Game 5 was another quiet one for Magic center Dwight Howard. Eleven points, 10 rebounds, three blocks and three turnovers in 39-plus minutes in his team's 99-86 elimination game defeat against L.A. on Sunday.Rather than point their fingers at Howard, there are sure to be plenty who will instead criticize Magic coach Stan Van Gundy. They will argue that Van Gundy didn't do enough to get Howard involved in the offense.
After all, Howard took only nine shots in Game 5, which is the number of shots per game he averaged during the Finals.
Let that sink in for a minute, particularly if Howard is supposed to be the best center in the NBA. Biggest and strongest player on the court and he can only get you nine shots per game?
That doesn't sound like a Van Gundy problem. That sounds like a Howard problem.
The real issue is that Howard isn't talented enough or skilled enough to generate shots for himself. That's almost unheard of for a star player
It's one thing for Howard's low-post game to be on the raw side. What's tougher to figure is why Howard wasn't able to manufacture attempts by going to the offensive glass.
His rebounding numbers were fine for the series. Yet it's hard to remember him with a big follow-up for a dunk or a rebound in traffic that he kicked out for a big-time 3. Howard never dominated the interior in the series. And you don't need touches to do that.
At the same time, it's virtually impossible to imagine a Moses Malone or Kareem Abdul-Jabbar or Hakeem Olajuwon or even Patrick Ewing going so many consecutive games in a Finals series without getting shots on a consistent basis.
But that's kind of the point. Each of those guys were good enough to force the issue if need be. And if it meant they had to take a bad shot or two, so be it. But Howard isn't polished enough to get shots off, and in this series he's wasn't persistent enough on the offensive glass to get the ball that way.
Howard is getting better, but what the Lakers' defense did to him should get him to working on his game. It's one thing to struggle in your first NBA Finals. It's another to be taken out of them all together.
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Police officers in riot gear stand guard outside Staples Center as supporters celebrate after the Los Angeles Lakers won their 15th NBA Championship, in Los Angeles June 14, 2009. The Los Angeles Lakers captured their 15th championship and first since 2002 with a 99-86 victory over the Orlando Magic in Game Five of the NBA Finals on Sunday. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)
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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 14: Sasha Vujacic #18 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks at the Larry O'Brien Championship trophy as the Lakers celebrate in the locker room after their 99-86 win against the Orlando Magic in Game Five of the 2009 NBA Finals at Amway Arena on June 14, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. 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 Credit: 2009 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Sasha Vujacic
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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 14: Pau Gasol (facing camera) #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates with Shannon Brown #12 after the Lakers won 99-86 to win the NBA Championship against the Orlando Magic in Game Five of the 2009 NBA Finals at Amway Arena on June 14, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. 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 Credit: 2009 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Pau Gasol;Shannon Brown
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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 14: Rafer Alston #1 of the Orlando Magic hangs his head as he stands on court against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Five of the 2009 NBA Finals at Amway Arena on June 14, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. The Lakers won 99-86 to win the NBA Championship. 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 Credit: 2009 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rafer Alston
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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 14: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates during the final minutes of the Lakers 99-86 win against the Orlando Magic in Game Five of the 2009 NBA Finals at Amway Arena on June 14, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. 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 Credit: 2009 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kobe Bryant
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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 14: (L-R) Kobe Bryant #24 (holding daughter Gianna), Pau Gasol #16 and Andrew Bynum #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrate after the Lakers won 99-86 to win the NBA Championship against the Orlando Magic in Game Five of the 2009 NBA Finals at Amway Arena on June 14, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. 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 Credit: 2009 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kobe Bryant;Pau Gasol;Andrew Bynum;Gianna Bryant
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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 14: Finals MVP Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers kisses his wife Vanessa as he celebrates after the Lakers won 99-86 to win the NBA Championship against the Orlando Magic in Game Five of the 2009 NBA Finals at Amway Arena on June 14, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. 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 Credit: 2009 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Vanessa Bryant;Kobe Bryant
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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 14: Finals MVP Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates daughter Gianna after the Lakers won 99-86 to win the NBA Championship against the Orlando Magic in Game Five of the 2009 NBA Finals at Amway Arena on June 14, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. 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 Credit: 2009 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Gianna Bryant;Kobe Bryant
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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 14: Finals MVP Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates with his daughter Gianna and wife Vanessa (R) after the Lakers won 99-86 to win the NBA Championship against the Orlando Magic in Game Five of the 2009 NBA Finals at Amway Arena on June 14, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. 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 Credit: 2009 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Gianna Bryant;Kobe Bryant;Vanessa Bryant
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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 14: Finals MVP Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers holds up the Larry O'Brien trophy after the Lakers won 99-86 to win the NBA Championship against the Orlando Magic in Game Five of the 2009 NBA Finals at Amway Arena on June 14, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. 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 Credit: 2009 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kobe Bryant
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Comments (Page 1 of 2)
you all writers can start your sabotage right now , we went to the finals and we only going to get better , start all your controversy right now isnt going to work .
Must I say this again. Dwight Howard is NOT in the same league with a Kobe or a Labron. Kobe makes the Lakers, LaBron makes the Cavs, BUT the Magics makes Howard, there's difference.
Orlando Magics have nothing to be ashamed of - they played a team that played at the the top of their game - Kobe and the Lakers were unbeatable in this series. Keep and eye on the Magics going forward - Howard will develop into a super-star and the cast around him will only get better - they will play the Lakers again - the results can and should be different.
Howard cannot and will not win a championship with the current roster of the Magic. They need D-Wade or another superstar to be an elite team.
Yes, the Lakers might have beat anyone, but don't tell me the Cavs go down as meekly as the Magic did,,,,no way. If Howards team isn't hitting 3's at a 65% clip, their toast. The Magic beat Cleveland in game one due to the fact the Cavs had 10 days off in between games. Then they hit their 3's to open up the middle for a guy with either a dunk or nothing really to talk of on offense in Howard. I still don't think people realize just how big of an upset it truly was by the Magic beating the Cavs. Face it, it ruined the potential very best finals we have seen in years. The only surprise to me is that the Lakers didn't sweep them. When the Magic don't hit the 3's, there nothing but an average team.
You've got to be kidding me, Mike...if the Cavs had made it to the Finals, the EXACT same thing would have happened.The other Cavaliers would have just stood around waiting for LeBron to score. Cleveland didn't win 60+ games bcz of team effort; it was bcz King James willed it. Take him away and Cleveland is just another 45 victory team. The Lakers would have spanked them boys in every category. It didn't matter who came out of the east this year, Kobe was gonna get his ring. If there would have been a game 6, he would have scored 50 for good measure. Don't worry, though: LeBron will get his ring as soon as Kobe cleans out his locker for the last time!
Live by the 3, die by the 3. Cleveland was unlucky enough to catch Orlando on a hot streak. The Lakers only had one game where the Magic shot well, and it wasn't because LA has a great perimeter defense. LA was a much better team and 4-1 is an accurate barometer of how much.
Howard is a big stiff. He needs to be spoon feed like a wee baby... No bank shot, no face up jumper, no dream shake. Lakers knew he had two moves, the fake to the middle and spin-back baseline, also the lucky running hooks he hits once or twice a game.. Besides those if you box him out and pay attention he gets no dunk put backs. Thus the Lakers wipe that shit eaten grin right off his face.. Champions!!!!
Agree 100% lamarkings. The Magic were actually better against the Lakers when the kid from Poland was in the game.
Game 5 was the best I've seen the Lakers ball club play. If this group stays together, they could win a couple more.
Fun team to watch. Yes the Magic was also " OUT COACHED!"
Cleveland lost because they did not match up well against Orlando. Lebron did everything possible to win, but his team could not match up against Orlando's forwards. Why do you think they're bringing in Shaq? Question is will this be enough and what will Cleveland lose in bringing him in?
As for saying Cleveland would have done better than Orlando, I also disagree. Lebron and Kobe would cancel each other out. Lakers supporting cast is much better than Clevelands and the Lakers would have won and maybe even have swept them.
I'm not a Lakers fan but I agree 100% I think the Magic had the best shot and if not for some missed free throws amd a missed layup this series wouldve gone another game or two. With a healthy Garnett next year I see the Celtics with the best record in the East followed by Orlando and maybe Cleveland in 3rd . Age could then catch up with the Celts at the end of season and Orlando returns to the finals.
When the playoffs started, people were questioning whether Howard could even win a series. Was he mature enough to lead his team? Getting to the NBA finals surpassed all expectations of Howard and his team.
Howard clearly needs to work on his offensive game. Orlando would do well to get a slashing guard to dish off to him more often. However, a truly great player can create on his own and can take over a game when he needs to.
It will be interesting to see if Howard can rise to the challenge or remain more a rather one dimensional player.
I would not bet against him.....He is still very young.
This series was closer than 4 games to 1. If not for Dwight Howard missing both free throws and a missed shot at the buzzer in Game 3, the Lakers may and most likely would not have won this Series. I think Van Gundy is a joke of a coach personally. Dwight Howard has the same problem as Shaq, cannot make a free throw, foul him when the game is on the line. The Magic need to keep Turkolu and go after a big shooter in the off season. I wouldn't mind seeing Shaq come back to Orlando. Probably not going to happen but it would help. The Lakers were not far superior to anyone in NBA, look how the Rockets without Ming and Nuggets handled them. This was a good start for the Magic, they need to get better scoring to win a Championship. Howard is under-rated because he plays in Orlando, put him on Knicks, they are a better team. I blame his horrible free throws and Van Gundy for this loss. There were times when Howard was wide open and did not get passed to. Van Gundy needs to include him more in his strategy.
As far as offensive moves, I actually think Bynum will be better at 23 than Howard was in this series. Superman is one of my favorite players, but the Lakers exposed his game weakness more than anyone else did. The Celtics exposed Gasol's softness last year and he worked on it. It remains to be seen what Howard does off season to improve. But it seems that when you are at this level, your game is already what it is going to be. Only small improvements (sometimes that makes a difference) can be expected. Howard's only chance will be to have a go-to superstar besides him.
He didn't get passed to all the time bcz Howard doesn't know how to create his own shot. Unless he is standing directly under the basket, his shots are more one dimensional than a stickfigure drawing. It doesn't make sense that one of the strongest guys in the league doesn't spend more of his time powering towards the basket like a small freight train. He's young, though. A few more years worth of experience & he will develop into the superstar he's hyped up to be.
Howards is what he is. You can't turn a defender and rebounder into a scorer. Scoring is a skill set that he doesn't have. It's like dancing, you can teach people to dance but you can't make them have rhythm. Also I'm tired of seeing the Lebron and Dwight trick shots. Spend more time working and less time playing maybe they'll develope an all around basketball game instead of just making it by on talent or just being taller than everyone else.. It' was way better basketball in the 80's and 90's when you had regular player and superstars that actually worked on their games in the off season.
I agree that he doesn't have the skill set. Skills can be learned and it is up to him if he wants to learn and develop those skills. He may never be an elite scorer but he should be able to make significant improvement if he decides to do it. The off season would be the ideal time.
There does seem to be an erosion of skills in the game today. Too many athletes wanting to rely solely on their natural gifts. The truly great ones will improve upon their flaws.
yes the lakers is the nba champs.i congratulate them.magic loss the series for lack of experience.game two and game four.magnified that.game two the magic cought the lakers defence sleeping and lee did not attack the basket,he shoot the ball going away from it.game four the miss free throws down the stretch by howard and turklou.cause the magic two games.i know the lakers celebrated as champs.but deep down inside they know that some body upstairs love the lakers.
Howard cannot and will not win a championship with the current roster of the Magic. They need D-Wade or another superstar to be an elite team.
Give the man a break. If he's still not dominant in 2 years, then we can talk. He's young, and needs some polishing, but he has improved his game over the last couple of years. Their offense is an outside-in offense, and they died by it. Jacking up close to 30 threes a game is why he gets 9 shots. Look at how many times he post up, and is open, but some oen jacks up a 3 anyway. It frustrates me, because the coach says nothing. Moses, Kareem, and company recieved the ball in the post, and that's why they dominated. Time will tell, but D. Howard is not done in this league by a long shot.