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Post by DERRENMATTS on Jun 29, 2016 2:58:46 GMT -5
Dwight Howard is still an amazing talent -- even though he is no longer in his prime, he's still a top 10 Center and defender (and still able to do thjngs athletically that few big men can do).
But physical abilities is not the problem with Howard, and its not the reason why he's seemingly changing teams every other year. Its because he's a primadonna and insists on being a focal point on offense, sometimes at the detriment of his team.
Especially now in the modern NBA, when teams are moving their bigs away from the basket and going away from the inside-out game of past generations, Dwight Howard is a bit of a dinosaur.
With that said, if he ever changes his tune, if he ever humbles his pride and swallows his ego and be whatever his teams needs him to be, what a pick up he would be for us.
Imagine how much better we'd be if we had better interior defense and defensive rebounding? We're already a top 5 defensive team, and that's without being a good shotblocking and rebounding team. Howard would singlehandedly boost our defense up a notch.
Can Brad Stevens convince Howard that less is more? Can the core Celtics players sell Howard on the team first mentality?
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Post by jmost on Jun 29, 2016 6:43:05 GMT -5
Maybe Stevens could get Bill Russell to have a talk with Howard about just how valuable a big man who dominates the boards and defends the paint can be. There's a famous story about how Russell decided to score more one year, but then changed his mind when he saw that the team was actually better with him scoring less. Too bad Howard never developed much of an offensive game. He had the physical tools to be an all-time great.
I'm ambivalent about signing him. He'd definitely improve the rebounding and inside D, and maybe Stevens could get him to accept that role, but what do you do when the other team goes small and puts their center outside? He's probably looking for the max, or close to it, and I don't know if I want to tie that much money up in him. Would this be a case of getting better for next year but hamstringing yourself longer term? And as much faith as I have in Stevens, I do have doubts about Howard's ability to ever really change.
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Post by eja117 on Jun 29, 2016 6:48:32 GMT -5
I'm pretty nervous about it
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Jun 29, 2016 10:16:41 GMT -5
Maybe Stevens could get Bill Russell to have a talk with Howard about just how valuable a big man who dominates the boards and defends the paint can be. There's a famous story about how Russell decided to score more one year, but then changed his mind when he saw that the team was actually better with him scoring less. Too bad Howard never developed much of an offensive game. He had the physical tools to be an all-time great. I'm ambivalent about signing him. He'd definitely improve the rebounding and inside D, and maybe Stevens could get him to accept that role, but what do you do when the other team goes small and puts their center outside? He's probably looking for the max, or close to it, and I don't know if I want to tie that much money up in him. Would this be a case of getting better for next year but hamstringing yourself longer term? And as much faith as I have in Stevens, I do have doubts about Howard's ability to ever really change. I really like this thought. If Russell can convince Dwight into the value and the impact he could have by focusing all his might and energy on shotblocking and rebounding, Dwight could be just as much of an MVP on the defensive end that Durant would be on the offensive end. |
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Jun 29, 2016 14:31:52 GMT -5
Stevens has been able to get the most out of other players who came in with knocks against them. I imagine that both Danny and Brad will be very careful to discuss the team first approach with him before making him an offer. If they make him an offer it will be to play team ball.
From all I've seen of Dwight, he's like a big kid and likes to have fun when he plays. I think this group of players would allow him to do that. I too am a bit nervous about signing him but hope that Danny and Brad will do their due diligence to be sure he would be a fit before signing him. I think he's a second choice behind Horford anyway.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Jun 29, 2016 15:52:33 GMT -5
Just read that Howard opted out of $23 million with the Rockets for next year. So, Unless he's turning a new leaf and wants to find a better basketball fit, then he's going to be looking for at least that and probably more - somewhere around $31 million which would be a max for him.
I don't see Danny even going close to the $23 million. He still has the talent and the tools to be a difference maker but he rarely has been serious enough about putting in the effort. Maybe he will look at this as a proving season for a new start and in that case, giving the Celtics a discount to play under Stevens who has done a lot for other players coming in looking to prove themselves.
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Jun 30, 2016 17:16:14 GMT -5
Ok, if not Dwight Howard, what ought we to do at Center next year?
Even if we were to get Horford, who is a 4 primarily, we still don't have a game changing shot blocking and rebounding 5.
Amir Johnson? Yeah, he's ok, buuuuut.......
Ante Zizic? I hope in time he can become a high caliber starter, but probably not next year.
Hassan Whiteside? He'll be just as expensive as Dwight Howard, but Dwight has more impact on offense, and a greater track record.
Bizmack Biyombo? He's a 4.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Jun 30, 2016 21:50:50 GMT -5
Jordan Mickey? I read that the Thunder are shopping Enez Kanter to make room for Horford if they keep Durant. Looks like Noah is going to the Knicks. Perk is a free agent  I'd be all in for him but that's just me. Not a lot of shot blocker/rebounders available. Colton Iverson will probably be back to give another try with the Celtics. The Celtics may have to give Zizic a try if all else fails. They did say he has a mean streak. We could use that. |
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Jun 30, 2016 22:21:57 GMT -5
Mickey can play a smallball 5, but is a bit undersized against 7 footers. But I do think he'll get more playing time this coming season.
Zizic may need a couple of years of seasoning -- his high motor could get him into foul trouble
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Post by freshnthehouse on Jul 1, 2016 0:47:33 GMT -5
Ok, if not Dwight Howard, what ought we to do at Center next year? Even if we were to get Horford, who is a 4 primarily, we still don't have a game changing shot blocking and rebounding 5. Amir Johnson? Yeah, he's ok, buuuuut....... Ante Zizic? I hope in time he can become a high caliber starter, but probably not next year. Hassan Whiteside? He'll be just as expensive as Dwight Howard, but Dwight has more impact on offense, and a greater track record. Bizmack Biyombo? He's a 4. Biyombo is definitely a 5 (though he could play the 4 in a pinch). Dude has 9'4.32" standing reach. By contrast, Hassan Whiteside's is 9'5". Plus, Biyombo weighs 245, which isn't huge for a center, but the dude looks like he was carved from granite. No one is pushing him around. |
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Jul 1, 2016 11:26:00 GMT -5
I thought Biyombo looked really good in the playoffs. That was like his coming out party. He's definitely a 5 as Fresh said. He really hasn't been that good up until then. My only fear with him is that maybe the playoffs were an anomaly and he really isn't that dominant. Maybe it was just a matchup thing.
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Jul 1, 2016 15:37:14 GMT -5
I'm sti not convinced Biyombo is more than a flash in the pan (though his flashes are more frequent now).
Rather wait for Mickey to emerge. Mickey offers more on offense.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Jul 1, 2016 18:04:36 GMT -5
Dwight Howard signed a 3 year $70 million contract with the Hawks. That appears to mean that the Hawks are ready to move on from Horford or know they can't sign him. Interesting!
Celtics are meeting with Horford tonight. Word is that Danny is prepared to offer him a max contract.
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Jul 1, 2016 18:29:11 GMT -5
Yeah, can't imagine ATL keeping Dwight, Horford and Milsap, taking up a huge chunk of the team's salary.
Horford is most likely not returning to the Hawks. Unless they trade away Milsap.
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I'd be all in for him but that's just me. 
