<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">[IMGL]http://www.nba.com/media/howard_300_061201.jpg[/IMGL]It's safe to say that nobody is sleeping on the Magic anymore, if only because Orlando is the only team in the Eastern Conference that is overachieving right now (or achieving, for that matter), soaring to a 13-4 start and threatening to run away with the division. And the team has a kid who -- any year now -- may become the youngest MVP in league history. Orlando has won six in a row and nine 10 of 11 after beating Portland at the buzzer Friday night, and nobody would be surprised if the Magic came home from this Western trip with a sweep -- though that back-to-back against the Clips and Kings starting tonight figured to be the team's toughest test of the season. Say this much: The first two games of the trip were eye-openers. The Magic held Utah and Seattle -- the fourth- and seventh-ranked scoring teams in the NBA -- to an average of 79.5 points. That's half the formula, basically. Brian Hill, Jersey guy, has erected a defense that can stop missiles. Two years ago, Orlando was the third-worst defensive team in the league, with an average yield of 101.8. Last year, Hill got that ranking down to No. 13 overall, at 96 even. Entering the weekend, the Magic was first in field-goal defense (.424) and second in scoring defense. Its scoring differential (a plus-4.5 per game) was second only to San Antonio. The other half of the formula is the aforementioned MVP candidate. Dwight Howard took both Utah and Seattle apart, and neither the Jazz nor Sonics are very dainty up front. He averaged 14 rebounds and 14 free-throw attempts in the two games. Through 16 games, he's averaging 17.1 points, a league-high 13.6 boards, 1.94 blocks and hitting nearly 58 percent of his shots. Maybe this is the scariest factoid: He is actually a far better player on the road, with averages of 19.8 points and 15.3 rebounds. When he shows up in your town, he comes to eat glass. We know one Eastern Conference GM who states without hesitation or equivocation that he wouldn't trade Howard for any player in the world other than the LeBron James or Dwyane Wade. And yes, he'd have to think long and hard if you were offering up Kobe Bryant. The point being: If the kid is already established as a franchise player ... and he's still five days away from his 21st birthday ... and he still doesn't have a post game ... and he still doesn't have a jump shot ... and he still doesn't have a left hand ... just what are we talking about here? That line from Kevin Garnett eight months ago still resonates: "A freak of nature," KG called him. "I don't know what they're putting in the milk these days for these kids. I wasn't nowhere that physically talented, I wasn't that gifted as far as body and physical presence." </div> Source
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"A freak of nature," KG called him. "I don't know what they're putting in the milk these days for these kids. I wasn't nowhere that physically talented, I wasn't that gifted as far as body and physical presence."</div> Haha, even KG is seeing Dwight is a monster. I really hope this kid could pull home an MVP at his age. It would throw his confidence, and even the teams morale, through the roof.
doubt he would get it, although I would be happy for ole' boy. But c'mon, dude doesn't need an MVP to throw his confidence. Look at yor favorite player.
He doesn't deserve an MVP yet, and let's not inflate this guy's ego. He still has lots of room for improvement.
<div class="quote_poster">Chuck Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">He doesn't deserve an MVP yet, and let's not inflate this guy's ego. He still has lots of room for improvement.</div> I was gonna say that. When was the last time that a guy that doesn't get the ball down the stretch win the MVP? NEVER. We always put it in Grant Hill or Jameer Nelson's hands. Rebounding is good to become an all-star, but you have to be a complete player to compete for the MVP and Dwight just isn't there yet. Maybe in a couple of years he will be in the running, but not now.
Man, Dwight is soo good but I just can't see it happening because there's so many other teams. I think Magic wont end the season as good as they've started.
<div class="quote_poster">d-money12 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">if we get the number 1 seed in the easy and 55+ wins, dwight gets it</div> No he still doesn't win it. LeBron will most likely win or even Nash again. Dwight's good but he isn't clutch for us. Grant Hill is.
In NBA.com's latest Race for MVP, Dwight Howard was third behind Carlos Boozer and Tim Duncan. He jumped three places after being 6th last week. Here is what the writers had to say about his jump: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Howard has posted nine straight double-doubles. He was recently named Eastern Conference Player of the Month for November and has led Orlando to a conference-best 14-5 record.</div> Source
As good a season as Howard and the Magic are having, I would not have him as the MVP right now. Carlos Boozer has played incredible, Kobe has the Lakers winning, and then you have the players who are always MVP candidates in Duncan and Nash. If Howard increases his scoring, then perhaps I would consider him.
Well, during the middle of the season should we start making the signs. See how the team is doing and how he is doing which will probably still be good. But, I don't think as of now he will win it. Carlos Boozer and Zach Randolph will not stay on that list for long. Believe me. Chris Paul is another guy that's gonna do really well along with Nash and of course King James. If Melo still avgs. 30ppg, then he will definitely get some consideration along with Dirk.
slow down everybody as much as I love Dwight Howards game, just remember he hasn't even been selected to an all star game yet so let just wait on the mvp talk. I personally don't think he will win it for 2 reasons..............1) Labron, Wade, Melo are much more know and hyped players (especially Labron) 2) Orlando is too balanced on Offense, Dwight doesn't score or get enough touches to win it. Still with all that said I would be extremly happy to see him even in the top 3-4 in voting for mvp.
