Let's hear it for one of the best team players in the NBA Semi-Finals. Brings huge energy into the first quarter leading Dallas out of the gate and to a 20 point second quarter lead. And despite foul trouble is there at the end of regulation to force Ginobli to try a tough runner that misses. Also hit 3 of 4 clutch FTs in the final minute. J-Ho!
Sorry TDoug..As much as I love Howard's energy and hustle, I seriously doubt his basketball IQ. I mean the kid's the momentum killer for the Mavs, notorious for making crucial turnovers or picking cheap fouls and sitting on the bench. He's gotta learn to stop harassing the refs after each call..But he's the key for the Mavs. If he plays well, the Mavs are almost unbeatable..
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting dallasdude:</div><div class="quote_post">Sorry TDoug..As much as I love Howard's energy and hustle, I seriously doubt his basketball IQ. I mean the kid's the momentum killer for the Mavs, notorious for making crucial turnovers or picking cheap fouls and sitting on the bench. He's gotta learn to stop harassing the refs after each call..But he's the key for the Mavs. If he plays well, the Mavs are almost unbeatable..</div> He did turn the ball over and miss a couple of shots and put Ginobli on the line at crunch time. But he remained aggressive going strong to the rim and got to the line twice, and was effective on Ginobli for stretches of the game when he was on the Court. He's improved every year and Avery Johnson had a lot of confidence in him putting him back in the game at the 7 minute mark when things were going the Spurs way. He played into OT before drawing the 6th foul. Josh has always been indignant about calls that he thinks favor other players. His quickness in the passing lanes and length bothered Ginobli and kept him from taking over the game in the 4th quarter. The real problem besides Duncan was the inability to neutralize Parker. I think he has a good basketball IQ making few TOs during the year despite having the offense run through him for much of the year (when he wasn't injured.) His quick pass to Terry to Dirk set up a clutch shot near the end of the game. He does have room to improve, and I have no doubt he will.
Howard is the do-all, do-anything utility player for the Mavs. He is a match-up problem and works harder than anyone on the court. Sure he makes mistakes and in the past has lost his poise, but what do you expect from a young player. Howard will only get better with experience (and if he keeps working as hard as he does). Do you think San Antonio regrets not taking him in draft when they had the chance?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting kingrex:</div><div class="quote_post">Howard is the do-all, do-anything utility player for the Mavs. He is a match-up problem and works harder than anyone on the court. Sure he makes mistakes and in the past has lost his poise, but what do you expect from a young player. Howard will only get better with experience (and if he keeps working as hard as he does). Do you think San Antonio regrets not taking him in draft when they had the chance?</div> Naw i heard in some commentary that the spurs were about to draft him but the mavericks were able to pick him up right before em. Man imagine if Spurs wouldve got him. haha
The Spurs did have a chance to draft Howard in '03 with the 27th pick but the owner and manager wanted Barbosa (now with Phoenix) and Dallas got him at #28. Popavich said after game two in which Howard led Dallas with 27 points that the Spurs could have had Howard and he reluctantly signed off on the Barbosa selection knowing that Duncan wanted Howard. Game 3's Spurs' defense was designed to slow Howard.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TDoug:</div><div class="quote_post">The Spurs did have a chance to draft Howard in '03 with the 27th pick but the owner and manager wanted Barbosa (now with Phoenix) and Dallas got him at #28. Popavich said after game two in which Howard led Dallas with 27 points that the Spurs could have had Howard and he reluctantly signed off on the Barbosa selection knowing that Duncan wanted Howard. Game 3's Spurs' defense was designed to slow Howard.</div> Yeah i could imagine how Duncan wanted him. I never realized the fact they both went to Wake Forest.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Remedy:</div><div class="quote_post">Yeah i could imagine how Duncan wanted him. I never realized the fact they both went to Wake Forest.</div> I confess I went to Wake Forest as if my favorite player moniker didn't give that away. I saw every one of Howard's games. As a freshman he was a tall thin unknown but mercurial with unbelievably long arms. Dave Odom had him in the starting lineup pretty soon his freshman year. He was never a great offensive player but he could score. He did everything else so well that Gary Williams called him superman. Actually UNC, State and Duke recruited him but he went to a military school and Wake did the best job of staying in touch. Plus Josh was from Winston-Salem. Duncan knew what Josh could do. Take over a game with great energy and toughness. We were afraid his freshman and sophomore years that he would alienate the refs, but by his junior year he was under control except when he had to play against the despicable and overrated Dahntay Jones of Duke who was taken #16 in the same draft by Boston. (Christian Laetner's career looks all-NBA compared to Jones' obscure tenure in Boston) His junior year the nation woke up and realized Howard was an All-American who carried Wake to one victory after another. The next year he was ACC player of the year, an All-American, and was passed over 27 times. I can understand a few of the selections, but not taking Howard was purely a lack of scouting and information. Hats off to the Mav.
