NBA Thread
- Thread starter zitothebrave
- Start date
A good post up player? Wow.
I wish I could knew how to put GIFs up because I would post the GIF of him blocking Hibbert.
Is fastbreak offense more efficient than halfcourt?
He's not?
Howard in the post
One of the long held beliefs in criticizing Howard is that he “doesn’t have any post moves”. I’ve often bristled at this critique because it ignores the fact that Dwight does have a steady arsenal when working from the block, just one that is more mechanical in nature; one that is built off his ability to compromise his man with a combination of quickness and power rather than technique.
Per My Synergy Sports, Howard posted up 57.5% of the time, producing .88 points per play, while shooting 49.9%. All of these numbers are very good — they ranked him 55th in the league in this category — and in comparison to Bynum (54.6% post ups, .89 points per play, 46.2% shooting) we see that Howard produces at a level that is at least equal to (and some would argue better) than the man he’s replacing.
As mentioned, Howard uses a combination of quickness and power to set up his post work. Often times he’ll turn and face when working form the post and then jab step to get his man off balance before exploding into his move. From the left block, he loves to go middle and shoot a rolling hook and will counter with a drop step/spin move to the baseline if his man cuts off his drive. Because Howard has excellent burst and underrated feet when getting going to the rim, this primary/counter attack he’s developed is more than effective.
He also offers straight post up moves as well. When working from either block Howard will turn and face but then power dribble back into a standard back to the basket position to knock his man off-balance. From here, he can turn over either shoulder to shoot a little jump hook. From the left block he’s shown that he can hit a little lefty hook going baseline and from the right block he clearly likes to turn back over his left shoulder and shoot his righty hook off the glass. To be fair, these hook shots lack touch as he shoots them more like shot puts rather than flicking his wrist like Bynum (or Gasol) shoot theirs. But, Howard has shown he can make these shots with good consistency, regardless of how they look coming off his hand.
Overall, I liken Howard’s post up game to the boxing style of a puncher who is jab dominant but will then hurt you with his overhand right when you guard against his quick left (sort of like Lennox Lewis or Vlad Klitschko). This type of fighter doesn’t try to hurt you with a variety of punches — no upercuts, crosses, etc — he simply wears you down with his primary weapons over and over again. This may not be the most fun fight to watch, but they continue to win because they’re two trick ponies that mix up those tricks enough to do damage.
Howard in the Pick and Roll
Where Dwight is in a league of his own is as a finisher in the pick and roll. Dwight produced a staggering 1.36 points per play (2nd in the NBA) while shooting an absurd 74% in this action. If you compare this to Bynum (1.12 ppp, 57.1% shooting) you see a marked improvement, even though Bynum’s numbers are excellent. Howard’s quickness in darting into open space combined with his ability to make the difficult catch while finishing above the rim make him an absolute terror.
Beyond his finishing, however, the authority in which Howard dives into the teeth of the defense instantly draws extra defenders to him. This magnetism creates the floor spacing and passing angles his teammates feast on. With Howard on the floor the three point shooting percentages of Ryan Anderson, Hedo Turkoglu, and Jameer Nelson were all much better than when he was on the bench.
This upcoming season, I expect to see the same type of impact from Howard on his Lakers teammates. Whenever Nash and Howard share the floor, the Lakers can run a high P&R and generate a good look simply due to the fact that Howard is going to set a crushing screen and then dive to the rim where he’ll either be able to make a catch and finish/get fouled or will draw in the defense in a way that opens up his teammates. Think of the open shots that can be created for Kobe or Pau or Ron or Jamison or Meeks…I could go on and on and this only considers the Nash/Howard scenario. Change this up to Kobe/Howard or even Pau/Howard (remember the Pau/Bynum P&R that produced so many good plays?) and the options open up even more.
I will post a few videos of Howard make jumpers.
What is your point? Are other teams choosing to be less effecient?
Do the Rockets have good offensive players?
They have good offensive players when they are playing in the open court.
Lets see it work.
Why were the ROckets so good in pick and roll situations if they only were good on the fast break? And LOL, they are replacing Asik with Howard on that PNR
jpx7
Very Flirtatious, but Doubts What Love Is.
Heyward
<B>Voted Worst Poster <br>'13, '14, '15 (Co-Winner
Just for your warm feelings:
Giles owned again.
Heyward
<B>Voted Worst Poster <br>'13, '14, '15 (Co-Winner
No.
BRule
<B>BBQ Lead Hostess</B>
Career numbers (I rounded up and down):
Howard - 18/13/1.5 with 2.2 blocks and 1 steal on 58 % and 58% from the line
Gasol - 13/8/2.7 with 1.6 blocks and 1 steal on 52% and 74.6% from the line
When it comes to the playoffs?
Howard - 20/14/1.4 with 3 blocks and 1 steal on 60% and 58% from the line
Gasol - 16/9/3 with 2 blocks and 1 steal on 48% and 76% from the line
Howard - 18/13/1.5 with 2.2 blocks and 1 steal on 58 % and 58% from the line
Gasol - 13/8/2.7 with 1.6 blocks and 1 steal on 52% and 74.6% from the line
When it comes to the playoffs?
Howard - 20/14/1.4 with 3 blocks and 1 steal on 60% and 58% from the line
Gasol - 16/9/3 with 2 blocks and 1 steal on 48% and 76% from the line
Heyward
<B>Voted Worst Poster <br>'13, '14, '15 (Co-Winner
Who cares what they were then.
We are talking now, and right now Gasol is the best C in the NBA. Not by a landslide but he's an overall better player over Howard.
BRule
<B>BBQ Lead Hostess</B>
Last year:
Howard - 17.1 / 12.4 / 1.4 with 2.4 blocks and 1.1 steals on 58% from the field and 49% from the line
Gasol - 14.1 / 7.8 / 4 with 1.7 blocks and 1 steal on 49% shooting from the field and 85% from the line
How is Gasol WAY better? If at all?
*Keep in mind this is a Howard at 50% health*
Heyward
<B>Voted Worst Poster <br>'13, '14, '15 (Co-Winner
50% , really guy?