UPDATE: Povtak: Dwight Howard Demands More Shot Attempts in Orlando Magic's Offense
by Evan Dunlap on Jan 28, 2010 1:14 AM EST
in News
Email
PrintTim Povtak has great news: Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard wants more shots, and he wants his teammates to stop shooting so many three-pointers.
He wants the ball more. And finally -- midway into the season -- he demanded it behind closed doors.
"I have reminded them (his teammates),'' Howard said with his usual politically-correct response Wednesday after practice. "We have to make better decisions with the ball, where we pass it, and where we take it.''
Coach Stan Van Gundy agrees that his team hasn't executed its offense well of late:
"I don't think, lately, that our decisions on when to shoot, when to drive and when to pass, have been very good,'' said Magic coach Stan Van Gundy. "We've shot a lot of contested shots, contested 3's. In the last four games, we've had fairly lengthy stretches where we stand around and just jack the ball up. It has cost us.''
To be clear, Howard's had his chances to score during the four-game stretch Van Gundy mentions, averaging 22 points on 17 shooting possessions, which far exceeds his season averages of 17 points on 14 shooting possessions. The issue is timeliness. Regarding the Magic's most recent game, a loss to Memphis on Monday night, Povtak writes: "His teammates hit only one of 10 from 3-point range in the fourth quarter of a 99-94 loss. During that period, he took two shots, but none in the final six minutes."
No word on how the Magic expect to get Howard involved against the Boston Celtics tomorrow night. Boston defends Howard as well as any team in the league thanks to its stout defensive center rotation of Kendrick Perkins and Rasheed Wallace. Still, if Howard's speech had any effect, we can look forward to his becoming more involved offensively... and staying more consistently involved.
UPDATE: Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel says Povtak took "a leap" with his story, and provides a full transcript of Howard's comments.
20 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I love it..
FEED THE BEAST.. Good to hear the BEAST demand the ball..
FEED THE BEAST!!!
Twitter Account
It's about daRn time.
And SVG should have known that right from the start. He should be, of all people, should notice if Dwight is being overlooked at. Especially when our shooters are jacking up contested 3’s. Settle it down, Inside out right? And Franchise players like dwight should be trusted in crunch time.
should be
“Franchise players like dwight should be trusted in crunch time.”
A typical franchise player SHOULD be, but Dwight is not a typical one. Due to his horrible free throw shooting, the Magic may not be able to trust Dwight when the game is on the line late in the 4th. It reminds me of the 3-peet lakers with Shaq/Kobe. During those 3-peet years, Kobe was just as important as Shaq. First off, they had similar usage rates. But more importantly, who do you think had the ball in his hands when the game was on the line late in the 4th? It was Kobe, not Shaq. You may not think it possible, but Shaq was actually a worse free throw shooter than Dwight. He could not be trusted. Thus, the Lakers went to Kobe as their first option as the game drew to a close.
Luckily for the 3-peet Lakers, they had an individual by the name of Kobe. Unfortunately for the Magic, not only is Dwight not close to Shaq, but they have no one even approaching Kobe’s ability. What the Magic DO have is an array of above average players they can go to late in the 4th. Rashard, JAmeer, VC, etc. They have the option to go to more than just 1 person. It is just that Dwight usually isn’t one of them due to his free throw shooting. In fact, if i was an opposing coach, i would foul Dwight automatically if he ever touches the ball if the game is close. At least until he proves he can make them.
Also, I don’t like how i sometimes see them going strictly to VC late in the 4th. They should keep the opposition on their toes by not going to just 1 person, but rather run their offense and the one with the open shot take the possession.
"Due to his horrible free throw shooting, the Magic may not be able to trust Dwight when the game is on the line late in the 4th."
Dwight’s a .607 FT shooter. If you hack him, that’s 1.214 points on average. The Magic overall shoot .455 from the field – an average shot scores 0.910 points. The team shoots 0.361 from 3 point range – that’s 1.083 points per shot. Dwight’s free throw shooting is more efficient on average than shots from the floor.
"When you make your final stand
I'll be right there
I'll never leave
And all I ask of you is
Believe"
by The Dark on Jan 28, 2010 7:18 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Math win.
I write for Orlando Pinstriped Post and have a Twitter account.
"The second unit is kind of crazy because the second unit is only white guys." - Marcin Gortat
This is one of the few times I applaud a superstar for being selfish.
Howard is the most efficient offensive player on the team. OF COURSE he needs the damn ball more.
I write for Orlando Pinstriped Post and have a Twitter account.
"The second unit is kind of crazy because the second unit is only white guys." - Marcin Gortat
Dwight must have been furious after the loss to Memphis
…one shot attempt for him in the final 9 1/2 minutes of the game, after he had such a strong first three quarters on offense. His teammates elected to shoot three pointers and jumpers during that span, most of which missed.
Thank goodness he decided to speak up!
"Orlando Magic... 2009 Eastern Conference Champions"
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 28, 2010 1:15 AM EST reply actions
I'm all for getting Dwight the ball, but if he starts throwing up those off balance running hook shots 2nite instead of pump faking and trying to draw a foul
he will get owned again by perkins
Never trust a fart
by AB's triple double on Jan 28, 2010 9:22 AM EST reply actions
Yes.
If he refuses to use his speed advantage against Perkins, it will be a long night.
d12
I agree Perkins is a guy you need to use your speed against. Overall D12 needs to use his speed more often, he doesn’t get the calls to you use his power.
FEED THE BEAST!!!
Twitter Account
I hope Dwight uses his head tonight
And not commit quick silly fouls in the first minutes of the first quarter, or else “demanding the ball” wouldn’t be significant!.. sigh
I read Rubbin's transcript.
Doesn’t seem like Dwight is doing any more “demanding” than usual. If fact I don’t see Tim’s full quote anywhere in the transcript.
Is Tim Povtak just trying to create fake buzz for a story he wrote?
Wouldn't be the first time, as much as I like Tim as a person.
I write for Orlando Pinstriped Post and have a Twitter account.
"The second unit is kind of crazy because the second unit is only white guys." - Marcin Gortat
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
Contact Us
In Association With
Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sport
- Days of NBA Lives: Wherein Roy Hibbert tap-dances to Maine
- Grizzlies Valentine’s Day cards are the key to love
- Kevin Love would like the NBA to take the MLB’s approach on All-Star games
- Kobe Bryant fires a few hilarious salvos at Jeremy Lin
- Brandon Jennings states the obvious regarding his 2014 free agency, everyone goes nuts
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
