Denton: Howard Peaking at Perfect Time
By John Denton
February 23, 2010
Note: The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Orlando Magic. All opinions expressed by John Denton are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Orlando Magic or their Basketball Operations staff, partners or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Magic and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media.
ORLANDO – It was one of the few times this season that loquacious Orlando Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy was rendered speechless.
When told that superstar Magic center Dwight Howard has a chance to become the first player ever in NBA history to lead the league in rebounding and blocked shots in the same season, Van Gundy just shook his head in amazement.
``Unbelievable,'' Van Gundy said after an extended pause and some head shaking.
Yep, Howard has been that breathtakingly awesome of late, drawing raves nationally, quieting some of the critics and firmly establishing himself among the elite players in the NBA.
Following Sunday's dazzling 22-point, 16-rebound, four-block performance in a thrilling win against arch rival Cleveland, Howard continued one of the most dominant stretches of his six-year NBA career. It was Howard's 18th consecutive double-double, tying a franchise record that he set last season and one achieved by Shaquille O'Neal in 1993. During those 18 games, all Howard has done is average 21.8 points while shooting 60.5 percent from the floor and also put up 14.2 rebounds and 3.61 blocks a game.
He was recognized for his recent work on Monday, winning the NBA's Eastern Conference Player of the Week award. It was the third time this season and the 10th time in Howard's career that he's snagged such an award, this time after averaging 28 points, 16.3 rebounds and 5.3 blocks in three games since the all-star break.
Maybe most impressive of all was how Howard, still a NBA pup at 24 years old, kept his cool when O'Neal, now of the rival Cavs, tried baiting him into silly mind games over the ``Superman'' nickname. Howard brushed off the controversy and hit Shaq where it hurts most – in the low post. Howard was an unstoppable force down low and his shot-blocking presence helped keep LeBron James to just three fourth-quarter points.
``All that I'm trying to do is be aggressive on both ends of the court and show my teammates how bad I want to win,'' Howard said following Sunday's victory. ``We're all in this to win. There are no individual goals and no agendas because we're out to win a championship. It's going to take all of us to win a championship, but really it starts with me.''
Truer words have never been spoken. Orlando signed Rashard Lewis two years ago because his shooting would complement Howard on the inside. They traded for Vince Carter to give Howard more scoring support along the perimeter. They have stuck with point guard Jameer Nelson, Howard's closest friend, through injury troubles. And they even signed Matt Barnes last offseason at the suggestion of Howard.
It's all about Dwight – all the time. And there's not a player in the Magic's locker room who will dispute that.
``We think he's the best player in the NBA,'' Nelson said confidently. ``Just look at all of the things that he does for us. It's not even about the scoring with him. He rebounds, he defends, he blocks shots. And really it's not just the block shots that are so impressive. There are so many times that he alters shots or times when guys don't even go into the lane because of Dwight.''
Said Barnes a little more succinctly: ``The guy is an absolute beast down there.''
Howard's had three 20-point, 20-rebound games this season, giving him 26 since 2004 – the most in the NBA in that time. But his most dominant performance of all came last Wednesday when Howard had 33 points, 17 rebounds and seven blocks in a demolition of the Detroit Pistons. Time and again, Detroit's smallish guards dared to drive down the lane only to have their shots spiked away like a volleyball player would. Howard had five second-half blocks, something that helped hold Detroit to 36 points in the final two quarters.
Rarely do blocks and rebounds ever make it onto ESPN's ``SportsCenter,'' or garner major headlines, causing Howard to fall behind Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and James in terms of sheer buzz and national appeal. But one thing Van Gundy is certain of: Howard is right there on par with being one of the most dominant, important players in the game today.
``As far as the way people look at players, LeBron is sort of up there by himself the way he's promoted, and Kobe is not far behind and then Wade and Carmelo,'' Van Gundy said. ``Then you get into the next group where Dwight is, but he should be talked about with anybody in the league. But we've said so many times that it's a perimeter league and that's how the NBA wants it. The big guys are never going to get the same recognition.
``But if Dwight can continue doing what he's doing, leading the league in rebounding and blocks for a second straight game and his offense is clearly getting better, the recognition will come,'' Van Gundy said. ``Eventually, people won't be able to overlook him anymore. He's been playing unbelievable basketball, really all year, but particularly this last month. He's leading his team to a lot of wins and you'd have to judge him pretty favorably right now.''
John Denton writes for Orlandomagic.com. His Magic ``Behind the Scenes'' segment can be heard each week on ESPN 1080 AM. Submit questions to John for his ``Ask J.D.'' mailbag feature that will appear every Friday at AskJD@orlandomagic.com.
By John DentonFebruary 23, 2010
Note: The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Orlando Magic. All opinions expressed by John Denton are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Orlando Magic or their Basketball Operations staff, partners or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Magic and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media.
ORLANDO – It was one of the few times this season that loquacious Orlando Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy was rendered speechless.
When told that superstar Magic center Dwight Howard has a chance to become the first player ever in NBA history to lead the league in rebounding and blocked shots in the same season, Van Gundy just shook his head in amazement.
``Unbelievable,'' Van Gundy said after an extended pause and some head shaking.
Yep, Howard has been that breathtakingly awesome of late, drawing raves nationally, quieting some of the critics and firmly establishing himself among the elite players in the NBA.
Following Sunday's dazzling 22-point, 16-rebound, four-block performance in a thrilling win against arch rival Cleveland, Howard continued one of the most dominant stretches of his six-year NBA career. It was Howard's 18th consecutive double-double, tying a franchise record that he set last season and one achieved by Shaquille O'Neal in 1993. During those 18 games, all Howard has done is average 21.8 points while shooting 60.5 percent from the floor and also put up 14.2 rebounds and 3.61 blocks a game.
He was recognized for his recent work on Monday, winning the NBA's Eastern Conference Player of the Week award. It was the third time this season and the 10th time in Howard's career that he's snagged such an award, this time after averaging 28 points, 16.3 rebounds and 5.3 blocks in three games since the all-star break.
Maybe most impressive of all was how Howard, still a NBA pup at 24 years old, kept his cool when O'Neal, now of the rival Cavs, tried baiting him into silly mind games over the ``Superman'' nickname. Howard brushed off the controversy and hit Shaq where it hurts most – in the low post. Howard was an unstoppable force down low and his shot-blocking presence helped keep LeBron James to just three fourth-quarter points.
``All that I'm trying to do is be aggressive on both ends of the court and show my teammates how bad I want to win,'' Howard said following Sunday's victory. ``We're all in this to win. There are no individual goals and no agendas because we're out to win a championship. It's going to take all of us to win a championship, but really it starts with me.''
Truer words have never been spoken. Orlando signed Rashard Lewis two years ago because his shooting would complement Howard on the inside. They traded for Vince Carter to give Howard more scoring support along the perimeter. They have stuck with point guard Jameer Nelson, Howard's closest friend, through injury troubles. And they even signed Matt Barnes last offseason at the suggestion of Howard.
It's all about Dwight – all the time. And there's not a player in the Magic's locker room who will dispute that.
``We think he's the best player in the NBA,'' Nelson said confidently. ``Just look at all of the things that he does for us. It's not even about the scoring with him. He rebounds, he defends, he blocks shots. And really it's not just the block shots that are so impressive. There are so many times that he alters shots or times when guys don't even go into the lane because of Dwight.''
Said Barnes a little more succinctly: ``The guy is an absolute beast down there.''
Howard's had three 20-point, 20-rebound games this season, giving him 26 since 2004 – the most in the NBA in that time. But his most dominant performance of all came last Wednesday when Howard had 33 points, 17 rebounds and seven blocks in a demolition of the Detroit Pistons. Time and again, Detroit's smallish guards dared to drive down the lane only to have their shots spiked away like a volleyball player would. Howard had five second-half blocks, something that helped hold Detroit to 36 points in the final two quarters.
Rarely do blocks and rebounds ever make it onto ESPN's ``SportsCenter,'' or garner major headlines, causing Howard to fall behind Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and James in terms of sheer buzz and national appeal. But one thing Van Gundy is certain of: Howard is right there on par with being one of the most dominant, important players in the game today.
``As far as the way people look at players, LeBron is sort of up there by himself the way he's promoted, and Kobe is not far behind and then Wade and Carmelo,'' Van Gundy said. ``Then you get into the next group where Dwight is, but he should be talked about with anybody in the league. But we've said so many times that it's a perimeter league and that's how the NBA wants it. The big guys are never going to get the same recognition.
``But if Dwight can continue doing what he's doing, leading the league in rebounding and blocks for a second straight game and his offense is clearly getting better, the recognition will come,'' Van Gundy said. ``Eventually, people won't be able to overlook him anymore. He's been playing unbelievable basketball, really all year, but particularly this last month. He's leading his team to a lot of wins and you'd have to judge him pretty favorably right now.''
John Denton writes for Orlandomagic.com. His Magic ``Behind the Scenes'' segment can be heard each week on ESPN 1080 AM. Submit questions to John for his ``Ask J.D.'' mailbag feature that will appear every Friday at AskJD@orlandomagic.com.
