Dwight's FT's in the 4th Quarter

[NomarFachix]

@tomhaberstroh

Most FT misses in 4Q this season: Dwight Howard, 42. Next-highest? Tyler Hansbrough, 10.

 

I know that as Real pointed out, this is a similar situation to Shaq in LA.. but IMO Dwight isn't having nearly the same impact as Shaq had. This is obviously a huge issue.

[Nitro]

Issue? Absolutely. But the age, injuries, coaching (if Dwight's struggling in the 4th with his free throws and they are hacking him, he needs to be removed) and lack of depth and wings are much bigger issues.

[bigdog17k]

Dwight isn't close to Shaq.

[Cleveland's Finest]

Issue? Absolutely. But the age, injuries, coaching (if Dwight's struggling in the 4th with his free throws and they are hacking him, he needs to be removed) and lack of depth and wings are much bigger issues.

 

Do you think that's D'Antoni's decision or upper management?

 

Remember, they still want to sign him long-term, and I'm sure he wouldn't appreciate being benched.

[Lkr]

Do you think that's D'Antoni's decision or upper management?

 

Remember, they still want to sign him long-term, and I'm sure he wouldn't appreciate being benched.

This is why we needed Phil. D'Antoni will do whatever management tells him

[Real Deal]

Hack-a-Shaq, and Hack-a-Howard...not much of a difference at all.

 

Sure, Shaq scored more, same percentage, basically unstoppable...but when you're getting fouled constantly, intentionally, and you're standing at the line for the final minutes of the game...your free throw percentage, and your defense, is all that matters. Shaq isn't SHAQ during the Hack-a-Shaq.

 

So, is Shaq significantly better shooting free throws + playing defense than Dwight is...during those last few minutes?

 

Again, it's much different if the Hack-a-Howard (or Shaq) didn't exist, or was illegal...because at that point, we'd know who would be the more dominant player near the end of the game (and throughout the game). However, both end up standing at the charity stripe, then playing defense at the other end.

 

Both are horrible free throw shooters, and Dwight is the better defender.

 

It's no excuse. We blew the lead against Houston. During the Hack-a-Howard vs. the Rockets, we gave up just two more points than we scored. Our lead was lost before that.

 

Turnovers are killing us. We're also switching on screens, and not getting back (due to age + no communication). Those are the two biggest problems. It doesn't help that we're trying to run an offense with Darius Morris as our starting PG, and Duhon also landing minutes as our backup...with the fact that Gasol is shooting around 42% and playing zero defense.

 

With Bernie Bickerstaff, Kobe and Howard went out to win with sheer talent alone...and it was working. We lost just one game, nearly beat the Spurs. We enroll in an offense suited for younger, faster players, and a PG that can actually facilitate and run...but is injured and not playing? Well, we're going to struggle again.

 

It's not hard to figure out...you can see it when you watch them play. Their issues stick out like sore thumbs.

[JYD]

Similar hack-a-shaq mentality I'm sure but IMO Shaq was 10x the player in both their primes. Plus, Shaq's demeanor...he DOMINATED. Howard's really become a bit of a clown.

[Real Deal]

Similar hack-a-shaq mentality I'm sure but IMO Shaq was 10x the player in both their primes. Plus, Shaq's demeanor...he DOMINATED. Howard's really become a bit of a clown.

He was, but again, what's the difference between the two players when opposing teams are intentionally fouling them?

 

What's the difference between this:

 

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rRAcpR5Whck/TefbeMGzcbI/AAAAAAAAAvI/JO9K9yUa8Ik/s1600/6a00d8341c630a53ef0105368e1f7c970c-800wi.jpg

 

And this:

 

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/c0.0.320.320/p403x403/319068_285130294939248_2042200613_n.jpg

 

When teams intentionally fouled Shaq, he wasn't able to be that dominant player. He spent his time, on offense, at the free throw line...just like Howard is doing.

 

So, while Shaq was the better player (not debatable), the dominance he possessed on the low block meant nothing late in the 4th during a Hack-a-Shaq because, simply put, teams wouldn't let him use it.

 

We won three championships with a horrible FT shooting team. All three of those rings, we were in the bottom five in FT shooting. We can do it with Howard.

[JYD]

He was, but again, what's the difference between the two players when opposing teams are intentionally fouling them?

 

What's the difference between this:

 

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rRAcpR5Whck/TefbeMGzcbI/AAAAAAAAAvI/JO9K9yUa8Ik/s1600/6a00d8341c630a53ef0105368e1f7c970c-800wi.jpg

 

And this:

 

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/c0.0.320.320/p403x403/319068_285130294939248_2042200613_n.jpg

 

When teams intentionally fouled Shaq, he wasn't able to be that dominant player. He spent his time, on offense, at the free throw line...just like Howard is doing.

 

So, while Shaq was the better player (not debatable), the dominance he possessed on the low block meant nothing late in the 4th during a Hack-a-Shaq because, simply put, teams wouldn't let him use it.

 

We won three championships with a horrible FT shooting team. All three of those rings, we were in the bottom five in FT shooting. We can do it with Howard.

I agree. There's no real difference between them at the FT line in the 4th qtr. But I just rather have Shaq's personality. He was mean on the court. Howard, it just seems like it's gotten to the point where everything is a joke.

 

The bits and pieces I've watched of him this year, there's times where it looks like he's not even trying to break a sweat. Idk if his back is still bothering him (would be a fair excuse IMO), or that's just the way he's playing.