Orlando Magic News for March 9th: People Questioning Dwight Howard's Worth; Adonal Foyle's Future
by erivera7 on Mar 9, 2010 3:39 PM EST
in News
36 comments
-
Is Pippen right about Howard’s inability to dominate?
Scottie Pippen offers his thoughts on Dwight Howard."He’s a very special player but I don’t think he’s going to win a championship until he gets another superstar to play alongside of him," Pippen said recently while visiting Orlando. "A guy that’s very consistent and has that drive, that’s what it’s going to take. I don’t think that he can carry a team to a championship."
It should be noted that Pippen was on the record, also, of saying that LeBron James wouldn't fit well with Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls. Yeah ...
"He’s not that great of a scorer, he’s not a good shooter and he’s not a good foul shooter. So in the latter parts of the game, as big as he is and as much athleticism as he has, that becomes very small when the game gets into crunch time. He’s not the type of player that can dominate a game in the fourth quarter." -
Why Dwight Howard is overrated
Peter Keating of ESPN.com, like Sebastian Pruiti of NBA Playbook did last week, looks at a study conducted by John Huizinga and Sandy Weil at the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference.In the seven seasons that Huizinga and Weil studied, Rasho Nesterovic was able to direct 65 percent of his blocks to his own teammates, while Stromile Swift had no blocks at all that yielded defensive rebounds. If your block produces an offensive rebound -- often the result of smashing the ball out of bounds -- that's neither the best nor worst result. The other team keeps the ball, with an expected value of about 1 for its possession. If you goal tend on a block, that's the worst; your opponent scores automatically, and occasional fouls push the expected value of the possession up to about 2.07.
Over the entire stretch of data that Huizinga and Weil examined, Tim Duncan didn't goaltend once, while 24 percent of Dwight Howard's blocks resulted in free points for the other team. -
Orlando Magic center Adonal Foyle wants to keep playing beyond this season
Adonal Foyle says that he'd like to continue to play in the NBA.Although Foyle hasn’t appeared in a game yet for the Magic in 2009-10, he said this afternoon that he wants to continue as a player beyond this season.
"I’ve been very fortunate to be around this game for as long as I have," said Foyle, who is celebrating his 35th birthday today. "It’s been fun. I really enjoy it and I still do. I still do. -
Superman's Costume Gets an Addition
Chris Sesno of NBA FanHouse breaks down the Superman-themed shoes Dwight Howard wore against the L.A. Lakers on Sunday.
0 recs |
36 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
I deleted the FanPost which posted the same article about Howard/blocks to avoid redundancy.
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
Cool. I was hoping there would be a post about it. So I could see what everyone else thinks about it. I agree that his blocks aren’t as effective in regards to points prevented at the basket as Timmy’s is, because he doesn’t keep them inbounds. But as far as his defense being overrated…I think thats just a ridiculous title ESPN used, I literally said “Bullsh**” when I saw the title… Sometimes he doesnt even have to jump to alter a shot. He makes his presence felt and thats a part of why he’s so good defensively. It’s just like Lebron’s chase downs…I remember the Cleveland game at Amway where Bass had a breakaway dunk and ended up missing a layup off the backboard because Lebron was lurking. IMO good defense is part mental…You want a player to have to look over their shoulder or think twice before driving the lane because they know you’re there waiting. And those stats they’re judging Dwight’s defense on don’t take everything into account.
by jonathan.rivera84 on Mar 9, 2010 5:46 PM EST up reply actions
Excellent thoughts, my friend.
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
Wish you hadn't.
Lost multiple comments on the article. Could have just closed the comments and posted a link.
"I've had people say, 'I don't need to check the [player statistics]. I've seen it with my eyes.' Well, I would also say your eyes lie to you sometimes, and some of the guys you may really like and think are really doing things, when you get deeper into it, aren't or vice versa." ~Stan Van Gundy
by magicfaninTN on Mar 10, 2010 2:25 PM EST up reply actions
No one commented on it when I deleted it.
Unless I’m crazy and don’t remember.
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
Sorry. My bad.
I was thinking of the March 6 news post that linked the Pruiti article which is still there. Again, apologies.
/goes off mumbling to self about habit of opening mouth too soon.
"I've had people say, 'I don't need to check the [player statistics]. I've seen it with my eyes.' Well, I would also say your eyes lie to you sometimes, and some of the guys you may really like and think are really doing things, when you get deeper into it, aren't or vice versa." ~Stan Van Gundy
by magicfaninTN on Mar 10, 2010 10:33 PM EST up reply actions
It's okay.
Thanks for confirming. I really didn’t want to think I was going crazy.
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
Shame on you, Orlando
The OS Poll asked “Is Scottie Pippen right about Dwight Howard’s inability to dominate?”
41% Yes
33% No
26% Undecided
Out of 1,333 votes.
It's obvious that Dwight isn't a dominant offensive player. It shouldn't come as a shock, I happen to agree with Scottie as long as Dwight's free throw shooting stays in the toilet.
I agree with Dwight Howard being an overrated shot blocker… Most of Dwight’s blocks end in “re-do’s” for the opposing team. They get to run a better play from out of bounds and put up a better shot. The goaltends don’t bother me except when they aren’t even close. Self-restraint isn’t one of Dwight’s strong points.
The real "Masters of Panic" are commenting on this blog.
Dwight can dominate and has dominated offensively
It’s just a matter of doing in consistently (which he has done the past couple of months). Scottie said he is unable of dominating offensively. I guess it all depends on what you consider “dominant.”
I thought Huizinga’s paper on Dwight’s blocks being less valuable was interesting, but it doesn’t take into account his “intimidation factor.” Sure, he blocks more jump shots than layups making the blocks less “valuable”, but there is a reason why: because the opposing team is more reluctant to shoot closer to the rim when he’s in there. Kobe took more jump shots than layups on Sunday. Lebron takes more jump shots against us. Etc, etc.
Translation of Foyle's comments:
I’m willing to sit here and collect a paycheck for doing absolutely nothing for as long as these suckers are willing to pay me.
After the game, the Suns announcers asked Lopez what he was going to do to celebrate and he said, "I'm going to kill Bart Simpson."
Anyone have a link?
I know it’s on FSN but I’m in Manhattan on vacation and would love to see how we follow up our big win against LAL against LAC. Any help would be much appreciated.
"One thing about knowing that you're dying is that it keeps reminding you you're alive so it's no time to pass up a party."
- Warren Zevon
would love to see how we follow up our big win against LAL against LAC.
The crack up here is really good.
"One thing about knowing that you're dying is that it keeps reminding you you're alive so it's no time to pass up a party."
- Warren Zevon
by Wally Balls 407 on Mar 9, 2010 4:15 PM EST up reply actions
Pippen's evaluation completely disregards his defense. And nobody defends the paint better than Dwight does.
You can win a championship with him anchoring the defense and, even if he’s “limited” or whatever offensively, scoring 19 a game on 60% shooting.
Maybe Pippen's bias stems from the fact that the Bulls never had a dominant post presence during their championship years.
Unless of course you consider Will Perdue and Luc Longley dominant.
After the game, the Suns announcers asked Lopez what he was going to do to celebrate and he said, "I'm going to kill Bart Simpson."
That's because he was created from the DNA of Wilt Chamberlain and a grizzly bear.
After the game, the Suns announcers asked Lopez what he was going to do to celebrate and he said, "I'm going to kill Bart Simpson."
Bill Cartwright
Life is a series of serious choices, theories are formed from experience, never mysterious forces. - stic.man
"I'm not impressed by your performance" - GSP
Um, no.
After the game, the Suns announcers asked Lopez what he was going to do to celebrate and he said, "I'm going to kill Bart Simpson."
A man who's 7'1" should average more than 8 rebounds per 36 minutes
He should also be worth more than 5.9 offensive win shares over 6 seasons – Dwight was worth 6.2 offensive win shares last year.
"When you make your final stand
I'll be right there
I'll never leave
And all I ask of you is
Believe"
I think it's funny coming from someone who himself could not carry a team to a title.
I guess he’s an expert on the field…
I hate Varejao.
Some people won’t get it until it actually happens Ben, just their nature.
by derekk on Mar 9, 2010 5:37 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I agree, but Pippen is right he is going to need help.
Just like Kobe needed, Shaq and Pau-Boston needed 3 future HoFer’s the year before.
We need VC, Meer, and Shard to play at an all-star level to win a championship this year.
Dwight will need to be paired with another perenial All-Star to win multiple. DPOY, who averaged 20 and 15 in playoffs is more than enough..
FEED THE BEAST!!!
Twitter Account
Any superstar needs help.
To the level of degree depends on how good Superstar A is. In Howard’s case, and given that the Magic are stacked, he’s got plenty of help. You listed three names but only one of them has to be playing at an All-Star level and that’s Nelson. He has to if Orlando wants to win it all. Has to, has to, has to.
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
I think the whole thing about focusing on this "worth of blocks" is really narrow-minded.
Look at any other defensive metric and Dwight Howard excels. But oh boy, some of his blocks come on jumpers or go out of bounds or result in goaltends. He intimidates and keeps people out of the lane, resulting in us being one of, if not the best, teams at defending the paint and keeping people off the foul line. He also is the best at limiting an opposing center’s production.
It’s garbage, in my opinion. Look at someone else on the team to pick apart.
I hate Varejao.
I don’t think it’s garbage, it’s just a failure to account for the side effects of a dominant shot-blocker, which include a reluctance to challenge that player with easily-blocked shots. For comparison within a peer group of players who cause similar reactions among shooters, it would have value. Among all players, it has less value because of the limitations of the study.
"When you make your final stand
I'll be right there
I'll never leave
And all I ask of you is
Believe"
When the article is trying to make the argument that Dwight is "overrated" as a defender.
That’s when it becomes garbage. It’s trying to use one statistic to make some sensationalist argument to be edgy or contrary… or something. The fact that anyone besides Dwight is even mentioned for DPOY means he is, in fact, underrated. Just like I think LeBron is underrated (despite the media hype) because there’s no way anyone but him should be mentioned for MVP.
I hate Varejao.
I thought the study was interesting, even if you are skeptical about the findings.
The article, that’s another story.
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
The study, yeah.
I’m condemning the article more.
I hate Varejao.
Even the headline was pushing to make a point.
maybe just to generate traffic, but still…..
"I've had people say, 'I don't need to check the [player statistics]. I've seen it with my eyes.' Well, I would also say your eyes lie to you sometimes, and some of the guys you may really like and think are really doing things, when you get deeper into it, aren't or vice versa." ~Stan Van Gundy
by magicfaninTN on Mar 10, 2010 2:48 PM EST up reply actions
LeBron and Rose don't fit well
nor do LeBron and Wade.
King James NEEDS the ball as do those ball dominating guards. There’s only so many balls to go around to have two guys who’s main purpose in life is playmaking / isolation scoring
LeBron is best paired with a big like Amare or Bosh who can run the pick and roll with him (SCARY!) and also shot open mid-range shots, finish at the rim on dump offs and occasionally isolate and score in the paint.
I am not going to incur the wrath of the OPP by talking bad about Dwight but don’t discount Scottie b/c he says LeBron and Rose aren’t a good fit.
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
can't argue with that...
cya Derrick! Make room for the King!
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
Or Dwight....
LeBron is best paired with a big like Amare or Bosh who can run the pick and roll with him (SCARY!) and also shot open mid-range shots, finish at the rim on dump offs and occasionally isolate and score in the paint.
"I've had people say, 'I don't need to check the [player statistics]. I've seen it with my eyes.' Well, I would also say your eyes lie to you sometimes, and some of the guys you may really like and think are really doing things, when you get deeper into it, aren't or vice versa." ~Stan Van Gundy
by magicfaninTN on Mar 10, 2010 2:49 PM EST up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
Related FanPosts on Orlando Pinstriped Post
Related FanShots on Orlando Pinstriped Post
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
Contact Us
Merch Booth
Check out our online store, featuring the popular "Polish Machine," "Heart and Hustle," and "#CrazyNuts" designs, by clicking here.
Certain photos copyright © 2010 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.
