[RealGM] Dwight Howard Regains Commanding Locker Room Voice With Rockets

Well, Dwight wasn't playing very well in the beginning of the season. TOs, missed FTs etc.

He had to prove to his teammates too that he could be trusted with the ball in the post. Once he did that, he had the credibility to be the leader.

 

Exactly.

The "Houston Rockets Player 1" vs. "Houston Rockets Player 2" posts are maddening. The GARM has gone completely overboard with this, and it would be wrong to blame it all on Lin Fans.

GO ROCKETS!

 

Good read but interesting that noone mentioned anything about these 3 pharagraphs yet, given the recent events.

About Dwight i have to admit. I didn't expect he had it in him like that.

Unlike many here, I didn't see him carrying a Magic team to the finals..their guards/point forward really were incredible good in pnr and alley oop situations with him and were reliable 3pt shooters (Lewis, Turk and to lesser extend Alston, Lee and Pietrus) + they were comitted to defense even if they weren't the best individual defenders. Yes he was the main part of that offense/system but he wasn't a one man show as most make him out (aka Dwight and the scrubs)

So he really way exceeded my expectations and with his current state and form, he is the real deal obviously, so in that case I happily eat my crow

 

good post

 

Harden and Howard depend on each other, feed off of each other. Teams are not doubling Howard? Why would they do that? Harden is waiting on the perimeter that is why. Having Howard allows Harden to expend more energy on the defensive front. His defense is much better now as opposed to the beginning of the season. But the real key to elevating the Rockets to the favorite to win a ring? Asik. The last piece missing in a championship team. Book it.

 

Agreed. We have a scary strong bench (and scary strong team overall) if Asik plays at the level we know he is capable of playing at, even if it is just 20 minutes or so a game. What we lack the most right now is a quality defensive center to back up Dwight...oh wait...

 

Has anyone notice, obvious people have, but when big man gets bol in low post, big man looks like he was intending to do that post move. the post moves no longer look like an accident that just happened to go in. You can't f'n stop him!*




*ok maybe if you're hawes or an italian 7f jump shooting stallion

 

fixed

P.S.: Brewer really let us down while Allen can't seem to get playing time in Memphis..is he in the doghouse or is there something else, anyone knows?

 

I don't know if he still is, but Allen has been hurt for the last couple weeks.

 

A few teams can. MEM and IND come immediately to mind. But with the addition of Asik the front courts are suddenly neutralizing each other and the Rockets wings win that match up in most games.

 

I have been reserving judgment for the longest time, worrying about his history of drama and immaturity. Dwight has really emerged into a true leader. He's so easy to root for.

 

Dwight's improved and is more decisive in his moves. But I gotta see him dominate against the elite defensive bigmen before I declare him the leader. Each time we played OKC he let them push him around a little (even though the refs had two HORRIBLE offensive calls against him). I'd like him to step up against the Perkins, Hibberts etc..

 

Fixed.

 

Ok thanks..i thought i only saw dnp's so wasn't sure what to think about him.

 

If you think what Harden is doing now is selfishly getting his, then the answer is never.

 

He has become a "Dwightmare" on the court to the opposing teams. He is playing outstanding basketball and dominates not in and night out.

 

Can we somehow put together an Asik Fan Club to encourage him to stay in Houston? Maybe if fans show up with supporting signs and chant his name during games, he will want to stay and perform well. He is a missing piece to a title run. It's like we have this potent weapon that the Rockets are not able to utilize. I just wish he would accept and embrace his role. I know it's hard to sublimate your personal goals, but sometimes if you do, you get what you want in the end.

 

I love what we've been getting from Howard as of late.

Go Rockets!

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Rockets&amp;src=hash">#Rockets</a> Dwight Howard avg'd 9.9 FGA in November. (16.7 ppg). He's avg'g 14.6 FGA in last 5 games (26.2 ppg). HOU is 5-0 in last 5 gms.</p>&mdash; AdamWexlerCSN (@awexler) <a href="https://twitter.com/awexler/statuses/432967806078828544">February 10, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Feed the beast

 

Small sample, but in the last 5 games (3 for Harden)...

Howard - 26PPG, 14.6FGA, 60%, 1.4Ast, 11Reb
Harden - 24PPG, 16FGA, 47%, 2.7Ast, 2.3Reb
Lin - 16PPG, 12FGA, 50%, 6.2Ast, 4.8Reb
Parson - 13PPG, 11FGA, 45%, 3.8Ast, 4Reb
Jones - 15PPG, 10.4FGA, 59%, 1Ast, 7Reb
Bev - 9PPG, 8.8FGA, 36%, 4.6Ast, 4.4Reb
Mot - 7PPG, 5FGA, 55%, 0Ast, 2.4Reb
Casspi - 4PPG, 4FGA, 33%, 1Ast, 3.8Reb

The thing that stands out for me is Howard much higher FGA (as pointed out already), Jones continue great play, Lin excellent plays, Lin & Bev combine for 25PPG, 11Ast, 9.2Reb almost avg a triple double! and Mot as a decent factor. Plus, Harden is playing more of a pure SG role (less assists but still high PPG).

Of course this is against mostly inferior teams but let's hope the trend continue.