<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Dwight Howard just isn't good enough yet to be the offensive go-to guy the Orlando Magic need to win games in a playoff race -- and may never be -- if you ask Minnesota veteran Kevin Garnett. Garnett, the 10-time all-star now in his 12th season, has heard all the hype about Howard -- and he was part of it earlier this season -- but he sounded unimpressed after his Timberwolves beat the Magic in overtime Sunday night, even offering a little advice on his way out of town. Defensive breakdowns and a glaring inability to create decent scoring chances in late-game situations led directly to the Magic's disappointing loss. Howard, now in his third season, had a game-high 19 rebounds, but he had just eight points, the fifth consecutive game in which he failed to score more than 12 points. He was invisible offensively down the stretch, except when he grabbed an offensive rebound and dunked. "We're going to see now just what type of player Dwight wants to be, and where he sees himself in this league," Garnett said. "He's going to have to do his homework. He's going to have to evolve his game." Although Howard is clearly their best player, his penchant for turnovers and an inability to hit free throws, has caused the Magic to look elsewhere in late-game situations. And that was a disaster Sunday. Keyon Dooling, who played well earlier in the fourth quarter, struggled to start the offense and failed to get a decent shot twice when the Magic were trying to protect a lead late in regulation. Grant Hill, who no longer has the lift in his legs he once did, had his shot blocked by unheralded Marko Jaric in the closing minute. Jameer Nelson, who replaced Dooling in the closing seconds, missed twice in the final four seconds of regulation, then missed again with :01.9 remaining in overtime when Garnett blocked his shot. Howard, meanwhile, was nowhere to be found offensively, which is what caught Garnet's attention after the game. The Timberwolves double teamed him throughout the game, effectively stopping him. Garnett and Howard exchanged unpleasantries at least once during the game, and had to be chastised by official Jess Kersey, who warned against any escalation. In a victory earlier this season, Howard had 21 points and 22 rebounds against Minnesota. The Wolves didn't double team him the first time like they did Sunday. "I know what it's like to deal with double teams. Being a dominant player, you have to figure how to break them. He [Howard] has to have other aspects of his game to go to," Garnett said. "There are ways to make others around you better. He has to attack defenses differently." The Magic (34-40) return to action Wednesday night at home against the Toronto Raptors, a team that already has beaten them three times. And twice, Raptors center/forward Chris Bosh outplayed Howard. Bosh sat out the third victory. Earlier this season, Howard was almost unstoppable offensively. He had four games of at least 20 points and 20 rebounds. He has scored 30 or more four times. He had 30 points and 15 rebounds in a victory over Utah March 14, but that was his last big offensive game. "I'm just trying to do other things now,'' he said last week. "If I'm not making free throws, you play better defense.'' Nelson, meanwhile, said his lack of recent success will not deter him from wanting the big shot. He failed in recent overtime losses to Boston and Minnesota. But he hit the big, late-game shots to win games against New York, San Antonio and much earlier against Sacramento. "The next game, if I have to take the last second shot, I'll do it again," he said. "I like that situation. If I get the next one, I'm going to take the next one."</div> Source
I am one of the biggest Dwight fans in the whole world, and every time something negative is said I defend him, BUT....I am affraid Garnett is right this time. Dwight seems very limited in his offense, and can NOT depend on getting to the line like many other great players. Yes, he plays good defense and is without a doubt is one of the best rebounders today. With that being said Dwight needs to develope his 12-15 foot jumper and work on splitting double teams to score without fumbling the ball away for a costly turnover. Put the blame on Brian Hill, or Jameer for not getting him the ball but fact of the matter is Dwight should NEVER have 8pts in a game, Its time for him to take his game to another level, which he needs to do this summer or even better righ now.
Dwight should be able to eventually develop into a damn good offensive player, but he can't do that without getting the ball. That's the first thing. His offensive game is limited, but why not help him out by giving him more experience and giving him 15 shots a game. He will learn new ways by giving him the ball.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Garnett and Howard exchanged unpleasantries at least once during the game, and had to be chastised by official Jess Kersey, who warned against any escalation.</div> I might be mistaken, but doesn't Dwight really look up to KG? If KG has any advice for the boy wonder, why don't they talk over the phone or in person? I would think that if I were KG and I knew that Dwight thought highly of me, I would make an effort to talk to him in person or over the phone to give him some advice... not pop off to reporters about what Dwight is doing wrong and what he needs to do... To me it's almost disrespectful of KG... Dwight should look up to Shaq anyhow... that's who's game his is most similar to.
KG does this alot. When guys who arent "Tuff Guys" act like tuff guys he says stuff like this. KG Knows Howard isnt a tuff guy. Meaning he doesnt have that mean streak in him. He used to say the same thing about other up and coming bigmen who try to act tuff with him when they arent that type of player. Howard doesnt have a Meanbone in his body and we all know that. He had some similar words for Curry, Chandler, ext........ KG just hates guys who arent "tuff" that try to be tuff.
<div class="quote_poster">michiganave17 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">KG does this alot. When guys who arent "Tuff Guys" act like tuff guys he says stuff like this. KG Knows Howard isnt a tuff guy. Meaning he doesnt have that mean streak in him. He used to say the same thing about other up and coming bigmen who try to act tuff with him when they arent that type of player. Howard doesnt have a Meanbone in his body and we all know that. He had some similar words for Curry, Chandler, ext........ KG just hates guys who arent "tuff" that try to be tuff.</div> you gotta be kidding me right? just because he doesn't have great offensive post moves or an effective jumper... that make Dwight "untuff"? get the hell out of here with that nonsense... Dwight is a freaking manchild... you think boxing out Centers throughout a game is easy? yet Dwight DOMINATES the boards... when Dwight is 3 feet away from the rim... EVERYONE knows that he is going to try and stuff it down someones throat AGGRESSIVELY... and how about all the blocks he gets by bodying other players up? Dwight has an awesome personality and is VERY unselfish, so this makes him soft? No... that just makes him a great team player... sure his offensive game needs work... but being "tuff" is the furthest from anything Dwight does on the court. Darko is a different story... but it is idioitic to say that Dwight isnt "tuff"
<div class="quote_poster">MickyEyez Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">you gotta be kidding me right? just because he doesn't have great offensive post moves or an effective jumper... that make Dwight "untuff"? get the hell out of here with that nonsense... Dwight is a freaking manchild... you think boxing out Centers throughout a game is easy? yet Dwight DOMINATES the boards... when Dwight is 3 feet away from the rim... EVERYONE knows that he is going to try and stuff it down someones throat AGGRESSIVELY... and how about all the blocks he gets by bodying other players up? Dwight has an awesome personality and is VERY unselfish, so this makes him soft? No... that just makes him a great team player... sure his offensive game needs work... but being "tuff" is the furthest from anything Dwight does on the court. Darko is a different story... but it is idioitic to say that Dwight isnt "tuff"</div> Relax bro I didnt say any of that. What i Said was Dwight isnt tuff for example. Tuff players Nochioni Dale Davis Antonio Davis Shaq Rasheed wallace Ben wallace Bird Isaiah Thomas Jordan These guys are naturally tuff guys meaning thats is their natural temperment they have that Dont "F" with me attitude. When Howard acted out of charcater it rubbed KG the wrong way because we all know hes a "nice guy" not a "Tuff Guy". Dwights temperment is that of a david robinson who is also a nice guy. David Robinson who scored 75 points in a game in the 90's was a skilled bigman. Skills doesnt equal a tuffguy. You just are or you arent. It just gives you an intimidation factor nothing more. Its has nothing to do with the actual skill level of that guy. Point being dont act like anthony mason because ur not him just be yourself. Like I said earlier KG has done this a few times so dont get all razzled about it. And what KG says is true so there is no reason to get all bent out of shape about it.
so you are saying that if you are a nice guy you shouldn't lose your temper and say anything because the "tuff" guy is the only one that has the right to mouth off? well the game is the game and it gets intense, it still doesn't give KG the right to think that he is all high and mighty. I dont understand how there are only a select few that can talk trash just because they are classified as "tuff"... I remember a week ago when Pierce and Hedo were jawing off to each other through the 2nd half... I dont think Hedo is "tuff", but he can still talk... pierce didn't come out after the game and dog Hedo though, or say anything about how he can improve his game and what he needs to do. They went about their business like gentlemen and nothing came about afterwards... I personally consider it an insult to go to the papers with criticism on another player.. Pay close attention to what MOST players will say about other players to the press... they won't criticize, but instead they will complement the opponent, and explain what THEIR team had to do to win.... IMO that's what a class player does...
<div class="quote_poster">AirJordan Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Dwight has the same problem Vince has, he laughs too much.</div> the thread has officially died.
<div class="quote_poster">MickyEyez Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">the thread has officially died.</div> I don't know about that. While I love Dwight's personality, it would be nice to see him get fired up and show some leadership every now and then. After watching the way Chris Bosh led the Raptors last night, it made me wonder when Dwight will start taking that role. Bosh yells at his teammates, get them fired up, and acts like a veteran leader in the locker room despite being younger than most of his teammates. I don't want to say that Howard is immature but it would be nice to see him get serious and take on that leadership role since he is the star of this franchise.
