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[Good Read] James Harden-Dwight Howard Combo Would Put Entire NBA on Notice

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by HTownTmac1, May 8, 2013.

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HTownTmac1 Member

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For all those contemplating whether Dwight Howard would be a great fit for the rockets or not. I thought this was a well written article thats worth the read.. i think the author is spot on.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1632616-james-harden-dwight-howard-combo-would-put-entire-nba-on-notice

If you're a Houston Rockets fan, there is a whole bunch to like about the combination of James Harden and Dwight Howard.

So first, let me get out of the way what I don't like.

I don't like D12's attitude. At all. I don't like that he lost his composure and got kicked out of a playoff game. He might as well have stuck a middle finger up to every Los Angeles Lakers fan.

I don't like that when he has a gripe, he complains publicly. I don't like that he seems to have a never-ending list of gripes, and I don't like that his complaints crop up whenever things are getting the least bit tough.

I don't like that nothing ever seems to be Dwight's fault.

I don't like that sometimes he gives maximum effort, and sometimes he doesn't. I don't like that the best center in the NBA frequently decides not to play like it.

I use to really, really like Dwight Howard. I can't honestly say I like him right now.

But I sure would like him to play for these Rockets. Because I think I would like him again.

First off, I believe his attitude will change, simply because this is a group of guys who don't air their grievances to the media. In fact, these Rockets don't seem to have grievances at all.

Jeremy Lin could not have been happy with his frequent fourth-quarter benchings. Did you hear a peep out of him?

James Harden could not have been happy that, at 6' 5", he was the only reliable offensive option down low (keep working on those hands, Omer Asik). Do you recall ever hearing that observation anywhere but in my and other sportswriters' columns?

Kevin McHale got lambasted by fans for various perceived injustices and supposed missteps, despite getting this squad to within two wins of an historic upset and doing so in the midst of an unspeakably tragic family loss. Can you remember one instance of McHale venting his hurt and frustration?

Nope, as far as we can tell, it's the freakin' Brady Bunch on that squad. Secret handshakes, sideline laughter and good cheer. Positivity all around.

Maybe it's because of a legitimate communal gratitude. Maybe the men on this roster are aware that they are the underestimated, the overlooked, the ones considered expendable.

Dwight Howard fits none of these three categories. Yet he might have every reason to feel the same gratitude. Because unlike his last two stops, he won't have to be The Man (Orlando Magic), and he won't have any negativity around him (Los Angeles).

Were Howard to return to Los Angeles, he'd be coming back to a team paralyzed by the injury to Kobe Bryant and riddled with salary-cap issues. It's a team that would look to Howard—a man who has demonstrated over and over how much he despises responsibility—to lead this team. On the Rockets, James Harden is the clear and undisputed leader.

Whereas the Lakers were one of the oldest teams in the NBA this past season, the Rockets were the youngest. Were Dwight to join them, might we see a return of the young, happy-go-lucky D12 whose smile and cheerfulness were as big as his game? I say it's possible.

I say stress and unhappiness can bring out a side of ourselves, any one of us, that we don't like the world to see.

I say a Dwight Howard who has trouble finding anything to complain about will simply stop complaining and start remembering what it's like to have fun again playing the game he's so good at playing.

And make no mistake: he is really, really good.

But I can't begin to imagine how good he will be when paired with James Harden.

Harden had to do way too much all by himself on the Rockets this season. With Howard underneath, defenses will have to account for the big man in a big way, so Harden will have more space on his drives.

When Harden is stymied—and even when he simply sees an opportunity—he will have arguably the league's best above-the-rim player to pass to underneath. 2012-13 had its share of struggles for Howard, yet he was second in the league in dunks and has led the league in flushes six out of the last eight years (per Basketball Reference).

The great thing is, the Rockets don't need Howard to do anything more on offense than what he does best: dominate down low. For one thing, their offensive philosophy emphasizes shots either at the rim or beyond the three-point line. They have plenty of folks who can shoot the three, but nobody who's dominant at the rim.

That's where Howard comes in.

I've gotten comments from fans who believe the Rockets need a stretch 4. I believe nothing could be further from the truth. Their game is already spaced to the perimeter. Where it's lacking potency is at the hoop.

Too many times last year, Harden tried to penetrate against defenses who, having no fear of Asik's offensive game, ganged up on The Beard. As good as Harden is—he's become arguably the game's finest knife—he was too often a knife in a gun fight. And as Indiana Jones will attest, gun beats knife every time.

Orlando and Los Angeles wanted Howard to do more offensively. All the Rockets will ask Howard to be is who he already is: an offensive specialist who excels at the rim and on the pick-and-roll.

Speaking of the pick-and-roll, no center is as adept at running it as Howard. In Harden and Jeremy Lin, he's got two guards who embrace the pick-and-roll like a long-lost brother.

Offensively, Howard is in every way a perfect fit for this team.

Defensively, the combination of Howard at the 4 and Asik at the 5 would give the Rockets a Twin Towers 2.0 that would essentially make the paint a no-fly zone. If you're a fan of defense like I am—somebody please bring back hand-checking—this pairing would be an absolute delight to behold.

Howard has deservedly won three Defensive Player of the Year awards and has been an All-Defensive first teamer the past four years. Houston desperately needs to improve defensively. Adding Dwight Howard to the defense is like adding Swiss cheese, Russian dressing and sauerkraut to a corned beef sandwich: an instant and massive improvement.

This match made in heaven is only a John Hancock away. And getting Howard to sign on the dotted line is apparently Harden's offseason goal.

According to these ESPN tweets, not only does Harden want to help the Rockets recruit, but he also wants to specifically recruit Howard:

If signing Howard doesn't work out, is there a backup plan? Absolutely. If Howard falls through, my dream backup plan is Al Jefferson. His post game is straight outta Basketball 101, and to my eyes, that means it's a thing of beauty.

Is he slower than Howard? Is he less dominant? Is he far less skilled defensively? Yes, yes and yes. But could he also catapult the Rockets to elite status? You betcha.

That's because the next big piece in the Rockets' puzzle doesn't have the carry the weight of the world on his shoulders. He just has to be a very good player willing to do his job to the best of his ability.

Dwight, if you happen to be reading, you've got to really get that.

Come to Houston and you can just have fun again. And you won't be the only one. All your teammates and all your fans at the Toyota Center will be joining you.

After all, is there anything more fun than winning a championship?
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#1 HTownTmac1, May 8, 2013

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Meh. So would a Chris Paul/ Harden duo.

#2 coachbadlee, May 8, 2013
HTownTmac1 Member

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coachbadlee said: ↑

Meh. So would a Chris Paul/ Harden duo.
Click to expand...

i wouldn't complain about either but i sure would like to have good low post presence like Dwight

#3 HTownTmac1, May 8, 2013
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I looked up their PnR stats. They would be deadly together.

Dwight Howard - PNR as Roll Man:

2012-2013: 1.29 points per possession Ranked 9th
2011-2012: 1.36 points per possession Ranked 2nd
2010-2011: 1.43 points per possession Ranked 1st
2009-2010: 1.49 points per possession Ranked 1st

James Harden - PNR as Ball Handler:

2010-2011: .96 points per possession Ranked 9th
2011-2012: .99 points per possession Ranked 9th
2012-2013: 1.0 points per possession Ranked 5th

#4 Patterned919, May 8, 2013

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HTownTmac1 Member

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Patterned919 said: ↑

I looked up their PnR stats. They would be deadly together.

Dwight Howard - PNR as Roll Man:

2012-2013: 1.29 points per possession Ranked 9th
2011-2012: 1.36 points per possession Ranked 2nd
2010-2011: 1.43 points per possession Ranked 1st
2009-2010: 1.49 points per possession Ranked 1st

James Harden - PNR as Ball Handler:

2010-2011: .96 points per possession Ranked 9th
2011-2012: .99 points per possession Ranked 9th
2012-2013: 1.0 points per possession Ranked 5th
Click to expand...

nice find! this would especially be dangerous because dwight can actually catch a tough pass or a lob consistently.. and since jermey lin likes pnr's too it would be great for him as well

#5 HTownTmac1, May 8, 2013
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Nice article.

I especially like the Brady Bunch comparison when talking about the Rockets.

And I like the idea of Asik staying and forming the twin towers.

Its interesting, pretty much every single NBA analyst, Lakers fan, commentator have said Dwight is likely to go to Houston. Lakers FO and players are even lukewarm on him staying with the Lakers. It seems like the only ones that really want Dwight to stay with the Lakers are Clutchfans!!! LOL!

I say...

Bring it on!!!
C'mon Dwight!!!
Rockets all the way in 2014!!!

#6 Fair Dinkum, May 8, 2013
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bleacher report is a joke. several posters on this site could've written a better article. nothing new was posted in this rant.

i do, however, agree with the author. the media blames dwight for the LA situation that was last year, regardless the fact that he could not effect certain situations (i.e. their non-athletic roster, iffy coaching decisions, etc.)

dwight is the best center in the league when he wants to be. i do believe he would be motivated in houston...so, bring him down.

on the other hand, he's a hothead who may still be in love with brooklyn for some odd reason. if he isn't OBSESSED with winning...dont bring him here.

#7 awc713, May 8, 2013

HTownTmac1 Member

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awc713 said: ↑

bleacher report is a joke. several posters on this site could've written a better article. nothing new was posted in this rant.

i do, however, agree with the author. the media blames dwight for the LA situation that was last year, regardless the fact that he could not effect certain situations (i.e. their non-athletic roster, iffy coaching decisions, etc.)

dwight is the best center in the league when he wants to be. i do believe he would be motivated in houston...so, bring him down.

on the other hand, he's a hothead who may still be in love with brooklyn for some odd reason. if he isn't OBSESSED with winning...dont bring him here.
Click to expand...

yeah i know its bleacher report and they usually post crap on that website but... i really liked this article!

#8 HTownTmac1, May 8, 2013
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PnR alley oop SLAMS from Harden & Lin to Dwight all night baby!!!

Asik & Dwight will be swatting balls outta there like swatting flies.

Heaps more fast breaks from the blocks, Parsons should get a lot of breakaway slams.

Its gonna be exciting to watch!

Instant contenders!

#9 Fair Dinkum, May 8, 2013
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Dwight + Harden = 4 hour long games. We'll be shooting free throws for half the game time.

#10 Noob Cake, May 8, 2013
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lol yea until the other team gets physical and the refs let them play...then they're both screwed.

#11 knickstorm, May 8, 2013
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Asik and Dwight would be pretty sick. The paint would be shut down.

I can see a Harden drive to the basket to a Dwight hand off slam at least 5 times a game.

#12 ihatekobe, May 8, 2013
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Okay I guess if Jefferson can play PF then Howard can play PF. But I still don't believe he will walk away from 30 mil. Then there's the problem with the game turning into hack a Twin Tower. But I do like the idea of keeping Asik as opposed to all of this other stupid talk of signing CP3 and Howard. If Asik gets his free throw shooting above 60% that helps him. But Howard ain't ever shooting in the 60's. You would also absolutely have to have a backup stretch 4 and 3 pt shooters 2 deep at the other 3 spots. But if you did all that and I think you can than it may work. ANd in fact it might work amaziingly. We would kryptonite to Miami.

Still so many hurdles and so unlikely it's not really worth more discussion. But I am open to it. ANd I am sure Morey is also.

#13 Old Man Rock, May 8, 2013

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I wish I would've known this article was from bleacher report or I wouldn't have wasted my time reading the first few paragraphs. Just another dumb article that would've gotten an D if it was graded by a college professor.

#14 tminusrex, May 8, 2013
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ASIK and Howard in the same team, then hack them out V.1 + Harden who love FT play, how long the game will spent?

#15 demarco1, May 8, 2013
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Noob Cake said: ↑

Dwight + Harden = 4 hour long games. We'll be shooting free throws for half the game time.
Click to expand...

LOL:grin: But I'd love to watch such a game!!!!!!

#16 yxx1218, May 8, 2013
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Noob Cake said: ↑

Dwight + Harden = 4 hour long games. We'll be shooting free throws for half the game time.
Click to expand...

hahahaha

#17 HOUSTONJS, May 8, 2013
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Bleacher report mental masturbation

#18 ShiniKashi, May 8, 2013

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Hack a ASIK AND HOWARD dear god. Any way,i doubt we would keep Asik if we get Dwight. Portland is crying for someone like Asik so they would offer us there 1st for sure.

#19 Spiegel, May 8, 2013
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Fair Dinkum said: ↑

Nice article.

I especially like the Brady Bunch comparison when talking about the Rockets.

And I like the idea of Asik staying and forming the twin towers.

Its interesting, pretty much every single NBA analyst, Lakers fan, commentator have said Dwight is likely to go to Houston. Lakers FO and players are even lukewarm on him staying with the Lakers. It seems like the only ones that really want Dwight to stay with the Lakers are Clutchfans!!! LOL!

I say...

Bring it on!!!
C'mon Dwight!!!
Rockets all the way in 2014!!!
Click to expand...

From a sports perspective it makes a ton of sense for Howard to go to Houston. Here he has a young, talented team, a true number one option who doesn't mind to pass and a GM who is great at finding great players at bargain prices. His arrival would immediately make the Rockets contenders (though not favorites).

While the Lakers are old and often injured and way up the cap. If he stays he basically hopes, that their GM can do a quick rebuild and acquire another star when Kobe is done.

So yeah, if you just look at the sports side, he would be stupid not to go to Houston...

But there is this other perspective... Money. In LA he gets financial security in that additional year - and he plays for arguably the biggest market which lots of merchandise money coming his way.

It all comes down to this: what does Howard want? Does he want a team in which he feels comfortable and with which he can contend for a championship or does he want the glamour and the financial security? I'd say we have a good chance, but there is an even bigger chance he stays in LA...

#20 LikeMike, May 8, 2013

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