Strength From Within
by 4Him on Jun 7, 2009 9:01 AM CDT
65 comments
I'm sure that many of you saw the recent Buck Harvey column in which he detailed the striking similarities between Dwight Howard and David Robinson. Both men came into the NBA as great physical specimens and as the overall #1 draft pick, both won an Olympic gold medal and the DPotY award, and both could put up big scoring numbers simply b/c of their athleticism (and despite their lack of great footwork and post-up moves). They're also strong Christians.
Then there is also the negative perception that the Manchild, like the Admiral before him, is too carefree and not nasty enough to win a championship. That perception surfaced again after game 1 of the Finals when Howard only got one field goal in his 35 minutes. A perception that he doesn't have Kobe-like intensity (complete with Kobe's 'Nowitzki' growl). It's the same kind of stuff that David heard pre-TD. But the fact is that Robinson was always passionate about winning, it's just that until 1999 he didn't have the surrounding talent to take him over the top (with the possible exception of 1995, when Dennis Rodman's bizarre behavior caused an excellent team to self-destruct against the Rockets in the WCF). And I believe that Dwight Howard has that same passion as well.
Dwight, like David before him, is very secure in who he is and is not trying to conform to what NBA insiders (or advertisers) want him to be. Dwight, like David before him, possesses an inner strength that fuels him and a quiet confidence that spurs him on, despite the expectations of others. At the team level, it's the same kind of confidence and inner strength that caused a small-market team from South Texas to turn the NBA (and its expectations) upside down when they became successful and won multiple championships with a star-threesome who came from foreign places.
I don't know how this Finals will end up for Howard. Maybe it will be the same kind of losing experience (i.e. LeBron 2007, among many others) that is so often necessary before a superstar can finally climb the victor's stand. Or maybe in the games that remain he will average 28/18 and win the MVP award. But no matter what, I think that he has the kind of inner strength and resolve to be a real difference-maker who will lead his team to a Championship.
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I dont think he has The Admirals offensive repetoire
Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.
by bren on Jun 7, 2009 10:28 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
That’s true – Dave had a much better jump shot.
by 4Him on Jun 7, 2009 10:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Interesting, I’ve thought about this too. I think Howard has a chance to be as good as or better than David Robinson, but he’s got a long way to go.
by Big50 on Jun 7, 2009 2:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
mainly his jump shot
Randy Blythe, Singer of Lamb of God- "Words can be broken, so can bones....." Omerta by Lamb of God
by KA1Z3R on Jun 7, 2009 6:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Look, maybe on personality they are somewhat similar, but ability wise? Howard will NEVER be the scorer Robinson was. Can you imagine Dwight going for 71? Me neither.
This is not to say Howard is a bad player, he is the second best center in the league, but Robinson was just THAT good.
"It's a basic truth of the human condition that everybody lies. The only variable is about what."
by Chilai on Jun 7, 2009 5:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
who's your #1 center?
just curious.
Randy Blythe, Singer of Lamb of God- "Words can be broken, so can bones....." Omerta by Lamb of God
by KA1Z3R on Jun 7, 2009 6:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ming of course
"It's a basic truth of the human condition that everybody lies. The only variable is about what."
by Chilai on Jun 7, 2009 8:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Who else? Maybe Big Al, in a few years.
Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders
by LatinD on Jun 7, 2009 8:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Big Al is more of a 4 in my mind. How tall is he anyway? Yao and Dwight are head and shoulders above the rest of the centers right now. I love me some Andres Biendric (sp?) but he isn’t nearly in their class. Yao 1, Dwight 2.
...formerly known as speedostuffer
by Manuwar on Jun 7, 2009 10:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He has the post moves, though, and plays 5. Dunno how tall he is.
Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders
by LatinD on Jun 8, 2009 8:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
TD, if the Spurs keep using him as one. Oh wait, you mean a true center? I’d actually have to go with Dwight – he does a lot more than score and rebound. He’s becoming as good a passer as TD, and is very active creating havoc on the defensive end. Yao is very close, but I give Dwight the edge even though he hasn’t maximized his potential yet. Big Al might be close in another year or two.
Free James Gist!
Pounding the Rock - where ochlocracy happens. Eat your heart out, California.
by Tim C. on Jun 7, 2009 11:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe Howard has a lot of potential left, but seriously…..do you really think that Dwight is better RIGHT NOW than a healthy Yao Ming? Just look at the trouble the lakers had defending Ming until he broke his foot and look how dumb is looking Howard in the first 2 games of the series (HE IS BEING DEFENDED BY GASOL !!!!!!! BY PAU “SUPER SOFT” GASOL!!). Lets face it , maybe Howard is a bit better defensively (and a better rebounder of course) but his offensive repertoire is a gazillion miles away from Ming’s
"It's a basic truth of the human condition that everybody lies. The only variable is about what."
by Chilai on Jun 8, 2009 6:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with Chilai. Yao’s one smooth criminal.
Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders
by LatinD on Jun 8, 2009 8:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
In addition, the refs are getting into Howard’s head right now. I think he will get better at this with time. Every time something does not go his way he starts looking around for the ref and fails at hustling back to defend. He needs to stop worrying about missed calls and start concentrating on the game.
"If an expert says it can't be done, get another expert"
- DBG
by LasEspuelas on Jun 8, 2009 8:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Problem is, the refs of Games 1 and 2 are letting the Lakers rake him for steals without calling all of the hacking that’s going on when the double and triple him. This is about as bad as I’ve seen them ignore obvious fouls since Games 3 and 4 of the 2005 Finals when the Rasheed and Ben Wallace mauled TD repeatedly on their way to all of those gift fast breaks that turned a possible sweep into a 7 game series.
I want my Manu!
by jollyrogerwilco on Jun 8, 2009 12:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Whatever the refs did, I liked it. That series was very physical, and 10X times more entertaining than this one.
"It's a basic truth of the human condition that everybody lies. The only variable is about what."
by Chilai on Jun 8, 2009 2:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You are right. They are harassing him in front of the refs, but if you are the star player on your team you need to keep your head in the game and keep playing.
"If an expert says it can't be done, get another expert"
- DBG
by LasEspuelas on Jun 9, 2009 2:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed, but remember that he’s 22.
He reminds me of Hakeem at that age — he he was a hothead his first couple of years in the league — constantly getting into it with refs. Both have great physical talent, and both needed to mold it before the top end can be realized. Hakeem (Akeem back then) didn’t have much to his game at 22 besides his defense, a dropstep and all of those dunks, wasn’t a very good passer and stunk at free throws. He’d ignore his teammates and go one-on-three all the time.
I’d say Howard is already ahead of that pace.
The only thing against this comparison, is that Hakeem had played relatively little basketball before coming to the US, whereas Howard’s been playing it since young, right? Someone correct me if I’m wrong about that.
I want my Manu!
by jollyrogerwilco on Jun 9, 2009 11:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, Howard has been playing at least since he was 9 yrs old. When he was in the eighth grade, he wrote down his goals on a piece of paper and tacked it up in his room. He wanted to lead his high school to a state title and become the #1 pick in the NBA draft. He accomplished both goals. He went to the Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy for high school (where his Dad is the athletic director), which has one of the best high school basketball programs in the country.
by 4Him on Jun 10, 2009 1:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I had said this same crap earlier this season and people shot me down. Howard doesn’t have the refined offensive skills that David had but there are so many similarities about the two…
...formerly known as speedostuffer
by Manuwar on Jun 7, 2009 10:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah I agree with similarities, but give me D-Rob on his prime over Howard any day.
"It's a basic truth of the human condition that everybody lies. The only variable is about what."
by Chilai on Jun 8, 2009 6:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
But who would win in an arm wrestling contest? let the great debate begin!
...formerly known as speedostuffer
by Manuwar on Jun 10, 2009 11:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was looking for the best picture of DRob flexing to make my case that he would win but found this great pic instead.
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My team might get infected with a case of Bourousis, but the Dr. says the symptoms are dunking, rebounding, and blocking with the side effect of spreading the floor.
by BlaseE on Jun 11, 2009 1:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Scary!!!
"If an expert says it can't be done, get another expert"
- DBG
by LasEspuelas on Jun 11, 2009 2:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
teen wolf’s illegitimate father?
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My team might get infected with a case of Bourousis, but the Dr. says the symptoms are dunking, rebounding, and blocking with the side effect of spreading the floor.
by BlaseE on Jun 11, 2009 3:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He wins all the fights by default. No one would dare to touch him
"It's a basic truth of the human condition that everybody lies. The only variable is about what."
by Chilai on Jun 11, 2009 5:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dwight Howard is like a combination of Shaq and David Robinson—The Admiral’s body, with Shaq’s offensive repertoire. Which is pretty good, but he doesn’t have the heft (yet?) or the leeway from the officials to just knock guys out of the way and dunk on them. Robinson was much more fluid with the ball, not just his jump shot, but also his ball-handling ability.
I thought Howard was bigger than he is, but he’s actually not that big, just very muscular, with wide shoulders and huge arms on an otherwise wiry frame (just like Big Dave). I noticed in the Olympics, where he was smaller than just about every center he matched up against. There was a camera shot towards the end of game 2 of Turkoglu and Howard standing next to each other and I swear there was hardly any difference between the two.
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
by tomasito on Jun 8, 2009 8:09 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I was impressed with the same shot of Turkish and Howard. I could not decide if Turkoglu is bigger than I thought or Howard smaller than he seems.
"If an expert says it can't be done, get another expert"
- DBG
by LasEspuelas on Jun 8, 2009 8:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think its both.
Last week, ESPN had a picture of Howard standing next to Bynum and I thought it was some Lord of the Rings-forced perception-hobbit film trick. I couldn’t find that picture but maybe Bynum is just more freaskishly tall than I knew.
Was anyone else thinking JJ was a lot taller than they previously thought as well? He barely looked shorter than Kobe when he was assigned to not defend him by standing in front of him.
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My team might get infected with a case of Bourousis, but the Dr. says the symptoms are dunking, rebounding, and blocking with the side effect of spreading the floor.
by BlaseE on Jun 8, 2009 9:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I dont want to start a confrontation, but your measure system SUCKS ^^
"It's a basic truth of the human condition that everybody lies. The only variable is about what."
by Chilai on Jun 8, 2009 2:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I never knew JJ was 6’4". He didn’t look as small as I thought he was previously in front of Kobe at 6’6"….George Hill is only 6’2" and we had him guard Kobe, albeit with his condor wingspan…
Doesn’t the perspective on that picture make it look like Bynum is a giant?
Come on….
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My team might get infected with a case of Bourousis, but the Dr. says the symptoms are dunking, rebounding, and blocking with the side effect of spreading the floor.
by BlaseE on Jun 8, 2009 3:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
im talking about inches and foots vs metric system
"It's a basic truth of the human condition that everybody lies. The only variable is about what."
by Chilai on Jun 8, 2009 9:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree. Every friggin’ country in the world uses metric – except for three, and the other two are Myanmar and Liberia. Not exactly the best company we’re keeping there.
Free James Gist!
Pounding the Rock - where ochlocracy happens. Eat your heart out, California.
by Tim C. on Jun 8, 2009 10:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Its funny how in the NBA you really never know how tall a player is.
"It's a basic truth of the human condition that everybody lies. The only variable is about what."
by Chilai on Jun 9, 2009 6:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
According to Heisenberg you never really know how tall anybody is.
Even if they’re in Myanmar and Liberia.
I want my Manu!
by jollyrogerwilco on Jun 9, 2009 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Never thought I would see a reference to Heisenberg on a basketball blog.
"If an expert says it can't be done, get another expert"
- DBG
by LasEspuelas on Jun 9, 2009 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
how long have you been here?
I know longer than me. If we have pictures of fish on here and lines from Metallica songs, then expect a LOT of strange references.
Adding onto the list of strange references, I’d like to go to a diner.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7JMEqpmrjU&feature=related
And have you ever what a difference a day makes?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySB2VnG00ds&feature=related
Randy Blythe, Singer of Lamb of God- "Words can be broken, so can bones....." Omerta by Lamb of God
by KA1Z3R on Jun 9, 2009 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
one more
you know what I’m “in the mood” for?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJE-onnw2gM
I’m done now. Just had to bring back some of the randomness. Now back to being on-task.
Randy Blythe, Singer of Lamb of God- "Words can be broken, so can bones....." Omerta by Lamb of God
by KA1Z3R on Jun 9, 2009 1:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nice links, Kaizer — by the way, Glenn Miller is JRW approved.
Also, judging by your “Joined” dates, it looks like you’ve been here a couple of months longer than LE. Better use that extra experience wisely, eh?
And I hope you don’t mind the ‘misspelling’ of your handle — it’s just a bit easier to type when it’s un-LEET-ed.
I want my Manu!
by jollyrogerwilco on Jun 10, 2009 12:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
it's cool man
I’ll call you roger though because of that. Ha, I’m going to call you Mister Rogers!!!!
It’s okay everyone! Because you can never go down the drain. That’s right you can never go down the drain. Because we’re all bigger than the water, the soap, and the all the bubbles.
(if you didn’t get that mr. rogers reference i will kill you)
Randy Blythe, Singer of Lamb of God- "Words can be broken, so can bones....." Omerta by Lamb of God
by KA1Z3R on Jun 10, 2009 10:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That would make you Kaiser Wilhelm the Second
I want my Manu!
by jollyrogerwilco on Jun 10, 2009 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
sweet!!!!
I’m awesome then!
Randy Blythe, Singer of Lamb of God- "Words can be broken, so can bones....." Omerta by Lamb of God
by KA1Z3R on Jun 10, 2009 2:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
at least I'm not the host of a kid's show
Randy Blythe, Singer of Lamb of God- "Words can be broken, so can bones....." Omerta by Lamb of God
by KA1Z3R on Jun 10, 2009 2:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hmmmm, let’s see.
Fred Rogers: educator and beloved by generations of children vs. Kaiser Wilhelm: the man generally viewed as having started World War I.
Yup, I gotta go with Mr Rogers on this one.
I want my Manu!
by jollyrogerwilco on Jun 11, 2009 9:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
hmm.....
kids educator vs. war monger. I’ll take the war monger anyday. At least i was a powerful man.
Besides I’m German and I did make my username in honor of the kaisers. So you know.
Randy Blythe, Singer of Lamb of God- "Words can be broken, so can bones....." Omerta by Lamb of God
by KA1Z3R on Jun 11, 2009 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
So your slogan could be “At least I didn’t pick Hitler!”.
Free James Gist!
Pounding the Rock - where ochlocracy happens. Eat your heart out, California.
by Tim C. on Jun 11, 2009 1:31 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I was going to ask if F|_|HR3R was taken…
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My team might get infected with a case of Bourousis, but the Dr. says the symptoms are dunking, rebounding, and blocking with the side effect of spreading the floor.
by BlaseE on Jun 11, 2009 1:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
rec’d to operation Valkyrie
I want my Manu!
by jollyrogerwilco on Jun 11, 2009 1:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
hey man whatever
at least it’s not rikiddo. lol just kidding.
Randy Blythe, Singer of Lamb of God- "Words can be broken, so can bones....." Omerta by Lamb of God
by KA1Z3R on Jun 12, 2009 9:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Are you certain you never thought that?
Ar ar ar.
by Lauri on Jun 10, 2009 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hah! You rock, Lauri. Recced to Manu’s shark-infested pool.
Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders
by LatinD on Jun 10, 2009 6:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You cannot be certain of anything anymore… not even in your own head…
"If an expert says it can't be done, get another expert"
- DBG
by LasEspuelas on Jun 10, 2009 7:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Umm..Shaq when he came into the league had a much more refined offense than Dwight at this point I think. Dwight has potential. Thats all I am seeing. Young Shaq was super nimble with a lot of turnaround moves around basket. Dwight shouldn’t even be compared to DRob yet except for the physical frame part.
by LionZion on Jun 8, 2009 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree. The Admiral was an awesome battleship back then whereas D-12 right now is just a cargo ship with low-tech spare missiles to be used only for self-defense.
by silverandblack_davis on Jun 9, 2009 3:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
+1
"It's a basic truth of the human condition that everybody lies. The only variable is about what."
by Chilai on Jun 9, 2009 6:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
On the other hand, even as a rookie, Big Dave was much older than Dwight is now. I would also disagree that young Shaq had a more developed offensive repertoire than Dwight—he mainly relied on the smash-smash-spin-dunk sequence. He also would dunk alley-oops and rebounds (notice the common thread ;-) )He didn’t develop that little hop-hook in the lane until he had been with the Lakers for a few years.
I would agree with Bill Simmons that Dwight certainly doesn’t appear to be gifted offensively—he seems like a guy you’d expect 15-20 points and rebounds from (which is excellent production, but he needs scorers around him). If you need him to go for 30+ points, you’re in trouble. I think Orlando is making a mistake iso-ing him in the post and letting him go to work. How many TOs did he have in the 4th quarter and overtime? I swear it seemed like he had at least three in a row at one point.
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
by tomasito on Jun 9, 2009 1:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
::cue cheesy dream-sequence music::
But can you imagine how good DHow would look and how talented he’d be at this stage of his career playing next to Timmy in Black and Silver? With just a little more perfect supporting cast, DHow would be even more of a beast.
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
by SgtinManusArmy on Jun 9, 2009 3:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He is in a perfect team for him. With timmy he would have less rebounds and his moves would look stupid compared to Tim Duncan’s godly repertoire.
"It's a basic truth of the human condition that everybody lies. The only variable is about what."
by Chilai on Jun 9, 2009 7:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
True, but Timmy tends to make mere mortals look as gods.
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
by SgtinManusArmy on Jun 9, 2009 7:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
plus, remember DRob’s tutelage of Timmeh? I doubt Timmeh becomes the GOAT without the Admiral.
Free James Gist!
Pounding the Rock - where ochlocracy happens. Eat your heart out, California.
by Tim C. on Jun 9, 2009 10:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is a good point, Rik; one that isn’t brought up enough.
I want my Manu!
by jollyrogerwilco on Jun 10, 2009 12:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
less rebounds, more chips?
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My team might get infected with a case of Bourousis, but the Dr. says the symptoms are dunking, rebounding, and blocking with the side effect of spreading the floor.
by BlaseE on Jun 10, 2009 8:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
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