Dwight Howard poll

We're at the SPAM point again, if he's the best free agent that we can get, absolutely sign him up. This is the last time we're going to be able to outright sign a big name player for the next 5 plus years with Dame and later CJ's big extension counting on the cap, give he what he wants for 2-3 years. I want a WCFs appearance.

 

No.

 

Mark Spears on the Game today said if Dwight wants to play in Portland, the blazers would be silly not to answer his call and hear him out. Pointed out that even though his numbers are down from his elite era there still aren't but a couple centers better than he is. Also said it has to be for the right price.

 

Sounds good on paper, probably wouldn't work in reality. Howard has never shown much interest in being Tyson Chandler or DeAndre Jordan--a pick-and-roll finisher. It seems like a natural role considering his skillset (athletic, good hands, poor and declining post-up ability), but Howard has a very different view of his skillset: that he's a go-to guy in the post.

I voted "Sure, if he's cheap," but that's basically voting on an abstract. In the abstract, Howard would be a nice role-player on a role-player's salary, potentially coming off the bench. In the real world, Howard would never accept such a role or such a salary. Still, to be technically accurate, I'd be interested in Howard if he came to a realistic view of himself and could be had cheap.

 

Only if he leaves that cape in Texas. But I find it easier to vote for Trump.

 

There are plenty of centers (and center-capable players) better that Howard now. Anthony Davis, DeMarcus Cousins, Karl Anthony-Towns, Marc Gasol, Andre Drummond, Al Horford, Rudy Gobert, DeAndre Jordan, Hassan Whiteside, Brook Lopezand Serge Ibaka.

Then there are players who are at least as good and (in my opinion) better: Andrew Bogut, Pau Gasol, Al Jefferson, Derrick Favors and Tim Duncan (even in his diminished state).

If LaMarcus Aldridge was willing to play center, that would be one more ahead of Howard.

 

Lillards Leadership > Kobe's Leadership + Hardens "Leadership"

 

Serge Ibaka is incredibly overrated. And there's no way Al Jefferson or Old Man Duncan are currently better than Howard.

 

And some of the players listed arent what we need in a big. A broken down howard can still play good d.

 

I think that's demonstrably false. Pick your favorite stat, whatever it is, you'd be hard pressed to find one that put him top five. Especially if it's an advanced stat.

 

What's your evidence?

 

I mean, "Old Man Duncan" has declined a ton...so has Howard. "Old Man Howard" is no longer a difference-maker on defense and has always been overrated on offense--he's now not even good at drawing attention to kick to shooters, like he was in Orlando. Duncan's defense is still much better than Howard's (and always was) and he's a smarter player on offense. For next year, I'd much rather have Duncan on Portland than Howard.

Jefferson is no longer anywhere near as good as he was in his prime, but he's offset that by improving his defense significantly over the past few years, while both Howard's offense (which was always worse than Jefferson's) and defense has declined significantly. As I said, I consider those players to be debatable, but I'm less concerned about Jefferson falling completely off a cliff than Howard.

And yes, Ibaka is extremely overrated. He never developed into the offensive weapon he was supposed to become when he developed the three-point shot, and his defense dropped off. That still doesn't make Howard better--Howard is also extremely overrated by people who remember his 2008 form and think he's still the same guy.

 

That's a very favorable list IMO.

I don't think Dwight is as bad as you think. He had the fewest touches he has ever had in his career this most recent season. He won't be flying up and down the court, but... he is still a good rebounder, defender, and he has more than one offensive move.

 

I just don't agree with you at all. Howard is 9 years younger than Duncan.. He's not "Old Man Howard", and his game has not dropped off as much as you are implying. Preferring Duncan over Howard for next year is absolutely ridiculous. Howard is currently better on both sides of the ball.

 

No concern for Jefferson's health? Poor rebounding? He is still a worse defender than Dwight as well.

I'm not following the logic somewhere.

 

I know he's not old, my point is that his game has dropped off precipitously, just like Duncan's. Duncan was clearly better than Howard last year. This year, Duncan finally declined enough that they're comparable.

Agree to disagree (a lot).

 

Not when we're comparing him to Howard, who has his own health issues.

 

None of those centers play for the Blazers. So you're saying Howard is the best center the Blazers could get?

 

Yeah, he could be a small upgrade. If he's willing to sign for a small salary, I'd be interested...as I said originally. If he wants a star's salary, it would be a pretty solid waste of money.