In 36 minutes of playing time Dwight Howard is averaging 17.5 pts, 2.5 blocks, 1.1 steals, 2 assists and 11.8 rebounds. These are some solid numbers, and in fact are actually very much similar to his career averages, so you might find yourself saying yeah, what’s wrong with him? Why is this being said?
Well I would like to ask you, where is that beast? That huge dominating scary figure patrolling the paint? That passionate, gives his everything for his team and the singlet he wears on his chest? That killer instinct? That guy running straight lines basket to basket for post up dunks? That guy taking any opportunity to step over and block shots? That guy that was a top 3 player in the league? And the first player anyone would pick on their roster?
We all know he has an injury, or the after effects of one! But I am a big believer that when you cross that white line you lose all excuses, all reasons and all injuries, sickness whatever you may have been suffering from. (What great NBA player ever didn’t play sore or hurt on any given game?).
I would like to make reference to an example
In the second quarter of the Lakers most recent loss to the Nuggets Ty Lawson, being aggressive beats Nash on the drive and drives to the basket, Howard in the driving lane steps up, Lawson steps right past him and makes a nice lay-up. Now their is no doubt in my mind that twelve months ago that Ty Lawson layup would have been knocked into the first tier of the Pepsi Centre.
I have watched a lot Lakers ball this year and I am extremely happy that is the case as I have witnessed Kobe Bryant scoring like a machine, on one of the longest 30 pt streaks in history. But Dwight Howards effort, attitude, and respect for the Lakers uniform is pathetic, yes they are some nice numbers, but I do not believe it is any better than a lot of the leagues legit centers right now and what someone of his talent and dominance level should put up on a roster full of hall of famer’s.
I am a huge lover of the game Dwight has and hold a huge appreciation for his presence and dominance down low (He is a favourite player of mine), but it is time he pulled his head in and started playing to his full potential. Who knows when Kobe’s streak finishes and his body wakes up to the fact that he is 34 and cannot keep putting up the numbers the Lakers are relying upon at the moment to win them games Howard will be called upon, and we will see what Howards true colours are going to be? Will he step up? I hope so he is to valuable to the league not to.
Travis Hewish