<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">A Magic center of the past has a chance to recognize a Magic center of the future. All Shaquille O'Neal has to do is step aside and allow Dwight Howard the start in the Feb. 18 NBA All-Star Game. Shaq has played only four games this season for the Miami Heat after undergoing knee surgery. He likely won't be back now until mid-January or later, meaning he might play just 15-20 games before the big exhibition in Las Vegas. (A healthy Howard will have played 53.) Despite being virtually invisible, Shaq leads the fan voting for Eastern Conference centers. With the first precincts reporting, he has 522,815 votes to Howard's 415,708 and Ben Wallace's 216,443. Howard and Wallace likely will be added as reserves by the coaches. I'm not about to rail on fans for voting for a player who's MIA. It's a popularity contest, and they should vote for whom they want -- even if Shaq is getting in on lifetime achievement. But Shaq can show a lot of class (at a time the NBA could use some) if he defers to Howard as a starter. (If Wallace ends up as the runner-up, Shaq also should defer.) Shaq has conceded that, in his youth, he let his ego undermine his relationships with sidekicks Penny Hardaway and Kobe Bryant. With this all-star gesture, he could win enormous respect. He could be the elder statesman coming off the bench to replace -- cue the irony -- the first dazzling young big the Magic have had since Shaq himself. There is precedent. Just before the 2003 all-star game tip-off, Vince Carter gave up his starting spot to Michael Jordan, earning huge props. Carter had played in just 10 games because of an injury but still was voted in as a starter. "This is a storybook ending for Michael," Carter said. "I'm sure I'll have another opportunity to be in the all-star game, and this is how it's supposed to be." Obviously, it was a different situation, Jordan's final all-star appearance. But the spirit of Carter's classy decision was saluted. Shaq should think about making such a gesture. Who knows? Maybe in a few years, when O'Neal is eyeing retirement, Dwight Howard will be in a position to return the all-star favor and step aside to honor Shaq.</div> Source
We have yet to see how Shaq comes back...what if Miami passes Orlando for the division lead with Shaq averaging 20/10? It's very possible so I don't know if I'd go as far as to give up an All-Star starting spot, not yet at least. Dwight has been sensational thus far throughout the season but we should wait for Shaq to come back before something like this.
What's the point of it? Dwight will be the starting center for the East very soon for many years anyways. What a useless article.
<div class="quote_poster">P.A.P. Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">What's the point of it? Dwight will be the starting center for the East very soon for many years anyways. What a useless article.</div> I agree. Let Dwight earn his accolades, lest he become complacent.
The second returns are in and Dwight is still trailing Shaq. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Eastern Conference Votes Forwards: LeBron James (Clev) 1,323,989; Chris Bosh (Tor) 497,283; Jermaine O'Neal (Ind) 437,164; Paul Pierce (Bos) 322,601; Grant Hill (Orl) 281,966; Rasheed Wallace (Det) 251,155; Andre Iguodala (Phi) 219,621; Tayshaun Prince (Det) 166,250; Emeka Okafor (Char) 155,998; Chris Webber (Phi) 147,933. Guards: Dwyane Wade (Mia) 983,321; Vince Carter (NJ) 726,040; Gilbert Arenas (Wash) 494,761; Jason Kidd (NJ) 361,504; Stephon Marbury (NY) 237,478; Chauncey Billups (Det) 198,290; Michael Redd (Mil) 151,216; Steve Francis (NY) 133,027; Joe Johnson (Atl) 129,755; Richard Hamilton (Det) 108,355. Centers: Shaquille O'Neal (Mia) 855,544; Dwight Howard (Orl) 665,434; Ben Wallace (Chi) 377,127; Alonzo Mourning (Mia) 122,525; Zaza Pachulia (Atl) 99,467; Andrew Bogut (Mil) 79,150; Zydrunas Ilgauskas (Clev) 68,475; Nazr Mohammed (Det) 57,830; Nenad Krstic (NJ) 54,472; Eddy Curry (NY) 52,677.</div> Source
Well, people still haven't noticed Dwight. Give him his time to shine and then people will learn of his greatness.
<div class="quote_poster">CLos Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Well, people still haven't noticed Dwight. Give him his time to shine and then people will learn of his greatness.</div> I'll be honest with you guys. I think Dwight is highly overrated now. He is getting a lot of publicity for being one of the top big men in the league. He really hasn't been that great the last couple of weeks(ever since Turk/Jameer went down) and he doesn't get the ball that much. Even his rebounding numbers are lacking lately. I do think he will be a hell of a player in the future, but obviously Brian Hill doesn't think the future is now. As tough as I am on Brian Hill, I do believe it is partially his fault. He goes through HUGE stretches where he just doesn't implement Dwight into the offense and doesn't give him more than a touch or 2 in a good 5 minute span. THat takes Dwight out of the game and his rebounding falls off big time. When he is involved on the offensive end, even when he's struggling, he is waaaaaaaaaaaay more active on the boards.
dwights offensive game is lackluster at best.. u would think three years in the league would give him at least a decent hook or something..i havent seen anything different on offense from his rookie year to now except for a little more confidence with the ball and more high flying dunks
<div class="quote_poster">Playmaker15 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">We have yet to see how Shaq comes back...what if Miami passes Orlando for the division lead with Shaq averaging 20/10? It's very possible so I don't know if I'd go as far as to give up an All-Star starting spot, not yet at least. Dwight has been sensational thus far throughout the season but we should wait for Shaq to come back before something like this.</div> Well considering it would be happening after the all star game, it still wouldn't justify having Shaquille O'Neal starting over Dwight Howard having played only played four games.
I agree that Shaq getting more votes than Dwight is wrong, but what can you do? When Shaq retires, I'm sure the fans will recognize Dwight's greatness and he'll be the starter for years to come.
