando Magic in overtime in Game 2 of their NBA Finals in Los Angeles June 7, 2009. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL IMAGES OF THE DAY)
Reuters
Orlando guard Courtney Lee (11) shoots over Los Angeles center Pau Gasol (16) with .5 seconds left in regulation of Game 2 of the NBA Finals. Lee missed the shot, and the Lakers went on to defeat the Magic in overtime, 101-96, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, Sunday, June 7, 2009. (Gary W. Green/Orlando Sentinel/MCT)
MCT
Orlando Magic forward Rashard Lewis (9) laments in the fourth quarter after the Magic miss a shot with .06 left, as the Los Angeles Lakers' Derek Fisher looks on. The Lakers defeated the Magic, 101-96, in overtime of Game 2 of the NBA Finals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, Sunday, June 7, 2009. (Gary W. Green/Orlando Sentinel/MCT)
MCT
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 7: Olympic figure skater Michelle Kwan and father Danny Kwan attend Game Two of the NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Orlando Magic at Staples Center on June 7, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Michelle Kwan;Danny Kwan
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LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 7: Producer Sean 'P.Diddy' Combs attends Game Two of the NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Orlando Magic at Staples Center on June 7, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Sean Combs
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LOS ANGELES - JUNE 7: Jameer Nelson #14 of the Orlando Magic shoots against the Los Angeles Lakers during Game Two of the 2009 NBA Finals at Staples Center on June 7, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jameer Nelson
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LOS ANGELES - JUNE 7: Luke Walton #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers defends against Rashard Lewis #9 of the Orlando Magic during Game Two of the 2009 NBA Finals at Staples Center on June 7, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rashard Lewis;Luke Walton
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LOS ANGELES - JUNE 7: Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic #12 shoots against the Los Angeles Lakers during Game Two of the 2009 NBA Finals at Staples Center on June 7, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Dwight Howard
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LOS ANGELES - JUNE 7: Kobe Bryant #24 and Lamar Odom #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers hug against the Orlando Magic during Game Two of the 2009 NBA Finals at Staples Center on June 7, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Lamar Odom;Kobe Bryant
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LOS ANGELES - JUNE 7: Lamar Odom #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks during the post game press conference after Game Two of the 2009 NBA Finals between the Orlando Magic and the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on June 7, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Jon Soohoo/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Lamar Odom
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Comments (Page 1 of 1)
you stole my story, lol (http://butthegameison.com/blog/?p=9151)
The desire to master the pass that hurts the opposition, BB 101. Look in the book of Guiness for who has held the world record for free throws. 100 shots a day with the opposite hand. Study the best to see how they trained to be the best. Study with any game as soon as you realize the game you wish to play. How come Euros think they most study and practice BB and US kids think you are born good. A great pass is second only to that defense that should always be played with all your might every play for every game. D+P=Offense everyday, BB 101. If you can take it to the basket and no one can stop you thus is your championship ring. Very old lessons that are BB 101. Guiness traces the game to a game of hoops played by the Aztecs. The captain of the losing team got beheaded. Lay on your back at the free throw line for 100 shots a day for just six weeks. And take it to the basket for the ring.
Can't wait to see Game 3. More chipmunk looks from Kobe and diluted Eastern Conference talent.
Does anybody else think Pau Gasol, Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom all deserve an Oscar for their wonderful acting jobs during the first two games? They may also get a record deal with those vocal chords! But maybe I'm being too critical, I mean, c'mon, when ANYBODY jumps INTO somebody's STRAIGHT arms they would DEFINITELY scream in AGONY and FLING their arms about like they were TACKLED . . . of course.
The picture above shows exactly what I'm talking about . . .
No, they and every player in the NBA try to sell fouls to the refs and no one admits to fouling. Admit it, you are just looking for an excuse because Orlando is going to lose. To Orlando's credit, I think they are in the same position the Lakers were last year, learning to close the deal. They had their chance in game 2, but they missed a last second layup. Inexcusable.
These 'Sports Writers' crack me up. I guess with the high unemployment rate they have to do something for a living.
If Lee makes the lay-up in game two, the title of this article would of been 'Kobe's Curse Without Shaq' or some garbage like that.
Howard is all of 23 years old playing in his first NBA finals. He and his teammates were good enough to beat Lebron and the Cavs, but Howard is not ready.....yet? I'll be glad when the economy is better and these 'writers' can get back to their jobs as garbage collectors.
If a bear had a square ass he shit bricks, if. The last time I checked Lee was on the Magic. Listen the missed layup was not the cause for the lost, it was their sorry guard play and 20 turnovers. And Howard is just a smaller version of Shaq. He has no foot work or touch to create a shot, he has to be right underneath the basket. That's why I don't understand why the Lakers keep double teaming him. There youg they have to lose the first time around, ask Lebitch...
Its beyond me how Orlando beat the Celtics and the Cavaliers to get to the Finals, I know the Lakers have Kobe and a lot of talent, but this looks like a highschool team playing the Lakers.
I guess Paul Pierce and Lebron James must have thought they were going to lay back and still win
but this is crazy. Back to the locker room Orlando. See you in 3 or 4 years.
It's Simple ...
No three's, No win...
The three point howitzers has silenced.
lakers will take it home in 6
Lana....brave prediction now that LA is up 2-0. Good one. *cough cough*
If he's 23, and that's all he's got for low post moves, he's maxxed out. He's too dumb to get better..
If Howard had one tenth of Kobe's work ethic, he could become a great player. Kobe is the extremely rare athlete that combines natural talent, a hunger to win, and a realization that you need to outwork everyone to be the best. You can become successful on sheer talent, but it's not enough to become a superstar. Tiger Woods is another prime example.
16 rebounds, 4 blocks, 4 steals, 4 assist and 17 points......that's a solid night for any NBA player, not to mention a center facing constant double teams....how good does he need to be?
ebedburdic said...
16 rebounds, 4 blocks, 4 steals, 4 assist and 17 points......that's a solid night for any NBA player, not to mention a center facing constant double teams....how good does he need to be?###########
No question that Howard is a good center. The numbers are good but not great, especially considering that he has made exactly 6 field goals in two games. No question that Howard is adequate, which he will remain until he puts in the long hard work to become great. His attitude shows me that that will probably never happen.
The guy above is 100% correct, if Lee made the lay up, the headline would read, coming back to O-Town with Home court advantage or something much more cliche, but you get the picture. I am a huge Orlando fan, howeevr they are playing like they are satisfied just being in the finals, what happened to hunger they had against the previous three teams.
Howard is lazy and laid back. Same can be said for Bynum. Two lazy rich dudes waiting for payday and not a care in the world. Kobe, on the other hand, has a superb work ethic and the game to show for it. As they say in the old commercial, "he makes his money the old fashioned way---he earns it"
The article misses the point established when the Magic defeated the mvp and coach of the year last series. It is not a one man sport. It is a team sport. Howard CAN play as well as the Magic need him to do to win. Howard, Lewis, Turkoglu, Pietrus, and Alston ALL have to play well for the team to stand a chance, because the Lakers have the star player, and the star coach. They CAN do that, though it will be difficult, and remains to be seen whether or not they will. (And each game they survive, the better the chance Nelson, who has played badly so far, may play well).
I can really relate and agree with you. Howard is yet to be in his prime but when that time comes, he will be a strong force. At the age of 23 he is doing big things. I really appreciate how you didn't place the blame on Howard for the lost. Thankx Check me out: http://takeasyiofsolace.blogspot.com/