Dwight Howard Drawing Comparison to Legendary Bill Russell

[NJNJ]

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ORLANDO -- If Magic center Dwight Howard really is on course to win his first NBA championship, there is no more appropriate route than going through the Boston Celtics, whose storied past is tied so closely to legendary Bill Russell, the

greatest defensive player in league history.

 

The Russell/Howard comparisons (both shown above at the NBA All-Star Game in Dallas this past February) can begin on Sunday in the Eastern Conference final.

 

Different eras, different players, yet Howard has produced the most budding similarities to Russell since he retired 41 years ago.

 

"I don't know if there's anyone in history, unless you go back to Bill Russell, who you can compare Dwight to defensively,'' said Magic general manager Otis Smith, "Russell was special. He's the measuring stick for greatness. Dwight's in that conversation now.''

 

Howard is just 24, yet already a three-time All-NBA first-team center, winning Defensive Player of the Year the past two seasons. He became the first player in league history to twice lead the league in both blocked shots and rebounding the same season.

 

Russell might have turned that double for all 13 years he played -- except for two things: Wilt Chamberlain was a more prodigious rebounder, and the NBA didn't keep track of blocked shots back then.

 

Russell was the first NBA player who literally controlled a game by his defensive prowess, blocking and changing shots with his athleticism, instincts and desire.

 

Howard has more than just scratched that same surface.

 

"Dwight is becoming Russell-ish,'' Smith continued. "Times change, athletes are bigger, stronger today, but if you want to compare apples to apples, they (Howard and Russell) are very comparable. What people don't give Dwight enough credit for is that he's a smart defensive player. He anchors a defense, and he knows where guys should be. He does things you can't chart. He alters, changes shots. He may not get a block, but the guy had to shoot it two feet higher than he wanted to.''

 

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