The Dream Imparts Wisdom on Superman

Dwight Howard is widely-considered the best center in the game today. On the defensive end, he's a beast. He's a monster on the boards (13.2 rebounds per game), and he has the best timing when it comes to blocking shots (2.8 blocks per game). He has extremely broad shoulders so it looks almost comical when another center tries to post him up. Howard's an icebox - no one is going to outmuscle him in the post.

But all of his athleticism is exhausted on the defensive end. And yes, defense does win championships, but juding from the results of the playoffs, Orlando needs Howard to be more than a defensive presence. They need him to utilize the combination of brute strength and unmatched quickness that is rarely ever possessed by a man of his size on the offensive end. He averages just about 18 points a game, which is well over the league average among centers. But almost all of his points come from alley-oop passes from Jameer Nelson and putback dunks from a Rashard Lewis or Vince Carter missed shot (there are a lot of those).

Because of his shortcomings, he turned to Hall of Fame center Hakeem Olajuwon for help. "The Dream" was just as much of a force as Dwight Howard is now on the defensive end, holding the league's record for most blocks. However, Olajuwon had every post move that comes to mind down pat - hook shot, drop step, up and unders, you name it. His well-roundedness on the offensive and defensive end led his Houston Rockets to two NBA championships.

It's definitely going to take Howard years and many more practices with The Dream and on his own to be as fluid as Olajuwon was in the post. And after watching this video, I've decided that it's going to take a very long time. In the video, it just doesn't seem right for Howard. Comparing Howard's hook shot from Olajuwon's is strikingly different. The results are the same, but Olajuwon just looks more comfortable doing it. Howard seems stiff - why can't he extend his arms all the way out like Olajuwon? And if Howard seems uncomfortable with no one on him, imagine how much more awkward and unconventional it will be for Howard during an actual game. But who knows, LeBron's jumper isn't all that pretty, but he worked on it, and it goes in the majority of the time now. Maybe it will be the same for Howard.

Don't get me wrong, I completely agree that Howard is the best center in the game today. But let me just say this. If Yao was healthy, Howard would be sharing "best center in the league" honors with him, without a doubt.

And I consider Pau Gasol a power forward, so if we're debating best big man in the game today, Dwight Howard wouldn't be standing so pretty.












- Leather Head