Dwight as Magic's go to Guy at late games...
by Str8path-to-Title on Feb 12, 2012 9:16 PM EST
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Hmmmm...
Kobe a closer...Check.
Jordan a closer...Check.
Wade a closer...Check.
Rose a closer...Check.
Dwight a closer...Hmmmmm...
Now, if any of you cared about the results of the TEAM game instead of individual accolades...would this even matter
Free throws anyone?
If, he could make them, why not, then he would be the most dominate man. If we do lose him, more power to him...and more touches for him at late games. This would help the Magic if he was on the other team at a close game late in the quarter.
This FanPost was made by a member of the Orlando Pinstriped Post community, and is to be treated as the opinions and views of its author, not that of the blogger or blog community as a whole.
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I think at this point Howard is just saying anything he can to make it look like he's suffering at the hands of the big bad Magic.
He’s shooting under 50% from the free throw line, and it’s a plain simple fact that teams are just going to foul him down the stretch. You’re not going to be making a game winning shot, you’ll be on the line and odds are either dwindling the lead or putting us further down if trying to catch up. Look how frustrated he gets when people intentional foul him during the game, what’s he going to do when the game is on the line and he isn’t allowed by the other team to go to his usual shots he’s comfortable with.
It’s especially sickening to hear him say " I’m the leader of the team. Ride my back. I’ll lead"…yeah, some leader when all you do is say you want to go to another team and do things like complain about not getting the ball enough in a game where you shoot 5 for 15 and could barely make a layup while your teammates pull out a come from behind win. Howard is obviously living in a fairy tale, too bad he’s the pied piper. /endrant
Please leave a message, I'm busy hiding my cat from TGS.
by malenko on Feb 12, 2012 11:06 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
If I'm StanVan, there is no way in hell Dwight is getting the ball with 5 seconds left
and us down by 2. No. Way. In. Hell.
I'm so tired about Dwight
Every night, after every games, this guy is frustrated about this or that thing.
I’m so tired.
No doubt he’s a great player. No doubt is better have him on my team instead other teams. But he want to go away from Orlando, it’s clear.
Well, Othis Smith, trade him until 15 March in a trade with other 2,3,4,5,29 teams… It doesn’t matter how many or what teams will be involved…but brings home 2 or 3 great guys for the Magic in exchange of Superman, Hedo and Duhon!!!
Just Leave
It seems like Dwight just tries to throw any and everything at the wall in order to leave. He doesn’t want to be portrayed as a “bad guy,” yet he constantly acts like a spoiled brat. So, SVG is supposed to let a guy who has more 3 for 15 vs 5 for 7 free throw games be a closer, right…… Besides delusions of grandeur created by himself, I just would love to be fly on the wall to hear what all of these hangers on and marketing people keep feeding D12.
He’s gone from Orlando any way you slice it, so I hope the sooner the better that Otis Smith ships him off.
It's foolish that we at every turn of event predict or wish that Dwight is gone ... and who pulls the trigger, Otis Smith? Give me a break!
Learning is not compulsory, but have you learned anything today?
I'd say do it
Give him the ball, watch him get fouled and fail miserably. Maybe that would shut him up, but he’d probably come up with some other excuse.
"Generally, when I draw the play, it's just who's going where. Maybe I have not made it clear enough that we would like the ball to go in the basket."
by AB's triple double on Feb 13, 2012 10:30 AM EST reply actions
more from Matt Moore NBC Sports:
Dwight Howard goes on rant about fourth quarter touches, even after the Magic win
Howard is complaining… after a win! His team won! Jason Richardson won the game for the Magic by going nutso in the second half! Howard talks all this year about how he needs help, he just wants to win, he wants to have better teammates. Now he’s mad because he didn’t get the ball enough in the fourth quarter, when they won, and his teammates step up.
It’s always something with Howard. He’s creating an impossible situation for the Magic, and you’d think he’d just be happy for the guys he says he loves so much in Orlando.
Putting aside his free-throw issues, the fact that nearly no team goes to their big man late in games to close, Howard’s long-standing history of difficulty with quality low-post defense and the fact he just wasn’t having a great game, this just isn’t the time. I’m willing to discuss how to use Howard late in games, his effectiveness in shutting the door, all of that. But not after a win and not after everything else that’s gone on in Orlando. This is just absurd.
by MagicLA on Feb 13, 2012 12:14 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
It is not new to us that Dwight is not a sophisticated individual, but he is not stupid neither.
He should know, or could be easily explained to, that he does not have the attributes of a closer. Media is fishing for this kind of stuff. But our interest is to keep this guy here in Orlando with all his flaws, because he still is the best center and defender in the league. If he leaves he leaves, but do us fans want to push him out? What for? Just to save a season which is half done anyways? Or fill up the seats in a state-of-the-art arena for a billionaire that doesn’t need it? Or for the future of the franchise? Now that makes sense … but wait a second … could we leave it to someone who ruined the future of the franchise to start with?
We need to deal with Dwight’s situation in a manner which serves the best interests of the franchise, once and for all. But that is a delicate situation which requires competence and trust. Otis Smith proved lacking the former while losing the latter. Addressing Dwight’s fiasco should start with firing Otis Smith.
Learning is not compulsory, but have you learned anything today?
It's likely too late for that
I was in line with your thinking before, but more and more it seems like there is no way he is staying. To think that he would care about an extra year on his contract and slightly larger raises at this point seems foolish. His comments here and the stuff that came out about the Kobe chat make it pretty clear that he is all about maximizing his star power. It sucks, but it is what it is. Martins recently said that he would no longer deal with Fegan, that anything Fegan had to say , he could say it to Otis. That makes it pretty clear that Otis is going to be here like it or not. If I was a betting man, I’d wager that a deal comes with NJ after 3/1.
Where petulance happens
I don't disagree with your logic, but until there is absolute zero chance for Dwight to stay, I wouldn't be the one supporting to push him out.
Martins giving up the possibility to deal with Fegan does not mean that he is leaving the final decision on this matter to Otis Smith. I, however, hope that he sees the value of a fresh start with Dwight with a fresh GM.
Learning is not compulsory, but have you learned anything today?
You are right Matt, we as Magic fans should not push Dwight out. Neither should SVG. If Dwight wants the ball late in games then force feed him. He will either sink or swim.
On the other hand, lets not let Otis Smith’s ineptitude blur the focus of what Dwight’s words and actions appear to be saying. There is a problem with Stan Van Gundy. Obviously over the past couple of years, Dwight and Stan have been at odds, but that is old news.
I will premise this thought by saying that I am a huge Stan Van Gundy supporter and think that he is absolutely a major asset to this team. Losing him would be enormously bad for the Magic. Now, I’m probably way overanalyzing this, but over the past few weeks there have been a series of incidents that didn’t look too promising.
Two weeks ago, Glen Davis was suspended for questioning SVG’s coaching method. According to the Sentinel, he yelled at SVG “you see this is why you guys never win anything” and stormed off the practice court. You can chalk this up to Davis’ immaturity and bad attitude, but you also have to wonder a little if Davis is not just vocalizing the sentiments that are percolating behind the scenes amongst the players.
Last week, on the last play of regulation in the Atlanta game, Jameer Nelson was visibly furious at SVG for calling a timeout disrupting the momentum – and he continued to argue and look frustrated with him throughout the OT.
Another incident occurred earlier last week in the overtime loss to the Clippers. It happened during a huddle in the last timeout after the game was pretty much out of reach. Stan Van Gundy was drawing up a play but Howard and Hedo were leaning towards each other saying something and laughing. SVG glared at them and they just continued laughing in a way that I immediately thought uh oh – that looked like a sign of disrespect and players that have tuned him out.
If the coach has lost the respect of the players, or some of them, that is a major issue which ought to be addressed, although that is common to any team in turmoil.
Having that said, I cannot agree with the coach giving in to players’ whims, especially when they are wrong … that is never a good idea. Dwight is never gonna be a closer and, although the coach may be cautious in dealing with him due to the sensitive situation, if we had a GM who commands any respect he could have explained to Dwight why he is not a closer, period.
What I saw in Jameer’s situation in ATL’s game was that he wanted to push the ball before the defense is set, but that is the coach’s call whether he wants to push forward or draw a set play. I didn’t see that Jameer was furious with the coach, just anxious to push the ball and disappointed that the coach saw otherwise.
Typically, when players lose respect for the coach they start tanking and that doesn’t seem to be the case with the Magic. I am not discounting your observations, just that I don’t see it that way, at least not more than anything common with a team shadowed with a lot of uncertainties.
Learning is not compulsory, but have you learned anything today?
As I mentioned in my "jameer no more heroes please" fanpost, Dwight's FTs are not as bad as they seem.
If Howard is shooting 59% from the FT line (his career average):
The odds he hits both FT are : 34,81,% (above Kobe shooting % in crunch time)
The odds he makes at least one FT are: 83,19%**
The odds he miss both shots are: 16,81%
If Howard is shooting 50% from the FT line:
The odds he hits both FT are : 25 %
The odds he makes at least one FT are: 75%**
The odds he miss both shots are: 25%
If Howard is shooting 45% from the FT line:
The odds he hits both FT are : 20%
The odds he makes at least one FT are: 69.5%**
The odds he miss both shots are: 30.25%
So in a game like the one we lost to the Clippers, with the game tied, Jameer took and awful shot, while Dwight had at least a 69% chance of hitting one FT and winning the game.
(more details in the fanpost)
by Leandro. on Feb 13, 2012 12:53 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
How about they just don't put themselves in the position where they need a late game go-to guy..
by INTOTHEMEATGRINDER on Feb 13, 2012 9:35 PM EST reply actions
That's a tad bit unrealstic.
Every team gets into close games. Especially in the playoffs.
"We just want to chill" - Chris Bosh.
Proud Jameer and Rashard apologist since '07
Dwight comments on his statement
here’s the video
Nobody has any problem with giving him the ball in the 4th quarter, but to be a closer?
Get real … people are intentionally fouling you late in the game … learn to shoot FTs and you will have the ball. Until then, are you expecting the coach to risk losing the game so that you will be put in those situations? Situations which all along the results are obvious for the team?
Learning is not compulsory, but have you learned anything today?
He wants to carry the load so in the future he can put the team on his back and lead them to a trophy. He wants to do this even if it gets ugly and costs regular season games. I am ok with that attitude. Afterall to be better in the post season should be the goal and in the long run it would be better for the team.
BUT this statement is overshadowed by his trade demand and his statements that this roster is not good enough for him. So that context translates his latest rant into:
" I want to develop MY game so I can be a bigger star and bring more focus onto MY name brand. Since I’m out of here anyhow, let me use you as a practice squad because I could care less about the rest of my current teammates development."
The delusional fan part of me wants to hope the untranslated statement implies he wants to stay and lead the Magic, but the rational side can’t help but look at the context in which these words exist.
by MagicLA on Feb 14, 2012 1:37 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I agree with this
Essentially, as long as the “trade request stands” (as he has said multiple times), it is pretty difficult to take any requests of his seriously. The authority and leverage afforded you as a teammate is significantly hampered when you have one foot out the door.
I mean, if I came in and told my wife that I was almost certainly leaving her in a few months I’d have a hard time making demands that she treat me a certain way until my Russian mail order bride arrives in July.
There are two completely different matters in his statements regardless of his future with the Magic.
- He wants to carry his team, and wants the ball in the 4th quarter … great, that would be afforded to him for as long as he is here, and potentially wherever he goes since he could create shots for himself or others.
- He wants to be a closer, meaning to have the ball late in the 4th quarter … no way, not here or elsewhere until his FT shooting percentage improves. People are chasing him around the court to foul him, for Pete’s sake … giving the ball to him only makes their jobs easier.
Learning is not compulsory, but have you learned anything today?
I'm not even really comfortable with him shooting the ball late in the 4th
Unless he has great position. He forces it way too much for my liking.
Where petulance happens
be careful with the quotation marks...
Dwight didn’t say that and surely someone is going to read it and think that he did.
Although he did say (direct quotes):
“I do want to lead this team”
“I want to carry this team to a championship”
“I want them to ride my back and I want to lead this team”
“I want to have that same mentality for this team.”
I hate to dig into this as well, but I can’t help hear the positive in this. This is by far the most positive I’ve heard Dwight all season, especially when referring to (hate to be redundant) this team.
I did...
I completely understood you, all I was saying was someone might not. Quotes can be deceiving when you use them wrong, that’s all. For the most part, we’re on the same page
So you are presupposing other readers on this site are not as astute and capable of basic reading comprehension as you?
Also, the use of quotes is not incorrect. Translating a quote from one language to another does not eliminate the use of quotation marks, it remains a quote. Since I was clearly (as a joke) using the idea of translation from BS to truth, I kept the quotation format.
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